Trees and shrubs are the backbone of your landscape. They are used as screens, backgrounds and accents. Trees are used for shade, and for fruit.
Flowering shrubs provide long lasting, beautiful blooms which brighten even the gloomiest of days. Combine evergreens with deciduous shrubs with different flowering times to create a succession of colour and year-round interest. There are shrubs to suit all soils in sun or shade.
My favourite trees would have to be anything within the Acer family (please see pic top right for an example of a few of the many varietys) so here's a little information on them for starters.
Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) have been cultivated for over 300 years (a long time I think you'll agree). I love them as they offer gardens exceptional versatility giving continuous interest with their varied leaf colours and textures and breathtaking autumn colour. Their leaves vary from bold shapes to delicate feathery forms and colours range through greens, yellows, purples, reds and pinks; which means they'll really fit in with any colour scheme.
As a whole Japanese Maples do not attain great height averaging 5-6 metres for the upright cultivars and 1-2 metres for most of the dissectum group. They are relatively slow growing and the bare branches in winter provide a contrast in form and shape with interesting bark colours. Japanese Maples prefer a position in partial shade. Despite their reputation, few require an acid soil, more important is the soil structure, as it should provide constant moisture.
I find that when planting incorporation of some peat will benefit the plant but generally fertiliser is not necessary. As a rule choose the larger, less delicate leaf shapes for more exposed situations. Maples grow particularly well in containers as patio specimens provided they are not allowed to dry out.
On a final note Acer Brilliantissimum is my all time fave as pictured top left.
Kate :o)
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