I have a blank slate 20 by 30 foot space in front of my house. I am still mulling over my options, but of one thing I am certain: I want to put a tree in the middle, to anchor the space. A few I have been considering are Washington Hawthorn, Redbud, and a Japanese Red Maple. It is a sunny spot with great soil. I would appreciate any and all suggestions or comments.
(p.s. I am also considering a series of Mountain Laurels in front of my front porch. Any thoughts?)
Simon.
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They really do have a nice pyridical silhouette. I saw some at the Canada Blooms show. I also saw some very nice redbuds and some very nice serviceberries.
I meant to mention that the tree is in Saskatchewan and therefore hardy. I imagine it would grew well in Toronto.
I had an orange barked linden tree in my front yard (sun) for 25 years and it grew slowly. I drove by my old place and the tree is now 40 years old and still compact with a beautiful shape. One peculiarity was that it was the last of the trees to leaf out and it hang on to its leaves for much longer than other trees. I love that tree.
In my own area of expertise (not my profession but my hobby), in respect of which there is an enormous amount of erroneous information on the net (and in books). Mind you, there is also a lot of terrific information. It is all a question of source, and I appreciate you taking the time to help some guy in Toronto.
Regarding the Japanese Red Maple (bloodgoods are gorgeous), might I ask how MUCH shade they benefit from? The spot I spoke of does have a very large oak tree about 20 feet away, and it casts shade (and will cast much more, presumably, when the leaves grow in) for some of the morning, though it would be of no help at midday and afternoon.
Since my last post I have been considering, instead of moutain laurel, a dwarf korean lilac, which seem nice. (The benefit of the laurel (which is not a real laurel, by the way) is that it is evergreen, and a chief role of the plant fronting the porch will be to hide the evil of my gas meter.
I understand about the confusion you'll run into regarding published plant information. Only rarely do you come across an author who actually grows everything they write about. When I mention something I don't have personal experience about, I usually admit it and give credit for the information whence it came.
Heliotrope is a good example. Darn near every magazine article and "plant suggestion" book [except the really good ones] claim that helitrope loves full sun. After many seasons of experimentation, I now know that they much prefer a partly shady situation. The ones I sited in full sun were half as large as the others. Same fertilization schedule [the sunny plants got more water so's not to dry out]. Callunas [heather] are the same way, as are -surprisingly- sempervivens [hens and chicks]. Hydrangeas are yet another that get placed in the full sun - they'll survive but not flourish. Many times, new [and old] gardeners don't realize how even more beautiful some of their specimens would be in their preferred enviornment.
The only reliable information comes from "real" gardeners or your own practical research. "Real" gardeners are the ones that admit they don't know everything and aspire to always learning something new. They're also the ones who love gardening so much that they want to help out anyone who shows an interest in improving their outside spaces. They won't be pushy or just talk in Latin. "Plant Snobs" will talk down to you and play the "one-up" game. As I open my garden to the public for my home-based business, I'm getting good at recognizing the snobs. It can be aggravating but I hope that eventually they'll "get it" and embrace the sharing and learning experience that is true gardening.
Enough sermonizing for the moment. I'll be checking my fav trees for their cold-hardiness in the next little while and pass on any appropriate ones.
That is very helpful. My "mountain laurel" is actually Kalmia latifolia, I believe... I had a look at your suggestion and they do seem beautiful, but look like a Zone 6 or warmer plant...I am located in Toronto.
I did find one aspect of your reply somewhat confusing, in that everything I can find suggests that japanaese red maples thrive in full sun. For example:
"The classic Japanese maple has red-purple leaves which turn a brilliant red in autumn. Prospers in full sun and moist well drained soils."
But my mother has one doing very well (if becoming somewhat rangy) in her well-shaded backyard. So who knows? In any event, I am not married to the idea of having it out front (actually, I have a good spot out back for it, but am trying to tackle one area at a time!).
Now I am off to review the "bloodgood" (I think).
Simon
I thought I'd just make a quick comment and then hunt down some good selections for your zone.
Unless there's some shade, a japanese maple [Acer palmatum] wouldn't be happy. They're understory trees and need protection from hot, summer sun. Some lose all their color or "fry". Placed elsewhere in the garden they can be stunning. Fall is the best time to select a variety as that is when they show their spectacular fall color. If buying a grafted [or weeping] tree, it will never get any taller - just thicker and fuller. For an great-colored upright tree, 'Bloodgood' holds it's purple-red well through the summer.
I find Hawthorns to be rather plain. You want something with punch as your focal point. When you say Mountain Laurel are you referring to Pieris Japonica [lily-of-the-valley shrub]? They perform best in a part-shade enviornment. Watch out for winter wind exposure. 'Valley Valentine' with pinky-red flowers is one of my favs.
Hope this helps prevent inappropriate choices. Let me know your zone and soil conditions and I'll think of some suitable showstoppers.