Plant of the Week: Populus Candicans Aurora

Populus Candicans Aurora (Ontario Poplar) is grown for its variegated foliage which is at its best in early summer.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2010, 15:49 BST
Updated 12th Aug 2010, 15:49 BST

It's deciduous, it grows quickly and it can, if left unpruned, turn into a fairly hefty tree (at least 50ft in height).

The leaves are randomly variegated, especially when young, with coloured creamy white leaves sometimes tinged pink. Older leaves

turn green.

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It can tolerate a bit of damp and acid soil, and despite fears that it can't tolerate cold winters, this particular specimen (below) managed to survive six weeks of ice and snow and has come up looking fine.

For the best results, hard prune the shoots in winter; not only should you get plenty of colourful leaves the next season, but you'll also be keeping the tree to a reasonable size.

A word of warning – if you do plan to grow Populus Candicans Aurora and want it to reach its full height, plant it well away from buildings. Its roots are a bit invasive.

YP MAG 14/8/10