Episode: #5 30/09/2006
Presenter: Sue McDougall

In spring, it seems that the garden comes alive and the plants are competing for everyone?s attention.

The ornamental deciduous trees are no exception and the spring colour is just outstanding. The use of small deciduous trees in the garden creates the backbone of a garden. A tree cleverly planted as a focal point, when in full flower, draws your eye to a part of the garden you may not have noticed before.

Prunus or flowering plums are perfectly suited to WA?s climate they are a water wise plant when established and put on a spectacular show of colour in spring.

There are many different varieties but 3 of the best include Prunus nigra, that has soft pink delicate flowers followed by the most brilliant burgundy foliage you will see on any tree. It just bursts out after flowering, is shiny and gorgeous and keeps it?s colour all year.

Prunus bleriana has a more spectacular show of double flowers and are a real feature. They are so easy to grow and deserve a position in any garden. The foliage has a slight bronze tinge all year round. Prunus wrightii sports the biggest flower of all flowering plums. An upright vase shaped tree it is covered in these large single bright pink flowers.

These trees don?t require very much care at all and if you want to keep them in shape prune after flowering has finished, because f you decide to prune in winter, you will lose all the flowers.

They can be pruned as hard as you like, but usually a light prune to shape is all they need.

Throw some granulated fertiliser for citrus and fruit trees around them in spring and beginning of summer. This fertiliser contains all the nutrients to help with flowering.

Aside from the flowering, the use of deciduous trees in a garden is a very practical one. In summer under the canopy it is shady and cool. It means you can grow a few more delicate plants easily, without worrying about the sun scorching the leaves. In winter the sun streams in warming the soil to keep plants growing.

Don?t be turned off a deciduous tree because of their leaf drop, the leaves fall all at once and they break down very quickly, creating mulch for the under storing planting, helping to save water. So become inspired and find a position in your garden for a growing treasure.

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