The designer Russell Page wrote that “To plant trees is to give body and life to one’s dreams of a better world”. I couldn’t agree more. It’s not just fond memories as a tree surgeon that draw me to trees, and make me want to plant them wherever I can, but something more primal.
So what trees to plant? There is such a huge choice but often people, and designers, will stick to tried and tested favourites. There is nothing wrong with this as, in the right place, Silver Birch (Betula pendula), the Serviceberry (Amelanchier lamarckii) or a Flowering Cherry (Prunus spp.) are the perfect choice. It is all down to artfully matching the tree to the location and the design.
However I want to suggest a few alternatives that could be considered, by trying to avoid the (slightly) more obvious choices to grace a garden. I am hoping that there will be some debate, not only around my choices, but around possible trees I have excluded - so please feel free to add comments and suggest alternatives.
Acer griseum - the Paperbark Maple
The first tree I ever bought and planted, this Acer has fantastic peeling, cinnamon-coloured bark and fine foliage throughout the year, with good autumn colour.
Betula nigra - the River Birch
Like the Acer griseum, the River Birch is admired for its flaking orange bark but it will grow to a much taller tree (15m, if left to its own devices). Like all birches it provides dappled shade. This species was used to great effect by Tom Stuart-Smith in his Gold-medal winning Chelsea garden of 2010.
Pinus mugo Mops - the Mugo Pine
This is a dwarf, rounded pine (growing to about 1m), whose bonsai-like effect makes it an alternative to Box ‘balls’ for the low maintenance garden.
Catalpa bignonioides and Paulownia tomentosa - the Indian Bean Tree and the Foxglove Tree
I have dealt with both of these together as they are both large trees with heart-shaped leaves that are not all-together hardy - the Paulownia will not flower in Spring if there are late Spring frosts, or if the winter was too cold. However both can be pollarded to send out new shoots each year with huge leaves then developing - this gives a sub-tropical foliage effect and keeps the tree manageable in a small space.
Cercis siliquastrum - the Judas Tree
The Judas tree flowers best if it is in a sheltered position, in full sun. It can be a truly amazing sight with rose-pink flowers appearing not only on the shoots in spring, but also growing directly the trunk itself. The tree also has good foliage and fine form, particularly if a multi-stem specimen is planted.
Cornus kousa Chinensis - a Flowering Dogwood
I first saw this tree, in full flower, at the Castle Howard arboretum, and I was enthralled. The flowers are tiny but the large white bracts, which fade to shades of pink, are what catch the eye. Again a fine tree to grace a small garden.
Mespilis germanica - the Medlar
I am a bigger fan of the blossom - large white flowers - than of the “bletted” fruit! But this is a good small spreading tree which was also laid down as being suitable for the gardens of the royal estates of the Holy Roman Empire (in the Capitularies of Charlemagne written in 802 AD).
Sorbus hupehensis - the Hupeh Rowan,
Like all rowans, this tree gives a little bit of everything - nice form and slightly glaucous foliage which is not too dense, and has good red autumn colour; it also has white flowers in spring and, later, white berries which tend to remain on the tree until late winter.
Cotoneaster frigidus Cornubia - the Tree Cotoneaster Cornubia
More of a shrub in tree form than a tree, this is a semi-evergreen plant with masses of white flowers in spring and masses of red berries in winter; this makes it a great all rounder.
Parrotia persica - the Persian Ironwood
A small rounded tree with mottled, flaking grey bark and stunning autumn colour of yellows, purples and reds. The flowers , although small are crimson and appear in winter. This tree was used last year by Luciano Giubbilei at Chelsea.
I hope that I have, at least, given food for thought. I think that trees of one kind, or another, could and should grace every garden!
Matt Haddon - garden designer based in East Yorkshire
Comments
A great post Matt.
Spot on with your choices of Trees.
A couple to add to complete your range, perhaps?
Prunus serrula Tibetica (The polished bark Cherry) Not just another flowering Cherry but one with stunning bark to give year round interest.
Styrax japonica - beautiful white bell-shaped flowers in June, just wow when viewed from underneath. A few years ago I sold one of these, 7 metres tall, would love to see what it looks like this June.