Populus Nigra ‘Italica’ (Lombardy Poplar)

First discovered in Lombardy in Northern Italy, this beautiful slender columnar tree can reach 20m in height. Having mid-green leaves which are roughly triangular in shape, these are a sparkling bronze when youthful and take on a mellow yellow colouration in the autumn. Red catkins will appear in spring.

An avenue of these trees is impressive, however many specimens you plant. Their columnar silhouette makes them decidedly architectural in form and impact, and in winter their unusual branching structure brings an entirely new dimension to your view. Speedy growth and their enthusiasm for being planted in regimental rows also make Lombardy Poplars a good choice for a wind-break, or a living screen.

Good on windy sites, as mentioned, but not quite so suitable in coastal positions. Salty spray is not our friend here. Prefers moist to damp soils of any pH and open ground, so bear this in mind: it’s not one for a small pocket or patch in a paved-over area.

During the 19th century huge numbers of Lombardy Poplar logs were imported from Canada expressly for the manufacture of safety matches. A titbit to ponder upon as you stroll beneath your avenue on a bright day, stepping in and out of the precise shadows thrown across your path.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.