Introduction
Ornamental trees have so much to offer any home landscape because of their lasting beauty and elegance. Spring flowering, autumnal colours and fruiting trees over the winter, there is a wide variety for every type of garden.
We believe every garden should have at least one tree for many reasons. Either add structure and height, provide shade, supply food and shelter to wildlife or add beauty to the garden. Continue reading for guidance on selecting and maintaining ornamental trees for the landscape.
What is an ornamental tree?
Often cultivated for their aesthetic value to the garden, ornamental trees have so much to offer. With the intent to add exceptional flowers and scents, attractive shapes, colourful foliage, unusual bark, stunning autumnal colouring or a combination of these and more characteristics, it is no wonder many people love ornamental trees.
Ornamental trees are ideal for adding structure to the back of borders mixed with flowers and shrubs. With each tree being of different sizes, some gardens can maintain many ornamental trees or just one used as a focal point.
How to grow ornamental trees
Water ornamental trees thoroughly and plant them at the same depth as the rootball. Once established, they are low-maintenance and only require minimal pruning and watering.
Where to grow ornamental trees
Ornamental trees can be grown in many areas, depending on the variety’s growing requirements, including soil type, light needs and hardiness. They can be grown as a stand-alone focal point in a garden, in the middle of a mixed shrub and flower border, grouped together or in a front garden so neighbours can enjoy it too. Many look beautiful underplanted with spring bulbs, which flower before the tree comes into leaf.
How to plant ornamental trees
Trees grown in containers can be planted at any time of the year, but the best times to do so are in the spring and fall when the soil is warm and moist.
Break up compaction at the planting hole’s base to allow the roots to spread, preparing the soil thoroughly over a much larger area than just the planting hole to encourage roots to grow out in search of water and nutrients.
Make a square hole no deeper than the pot your tree is in but slightly wider. To ensure that the soil is not compacted, lightly fork the base and sides of the hole. Make sure the top of your tree’s rootball is level with the ground when you plant it.
Use the excavated soil to backfill around the rootball, shaking the tree a little to help the soil settle around the roots. To ensure that the roots are in good contact with the soil, use your heel to gently firm the area around the rootball. If you’re worried about local wildlife eating the bark, you could add a tree guard.
Stake the tree to stop wind-rock, which can tear the roots and leave a hole at the base of the trunk that could hold water and cause rot. The stake ought to be about 33% of the level of the tree, pounded in at a 45° point. Using a tree tie that can be adjusted, secures the trunk to the stake.
For at least a year, leave the stake in place. Give the tree plenty of water and continue to water it when there are dry spells. After that, it ought to receive all the water it requires from the rain.
How to care for ornamental trees
Care for ornamental trees varies by species. Numerous ornamental trees don’t need much upkeep. Since pruning raises the bar for tree care, you should look for trees that grow well even without a lot of trimming.
The majority of ornamental trees look their best when fertilised regularly, usually in the spring. Some trees require water during dry spells.
Your tree may require pruning as it grows to improve its natural shape. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to remove any crossing, diseased, or dead branches to maintain the tree’s health. From November to March, the best time to prune deciduous trees is when they are dormant.
How to use ornamental trees
Ornamental trees make excellent specimens or plants on their own. When there isn’t much else going on in the garden, this is especially true if they have interesting features. They can also be planted in small clumps to create their garden.
Garden trees that are both small ornamental trees and have loose canopies that let in a lot of sunlight are ideal. You’ll have more options for the plants you grow under them the more light they let in. Under their canopy, you can cultivate sun-loving shrubs and perennials thanks to the pattern of shifting light and shade throughout the day.
When choosing ornamental trees, think about the following:
Size
Will the tree fit in your space? Is it out of proportion in your landscape?
Season and length of bloom
If you choose a tree for its flowers, you want them to last as long as possible.
Requirements for the location
Ensure that the soil is suitable for the tree and that it can receive the appropriate amount of sunlight or shade.
Surface roots
Roots that grow above the soil have the potential to raise sidewalks and make lawn care more challenging.
Litter
Some trees appear to have something constantly falling from their branches. Fruit trees are especially susceptible to this.
14 of the best ornamental trees to grow
Japanese Maple (Acer)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Japanese garden style, in a small front garden, in a border or grown in a container.
Grow with: Rhododendrons, dogwood, ferns and hostas.
Black Elder (Sambucus)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered or exposed location.
Ideal for: Costal, wildlife, flower beds and borders, cottage and informal gardens
Crabapples
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Architectural, city and courtyard, patio and container, cottage and informal gardens
Magnolia
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Architectural, city and courtyard, patio and container, cottage and informal gardens
Willow (Salix udensis)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Architectural, city and courtyard, cottage and informal gardens, hedging and screens
Dogwood (Cornus Sanguinea)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Cottage and informal gardens, wildflower meadow, wildlife garden, flower beds and borders, hedging and screens
Judus Trees (Cercis)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Architectural, cottage and informal gardens, city and informal gardens
Paperbark Maple (Acer)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Architectural
Birch Trees (Betula Utilis)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Cottage gardens, architectural, beds & borders
Hardiness: H7
Bay Tree
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Costal gardens, hedging and screens
Hardiness: H4
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus Unedo)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Coastal, city and courtyard, cottage and formal, Mediterranean and wildlife
Hardiness: H5
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Cottage and informal gardens
Hardiness: H5
Flamingo Willow (Salix)
Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Coastal, city and courtyard, cottage and informal, patio and containers
Hardiness: H5
Lilac Trees
Growing conditions: Growing conditions: Grow in moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sandy soils. These can be planted in full sun in a sheltered location.
Ideal for: Cottage gardens
Hardiness: H5
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