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Category: About Trees

Articles involving trees, shrubs, bushes, woods and hedges plus related subjects

Cornus Family of Dogwoods

Cornus Family of Dogwoods

cornus-controversa

Cornus controversa is a striking tree with tiered habit and heads of creamy-white flowers in May leading to it’s nickname The Wedding Cake Tree. The leaves of Cornus controversa Pagoda are a vibrant, dark green in spring and summer before turning a rich, plum-purple in autumn. The shrub is robust and can be seen growing to 50 feet in the national collection of Cornus at Newby Hall Garden.

dog-wood-in-bloom
This Cornus Kousa Rosea is a great shrub about 4 feet tall with a tiered habit and bracts around the flowers of reddish pink.

Cornus mas forms a large shrub or small spreading tree up to 15 feet tall with shiny, dark green leaves which turn reddish purple in autumn. It is grown mainly for its profusion of tiny golden yellow flowers which are borne in rounded clusters on bare stems before the leaves develop, giving a cloud of welcome winter colour. The flowers are followed in summer by unusual oblong shaped, fleshy, bright red, edible berries, hence the common name cornelian cherry.
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Silverbells and Snowdrop Trees The Halesia

Silverbells and Snowdrop Trees The Halesia

snowdrop-tree

Attractive trees from the  Halesia species are commonly called Carolina Silverbell, Snowdrop trees or two winged Silverbells. They have a magnificent spring display and are attractive choices for gardens of all sizes. The foliage turns golden yellow in Autumn and the fruit are are bright green maturing too red-brown through Winter. Except as noted below trees seldom exceed 30 feet tall.

Halesia Cultivation.

  • All varieties are decidious trees or shrubs that flower in spring prior to leafing. The winged fruit are attractive reasons for growing Halesia.
  • Halesia flower more profusely and grow more vigorously if subject to high summer temperatures.
  • Halesia may be hard to transplant but small specimens re-establish themselves if planted in late winter or early spring.
  • In a natural habitat with broken soil and a cold winter the seeds germinate well.
  • Individual stems of H. tetraptera are naturally replaced from new shoots at the base.
  • IHalesia prefer an acid soil and like most plants from the Appalachians prefer a moist, well-drained humus rich soil.
  • This is a perfect tree for shady corners or set off against a dark background as a specimen tree.

Halesia Species

  • Halesia carolina from eastern North America also called H. parviflora Little Silverbell or H. tetraptera the Carolina Silverbell. This is the most freely available in the UK whilst H. parviflora is less known.
  • Halesia tetraptera Meehanii is a 10feet high shrub with small but profuse white spring flowers. For larger flowers try Wedding Bells
  • H. diptera is thedistinguished from the other Halesia by its two-winged fruit, the other taxa all have four-winged fruit. The variety magniflora has more significantly dramatic blooms prior to leaf formation. If I was choosing just one varoiety this would be my choice.
  • Halesia monticola or Mountain Silverbell has specimens up to 100 feet tall known in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the tallest species. The crollas can be 12 inches long and the tree can be used in large landscapes. A pink flowered variety exists Arnold Pink and others are sold as Rosea or Vestita.
  • The second-largest is H. macgregorii, reaching 75 feet in Chinese mountains. The others Halesias rarely exceed 10 m tall.

Acknowledgments  R Darke and Plantsman RHS. and H G Hillier

Pieris japonica Portraits

Pieris japonica Portraits

An early stunner the Pieris shrubs are amongst my favourite Japanese inspired plants.

Pieris japoninca

Pieris japonica or the lily of the valley bush is one of my springtime favourites.
The clusters of small, bell shaped flowers arrive at the same time as the young, new red leaves in April.

A favourite shrub this Pieris provides colour and scent from the flowers in winter. I spotted this at the beginning of December and expect the flowers to last until February. Eventually the blossom will be replaced with the famous bright red showy leaves that have rightly made the Pieris much sought after.

Tips and Hints for Great Pieris

  • Pieris are happy in light shade. If you place them near paths you will get the scent from the drooping winter flowers early in the new year but allow space for the plant to grow. This years December blossom is very early for the north of England
  • Pieris are ericaceous shrubs loving the same slightly acid soils preferred by Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
  • Prune or deadhead after flowering but take care not to remove new leaves which are a delight and the main reason for growing Pieris
  • There are two main species the Pieris japonica and the Pieris Forrestii. I grow the Forest Flame and Katsura hybrid.
  • Leaves start a bright strong red and mature to green making a startling sight.
  • If the leaves tend to yellow and appear sickly it is because of alkaline soil and an ericaceous feed and a peat mulch would help.
  • The shrub is slow growing but may reach 8 feet. However it is still useful under larger trees if it can get good moisture.

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Fronds Found in Yorkshire

Fronds Found in Yorkshire

yorkshire-december

Is this Maderia or Yorkshire?  Are they Palm trees,  stonking great Yuccas or something else?
The houses in Menston, Yorkshire with the Wharfedale scene on the horizon gives the game away, it is not a photograph of exotic climes. This just shows what can be achieved in a another English garden. The copper beech hedge, still to show leaf colour, is more normal in these suburban gardens.

Whilst these tree specimen are now about 20 foot tall there are many tropical transplants that have been surviving in our gardens. After a mild winter with little snow or hard frosts it will be interesting to see what damage if any has been done. The worst I have noticed is the bent conifer branches due to snow, poor Camellias and the burnt edges of the young Choysia leaves.

At the moment I can’t do anything about it due to the snow covering that is keeping the tender plants under a blanket sheltered from artic winds.

Roll on late spring when the Yorkshire moors will be covered in heath, heather and ferns.

Cotoneaster Horizontalis Growing Tips

Cotoneaster Horizontalis Growing Tips

Not always a bird favourite but a prolific berryer alll the same.

Marks for the juicy red berries 65%, for the colourful leaves 25%, for the arching branches 25% and for arithmetic 12%.

Cotoneaster Information

  • An important genus of hardy ornamental shrubs ranging from prostrate to 10 feet high varieties. They tolerate most soil and conditions some growing up north facing walls.
  • As can be seen the leaves turn from green to strong autumn colours and most varieties bear fruit much loved by the birds in my garden.
  • Small white flowers can smother the branches in June and they attract bees and hover flies but are not troubled by pest or disease.
  • My Cotoneaster horizontalis has herring bone style branches covering a 2 foot wall and 6 square yards of an ugly, old patio. This variety of Contoneaster is drought tolerant.
  • My ‘Hilliers Manual of Trees and Shrubs’ (a great Christmas present for the enthusiast) lists over 70 of the 300 species with short write-ups on each and the RHS Plant Finder tells you where to source them.
  • Originally from Japan

bird on fence

Growing Cotoneaster Horizontalis for Landscaping

  • Cotoneaster Horizontalis is a good low growing shrub for use as groundcover or to grow on a bank. In this situation they need little or no maintenence or pruning.
  • A group of Cotoneaster Horizontalis growing in harmony with a taller shrub can make a distinctive feature
  • I have a self sown seedling in the top of a wall and the arching branches disguise the more formal wall shape.
  • Cotoneaster Horizontalis can be trained as an espalier or against a wall.

November 2011 - Cotoneaster horizontalis

Propagation of Cotoneaster Horizontalis

  • Cotoneaster horizontalis will root where the spreading branches touch the ground and this helps its spread. You can take rooted cuttings in this manner.
  • Plants produce prolific seed via the red berries. They are easy to grow from seed.
  • Can be propagated from Semiripe-hardwood cuttings

Read more: growing Cotoneaster as small trees

Credits
bird on fence by *Psycho Delia* CC BY-NC 2.0
November 2011 – Cotoneaster horizontalis by muffinn CC BY 2.0

Top Spring Garden Shrubs

Top Spring Garden Shrubs

It is only just April and the colour is showing in the early shrubs. These are some of my favourites.

Ribes

Flowering Currant ( Ribes Sanguineum)

The small currant leaves can’t hide the large amount of red or pink flowers hanging from all the leaf joints in tassel like profusion. On one tassel I have just picked there are 11 star like flowers open and at least as many buds to still open. A great show of pink and red at this early stage of the season when these colours are harder to find. They don’t last very long but are a worthwhile plant to grow. The leaves have a strong and pleasant currant smell

  • Cuttings are easy to root and I just cut a 10″ length and push it into a patch of garden where I want a new plant.
  • They often grow wild on patches of land or a friendly neighbour would give you several cuttings. Look for a colour that you like and ask after it has finished flowering or at the backend of the season.
  • Plants can grow to 5 feet and more so keep pruning out some of the old wood and trim the plant to a manageable size.
  • Pruning should be done shortly after flowering – cutting back to a new bud.
  • I grow them in sun and shade at they both perform.
  • You often see them at coastal areas so they do OK by the sea

Pieris Japonica

Pieris japoninca

Pieris japoninca

These shrubs are usually grown for the new bright red leaves that start emerging during April. This does them a disservice as the mature bushes are now covered in clusters of white flowers shaped like lily of the valley. This shape of flower gives the plant a common nick name of ‘Lily of the Valley Bush’.

  • Pieris Forest Flame has red leaves that eventually turn pink then green. They grow slowly but robustly.
  • Pieris Mountain Fire is another variety whose name implies where it came from and what to expect. Whilst ‘Flaming Silver’s new leaves are pinkish and the remaining foliage is variegated with white edges
  • The new Katsura range have darker leaves, red or pinkish flower tassels but I have found it less vigourous.
  • Pieris like a moist acidic soil
  • Cuttings can be taken in June or July when flowering has finished. They are more difficult to root than Ribes but the plants are worth the effort

Pieris Katsura hybrid

Mid April and the Flowering currants are giving way to the Pieris japonica exchanging pink for red in floral terms and berries for small clusters of bell shaped flowers.

Spirea Magic Carpet.

Spirea leaf just bursting on this orange leafed variety. The white blossoming Spireas flower at the end of the month

Apple Blossom – Time for a Photo

Apple Blossom – Time for a Photo

I’ll be with you in a…. blossom time.
apple

Apple Blossom on Oxford High Street by University Church

apple

Close up of Apple Blossom against the Sky

apple blossom

apple blossom

Crab apple
Crab apples have strong blossom

Frosted apple blossom

Beware late frost – it kills blossom and pollinators.

april apple blossom

Prune Hard Hardy Shrubs

Prune Hard Hardy Shrubs

These shrubs should shoot back after they are given a hard prune.
Pyracantha

Hedging
Box
Privet – Ligustrum
Yew -Taxus
Pyracantha
Holly – Ilex
Ivy – Hedera

Rose Hip
Flowering Shrubs
Forsythia
Honeysuckle – Lonicera
Potentilla
Lilac – Syringa
Weigela
Wisteria
Santolina
Rose
Hydrangea
Clematis
Gardeners Tips 2011 Choysia
Other Shrubs
Bamboo
Berberis
Choisya
Quince – Chaenomeles
Euonymous
Mahonia
Pholadelphus
Spirea
Vines
Mahonia 'Charity'

Grow Heathers – Ericas, Callunas and Daboecia

Grow Heathers – Ericas, Callunas and Daboecia

Will you go lassie go?
Heather on the Dales way or Le Tour d’Tykeland
dales way2 039

If you grow heathers you will know why we do and these recommendations come from other Heather growers.

Reasons for Growing Heather

  1. Heathers can provide a rich and changing variety of colour from both foliage and flowers all year round.
  2. Many of the easiest heathers are at their best in the drabbest months.

    3. Heather april
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Dogwood Colour Schemes

Dogwood Colour Schemes

Cornus are great for your garden and the colourful dogwoods are easy on the eye.
Green shoots cornus dogwood

What is looking  good in your winter garden or locally at the moment? Look around now because you can start on next years garden to create a sight to behold. Locally I saw several dog woods that would make an interesting winter feature in my garden if I can find the space. I am less sure about the chicken wire on my picture above but I guess it gets covered in greenery by spring.
Dog Wood Cornus

Tips on Cornus – Dog Woods

  • Dog woods are an extensive family including trees up to 10 feet tall. Planted now they can thrive in wet or dry soil

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