is front yard too small even for small trees?
bungalow_house
16 years ago
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bungalow_house
16 years agoIris GW
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Small Tree / Large Shrub Speciman for Front Yard
Comments (15)Well, there is so much variety with that species, some of them are bushlike and some of them are small yet naturally "limbed up." They can have colorful flowers and seeds, leaves and interesting bark, depending on the variety. But not always easy to find the variety in typical nurseries. And then if you want to order online, what to order, what will thrive. Anyway, that's what I went through. Unfortunately my yard in the back where I have room for the maples is really hot and sunny, so only the most hardy varieties for me, but if I had a more hospitible spot I (one that would support pagoda dogwood, for example), I would definately explore the maple option. Here's a link to the nursery where I bought mine. They were recommended to me by someone on the JM forum. I have only ordered the one tree from them that I have, and it has done spectacularly well. And I was so skeptical that the stick that came in the mail in the fall would even live. The nursery is Herter's Nursery I think in VA? Anyway, below is a link to their Web site My own fireflow or something like that maple has grown by leaps and bounds. It's easily four times the size it was when I got it. It grew a whole lot in the first year, so don't be discouraged by the small size of the saplings. Small saplings tend to establish themselves better right off the bat at a site. They look small at first but make up for the size difference with quick growth and overall health. At least that has been my experience. Sorry I can't post a picture, my photo site is down. I just got a new camera so am looking forward to posting "before" and "after" shots of my maple. Here is a link that might be useful: Herter's Nursery Japanese maples...See MoreSmall Tree / Large Shrub Speciman for Front Yard
Comments (7)Is the 'limbed up' thing just about preventing it from taking a lot of ground space? If so, what about a columnar evergreen conifer like an emerald green arborvitae? Or something similar that'd remain green & attractive during winter, without bushing out too badly. Of course, if you want a tall naked trunk under the crown of the tree, that's not going to work out. What is it about the Purpleleaf Sandcherry that you don't like? I'm not pushing the plant, just thinking that knowing what you don't like about it might help rule out some of the other options. Richard....See Moresmall tree for small yard?
Comments (13)Tsuga - our Serviceberry is planted in an east facing location, with only morning sun. Wondering if yours has a more open habit? That's what I expect with mine in these conditions. How are the spring blooms and fall color for you? By any chance do you have any pictures you can share? I'd love to see a mature one in the landscape. We just planted ours earlier this year. I'd love to see pics of your Satomi as well. Milwaukeean, when I think of crabapples I think of a messy tree with lots of maintenance, maybe I'm wrong. I also think of a low branching tree, not ideal for the placement. Gardener, I'm on my second year with the heptacodium, can't wait for it to mature. My narrowed choices, though I'm leaning more towards the latter two: 1. Fringe tree - lacks four season interest, late to wake up in spring 2. Serviceberry Autumn Brilliance - seasonal interest, I have this already in my front yard 3. Kousa Dogwood - other than the flower color, what are the primary differences between white flowered and Satomi? I'm planting this next to a purple leaf sandcherry, which of these do you think would compliment it more? Kousa Dogwood - are the berries messy? I read they prefer shade, my placement would be full sun, how will it fare in this condition?...See Morerecommendations for small trees for front yard mow strip
Comments (4)Purple leaf plums unfortunately are short lived nowadays and no longer recommended for a number of reasons. A good substitute is a series of black-leafed Lagerstroemias (Crape Myrtles) available, quite stunning small trees with gorgeous flowers. Developed by the USDA, they are marketed under a couple of different names, including 'Black Diamond'. Different summer flower colors include red, white, pink. Lagerstoemias are good parkway trees, most all are not overwhelmingly large and they have beautiful bark as well as beautiful summer flowers. Not at their best close to the ocean, but at least a few miles inland with some summer heat they do well. Autumn foliage color can be excellent if we get a bit of cold weather. Non-fruiting Loquat (Eriobotrya deflexa ) makes a good small parkway tree; perhaps a dwarf Magnolia like 'Little Gem' or 'Teddy Bear' (do not be misled by the "dwarf"--they will still get 30' tall in time, but a regular Magnolia can get 80'. Or decidious Magnolia like 'Black Tulip'. Metrosideros 'Spring Fire' makes a nice 15-20' tree with coral colored flowers off and on that feed the hummingbirds. You could also consider medium-to large-ish shrubs that can be limbed up as small trees....See Morebungalow_house
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