206 saves
Populus
We track 6 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 6 most-saved Populus varieties
2 species of Populus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Populus in Sow
Save the Populus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Populus
Whats common across all Populus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them.
The Populus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in late winter to remove dead, damaged, or weak branches.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October67% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a location with ample space to grow.
- Check for PestsMay–July67% of varieties
Inspect trunk and branches for signs of borers or canker diseases.
Do
- Provide plenty of water, especially when young.
- Give it a very large space to grow, far from structures.
- Monitor for common pests and diseases.
- Remove any suckers that appear at the base of the tree.
- Water deeply and infrequently once established to encourage deep roots.
Avoid
- Expect a long-lived specimen tree ❌
- Do not plant in small yards or near infrastructure.
- Avoid planting in very dry, compacted soil.
- Don't heavily prune or top the tree, which encourages weak growth.
What goes wrong with Populus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar Borer | Holes in the trunk and branches, often with sawdust-like frass. | Maintain tree vigor with proper watering. Chemical controls like permethrin can be applied to the trunk during egg-laying season. There is no organic cure. |
| Aphids | Clusters of insects on new growth, sticky honeydew, and sooty mold. | A strong spray of water can dislodge them. Encourage beneficial insects. Use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. |
| Borers | Sawdust at the trunk with limb dieback above | Keep the tree vigorous; remove and destroy badly affected limbs |
| Oyster Shell Scale | Small, gray, oyster-shaped bumps on the bark. Heavy infestations can cause branch dieback. | Apply dormant horticultural oil in late winter to smother overwintering scales. Use targeted insecticides when crawlers are active in late spring. |
| Cytospora Canker | Sunken, discolored areas on bark (cankers) that ooze resin; causes branch dieback. | Prune out and destroy infected branches in dry weather. Disinfect tools. There is no chemical cure; focus on preventing stress. |
| Canker | Sunken dead areas on trunk and limbs, with dieback beyond | Avoid wounding, prune out affected wood in dry weather |
| Leaf Rust | Orange or yellow pustules on the undersides of leaves in late summer. | 'Siouxland' is resistant. For other poplars, rake and destroy fallen leaves. Fungicides are rarely necessary for landscape trees. |
Making more Populus
Hardwood Cuttings
- Take 12-18 inch cuttings from dormant, one-year-old wood in late winter.
- Store cuttings in a cool, moist place until spring.
- Stick the cuttings directly into prepared soil, leaving 1-2 buds above ground.
- Keep moist; they root and leaf out quickly in 4-6 weeks.
Root cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch sections of root in late winter.
- Lay them horizontally in a tray of moist potting mix.
- Cover lightly with soil and keep moist.
- Shoots should emerge within 4-8 weeks.
Populus questions
How many types of Populus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Populus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 206 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Populus grow in?
Across its varieties, Populus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Populus bloom?
Most Populus varieties bloom in early spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Populus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.