Thanks Freddie's Dad, I think you've put me off the cercis!
I think the garden feels smaller than it is because it's half and half garden and patio. I'd love to make the patio smaller but I don't think the other half would let me, I've already taken out most of the lawn! I've compensated by filling it with pots!
Some more trees that might be suitable: Arbutus F. unedo, Quercus x hispanica, Acer griseum. Ginkgo biloba? The latter can get big, but is slow growing and generally awesome.
Liquidambar is eventually an absolutely massive tree, so is Ginkgo. Your only hope would be a columnar form, and even then you'd crick your neck looking up to see the top!
I think the idea of planting out your Amelanchier is a good one. Other ideas that would provide some cover without filling up all your space: Acer griseum; Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Rotfuchs'; Prunus 'Pandora'. These don't all have red leaves, but I would also note that my experience of trying to garden in small spaces is that if your largest plant has red leaves it can become a bit overwhelming in a small garden and dominate all your other planting. Acer griseum is a tree whose virtues are not obvious until you grow it but it changes all year round and is very beautiful with red spring and autumn leaves, and amazing bark the rest of the time. In a small space, something which assumes an interesting shape over time is an excellent idea, or a columnar tree. But if you do want to go for red then Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is indeed good and goes dark purple in the summer, so is not too obtrusive. Others to try would be crab apples--the purple ones used to go down with disease but newer varieties like Malus toringo 'Scarlett' are much healthier.
Then last, if your soil is on the slightly acid to neutral side, there are new varieties of Parrotia which make amazing plants that tick all the boxes--upright, coloured foliage, interesting shapes, good minglers. Look out for 'Vanessa', for example, or 'Persian Spire':
Thanks everyone, I've decided to go for an amelanchier Robin Hill. I like my little potted one where it is and it's only about 3ft tall so I'm going to get a bigger one for quicker impact.
Does anyone have any experience using Chew Valley Trees? The photos on the website look good for the price but I'm wary of buying plants online.
Posts
Thanks Freddie's Dad, I think you've put me off the cercis!
I think the garden feels smaller than it is because it's half and half garden and patio. I'd love to make the patio smaller but I don't think the other half would let me, I've already taken out most of the lawn! I've compensated by filling it with pots!
I planted a Cornus Kousa China Girl today in a South Facing Position. Hoping it will do well. Maybe one to consider?
Some more trees that might be suitable: Arbutus F. unedo, Quercus x hispanica, Acer griseum. Ginkgo biloba? The latter can get big, but is slow growing and generally awesome.
Liquidambar is eventually an absolutely massive tree, so is Ginkgo. Your only hope would be a columnar form, and even then you'd crick your neck looking up to see the top!
I think the idea of planting out your Amelanchier is a good one. Other ideas that would provide some cover without filling up all your space: Acer griseum; Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Rotfuchs'; Prunus 'Pandora'. These don't all have red leaves, but I would also note that my experience of trying to garden in small spaces is that if your largest plant has red leaves it can become a bit overwhelming in a small garden and dominate all your other planting. Acer griseum is a tree whose virtues are not obvious until you grow it but it changes all year round and is very beautiful with red spring and autumn leaves, and amazing bark the rest of the time. In a small space, something which assumes an interesting shape over time is an excellent idea, or a columnar tree. But if you do want to go for red then Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is indeed good and goes dark purple in the summer, so is not too obtrusive. Others to try would be crab apples--the purple ones used to go down with disease but newer varieties like Malus toringo 'Scarlett' are much healthier.
Then last, if your soil is on the slightly acid to neutral side, there are new varieties of Parrotia which make amazing plants that tick all the boxes--upright, coloured foliage, interesting shapes, good minglers. Look out for 'Vanessa', for example, or 'Persian Spire':
https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/parrotia-persica-persian-spire-jlpn01-pbr/classid.2000023845/
over the long term these will be much more satisfying plants than Prunus cerasifera.
Thanks everyone, I've decided to go for an amelanchier Robin Hill. I like my little potted one where it is and it's only about 3ft tall so I'm going to get a bigger one for quicker impact.
Does anyone have any experience using Chew Valley Trees? The photos on the website look good for the price but I'm wary of buying plants online.