Hi, I'd like to pick your collective brains please. I'm planning a cottage front garden in Ferntree Gully, Melbourne. I have 2 beds either side of a central path each 7m x 4.5m. I want a feature tree, to about 6m, preferably with a not too dense canopy, want dappled shade for underplanting. Faces north, with clay soil. I'm trying to use natives but not restricted to, as we have lots of native birds here, but the small eucalyptus canopies are very dense. Looking forward to your suggestions....TIA
What about investigating Chitalpa tashkentensis? It’s deciduous, medium-sized and has lovely pinky flower-heads and it’s also extremely hardy. I’ve had one in my last three gardens. I really love it.
Ooh, I don’t know that one, better do some research.. thanks Penelope
A couple of things here, Jacqueline. I wish that the native birds knew to only feed off native plants. Then the rosellas would leave my crabapples to colour up, and the cockatoos would leave my crocus bulbs in the ground.
And are you sure you want a tree at all? Make sure you have really good reason for one, as shade and root competition will make your cottage gardening much more difficult. Having said that, I reckon that you can’t go past the crabs for light shade. I specified four Malus toringoides in a garden about ten years ago, and recently went back for a revisit. Their foliage was so light and lacy, and weighed down with those small, stained-glass-window fruits. I couldn’t imagine a canopy easier to deal with.
Bear in mind, also, that most tree have a denser canopy in youth, and let a lot more light in as they get older.
Oh Michael, now you have me thinking, do I actually need trees? We have an old weatherboard cottage and I was thinking a tree either side of the central path. Now I will have to research treeless front gardens, and how to get height and interest without the trees. Ok, time for more research..
Thanks heaps for the suggestions, ps love your blog and the forum.
Cheers Jacqueline
If a smaller deciduous tree is required, you could look at Cercis chinensis, Amelanchier canadensis. Both have open vase shaped growth, have spring flowers and do well in clay soil. They’re not native of course but are soooooo pretty.
The new crepe myrtle range are great small deciduous trees, good seasonal feature. Olive trees are great with natives too, especially with westringia, cistus and lavenders.
I would love to see how it turns out.
If you don’t mind wattles “Acacia spectabilis” (Mudgee wattle) is a particularly attractive native plant. Can be trained into a small tree – has lovely ferny foliage and a silvery trunk so it looks good even when not in flower – and stunning when in flower. Apparently it will grow in clay loam.The canopy can easily be thinned if it gets a bit dense although I found it to be fairly light and lacy.