Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Garden Design Ideas - Small Trees for Spring Blossom




Trees are important for providing colour and height in a garden.  Choosing a tree for a small space can be tricky.  So, here are a few suggestions that won’t grow too big and will provide good spring blossom.


1. Cornus kousa var chinensis ‘China Girl’ and ‘Wisley Cream

These lovely flowering Dogwoods are slow growing with a spreading habit and loads of flowers in late spring.  What look like flowers are actually large, white clematis-like bracts that flush pink and are followed by red fruit.  Cornus also have the added benefit of providing great autumn colour when their leaves turn deep purple-red in autumn.




2. Prunus ‘Spire’

This is a fantastic tree for a small space as it has an upright habit.  Like all flowering cherries it is covered with pink flowers in the spring.  Then its foliage which starts off bronze gives wonderful autumn colour.



3. Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’

One of my personal favourite small trees that can also be kept pruned as a shrub.  All varieties of Cercis have a really interesting growth habit with the bright pink flowers appearing in dense clusters on the stem and branches before the leaves.  Leaves are large and heart shaped with a bluish tint.  The tree is then covered with dry pea pod fruits in the autumn.



4. Tamarix ramossissima ‘Pink Cascade’

Often relegated to hedgerows and kept ruthlessly pruned Tamarix makes a fabulous small tree with its airy stems covered in pink blossom. One of my clients described it as looking rather like an exploding firework which is surprisingly accurate.


If you'd like help with designing your garden please get in touch.  Visit my Web site and Facebook page for more project photos. 

Linsey Evans Garden Design creates beautiful bespoke gardens throughout Berkshire, Surrey, London, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

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