New planting opportunity
With the imminent removal of my Coral Bark Maple, repositioning of my shed and removal of our decking a new planting opportunity has arisen. I am looking for suggestions for a suitable small tree. There is just so much information out there that my head is buzzing so I'd thought I'd ask for some ideas. I wasn't sure whether to post here or in the garden design section - so apologies if this is in the wrong place.
One end of this border is Betual utilis Moonbeam underplanted with my special snowdrops, hellebores, aconites and yellow crocus. At the opposite end (currently behind the shed) is Sorbus cashmiriana with white berries with no underplanting at the moment. There is also a yellow berried Pyracantha I am training on wires to provide fence cover.
Once the shed is moved I will have around 15ft of border to play with and I thought it would be an ideal spot to continue with my yellow/white/green theme. The area is sunny from around 11am until 8pm at the height of summer.
The only obstacle in my way is the fact I have to be mindful of the telephone wire that runs directly over this spot of the garden but I do need some height for summer privacy. In winter it doesn't bother us too much. I am on the east coast of Scotland so the tree needs to be hardy and able cope with wind. Once this new tree is established I also plan to grow some yellow stemmed cornus in between the trees. These I can obviously keep the height in check.
I would also like something to benefit the wildlife too. I am hoping you kindly bunch have a few suggestions up your sleeves. Thanks in advance.
Posts
What about a amelanchier canadensis, they're lovely. White blossom in spring, edible berries loved by birds and gorgeous autumn colour. I've got a small one underplanted with spring bulbs and its such a lovely tree. It's not a massive tree and can be pruned to size
Loved by birds indeed. My amelanchier was a present from a bird and is covered in blossom every spring, but I've never yet seen a berry survive!
Thank both of you for the Amelanchier suggestion, I already have Amelanchier Obelisk elsewhere in the garden. But will look into your suggestion of A. canadensis. I particularly like the fact it can be pruned to keep it to size.
Hopefully there will be more suggestions so I have a few to choose from.
More of a large deciduous shrub than a tree, but if size is a possible issue, how about Euonymous alatus? Renowned for it's great autumn colour, although it has small yellowy/creamy flowers.
If you fancy a contrast, the ornamental pear is nice with it's silver foliage and weeping habit. Pyrus salicifolius.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Rowan is good if you do NOT have clay soil. The birds love the berries and it looks good too.
Three Rowans that are suited to the small garden are:
Sorbus cashmiriana Flowers are pink followed by large white berries left by the birds. Little autumn colour.
Sorbus sargentiana Larger than nornal leaves for a Rowan that turn fiery red and orange in autumn. Big clusters of smaller than usual red berries.
Sorbus vilmorinii Small leaves that turn pinky red in autumn. Rose red small fruits that pale to light pink over winter.
I have grown all three of these, planted in poor soil in exposed situations and all suceeded.