While gardeners often extol the virtues of outstanding bark and winter interest, let’s not kid ourselves—flower power reigns supreme. A tree that is a stately focal point most of the year will be transformed into an awe-inspiring centerpiece by spectacular blooms. Spring-flowering trees often occupy prime garden real estate, but for some easy, unexpected floral elegance, it is truly worthwhile to plant trees that bloom in summer, fall, or even late winter. Many of my favorites even have dazzling displays when they aren’t in bloom. Here are some excellent choices for you to consider.
When it seems like spring will never come, seeing branches laden with buds gives us hope that warmer weather is on its way.
Name:Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’
Zones: 4–9
Size: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moderately moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Eastern and central North America
First bloom: Early spring
Redbud is going to be on almost every list of spring-flowering trees. If I had to choose just one for its color and impact, this would be it. New cultivars with unique growing forms or foliage have flooded the market, but cultivars with distinctly different flower colors are hard to find. In this category, ‘Appalachian Red’ is a real standout with its reddish-pink, pealike blooms. Found over 30 years ago by Max Byrkit near the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, it is a true classic that will set your spring garden apart from the crowd.
Name:Prunus mume
Zones: 6–9
Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, acidic, humus-rich soil
Native range: Central and southern China
First bloom: Late winter
During a gray-sky week in late January, I can often count on
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Sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) is an exceptionally large and fast-growing, broadleaf deciduous tree. Sycamore originates from Europe and was introduced to the UK several hundred years ago. Sycamore has long been the subject of controversy and is often considered a nuisance because it self-seeds readily and spreads rapidly – one mature tree can be the parent of many hundreds of sycamore seedlings each year. Undesirable sycamore characteristics are fast growth, large leaves and dense branches that cast deep shade, prolific production of sycamore seeds and masses of waxy autumn leaves that don’t break down quickly and can create a slimy mess that creates issues with drains, pavements and railway lines. Sycamores are also prone to aphid infestations and these insects secrete a sticky honeydew that falls onto any cars parked beneath them, attracting dirt which is hard to wash off.
Although insect pests and plant diseases are generally easy to control in the flower garden, animal pests are not. For one, much of our wildlife is protected by law and can’t be indiscriminately eliminated. You may have variable success with repellents, depending on your location or timing. If the animals are not very hungry or population pressures are not too great, repellents may be enough to discourage invaders. But then again, there’s no guarantee that they’ll work.
February marks the transition from winter to spring. Although the chill may persist, promising signs of the upcoming new season are scattered throughout. Bulbs cautiously break through the soil, and daylight gradually begins to appear.
Plant trends change every year but they are here to stay for a long time to come! This year calls for a little change, and keeping that in mind, we have some cool ideas you must copy for an appealing indoor setup with nature’s best!
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance groundcover that also flowers, look no further than creeping lilyturf. This tough perennial has thick, blade-like foliage and forms attractive clumps. In this article, I’ll share more details about creeping lilyturf, along with how easy it is to grow and care for.
Placing trees of these colors needs great care, but their colors mingled with the multitude of others in autumn are effective and of great beauty; they do not blend well with the normal greens, particularly if used in quantity. They should, therefore, be used sparingly in isolation at points where they will inevitably catch the eye.
As the new year begins, our gardens present an inviting canvas for renewal and growth. January is a pivotal month for gardeners, serving as the cornerstone for a flourishing spring.
If you’re a gardener—and since you picked up this magazine I’m guessing you are—you probably get peppered with plant questions all the time. I know I do. Take Thanksgiving just this past year. My dad was looking for some trees that would “subtly block” his neighbors who had recently put a pool in their backyard. So in between doling out mashed potatoes and deciding if I wanted apple or pumpkin pie for dessert, I pulled out Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs from the nearby bookshelf to spark some suggestions. (That illustrated encyclopedia was a Christmas gift a few years back to help my dad make plant choices without my help. Its successfulness in doing so is still up for debate.) This same scenario takes place at summer picnics, children’s birthday parties, or even on planes when my seatmate asks what I do for a living. After I answer, it’s common to hear, “Wow, that’s so interesting. Listen, I have this spot where I need something …” Most of these inquiries center around trees too—and I get it. A tree is an investment with a capital “I.” Not only is a tree the single most expensive plant you will likely purchase for your landscape, but it is also the longest lived. Trees don’t like to be moved, they generally require a bit more effort to get established than a perennial or shrub, and they are usually the focal point of a specific area. For all of these reasons, everyone wants to choose the right tree.
Pruning can be intimidating. Many of us fear making a mistake our plants won’t recover from. Overall, trees are resilient; with a little practice and know-how, any gardener should be able to tackle this task. Here are some things to keep in mind before grabbing the saw.