help with ornamental tree choice

Stevetheclueless

I have a small paved front garden with a with a square of soil in the middle apx 1 sq.mtr and would like a tree or large shrub that flowers  and is attractive most of the year. Nothing that grows too big as it is only 1 mtre from bay window , any sugestions please ?

artjak

A small tree peony. I have had one for about 7 years; it has never grown more than 1 metre tall and wide. It flowers for 2 weeks in May with spectacular 7" flowers in white. I do not know which one it is, sadly, but bought it at local nursery so it can't be that rare.

Tropical Sam

I also like Choisya. Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' has to my eye a slightly more attractive 'tropical' look to its leaves and is also evergreen. Not sure if it has a scent like ternatta though.

I have 2 winter box (Sarcococca confusa and Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem'). The latter has a pleasant scent in winter. Both are evergreen and look pleasant and very low maintainance.

Stevetheclueless

Thanks guys i will look them up for a photo and perhaps go to  the local garden centre to see if they have them. My other halve likes roses but to me, they are nice in bloom but the rest of the year nothing much to look at as the foliage is rather boring unless there is varieties i havn't seen that have nice leaves.

Salino

...have a look at Myrtle 'Glanleam Gold', it might suit your purpose...

Gold1locks

Sorbus vilmorinii is a beautiful little tree, white flowers, attractive berries that last into winter and loved by birds, very attractive leaves that turn a brilliant red in autumn. what more could you ask for? (OK, perfume, bark colour, but what else...)

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/sorbus-vilmorinii/classid.4742/

Fairygirl

Think a shrub would be better than a tree Steve due to proximity to your window- it would be a shame to plant something then have to hack it into submission when it gets too big and you need the lights on all day in your front room!

If you were able to 'swap' that space for one a bit further from the window it would give you more scope- ie lift some paving further down your garden...

Some good choices mentioned here already.What aspect is it?  That can have a bearing on your choice too.

Stevetheclueless

Good point Fairy girl , the house faces East sunny for all  morning.

Fairygirl

Camellia no good then Steve- it'll get burnt in spring sunshine! If you went for a rose you'd be best to underplant with something else as well I know what you mean about bare stems etc. Not sure whereabouts you are in the country either Steve, which makes a difference, but Choisya ter. 'Sundance ' survives up here (west of Scotland) even in the lousy cold winters we've had in the last 3 years or so, and since it'll have a bit of protection from your house you should be ok. If you get frost/wind damage you can cut it back anyway. It's a lovely shrub.

Still think you should try making a space further from the window though!