Trees for the Garden
Episode: #14 23/12/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus
With the heat of summer well and truly here finding just a little shade makes being in the garden bearable. Of course, trees provide fantastic cooling shade and choosing the right tree for your garden will be a wonderful asset to your yard. Kim?s advice though, is spend a little time looking around before buying
Now some trees might start out small but before long they can grow into monsters. Its not just the size, the wrong trees can also create problems with invading roots, cracking and lifting houses, paths and roads.
Another consideration when selecting your tree is whether you want an evergreen or a deciduous one. Deciduous trees will shed their leaves in the winter and this is great when you want the winter sun warming the house, while an evergreen will be filled with foliage all year round.
The Purple-Leafed Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a medium sized deciduous, growing to around 5 metres with a wide spreading canopy. The Forest Pansy form has reddish purple heart-shaped leaves, while the Chinese Redbud (Cercis chinensis) form has yellow green leaves instead.
Another favourite deciduous is the Weeping Japanese maple (Acer palmatum Dissectum Group cv.). These trees need sheltered conditions to grow well in South Australia. Their delicate foliage and thick canopies make them favourites in smaller gardens.
For something bright, the Robinia Frisia?s (Robinia pseudocacia 'Frisia' ) will lighten up the garden. They are best planted in the lawn or a paved area where its roots won?t be disturbed, otherwise watch out for a sea of suckers.
One of Kim?s favourites is the Golden Gleditsia or Honey Locust (Gleditsia tricanthos var. inermis, ?Sunburst?). The bright ferny foliage and smooth irregular branches combine well making it a great garden specimen.
An evergreen tree that does well and flowers brilliantly is the Native Frangipani (Hymenosperum flavum). An upright grower, these look terrific when planted along a back fence or in a small group. Another flowering beauty is the deciduous Tulip Tree. The tall upright form (Lirodendron tulipifera ?Fastigatum?) is great for screening and will produce greenish yellow, tulip like blooms, from mid spring.
If you have a tiny garden and still want a tree then try a weeping form with an umbrella style canopy, to provide shade and place for you to sit. A Weeping Elm (Ulmus glabra ?Pendula?) with its large mid green leaves and thick growth is ideal.
Now, there is plenty more trees to check out. Take a visit to your local Garden Centre like Cleveland Nursery in Stirling and ask them lots of questions about which tree will be best for your garden. Choose well now and you will be enjoying it for many years to come.
Cleveland Nursery
91 Mount Barker Road
Stirling SA 5152
8339 1595
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