In retrospect, I think we have been over-enthusiastic in our tree planting - well that probably applies to everything in our garden, but trees grow much bigger than perennials, don't they.
In 1997, we acquired a very small Dracaena draco or Dragon Tree in Gibraltar. Mick was doing work experience in the Alameda Botanical Gardens at the time and we carried it with us all the way round Europe before coming home. As it was tender, it had to be contained in a pot so that it could be brought inside for the winter so, fortunately, it grew very slowly as it lasted for about ten years and became quite heavy, but alas it did not survive.
At the present time we have seven trees, one of which, the Buddleja, is not strictly a tree, but as it grows to 10' or 11' high each year, I'm including it. As I said before, it has been in its present position for many years and, although they seem few and far between this year, butterflies are reputed to like them, so no doubt it will be staying. We do cut it well back each year, but despite this harsh treatment its beautifully perfumed, large purple blossoms never fail to arrive.
2005 and alongside a Cornus alba 'Aurea' 2012
In February 2003, Mick bought me a Salix caprea pendula for my birthday. Better known as the Kilmarnock Willow, it is a weeping tree which has been top grafted onto a trunk. It started its time with us on the right border, but now stands on the edge of the rockery where it can be seen from our landing window. As the garden is raised up so high from ground level, this is best way to get a good view of the whole garden and I often stand there watching the birds and wondering if something should be pruned back or removed entirely.
In nine years, the Salix has reached a height of about 5' and throughout the summer its branches grow to almost touch the ground. But it's not well. We're not sure why, but last year, it developed rust on its leaves and, as it looked so unsightly, we decided to give it a total haircut in the hope that it would recover. I must say, it looked quite peculiar at the beginning of the year with its little stumps sticking out of the top and I thought we might have killed it off, but no, it has grown just as much this year. In the beginning, the new leaves were beautifully green, but as they began to drape down to the floor the rust appeared again. I have discovered by reading up on the internet that it is a problem that often affects the pussy willow and is caused by a variety of fungi and bacteria that can be deadly. As the solution can be time-consuming and not necessarily successful, perhaps it will have to go. If we decide on this drastic action, we may at least leave the trunk, suitably treated, so that we can grow something up it rather than having to dig out the roots.
2007 and with a cropped top in 2012
Amelanchier lamarckii was bought from the Horncastle Garden Centre in 2004 when we were working as campsite managers at Woodhall Spa, in Lincolnshire, and is planted in the right border not far from the patio. It is tall and still slender eight years later, its white blossom looking very pretty in the spring. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to last very long, though the leaves do provide good colour when they turn bright orange later in the year.
2007 and 2011
The Corylus avellana 'Contorta' or contorted hazel is both a blessing and a curse. Another Horncastle purchase in 2005, it really has pride of place in the large centre bed, which is rather unfortunate as the dark green leaves which cover it all summer are rather horrid. We tend to grow tall delphiniums or other sky-reaching plants in front to hide it, but it is redeemed in winter when its wonderful curly branches reach in all directions - and enhance indoor flower arrangements too.
2007 and 2012
Harvest of 2009 and 2012
No doubt the changeable weather has had much to do with this. In addition, however, we have had leaf curl which isn't pretty. We normally treat the tree for this condition, but neglected to do so last winter, though I am led to believe that they don't like rain on them either and there is no way we can prevent that. Its position is not ideal either as its lower branches reach over the patio and interfere with anyone sitting there. So, do we cut our losses and get rid of it or should we show it some sympathy and give it another chance.
My favourite tree is the Catalpa x erubescens 'Purpurea'. This was also purchased in 2003, but didn't get into the ground until 2005, when it was still quite small. We were told when we bought it that it would be unlikely to flower for about eight years, but it has flowered since 2007 so perhaps that's a record. It stands in a small bed next to the water feature and, despite slight pruning last year, its tallest branches are now 16' or so. The book says it can grow to 50', but we are trying to keep it smallish so that we can enjoy the canopy. It is a lovely tree with broad ovate leaves, about 10" long, which break as purple and then turn green. It also has the most beautiful white panicles of small flowers which are marked inside with a yellow and purple colour and stand up in the manner of those on the horse chestnut tree, though of a bigger and rounder dimension.
2005 and 2012
Another one bought in 2003, but not planted until 2005 is Viburnum opulus. Again, it could be a shrub as it has several 'stems' not really thick enough to call a trunk, but it is shaped like a tree and must be 10' or 12' high by now. It is sited in the centre bed across the path from the right-hand border and has lots of those lovely white snowball flowers in spring or early summer. Sadly, as it is the ornamental variety, it doesn't have the beautiful red berries that can be seen in the hedgerows in the autumn. I'm afraid I didn't realise this when we bought it, but it's too late now so we just get to enjoy the flowers which have multiplied year on year.
2007 and 2011
Because our garden is so small, we generally remove the lower branches of trees or reduce them to a minimum so that we can grow other things underneath, but I feel a nice tree adds that something extra to a garden - and the birds love them too.
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