Trees you can use to create a stunning centrepiece for your garden

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My recent Dubai trip included a visit to the beautiful Miracle Gardens. To say it was stunning is an understatement. It is amazing what they have done with plants and trees. My camera was going constantly and it was almost impossible to take everything in.

Now that I am home, I have decided to write one of my rare gardening posts. The other day I was looking at The Tree Center website and was stunned by how many different varieties were available for homeowners to buy. There are plenty that are small enough to use in your own garden to create interest and provide your family with something beautiful to look at year round. Below are some of my favourites, all of which you can use to create stunning centrepieces for your garden.

Stunning Red Maples 

The first one I am going to suggest may be a little big for use as a centrepiece for a family garden. Although it can be pruned to keep it relatively small, unfortunately that will ruin the structure of the branches and so in the winter it may not look that great. But if you have space, this is a good choice.

Photo credit Ian Matyssik via Unsplash

Using crab apples as garden centrepieces 

Crab apples are nice looking trees. In the spring you benefit from a proliferation of lovely soft blossom followed by beautiful bright leaves, and by the summer you can also enjoy the lovely looking fruit. If you really want to, you can use some varieties to make crab apple jam. It is not to everyone’s taste, but it makes for an interesting addition to all kinds of meals.

Redbud trees 

The Redbud is another flowering tree, with the added benefit that in the autumn you get to enjoy the golden yellow heart-shaped leaves. It will thrive in a sunny spot.

Crape Myrtle 

If you would like a tree that flowers twice a year, the crape myrtle is for you. Many varieties also have interesting foliage that goes through a series of colour changes.

Flowering dogwoods

These trees do well in shady positions. So it is an especially good choice for urban gardens where the shadow from buildings and neighbour’s hedges can make it difficult to grow other varieties. Again, you are treated to several different displays from this tree. In the spring, every inch is covered in tiny flowers. By late summer, you get the bright red fruit. As the autumn wears on, you can enjoy the purple-red foliage.

Photo credit Rebecca Malone via Unsplash

Tree buying checklist 

Hopefully, the above suggestions will inspire you to go out and buy a tree for your garden. But before you do so, it is wise to go online and find yourself a good tree buying checklist or tree finder wizard. Doing this is the best way to ensure that you do not inadvertently end up buying a tree that is not suitable for your garden. They are not cheap and digging up and disposing of a tree once it has matured is not easy.

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