tree for front garden

richardpitman747

Hi All, 

I'm looking for a tree for my front garden. I'm looking for something with the 'Wow' factor but will consider anything.

I thought maybe a pine/conifer with a nice shape that would look nice at Christmas with lights on it but then I also like good leaf colour and maybe a nice blossom?

It to go where the birdbath is so a good distance from the house.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

WillowBark

I am no great gardener (only got my first garden to myself this year) but given what you've said, the locations, and the fact that there are a couple of conifers at the back, I would personally go for either a dwarf to semi-dwarf apple (that would give you blossom in the Spring and fruit in the Autumn) or an ornamental cherry if it is wow factor and blossom that you favour.

Getting all year round interest from a single tree I think is probably quite difficult, but other people may set me right on that!

Hopefully someone else will be able to give you more substantial advice for your situation, but that's my two cents.

Wishing you all the best with your beautiful garden.

WillowBark

P.S. A bare tree (e.g. apple) can look quite striking with Christmas lights strung across it, even if there is no greenery left. My parents' neighbours have done it for years and it looks very attractive.

Balgay.Hill

Euonymus Alatus has spectacular autumn colour.  One of the Cornus Kousa varieties can give you colouful flowers, actually bracts, fruit, and colourful autumn colour. A purple Cotinus has attractive leaf colour and 'smoke' like blooms. An Amelanchier gives you blooms, berries and autumn colour.
Just a few suggestions. I would want a large shrub or small to medium tree like these in that spot.
If you wanted an evergreen,  a tall Crinodendron Hookerianum, the Chilean Lantern tree, would look good there.

rachelQrtJHBjb

Where in the UK are you? It looks like you have space for a decent-sized tree. 

If you want something show-stopping that no one else will have, you could look at Toona sinensis. There's a wonderful specimen at Wisley that is flamingo pink in spring and draws the eye from a great distance. 

Balgay.Hill

@rachelQrtJHBjb
I planted one of those a few weeks ago. I'm borderline for it surviving, but felt it was worth the risk as it is spectacular as you say.

rachelQrtJHBjb

Balgay.Hill said:

@rachelQrtJHBjb
I planted one of those a few weeks ago. I'm borderline for it surviving, but felt it was worth the risk as it is spectacular as you say.

Yes, @Balgay.Hill, I remember our conversation. Hope it does well this winter and puts on a good display in spring.

bertrand-mabel

Many years ago we bought a Trachycarpus fortunei as "our christmas tree". It was indoors in its pot and decorated with very fine gold decorations. It looked brilliant.

After christmas it was planted out in the garden and now is a very healthy strong palm about 20 feet tall. The palm is hardy and everygreen and it flowers from May to August with amazing cascading bunches.

A real delight to have in the garden.

edhelka

Given the space, I would want something big and beautiful. Liquidambar, Liriodendron, one of the bigger cherries, Laburnum or Eucalyptus Gunii maybe. Planting something dwarf there would feel like wasting the potential to me (but that's just me).

richardpitman747

thanks for advice I'm leaning towards the Laburnum as I love yellow! 

B3

I love laburnum. People avoid it but it never poisoned my child, my dog or my cats. I think I'll get one too😊