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Additional tree for garden

MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

Our garden is about a year old. We have 5 Himalayan birch trees on the back border and an Amarlancheir to the left. 

We have a good sized patio and get full sun. It gets very hot so I was after a nice small tree to plant in the patio border which is a foot higher than the patio. 

I like Rowan but there are many around our area and they just look spindly. Is that normal?  I like the idea of the cashmira one but haven't seen that in real life. 

Appreciate any suggestions. 

Posts

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530

    Sun, hot, peach.

  • MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

    We do have dwarf Apple and cherry in large pots. Neither too happy. Would planting one of those result in a size tree or will they remain at 4 feet? 

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530

    I think the size of fruit trees is mostly determined by the rootstock, but I'm no expert.  No doubt someone more knowledgeable will put you right on this.

  • MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

    Any ideas for a light canopy tree? 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,242

    Rowans need plenty of wet to be happy, so that could explain why the ones you're seeing don't look great. 

    You already have two of the best trees with light canopies in Amelanchier and Birch. The suggestion of fruit trees of some kind is possibly the best solution if it's a hot, sunny sight, and yes, the rootstock they're grown on determines the eventual height. image

    Does it have to be a tree? Is it to give you some shade on your patio? Any tree will take a while to mature enough to give shade, if that's the reason. There are lots of shrubs which would suit, or you could do a 'screen' with trellis and climbers. If you could post a pic of the site and give some more info, that would help too  image 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 84,026

    What about a fig tree? 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

    I have never been able to upload photos, even when I resize . My phone is very old. 

    We have a pergola already. I am starting to think maybe a spreading tree would work. I shall look at fig and peach.  

  • MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

    I'm now thinking a cercis chinensis shirobana after seeing the Avalon at an arboretum today. Anyone have one of these? 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,162

    No. I planted a cercis canadensis Forest Pansy in my last garden but it didn't like the cold wet winters.   I do like the leaf form tho and have been thinking about another cercis to plant in this new - to us - garden this winter.   I've been looking at the Avalon because the RHS reckons it likes well drained soil.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/62222/Cercis-chinensis-Avondale/Details

    If you do get one; keep its roots well watered after planting and in hot dry spells - weekly soakings rather than daily dribbles - till it gets established and can send them down deep after moisture.  

    Autumn is great for trees to make new roots while they don't have the stress of maintaining a leaf canopy.   Give it some microrhizal fungae on the roots and some bonemeal in the soil around them and it should settle in well.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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