Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' or if not available, 'Baby Grand.' Both are small, broadleaf, evergreen trees. I've found the sweet spot for it is partial-shade. It grows to about 15 feet tall by 4 feet wide in sun, partial-shade, or shade. This gives the tree a two-toned look as the fans cascade down in a graceful, perfectly spaced manner. Its trunk is straight, almost artificial looking, with horizontal fans of foliage that are forest green on top, lighter underneath. It's one of those conifers people overlook as it's used often, but when you really examine it, its beauty is unmatched. This combination of vertical leaf clusters and curved leaves creates an unusual, sculptural form that's a real conversation starter.Ĭhamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis.' Slender Hinoki False Cypress grows in a slow, behaved pyramidal form. Grows to about 12 feet high by 4-5 feet wide. In fall, the tree turns yellow with patches of reddish-orange. 'Shishigashira' or Lion's Head Japanese Maple has highly palmate, highly pointed leaves that curl downward as they grow in vertical clusters. Beautiful on either side of a house entrance.Īcer palmatum 'Shishigashira.' Say that three times fast! I'd be remiss if I didn't include at least one Japanese Maple in a post about plants for small gardens. Plus, they contrast well with a deep green Choisya ternata or purple Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' or the red stems of Drimys lanceolata. The good news is they widen to 2 feet max. The official word on these evergreens is they grow 6 feet tall but I have a couple in clients' yards that, after 10 years in full sun, are 8 feet tall. A few junipers boast a blue color but this cedar is coldly blue with starry needles that give it a fluffy texture. And for a truly blue evergreen conifer, Blue Surprise Port Orford Cedar can't be beat. If you've got a cell tower or electricity pole you want to screen, this would be a good choice.Ĭhamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise.' When I design a yard, I incorporate foliage color. Also, their spiky, palmate leaves are cool in that they're maple-like but not quite a maple, almost like a Goth maple, and add interest to the border. Usually Sweetgums drop little balls of fruit, but this tree's aren't as messy. It's a fastigiate or columnar form, rising to 35 feet tall but widening only to 4 feet. When I discovered this tree, I was excited. Plus, they have red and yellow fall color. Planted on street medians and in shopping centers, they can take drought and pollution. Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette.' Liquidambars or Sweetgums are notoriously tough.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |