What is the image that comes to your mind when I say the word ‘tree’? Is it one of our towering conifers like a Doug Fir or Western Red Cedar, or maybe our native Big Leaf Maple? Or perhaps your thoughts go to the mighty Oak or Weeping Willow or Sycamore. These are all large specimens that have the classic morphology of what most of us think of as a tree. But, can a ‘tree’ also be a shrub that only grows 6 feet tall, like some of our smaller Japanese maples? What about the trunk, does it have to be single and straight as an arrow or can it be multiple and more sinuous? Many larger shrubs can be pruned up into ‘tree form’ by exposing their branching structure. Oh, and what about ‘tree roses’. Are they really trees or just roses that have been grafted and trained into a more formal shape? I would submit that a tree, in all its various forms, is primarily a plant that functions as the focal point of our gardens, providing a vertical accent and sometimes the upper canopy of a layered landscape. It should be the first thing we plant, around which the rest of the garden is formed.
Trees come in all shapes and sizes, and in addition to their architectural value, can also provide us with fruit, flowers, fall colors, and shade. This time of year, as the parade of blooms start to commence, my thoughts usually drift to our many choices of flowering trees. Here are a few unique varieties to consider…
Cornelian Cherry: Also commonly known as a Cornelian Cherry dogwood, it produces vibrant yellow blooms in early spring, providing nice early color in the landscape. Edible fruits eventually follow the flowers and the tree reaches roughly 20’ by 20’ in size. ‘Saffron Sentinel’ is a new introduction that only gets 12 feet wide, perfect for that tight space in the landscape.
Dogwoods: Native to the east coast, the west coast, and also Asia, Dogwoods have been hybridized to provide us with many choices. All of these varieties perform well in our maritime climate and most grow in the 15 to 20 foot range. A few unusual variations include ‘Summer Fun’ (variegated green and white foliage), 'Summer Gold’ (striking green and yellow foliage), ‘Scarlet Fire’ (vivid fuchsia pink blossoms) and ‘Snow Tower’ (huge pure white flowers with a narrower habit, reaching roughly 15’ by 8’ in size).
Crabapples: There are many good choices, but here are some with distinct features… ‘Lollipop’ is a true dwarf form that will stay compact at around 8’ by 8’ in size and ‘Sparkling Sprite’, which is similar to ‘Lollipop’, forms a tight rounded head about 12’ by 12’ in size, perfect for a more formal look. ‘Raspberry Spear’ is also a good choice, it has deep pink buds that open to bright magenta flowers on a tightly columnar frame, reaching roughly 20’ x 8’ in size.
Japanese Snowbells: These are sweet little trees that bloom in June with pendulous white bells that adorn the branches in great abundance. Two exciting new introductions to look into, that have dark, glossy, deep purple foliage, are ‘Evening Light’ (I planted one in my garden two years ago and it is already stunning) and its weeping cousin ‘Nightfall’.
Japanese Stewartias: This is a tree for all seasons! Camellia-like white flowers, that are up to 2 to 3 inches in diameter, appear on this medium-sized tree in the middle of summer. Stewartias provide kaleidoscopic fall colors, including red, orange & purple tones, that are absolutely stunning. Pealing bark adds to the interest of these trees with beautiful cream and tan patches being revealed as the trunk exfoliates with age, usually reaching roughly 35’ by 25’ in size. I planted one at the nursery over 20 years ago, so you can see first hand what it looks like.
Magnolias: Sometimes referred to as “tulip trees”, these large multi-stemmed shrubs make excellent trees in our home landscapes. The most unique varieties usually have dark purple flowers (there are even a couple that have yellowish flowers) and several have decent fragrance. Watch for ‘Felix Jury’, ‘Vulcan’, and ‘Black Tulip’ for the darkest blooms. Probably the most striking new variety for me is ‘Genie’, a small, pyramidal tree with stunning, deep maroon-purple, lightly fragrant flowers that open on bare branches in the early spring.
Weeping Pussy Willows: For late winter drama, nothing beats a weeping Pussy Willow. While the grey fuzzy buds (called catkins) may not be terribly showy, growers often train these trees into a serpentine form that makes them a key focal point in the garden.
There are, of course, many other choices for flowering trees; including the ubiquitous Thundercloud Plums in early spring all the way to the very late blooming Sourwoods. When purchasing this key element of your landscape, remember to consider all the aspects of the tree, such as overall form, leaf shapes and colors, fall interest, and appropriate scale for the garden. Like a Rhododendron, flowering trees are only in bloom for a few weeks, so find varieties that have additional interest to bring you some joy during the rest of the year as well.
