| g is the time when gardening becomes once | | | | ‘Shogetsu’ with pink buds opening |
| more of interest to everyone who has any | | | | in late spring to form big double white flowers |
| interest in gardening and any size of plot, from a | | | | hanging in clusters. The green leaves turn orange |
| window box to stately acres. In most gardens | | | | and red in the fall. Gardening with spring trees and |
| structure is formed using hard landscaping, trees | | | | shrubs tends to bring interest in seasons other |
| and shrubs, but they are much more than just | | | | than spring, as spring flowers herald fruits and |
| shapes. Trees make a functional and beautiful | | | | deciduous plants tend to have pretty autumnal |
| contribution to many gardens. It is vital to take | | | | shades. |
| time in selecting the right size and shape of spring | | | | Viburnum Plicatum ‘Pink Beauty’ is |
| tree and to think through what exactly you want | | | | a lovely shrub for its spring flowers. Its blooms |
| from it. Not easily moved once established, never | | | | are white turning later to pink, then red (turning to |
| has the consideration of “right plant, right | | | | black) fruits appear. Its eventual height is about |
| place” been more important in gardening | | | | five feet, and it is fully hardy. Gardening |
| than with trees! Many trees in spring, most | | | | enthusiasts will be familiar with Ribes Sanguineum |
| famously fruit trees, cheer our hearts with their | | | | with its bright green aromatic leaves and deep |
| pink or white abundance of blossom. In fact the | | | | pinky red flowers borne in spring. Some people |
| vast majority of flowering and fruiting trees bear | | | | don’t like the scent too much. Acer |
| their flowers in the spring season. | | | | Palmatum ‘Corallinum’ is a |
| Magnolias are spectacular trees and shrubs which | | | | deciduous shrub which is very slow growing to an |
| look absolutely stunning when in full bloom. | | | | eventual height of five feet. Its young spring |
| Gardening is so rewarding when you can see such | | | | leaves are lobed and bright reddish-pink, turning |
| a wonderful sight and know that you planted that | | | | green for summer and bright red, orange or |
| beautiful thing, that you are responsible for its site | | | | yellow in autumn. Truly a shrub for all seasons |
| and the marvellous contribution it makes to your | | | | (well, except winter I suppose, being deciduous). |
| spring display. Even in the smaller garden, | | | | Amelanchier Laevis is a famous tree suitable for |
| Magnolias can be grown, notably Magnolia Stellata. | | | | small gardens and with virtually all-round gardening |
| Most Magnolias are happy in most soils, with the | | | | interest. I include it here because of its gorgeous |
| proviso that they are rich in humus, although | | | | sprays of white flowers in spring. It has bronze |
| some cultivars prefer lime-free conditions. | | | | spring leaves which turn dark green in summer |
| Generally in gardening terms they are slow | | | | followed by round, lush red fruits, and lovely |
| growing but very beautiful when fully mature. | | | | autumnal foliage. Great in spring, but truly a tree |
| Various Prunus varieties are wonderful trees for | | | | for gardening through the seasons. |
| the spring garden. To mention but one, Prunius | | | | Spring is a wonderful time of year for gardening |
| Avium ‘Plena’ reaches an eventual | | | | and while you are out there planting your bedding, |
| height of 50ft, it is hardy, prefers full sun and is a | | | | do look around you and use your nose to smell |
| deciduous spreading tree. Its bark has a reddish | | | | the scent of the apple blossom and the gorgeous |
| tinge and it produces masses and masses of | | | | cherry blossoms. They are not around for very |
| purest white flowers in spring. Its leaves are dark | | | | long so while you are doing the gardening, just |
| green but turn red in the fall before they, | | | | take at least a few moments to contemplate the |
| well…fall. A smaller Prunus is Prunus | | | | beauty of your spring trees and shrubs. |