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Trees for the smaller garden
 For the smaller garden Aesculus pavia, one of the horse chestnut family, is smaller than most, with interesting flowers, and can be used as a large shrub. Aamelanchier canadensis is a small, pretty tree for any size of garden, eventually growing to 6.5 x 5 in (21 x 16 ft). It is covered in white blossom in spring and the foliage turns brilliant orange-red in autumn.
Silver birches are delightful small trees, which can be planted individually or in close groups to form a coppice. The white-stemmed varieties are spectacular. Betula papyrifera (paper birch) has large leaves and peeling, paper-like bark. Catalpa bigonioides is the Indian bean tree and has attractive large leaves and panicles (heads of tiny stalked flowers) of white bell-shaped flowers with frilly edges and purple markings. It is exotic and makes a good shade tree. |
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Shrubs
Shrubs constitute an enormous range of plants suitable for gardens of any size and style. They are immensley varied in size, colour, shape and the interest they provide at different times of the year, and are therefore invaluable for giving shape and substance to the garden and for providing a framework.
The smaller shrubs are good for bringing body, form and texture to summer flower borders. Larger ones can be used to create mystery or to screen off unsightly parts of the garden and many can be used as features in their own right. They are also useful hedging plants. |
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