A gorgeous tree, with large, star-like, shiny, bright green leaves which turn brilliant purple, then shades of orange and yellow in the autumn. It has a rounded, heavy crown, and although it is not particularly fast-growing, it is not suitable for a small garden, as it is long-lived and will eventually grow to 20m (60ft).
In Britain, it flowers intermittently and inconspicuously in spring, but it is for the foliage that this tree is prized. Grow Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' either as a specimen tree in grass, or as the centrepiece to a glade. Trees grown in a rich, damp soil in full sun will colour the best.