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belleislecottage

Need very small tree for front porch garden

BelleIsleCottage
9 years ago

I've decided to put Endless Summer Hydrangeas around the front curved part and I want to put a small tree behind the hydrangeas. The back part gets a little less morning sun because of the roof line. It has to be a small tree as the roof will be about 8 and 1/2 foot above part of it. But if the hydrangeas will get up to 3'-4', it needs to be at least a couple 2-3 feet taller than they are. The tree will be in front of the porch as well as next to a red brick wall on another side.

I just want a green leafy cottage-like tree. I originally wanted some type of evergreen so that there would be something green in my garden during winter, especially since the hydrangeas get all woody and bare. But I can't find any evergreen trees except shaped boxwoods or Holly types that will do well in only morning sun. So I don't mind if it loses its leaves in winter as long as it has nice green leaves in spring and all throughout summer and early fall and then maybe a nice fall color before it loses its leaves.

I know the Japanese Maple is a natural for this spot, and I apologize for my unsophisticated taste in plants, but I just don't like the Japanese Maples that are always dark red or brown all the time - or they look brown to me. :/

I've searched the Internet for weeks and I can't come up with anything. I would appreciate any suggestions! :)

This post was edited by BelleIsleCottage on Wed, May 14, 14 at 21:34

Comments (13)

  • greenthumbzdude
    9 years ago

    Cercis chinensis 'Avondale' or 'Don Egolf'...they are dwarf Chinese redbud...very pretty flowers in spring

    This post was edited by greenthumbzdude on Fri, Apr 25, 14 at 21:52

  • BelleIsleCottage
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    I didn't know they had small redbuds. They're beautiful. Thanks, greenthubzdude!

  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    9 years ago

    mail order a JM from a source such as at the link ...

    if all you think there are.. are red brick ones.. you need to expand your horizons ... beyond what might be locally offered ....

    there are hundreds of them in just about every color under the rainbow ... well ... not every color.. lol ..

    a pic would sure get you better ideas for your landscape ...

    ken

    Here is a link that might be useful: link

  • drpraetorius
    9 years ago

    consider a weeping redbud. they stay small and have the same flowers and leaves as the standard redbud

  • BelleIsleCottage
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Hi, thanks for your posts!

    @ken_adrian: Thank you for the JM link! I DO need to expand my horizons. I'm not much of a gardener. I traveled for 15 years for a job and this is really the first gardening I've done in a long time. I would love a JM if it was green during the spring and summer.

    @drpraetorius: Thanks for the suggestion. I never knew there were weeping redbuds either!

    This post was edited by BelleIsleCottage on Fri, May 2, 14 at 9:24

  • BelleIsleCottage
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    @floral_uk: Hi again. :) The bed is actually approx. 7 1/2' by 8 1/2'. I wondered if I was giving enough room for the plants. I did put the dimensions in a home planning program (attached), but I admit I only made the hydrangeas 42" squared even though they say they get up to 3' to 4'.

    I thought about some kind of tree that is evergreen, but I wasn't sure they'd get enough sun. The back of the garden gets a little less because of the roof line. And I didn't know if they would handle all the water the hydrangeas would need and do well. I even thought about those pencil junipers.

    I haven't tested my soil yet. I put the hydrangeas in the blueprint programs as blue, but I'd be just as happy with pink or mixed. I agree about colors that compliment each other. I'd like to stay with the cottage-like pink, blue, snowy white, true red, pinkish red (not hot pink), yellow and green.

    You answered my question about the Zephirine Drouhin roses in the vines forum. And I do think I'm going to try to put one in the porch brick planter to see if it will grow around that column. You can't see the planter. It's behind the column. I also toyed with the idea of putting ZD in the back of the large garden this thread about to see if it would climb the black wrought iron railing. ?? You can't see the railing very well in the actual photo.

    Here is a link that might be useful: GardenWeb images

    This post was edited by BelleIsleCottage on Sat, Apr 26, 14 at 20:07

  • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
    9 years ago

    Oh dear. I always seem to be pouring cold water on your ideas;-) I really think the space is too small for a tree. The hydrangeas alone can be 4 feet across. Your 'large garden' is actually quite small if we're talking trees and shrubs. Plus a tree would block light from your from window and obscure your view out from the porch. Something climbing on the railing would be a practical idea though. You could also have a trellis to the right of the garage door with a clematis on it.

    Regarding a climber on the porch pillar - it seems very close to the steps so wouldn't you be brushing against the plant every time you went in and out? Try to imagine climbing the steps with arms full of shopping on a dark wet evening and getting a wet slap in the face from a trailing vine. Perhaps you could experiment with something like Morning Glory this year and see if they do get in the way before committing to a permanent planting.

    And just to be annoying - I like the look of your weathered brick planter along the front;-) I don't think any paint will fix it. The water will still be affecting it and I'm pretty sure the paint will break down in due course and look even worse. Maybe just a few trailing perennials like Aubretia hanging down? Or get some gutters?

  • BelleIsleCottage
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    1234567890-sdfghjkl;

    This post was edited by BelleIsleCottage on Fri, May 2, 14 at 9:26

  • 10jdjean
    9 years ago

    Kousa dogwood or maybe a fringe tree?

  • Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
    9 years ago

    I missed most of this thread, but for me, in zone 7a, for curb appeal I would stick with evergreens.

    What direction does this face? To the north??

    Do you really want to block your view from the window with a larger plant?

  • BelleIsleCottage
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    @dave_in_nova: It faces north, yes. No, I think you're right about blocking the window. Someone else mentioned that. I'm so glad I posted here because I think a tree would be a mistake.

    Thanks!

  • Tina Buell (Z9b)
    8 years ago

    What did you end up with? Can you share a pic?