Ornamental trees fall into a different category when being selected for the garden. In landscape design a wide range of ornamental trees are used for either the attractive nature of the foliage, flowers and bark as well as the shape and form of the tree itself. Or in some cases a combination of all.
Selecting An Ornamental Tree For The Garden Or Landscape
An ornamental tree should provide interest for much of the year, not just when it is in flower. So when selecting what to plant, consider carefully where it will be viewed from as well where it will be planted. Of course, size, both final height and spread are also important.
Some situations call for upright growing or ‘fastigiate’ trees, others are suited for trees with a spreading crown. Will the tree be a ‘stand alone feature, or will it be planted in a group, are you considering an avenue of trees to line a driveway or boundary fence.
With the introduction of ‘designer trees’, trees that have been selected for specific growth habits and cultivars developed the range of trees that fit the ornamental category is huge.
Pyrus calleryanna (ornamental pears) are a favorite ornamental tree used widely both in home gardens and in street plantings. Waterhousia floribunda (weeping lilly pilly) is an native tree with attractive pendulous foliage that is being more widely used in landscaping as an ornamental hedge or screen, just one of many of our Australian Native trees that are well suited for the garden or landscaping situations.
Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum Seiryu’ (Japanese Maple) is the only upright cut leaf maple and makes a very attractive deciduous tree with great color in autumn, with hundreds of cultivars of Japanese maples available the choice is huge.
Trees can also be chosen for their bark and trunk, Arbutus x andrachnoides (strawberry tree) has beautiful peeling cinnamon bark, slow to mature but as an evergreen tree with ornamental bark it is right up their with Betula pendula (Silver Birch) and Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ (coral barked Japanese maple)
Dypsis lutescens (Golden Cane Palms) A sub tropical clump forming palm that could be used as a screening tree. Golden Cane Palms
Foxtail Palms (Wodyetia bifurcata) One for the warmer climates, but also one of the best palm trees for gardens as well as a street tree. Buy Foxtail Palms
Elaeocarpus reticulatus ‘Prima Donna’ (Blueberry Ash) A small growing native tree that will reach 5 – 6m. Dense foliage, pink flowers in spring, useful as a specimen tree, hedge or a street tree. Bird attracting as well. Buy Blueberry Ash
Quercus species. Oak Trees have been popular for many years, long lived and an excellent choice for both larger gardens as well avenue or street trees. The english oak (Qurcus ro bur) is well known with its broad spreading canopy, however lots of different types including Quercus phellos (Willow Oak) and the evergreen Quercus preggii and Quercus myrsinifolia Find Oak trees for sale
Pyrus calleryana. Callery pears or Ornamental Pears are widely used as landscaping trees in street plantings as well as larger gardens. Flowering, deciduous and coming in upright as well as more spreading forms. Also look for Pyrus ussuriensis, Pyrus chanticleer the cultivar ‘cleveland select’ and Pyrus Calleyana Nivalis or ‘Snow Pear’. Find Ornamental pear Trees
Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’. The Golden honey locust tree is tough, has a slightly weeping habit and a nice lime green foliage. Deciduous and fast growing.
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Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree). Very popular for its pretty yellow flowers, large leaves and a great fast growing shade tree. Liriodendron or Tulip trees
Grevillea baileyana (white oak) excellent in tough conditions, requires a well drained soil. Best in sub tropical areas. White flowers cover this ornamental in spring. Attractive dark glossy foliage. Find Grevillea baileyana