Populus nigra 'Italica' (Lombardy poplar)

Other names: Lady poplar, Italian poplar, Black poplar

ShootChecker™

STOP: Make sure you get the “Right Plant, Right Place.”

90% of plants die because they were the wrong plant choice. Shoot helps you to save valuable time and money to get the right plant choices for any garden.

Find out howHide details

How ShootChecker™ works

Get the Right Plant, Right Place

Provide details about your garden or your client's garden conditions

ShootChecker™ will help you assess if it is the right plant

Save money with Right Plant, Right Place.

Get started Book a demo

Other Shoot features

One-stop planning
Streamlined garden design and record-keeping all in one place

Monthly care advice
Receive tailored monthly care advice for plants in your garden

Present and collaborate
Share designs and care tasks with anyone

Join Shoot today to enjoy…

ShootChecker™
One-stop garden design
Monthly care advice for every plant in your garden
Saving money with Right Plant, Right Place

All you need to do is join.

Get started

Book a demo

Already a member? Sign in

Hide details

Add to plant list

1 of 1

Variety or Cultivar

'Italica' is a fast-growing, deciduous tree with a fastigiate habit giving it a columnar shape. It has mid-green, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn and red catkins in spring.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
30 m	22 m	20-50 years
98 ft	72 ft	20-50 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

30 m

22 m

20-50 years

98 ft

72 ft

20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Chalky
Clay
Loamy
Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained
Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid
Alkaline
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Aspect

East
West
South

Exposure

Exposed
Sheltered

Check to see if this is the Right Plant, Right Place with ShootChecker™

Open ShootChecker™

Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in moist, free-draining soil. This vigorous growing tree is for large gardens and should not be planted near buildings. Planting in rows gives a dramatic effect.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Architectural, Hedging/Screens, Specimen tree

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Sunset zone

A3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Native to

Garden origin

Drought tolerant

Flood tolerant

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

Pests

Diseases

Bacterial canker

Monthly care advice

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Rake up and use fallen leaves to make leafmould

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (15)

Populus

Select all Deselect all

0 selected Add to a plant list

0 selected

Populus alba White poplar

Populus nigra 'Italica' Lombardy poplar

Populus tremula Aspen

Populus nigra Black poplar

Populus x jackii 'Aurora' Variated balm of Gilead

Populus deltoides Eastern cottonwood

Populus tremuloides American aspen

Populus x canadensis Canadian poplar

Populus x canescens Grey poplar

Populus x woobstii Woobst's poplar

Populus trichocarpa Western balsam poplar

Populus deltoides 'Purple Tower' Eastern cottonwood 'Purple Tower'

Populus tremula 'Erecta' Aspen 'Erecta'

Populus fremontii Fremont's cottonwood

Populus alba 'Raket' White poplar 'Raket'

Related content

Hi Jenny,

Populus nigra 'Italica' is a great choice for some attractive, fast growing screening. When growing these as a hedge the general guide is to plant 3-5 per metre. Taking into account the eventual spread of the tree, which is a maximum of around 4.5m, I would plant a good 1-2 metres in from the fence, to avoid too much overhang into the neighbour's garden.

Populus nigra 'Italica' sold for hedging purposes is usually sold in packs of bare root specimens. When planting these it's very important not to plant too deep, as this can leave the plant vulnerable to rotting and disease. In practical terms the best way of doing this is to identify the water mark left on the trunk by the soil before the plant was lifted, and aim to plant at the same level.

You should be aware that the roots of this tree can be fairly invasive, and it is not recommended to plant within about 40 metres of a building, as in some cases they can damage the foundations. You are planting them far enough away from your house for this not to be a problem, but just be aware of it in terms of any built structures that may be in the surrounding gardens.

In a similar vein, it's usually quite a good idea to speak to any neighbours that may be affected by the planting of something significant such as this, to let them know that you intend to do so. That way if there are any potential objections, you are aware of them before it's too late to address them easily.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Katy

Posted: Friday 19th of March 2010 04:40 PM Last reply: Friday 19th of March 2010 04:40 PM

how do I plant these ?

Shoot User

610 1

Hi I am very new to gardening and my neighbours at the back of us have got rid of their trees so I need to plant something fast growing for privacy. My gargen is aprox 70ft and I want a row of these at the end but am unsure how far from the fence to plant and how deep to plant them.
I want to just see lush green when I look out,not the back of another house so how far apart can these be planted for this sort of effect.
Sorry if I sound dim but I have never planted trees,only potted plants. Thanks in advance for reading this and hopefully advising me xx

Posted: Friday 19th of March 2010 10:13 AM Last reply: Friday 19th of March 2010 10:13 AM