Ornamental Trees In The Landscape

Special Ornamental Trees With Outstanding Features

This type of tree has a special place in the landscape. It is of smaller stature than shade trees. Therefore it can be located in a place that shades trees normally cannot, due to their size. Ornamental trees also usually flower in the Spring or Summer and can add showy displays of color.

Some of these trees, do not flower. However, they can have other wonderful features, such as beautiful bark or striking leaves. The Japanese Red Maple is one example, with its bright red leaves.

Here are some trees that I use often in my designs:

Purple Leaf Plum

• Leaves are purple throughout the season.
• Pink flowers in the Spring.
• This is a good choice when you want some additional color in the landscape.

Japanese Red Maple

• Choose a variety like 'Bloodgood' that will retain its red color from Spring through Fall.
• Some varieties have leaves that turn green in the summer.

Dogwood Tree

• Great features in all seasons.
• A tree that I love to use. There are so many to choose from!

Click here to read detailed information about Dogwood Trees.

Weeping Cherry

• Weeping form.
• Pink flowers in the Spring.
• Nice choice when you need a strong focal point.
• Nice near a pond or waterfall.

White Birch

• It's beautiful white bark definitely stands out in the landscape!
• It can be either single stemmed or multi-stemmed.
• Leaves are small and open....tree is less dense than others.

White Birch does not do well in the warmer zones. May susceptible to borers. Some varieties have shown to be resistant to the borers, such as VerDale.

River Birch

• Another beautiful Birch tree with peeling reddish brown bark.
• Available single or multi-stemmed.
• Resistant to birch borers.

• Small flowering tree.
• 'Centennial' and 'Royal Star' nice varieties.
• Flowers very early in the Spring.

Enkianthus

• Uncommon with great beauty.
• Lovely bell-like flowers and great fall color.
• Small sized tree.
• Nice around a patio.

Some other ornamental trees, but larger in size, are the Katsura Tree and Southern Magnolia, which is evergreen.

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