This is a great time of the year to consider adding another tree to your landscape. I probably have over 50 trees on our acre lot and I add a few more each year. Below is the Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) flowering in spring. The puffy white cloud like blooms are something I look forward to in April. It is slow growing and right now the leaves are turning yellow.
I love the leaves on the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) below. They remind me of a child’s coat. I bought this one last year and planted it in a spot where I can view it from the second story window of our house as the tulip-like flowers are only on the top of the tree. I was discouraged to find out that it may be ten years before the tree does finally flower. Oh well for now I can enjoy the large fun shaped leaves.
The next tree is one that I get asked a lot as to what is that? It could be in a Dr. Seuss book with it’s contorted form. It is the Twisty Baby Dwarf Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). It is definitely a specimen tree and a conversation starter.
This tree with it’s great fall color is the Diane Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’). I selected this one for it’s fragrant, showy red flowers in spring (before it leafs out) and the fall color.
This deciduous confier is a Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). It is a living fossil as it dates back to prehistoric times. This can be a very large tree so site it in a spot where it can have lots of room to grow and can get sufficient moisture. The mature bark is a orange color. The soft foliage is one of my favorites and in fall it turns red/brown then drops. My neighbor asked me last winter if I was sad that my tree died. I had to tell him that it is suppose to do that.
This next one is a must have for every garden. The Tiger Eye Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) is chartreus in spring, bright yellow in summer and yellow, scarlet, orange in fall. It has fuzzy stems and gets to be about 6′. I have noticed that it does sucker but they can be pulled out easily or left if you want more. I have two of these anchoring each side of a large landscape bed.
I just had to show you the next two pictures of some great fall color in my back yard. Below is the perennial Amsonia hubrichtii (the 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year). In spring, it has blue star like flowers and it really puts on a fall show. The best display of this perennial that I have seen is at the Paine Art Center in Oshkosh.
One of my favorite berry shrubs is the Purple Beautyberry ‘Early Amethyst.’ The purple berries set against the yellow fall color sure makes a statement. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center has a great display of beautyberries in their garden by the fountain.
So when you are out shopping for a new tree, diversify and pick something different from your neighbors. Get one with interesting bark, leaves, flowers, fall color or berries!
- Posted by Cheryl
About From Cheryl's Garden
Add to Google
