Garden Tree Selection Guide

Feb 19

pink flower plant with mists surrounded by green plants by Echo on Unsplash — Photo by **Echo** on Unsplash

When selecting garden trees, it is important to consider the environmental conditions of the planting area, the design of the garden, as well as personal preferences and objectives.

Garden trees serve as central elements in a garden and greatly influence its atmosphere and charm. This article introduces the basic points to consider when selecting garden trees and also provides an overview of the trees in our garden.

Basic Points for Choosing Garden Trees:

Assess the Environmental Conditions

Evaluate factors such as sunlight exposure, air circulation, and soil condition in the planting area. Different types of trees thrive in different environments, including sunny or shady areas, and those with strong winds.

Match Trees to Garden Space and Design

Select tree species and sizes that complement the available space and design of the garden. Compact trees or container gardening may be suitable for smaller gardens. Additionally, choosing trees that align with the theme and ambiance of the garden is important.

Consider Purpose and Use

Choose tree species based on their intended purpose. For prioritizing aesthetics, opt for trees that offer seasonal blooms or colorful foliage. If creating shade is a goal, select trees with dense foliage or evergreen varieties. Fruit-bearing trees may also be chosen for enjoyment.

Choose Trees Suited to Local Climate and Conditions

It is crucial to select trees that can thrive in the local climate and environmental conditions. Consider factors such as cold or heat tolerance, wind resistance, and seek advice from local nurseries or experts.

Factor in Maintenance Requirements

When selecting garden trees, consider the level of maintenance and care they require. Check factors such as growth rate, pruning frequency, and resistance to pests and diseases, and choose trees that fit your lifestyle and available time for upkeep.

Now, let me introduce a bit about the trees in our garden.

Eucalyptus “Baby Blue”

Mature Size: Approximately 15 to 30 feet

Characteristics: Known for its distinctive silvery-blue foliage, which emits a refreshing fragrance often associated with relaxation.
Preferred Environment: Prefers sunny locations with well-draining soil.
Personal Note: Currently managed in a pot due to its potential size but considering bush training for garden planting to control its growth. Planning to utilize its fragrance for indoor decoration and crafting wreaths.

Cherry Blossom “Shirofugen”, “Double Weeping Cherry”

(Shirofugen) Mature Size: 15 feet
(Double Weeping Cherry) Mature Size: 6 feet
Characteristics: Shirofugen cherry blossoms feature pale pink double-layered petals with green pistils at their center. Double Weeping Cherry trees bloom with dense clusters of deep pink double-layered petals, creating a graceful cascading silhouette.
Preferred Environment: Both Shirofugen and Double Weeping Cherry trees thrive in well-lit areas with good airflow. They prefer soil with moderate humidity levels.
Personal Note: In spring, cherry blossom viewing, known as "hanami," is a cherished tradition in my homeland of Japan. It's common to gather with friends, family, and colleagues under cherry blossom trees, enjoying picnics, drinks, chats, and even karaoke. As hanami holds significant cultural importance in Japan, I planted these cherry blossom trees in my garden as a nostalgic reminder.

Pink Flowering Dogwood

Mature Size: Approximately 13 to 20 feet
Characteristics: Pink Flowering Dogwood adds a vibrant touch to the spring garden with its pink blooms. Additionally, it offers beautiful red or purple foliage in the autumn.
Preferred Environment: It thrives in sunny locations.
Personal Note: Pink Flowering Dogwood is a popular garden tree in our area, and we often come across it. While similar in appearance, there is also the Kousa dogwood, another commonly seen tree, but it produces red berries after flowering. We decided against trees that bear fruit at home because they seemed difficult to clean up.

Magnolia: “Royal Star”

Mature Size: 10 to 15 feet
Characteristics: Royal Star Magnolia blooms profusely with white star-shaped flowers, filling the garden with a sweet fragrance that heralds the arrival of spring.
Preferred Environment: It prefers sunny locations.
Personal Note: Our Royal Star Magnolia begins to show white flower buds around January, heralding the arrival of spring earlier than other trees in the garden.

Magnolia: “Rose Marie”

Mature Size: 10 to 13 feet
Characteristics: Rose Marie Magnolia is a Magnolia variety known for its beautiful reddish-purple flowers and lush green foliage.
Preferred Environment: It thrives in sunny locations.
Personal Note: Magnolias are commonly seen trees in our region, and we were captivated by their divine beauty, so we decided to plant one in our garden. It's been about four years since we planted it. It didn't bloom last year, but this year, we can see several flower buds, so we're eagerly anticipating its blooming.

Lilac: “Charles Joly”

Mature Size: 6.5 to 10 feet

Characteristics: Charles Joly Lilac produces deep purple flowers with a strong fragrance that fills the garden.
Preferred Environment: Lilacs prefer sunny locations but can tolerate partial shade.
Personal Note: Having graced our garden for approximately seven years, this lilac has become a cherished addition. As with our other trees, maintaining its form through pruning is essential. However, as it has grown taller, pruning after flowering has become more challenging. To address this, we recently invested in pruning shears capable of reaching greater heights.

Here are some additional trees I am growing in my garden. Since my garden is not very large, I mainly choose trees that stay under 10 feet in height. I also prefer trees that require maintenance I can handle on my own. I incorporate both deciduous and evergreen trees in my garden, which keeps it from feeling empty even in winter. Additionally, I particularly select trees that offer flowers or autumn foliage to enjoy.