Colorful Trees with Multi-seasonal Appeal
Trees are probably the most valuable part of our landscapes. They provide shade to reduce air conditioning costs in summer. They intercept rainfall and hold the soil to prevent erosion. Trees also provide valuable habitat and protection for wildlife, and, last but not least, they beautify our homes and neighborhoods.
As important as trees are and as long as they may live, it only makes sense that choosing one for your home should be a thoughtful process. You should consider how well a species is adapted to the area and growing conditions where you live, how large it will eventually get and if it has any potential problems, such as greedy roots, weak limbs or serious pests. But that being said, what most people really look for are trees that will give them the most bang for their buck. In other words, which trees will give them the best show, particularly from flowers, fruit or fall color. Better yet, which trees will provide the longest season of color with a combination flowers, fruit and/ or fall color?
With planting season upon us (or nearly so in colder areas), it's a good time to look at some of the most colorful trees. Here are some favorites. Most are small to medium size, deciduous trees and ideal for modern yards:
Arbutus 'Marina'. Evergreen tree with dangling, light pink flowers in winter and spring followed by colorful, orange to reddish-orange fruit that hangs for six or eight months of the year. Deep cinnamon-red, peeling bark and red stems are colorful year-round. Close relative, the strawberry tree (A. unedo) is a similar, good choice. Best adapted to California.
Redbuds (Cercis species). Several species of beautiful early spring-flowering trees that also have excellent yellow, and sometimes red, fall color. The eastern redbud, C. canadensis, is most popular and can be grown in USDA zones 4-9. One of the best-looking varieties of eastern redbud, 'Oklahoma', has especially handsome, thick, glossy deep green leaves and purple-red blooms. For an even longer color season, try 'Forest Pansy' with purplish foliage all summer. In hot summer areas, it is best grown in partial shade.
Citrus. How could we leave citrus out? Fragrant white flowers in spring and colorful, edible fruit from fall through spring. USDA zones 9-11.
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). One of the finest multi-seasonal trees with eye-catching summer blooms in shades of white, pink, red and purple, and glowing yellow to range and red fall color. Also has beautiful, peeling gray to brown to pinkish bark. Best in warm summer areas. Elsewhere, plant mildew-resistant hybrids with Indian names like 'Natchez' and 'Tuskegee'. USDA zones 7-10.
Dogwoods (Cornus species). Another valuable group of mostly spring-flowering trees with showy autumn foliage and often brightly colored fruit. The flowering dogwood, C. florida is most widely known with white-pink to almost red flowering varieties, but the kousa dogwood is really an eye-catcher. It bears large, creamy white blooms in late spring to summer followed by large, raspberry-like fruit and yellow to red fall color. Birds love the berries. USDA zones 5-8.
Hawthorns (Crataegus species). These trees have fallen out of favor because of their susceptibility to fireblight, but the Washington thorn, C. phaenopyrum, is still worth considering. It is least likely to get fireblight and is one of the best-looking hawthorns. Washington thorn has a beautiful, open habit, clusters of small white flowers, followed by red berries that hang on the tree long after the lobed leaves have turned glowing orange, red or purple in fall. USDA zones 4-8.
Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata). This beautiful, open-branched tree bears long clusters of bright yellow flowers in early- to mid-summer followed by unusual, papery, Japanese lantern-like seed capsules. The divided leaves often turn bright yellow or gold in fall. USDA zones 6-9.
Flowering crabapples (Malus species). These beautiful spring flowering trees (in shades of white, pink and red) also have colorful fruit that, if the birds don't eat them, hang on the tree long after the leaves have fallen. Choose disease-resistant varieties like 'Ames White', 'Centurion' and 'Prairifire'. In mild winter areas, select low-chill varieties such as 'Callaway'. Hardiness varies.
Purpleleaf plums (Prunus species). Although widely planted, no list of colorful trees would be complete without mentioning purpleleaf plums. Few trees provide can provide such a distinct purple foliage accent combined with fragrant spring flowers and often good fall color. 'Krauter Vesuvius' and 'Hollywood' are varieties that produce little or no fruit. USDA zones 5-9 (5-10 in the west).
Flowering pear (Pyrus calleryana). Best known by its cultivar 'Bradford', newer varieties like 'Chanticleer' are preferred because of their stronger branching structure. Showy clusters of white flowers in spring. Shiny green leaves turn bright shades of yellow, orange and red in fall. Fruitless. USDA zones 5-8 (5-10 in the west).
Most of the above trees are widely available in nurseries and garden centers. Granted, these are mostly deciduous trees of temperate origin. Some more tender species like trumpet trees (Tabebuia species), coral trees (Erythrina species) and the Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia blakeana) can provide an exceptional long season of color and are good choices for mild-winter areas. Harder to find trees like Japanese snowdrop tree (Styrax japonica), Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus ), sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum), stewartia and mountain ash (Sorbus species) also provide wonderful combinations of seasonal color.
To protect trees from insects such as aphids, borers and scale, use Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. One application protects for up to 12 months (not for use on citrus grown for food).
Growing Grass in Shady Areas
If you're having trouble growing a healthy-looking lawn in shady areas, the first step toward a remedy is to make sure you are growing the right type of grass. Although all grasses grow best in full sun, St. Augustine and Zoysia grass are the most shade-tolerant, warm-season or Southern grasses. Fine fescue is the most shade-tolerant, cool-season or Northern grass. So the first step may be to replant shady areas.
The next best step is to increase the light that reaches the lawn. That usually means pruning trees so more light gets through their canopy. Mowing the lawn higher will also help, as will proper watering and fertilizing. Because of the decreased light and competition from tree roots, watering can be especially tricky. Water deeply and then allow time for the soil to partially dry before you irrigate again. Aerating will help water penetration. To control moss and algae, which also love the shade, use Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer Ready-To-Spray.
If your best efforts still result in a thin, unhealthy-looking lawn, consider replanting with shade-loving ground covers, such as ajuga, liriope, vinca, ivy, hosta or pachysandra.
Bayer Advanced
Agapanthus, or lily of the Nile, is one of the most popular flowering perennials in mild-winter climates. With beautiful mounds of dark green, strap-like foliage and tall stalks of globe shaped flower clusters in shades of blue and white, agapanthus has long been one of the most reliable and carefree spring bloomers. Now these wonderful plants are even better. Two new varieties, "Blue Storm" and "Snow Storm" outbloom old varieties in stunning fashion, producing up to twice the number of flower clusters.