Stephen Albert
6k Views
Trees and shrubs with decorative bark can add another element of interest to the garden. There are colorful barks, flaking barks, and peeling barks. Some trees and shrubs have all three. Tree and shrub size and form are commonly the first things gardeners look at when choosing a tree or shrub for the garden. Not far […]
Stephen Albert
2.3k Views
Deer-resistant trees, shrubs, and groundcovers are plants deer have shunned in many gardens. If deer are hungry enough, they will eat practically any kind of plant. But if deer are a problem in your garden, you may be able to discourage them–most of the time–with your plant choices. This list includes trees, shrubs, and groundcovers […]
Stephen Albert
1.8k Views
Drought-tolerant trees can withstand dry conditions once established. No native or commonly used landscape plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established in the site. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Trees can tolerate drought if they are deep-rooted. Deep roots can harvest soil moisture from past rainfalls. Trees planted in […]
Stephen Albert
1.4k Views
Fast-growing trees can transform a landscape in a few years. They can bring shade and privacy to an otherwise open situation. Fast-growing is a relative term when it comes to trees; a fast-growing tree can add 3 to 10 feet (.9-3m) in height and breadth in a year. That means a one or two-year-old sapling […]
Stephen Albert
2.2k Views
Growing trees and shrubs in shade can be a challenge if you choose plants that prefer sunny conditions. If you choose plants that are adapted to shady conditions, shade gardening is quite enjoyable and barely any work at all. There are many shrubs and trees that prefer shade. They are understory plants that like the […]
Stephen Albert
1.7k Views
Flowering trees are among the most popular ornamental plants. Spring flowering trees are especially valued for the bold way they signal the start of the warm time of the year. Flowering crab apples, dogwoods, hawthorns, redbuds, and cherries are harbingers of spring. Flowering trees make a tremendous impact in bloom even if many bloom only […]
Stephen Albert
2.3k Views
Evergreens are plants that hold their foliage from season to season. Evergreen trees are well-suited as privacy plants. They create year-round living walls that can shield a garden or property from outside view. Evergreens can be divided into two classes: conifers or narrow-leaved evergreens and broad-leaved evergreens. Both conifers and broad-leaved evergreen trees can vary […]
Stephen Albert
1.9k Views
Deciduous trees can be used to create privacy. They can be used along a boundary to protect and enclose a garden or property. Deciduous trees can be used as a wall of green through the warm months of the year; they can still serve as a boundary in the cold time of the year even […]
Stephen Albert
2.2k Views
Trees with colorful autumn foliage are at their best from mid-to-late autumn. Make the most of trees with colorful autumn foliage by planting them where they can be seen from windows in your house or along well-traveled paths or drives. Autumn leaves will be especially brilliant after a hot summer, but after a mild summer, […]
Stephen Albert
3k Views
Some trees are adapted to clay soil. Planting clay-tolerant trees is a start to growing a garden where the soil dense and dry or waterlogged. You can improve less-than-ideal soil by adding organic matter—aged compost, manure, and commercial organic planting mix. Organic matter lightens heavy clay soil by separating dense clay particles. Organic matter improves […]
Stephen Albert
1.6k Views
Trees are commonly the largest and tallest elements in a garden or landscape design. They also take the longest time to grow. Trees are commonly defined as woody plants with single or multi-trunks that are greater than 20 feet high. There are dwarf and miniature trees shorter than 20 feet, but they are often treated […]
Stephen Albert
1.3k Views
Serviceberry, Amelanchier, species include small understory trees and shrubs. All serviceberries have showy white spring flowers followed by red or black berries in midsummer. In autumn, green summer leaves turn gold and red. Serviceberries tolerate a wide range of soils. Amelanchier is a genus of hardy deciduous shrubs or small trees that include Serviceberry and […]