Flowering trees and shrubs
Blooming beauty
Spring would be much duller without our beautiful blooming trees and shrubs. Gardens with flowers alone just aren't quite as full and welcoming. Flowering trees and shrubs welcome us into spring with their showy colors, and serve many other functions as well.
Landscape uses
Some blooming trees and shrubs serve double duty by giving us a show in spring and fall. Best selling small trees and shrubs have flowers in the spring and summer and attractive foliage. Others offer ornamental qualities like varying height, color and texture. Besides their beauty, flowering trees and shrubs also have a number of landscape uses:
- Plant near entryway. Planting flowering shrubs on either side of your entryway will beautify it and welcome guests. Choose varieties of flowering shrubs with interesting foliage so the entry will continue to look great after spring blooms are gone.
- Soften the landscape. Flowering trees and shrubs planted near a home can soften the landscape by breaking up strong architectural lines to add visual appeal to your home.
- Hide the foundation. Some foundations aren't attractive. Planting flowering shrubs near the foundation can hide any imperfections.
- Erosion control. Some flowering shrubs are effective in controlling erosion.
- Separate properties. When you want a little privacy, flowering trees and shrubs can be used as an attractive border between two properties.
- Define your property. Similarly, you can use flowering trees and shrubs to define distinct outdoor spaces, like a utility shed, or pool.
Mixed border
The latest landscaping trend is to plant a mixed border, combining small flowering trees and shrubs with other flowers in your yard. This planting method creates an attractive landscape with different shapes, colors, and textures to enjoy all season long.
The mixed border style is practical for today's busy lifestyle. Flowering trees and shrubs are very low maintenance. If chosen carefully, they will be your easiest care plants. Plus, with a variety of flowering trees and shrubs in your yard, you won't have to spend money on annual flowers each year to provide color.
Ornamental features
When considering which flowering trees and shrubs to buy, it's a good idea to look at the overall plant characteristics. You can identify the ornamental features that appeal to you based on the following criteria:
- Foliage interest, including multi-seasonal color
- Showiness of bloom
- Fruit or berry output and beauty
- Height and width
- Hardiness zone and cold resistance
- Disease resistance
- Ease of maintenance
Before you buy
In addition to looking at the ornamental features of flowering plants and shrubs, there are some other considerations. One main thing to check is that the moisture, soil and sunlight requirements of the trees and shrubs you buy match the conditions in your yard. Other considerations include:
- Number of plantings. Landscape designers recommend planting everything except stand alone trees in odd numbered groups of three or five. This way, your gardens are fuller and have a clean design.
- Mature size and shape. Make sure the flowering trees and shrubs you plant won't grow too big for the area you plant them in. Many people make the mistake of planting trees and shrubs too close to their house, or too close together, only to have to transplant or remove them.
- Add diversity. Don't let soil conditions and weather put a total constraint on what you buy. If you like a certain tree or shrub, see how you can fit it in your landscape. It's fun to show a little personality and have a few unique plantings in your yard.
Extend your display
To successfully combine flowering trees and shrubs with flowers in your garden, you may want to include some early blooming and some later blooming plant materials. This way you will extend your display for a longer period of time. You can also add woody bushes and shrubs that are perfect for adding shape and texture in the winter to an otherwise bare yard. Combining various kinds of plants will create an attractive yard all year long.