Do It Yourself Backyard Landscaper

One of the pleasures of gardening is to observe how your living creation changes throughout the year. Many trees have a strong seasonal cycle, new leaves, flowers, fruit autumn colours and in winter dramatic skeletal forms covered with ice or snow. Some have more than one period of interest in a year.

Spring

After a long winter, signs of spring – the first new leaves and flower bud are particularly welcome. For a spectacular show of spring blossoms, try flowering cherries or almonds Prunus). Consider also the hawthorns (Crataegus), crab-apples (Malus) and mountain ashes (Sorbus). Many of these also have attractive fruit in the autumn.

Some of the earliest blossoms appear on bare branches, for example Prunus ‘Pandora’ with clusters of pale pink flowers or the weeping Prunus x sublirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ which had ruby red buds that open to deep pink blossoms. If the tree is to be located near a house or path find a variety with fragrant flowers.
Don’t forget the leaves, many trees are at their best and brightest in the spring with their new leaves.
Suggestions;
Flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’, Prunus avium ‘Plena’, Malus ‘Lemoinei’, Cornus mattallii, Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ English hawthorn Crataegus hawthorn ‘Pauls Scarlet’.
Scent; Magnolia kobus, Magnolia salicifolia, Prunus ‘Taihaku.
Emerging Leaf Buds; Whitebeam (Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’), Golden honey-locust (Gleditisia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’), Acer pesudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’.

Summer

As late spring moves into summer the trees are in full leaf and they take on their characteristic form. Some trees bloom in early summer, magnolias, laburnums, horse chestnuts. Later the spring flowering trees start to bear fruit and berries.

Suggestions;
Flowers; Koelreuteria, Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ cream flowers and variegated leaves, tulip trees Liriodendron tulipifera if you have enough room.
Fragrance; Eucryphia glantinosa.

Autumn

Is the season when many deciduous trees are at their most colourful, brightening up the landscape. Most famous are the maples (Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum). The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is one of the first to turn and is also a tough native.

Suggestions; Foliage Colour; Acer japonicum ‘Vitifolium’, Chineese tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea ‘Splendens’).
Fruits; Hawthorns (Crataegus), Mountain ashes (Sorbus) apples, pears, plums and quinces.

Winter

Trees provide interest throughout the winter from their pattern of branches, evergreen foliage or persistent berries. Some trees provide attractive bark or stems which is often overshadowed by foliage throughout the rest of the year. Winter is when the evergreen trees leap out of the landscape and their subtle shades of green are highlighted.
Suggestions;
Flowers; Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’
Fruit; Arbutus, Photinia davidiana, hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), hollies especially Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Camelliifolia’ and some mountain ashes.

Year Round Interest

If you only have space for one tree, choose one that has something to offer all year, maybe an evergreen or a deciduous tree with lots of colour.
Suggestions; Evergreen- Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), hollies (Ilex aquifolium or Ilex opaca).
Deciduous; Crab-apples (Malus), Hawthorns (Crataegus), or mountain ashes (Sorbus)
Conifers; Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana), Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’, Cedar (Cedrus deodara ‘Aurea’.