Five popular flowering trees

These are widely planted small trees which you could include in a shrub border to give extra height; or, if you prefer you could use them as isolated specimens, although none of them has a particularly distinctive shape.

• Autumn cherry (Prunus subhirtella `Autumnalis) An extremely useful deciduous tree for winter interest, as the small, semi-double, white flowers are produced, on and off, between late autumn and early spring. 6m/20ft. Any fertile soil is suitable. Sun or partial shade.
• Crab apple(Malus floribunda) Popular and beautiful deciduous spring-flowering tree. The arching branches bear masses of white flowers, from red buds. Later, small yellow and red fruits appear. About 4.5m/15ft. Sun or partial shade, fertile soil.
• Golden rain (Laburnum x watereri Vossii) The ubiquitous laburnum is a fountain of golden flowers in late spring/early summer, and then sadly not of great interest for the rest of the year. However, it grows anywhere. 4.5m/15ft, deciduous.
• Japanese cherry (Prunus `Kaman’) Undoubtedly the most popular of the many Japanese cherries. Laden in spring with double purplish—pink blossoms. However, like the golden rain, it is not particularly interesting for 50 weeks of the year! Both can support clematis for later colour. Likes a good fertile soil and plenty of sun. About 7.5m/25ft, deciduous.
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• Thorn(Crataegus oxyacantha ‘Paul’s Scarlet’) Mass of double scarlet flowers in late spring makes this one of the most popular of the thorns. The attractive, red “haws” last well into winter; leaves colour well in autumn. Rounded head. 4.5-6m/ 15-20ft. Deciduous. Likes an open sunny spot; thrives in any soil. A good flowering tree for an exposed windy garden.

Eight trees for foliage colour

Here is a selection of superb trees with summer, autumn or winter foliage colour. They can be grown on their own, or in a shrub or mixed border.

• Box elder (Ater negundo `Variegatum’) With green leaves conspicuously edged with white, giving a very light effect overall. About 6m/20ft. Any good soil; sun or partial shade.
• Crab apple (Malus tschonoskii) Brilliant red and orange autumn leaf colour. A neat cone-shaped tree, height about 9m/30ft. Any fertile soil; sun or partial shade.
• Golden false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia Frisia<sup>.</sup>) Very popular deciduous tree with golden-yellow foliage from spring to autumn. About 7.5m/25ft. Needs plenty of sun, but suitable for any well-drained soil.
• Golden honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’) Deciduous tree, whose young foliage is bright yellow, becoming lime green. 7.5m/25ft. Any soil in full sun.
• Koster’s blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Koster’)Broad, cone- shaped, evergreen conifer with silvery blue foliage all year round — but shows up particularly well in winter. 7.5m/25ft. Likes a sunny position; thrives in any soil.
• Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa `Goldcrest) Cone- shaped conifer which will attain around 9m/30ft. Brilliant golden-yellow foliage, particularly eye-catching in winter. Needs full sun. Any soil. Best growth in mild seaside gardens.
• Purple-leaved plum (Prunus cerasifera Pissardii) Highly popular round-headed deciduous tree. Deep red young foliage turns deep purple. White flowers in spring. 6m/20ft. Any soil. Sun or partial shade.
• Thorn(Crataegus prunifolia) Deciduous round-headed tree with brilliant scarlet and orange autumn foliage, and red berries. White flowers in early summer. 4.5-6m/15-20ft; can also be cut back and grown as a hedge. Likes an open sunny spot; any soil. Good for exposed windy gardens.

Three trees with colourful fruits

The following are particularly noted for their heavy crops of colourful autumn fruits or berries.

• Crab apple(Malus ‘Golden Hornet’) Huge crops of large, bright, yellow crab apples which last well into winter, after the leaves have fallen. 5.5m/18ft. Any good fertile soil in sun or partial shade.
• Mountain ash (Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock‘) Upright compact tree with large clusters of cream-yellow berries in autumn. Also superb autumn leaf colour. 6m/20ft. Any ordinary garden soil, sun or partial shade.
• Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia Fastgiata’) A narrow upright tree, far better for small gardens than the species mountain ash. Large crops of orange-red berries in autumn. Handsome deep green foliage, deciduous. About 6m/20ft. Any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade.

Three trees with colourful bark

Dome trees have the most beautiful bark, which shows up particularly well in the winter garden. Ideally, you should use the following as isolated specimens.

• Birch (Betula ermanii) A large deciduous tree, with peeling creamy-white bark, tinted with pink. The branches are orange- brown. 6-7.5m/20-25ft. Likes a sheltered position in sun or partial shade. Any good garden soil.
• Cherry (Prunus serrula) A small round-headed deciduous tree with beautiful, glossy, reddish-brown peeling bark. In mid-spring produces small white blossoms. 6-7.5m/20-25ft. Any good fertile garden soil in sun or partial shade.
• Paper-bark maple(Acer griseum) This also has peeling bark, thin and papery, revealing new reddish-brown bark underneath. Leaves turn to flame shades in autumn before they fall.Height 4.5m/15ft. Likes a sheltered spot in sun or partial shade; any moist fertile soil.

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