Suggestions for Tree in Driveway Circle

10 years ago

Hello:

We are in the process of building a house in the Northern Neck of Virginia on the river and are getting readying in the Fall to put our landscaping in.

There will be a circle driveway and I would like to plant a tree in the middle of the circle. I am having a difficult time in picking out something that would be pretty (preferably all the time but know that is impossible) but particularly would like something that blooms in the spring and then have pretty foliage in the Fall. There has been a suggestion of the Bloodgood Japanese Maple and although I think they are pretty, for some odd reason it, I think of sadness when I look at it. Another option is a Crepe Myrtle or Dogwood but would really like something "different". It will get morning sun and part afternoon sun.

Does anyone have any tree they love that would fit my criteria? Thanks so much for your help.

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Comments (5)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
10 years ago
I agree 100% on the dogwoods. A great tree yo be sure but soo many folks have them. FWIW native dogwoods are cornus floridas. Many folks now are planting the amazingly similar asian cornus kousa. There is a larger cornus controversa that is not widely planted. IMO it lacks the knockout fall color but does participate in fall.

I have a Serviceberry tree in the yard which has potential. I always forget the name and cultivar so I will attach a pic of the tag. It flowers bot not as showy as the dogwoods. It gets more berries (go figure). Last fall the color was real good. I BELIEVE it is a less picky transplant.

There are always the showy conifers. Metasequoia "ogon" Is a yellow pyramid. There are a couole yellow evergreens. Picea orientalis "skylands" comes to mind but I bet there are others less picky about burning.

Neat plan and good luck.
rogerzone6
10 years ago
A Stewartia Monadelpha would be something different. It has orange bark for the winter, and excellent fall color. It also flowers in early summer, although the blooms are staggered so you don't get the whole tree blooming at once. It is slow growing but worth the wait.
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hairmetal4ever
10 years ago
I second Serviceberry. Typically nice fall color.

Or for something familiar but a *little* different, try the Rutgers hybrid dogwoods (florida x cornus hybrid). Bloom time is intermediate between the two, so it would be different in that sense.

Some flowering cherries and crabs can have good color, but I find here in the mid-atlantic they're less reliable than back in Ohio when I lived there.
pegmus
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for the suggestions and I am going to research these.

I had mentioned the "serviceberry" to someone before and their comment was "it is a "bush"? I'll revisit this, again.

Thanks, again, for your responses, really appreciate it.
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
10 years ago
Serviceberry usually is a bush they are right. The one I have planted is a cultivar which reportedly grows tree like. I have cut one sucker from mine. It has been less trouble so far than the hated Bradfords at work even.

If you Want a tree and get one write down that EXACT name from the tag on mine or get another one which is tree like instead of bush like.