From the numerous tree species offered by Polish nurseries, it is easy to choose dwarf varieties for small gardens, large forms for extensive gardens and parks, and those that surprise with their unusual color of leaves, interesting flowers or texture of the bark.Because trees are not only useful, but above all beautiful, and autumn is the best time to plant them.
Sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus has many interesting varieties with variegated or brightly colored leaves, which, however, in hot, dry summers may suffer from strong sunlight.The cultivation problems are not caused by varieties with green or purple leaves, such as 'Atropurpureum'.Leaves of this variety are dark green on the outside, so to see their true beauty, you need to look at them from the bottom, which is stained dark pink.
The tree looks particularly attractive in windy weather, the leaves then sparkle with two contrasting colors. In autumn it is even more interesting: the top of the leaves turns yellow while the underside remains pink. Falling leaves create a picturesque two-color carpet. The variety 'Atropurpureum' is a large tree, it grows up to 25 m, and also forms a wide crown. Like wild sycamore, it is tolerant to the ground and resistant to frost.
Perhaps the meeting of Laura and Philo would be more fruitful if they agreed to meet this sycamore variety and admire its advantages together?In spring, the tree blooms with small reddish flowers, from which in summer Winged seeds are formed - also colored red.
Interesting varieties of common beech
Dignity is also present in our native common beech Fagus sylvatica. Among its many varieties, the 'Pendula' variety deserves special attention - probably the most elegant tree with a hanging habit. The shining steel bark of the trunk and branches catches the eye from afar.The tree forms a wide, picturesque crown, grows up to 15-25 m.The biggest advantage of the 'Pendula' beech, however, is the overhanging branches forming green waterfalls all the way to the ground.
This is a great variety to be planted at the center of your garden. He likes the sun, but also tolerates partial shade. It grows best in fertile, constantly moderately moist soils. The varieties with smaller sizes, weeping habit and dark burgundy leaves are: 'Black Swan', 'Purple Fountain' and 'Purpurea Pendula'.
The complete opposite of a tree with overhanging branches is Norway spruce Picea abies 'Virgata'. The advantage of this variety is a feature rarely appreciated in spruce - a very small number of shoot branches.Each branch usually ends with only one new bud. The 'Virgata' variety is also called snake spruce, because its branches sometimes grow so luxuriantly that they resemble twisting snakes.
The loose crown of this variety lets in a lot of sunlight and initially casts little shade. Only after many years the crown thickens.Adult trees are decorated with long cones growing at the ends of branches.
Useful birch - decorative and undemanding
Not only colorful leaves or unusual habit can decorate trees. Sometimes the bark can also be the biggest attraction, and birches are the favorites in this category.
Who is looking for the whitest birch of all birches, should plant a useful birch Betula utilis 'Doorenbos'.This medium-sized tree (up to 10 m high) will be perfect for smaller gardens, decorating them throughout year. Birch trees are pioneering trees, they are not demanding, and even recommended for people who are just starting their adventure with gardening.
Japanese ginkgo - for large and small gardens
Japanese Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo biloba is a dignified and long-lived tree. It grows slowly and forms picturesque, almost statuesque crowns.In good weather in autumn, green leaves turn yellow.Ginkgo is a dioecious species. Adult female specimens in the fall develop seeds covered with fleshy arils with the stench of rancid butter.
Since it is impossible to distinguish between the sexes of seedlings, it is best to choose graft-propagated, sex-only, male-only strains for your garden, e.g. 'Autumn Gold', 'Fastigiata', 'Tremonia', 'Saratoga', or only female , e.g. 'Variegata'. The spherical male variety 'Mariken' or the miniature 'Troll' is perfect for small gardens. Ginkgo biloba is a relatively drought-resistant and undemanding tree.
Advantages of autumn planting
- Plant nurseries then offer the widest selection of species and varieties produced in a given year.
- This term gives a better chance of better acceptance of plants planted with a bare root or a root ball.
- Trees planted in fall will take root even before winter comes and begin their growth in spring without delay with the start of the growing season.
- In autumn, it is worth planting species that begin their growth very early in spring, for example larches, chestnut trees, apple trees, willows and lindens.
- Plants planted in autumn are better prepared for any possible spring or summer heat.
Rowanberry not only red
Bright fruits - especially red ones, such as the Sorbus aucuparia rowan, colloquially known as rowan, and hybrid varieties obtained with the participation of other species are a great autumn and winter decoration of many trees.
The fruits of rowan can be made not only red corals - those who plant the 'Autumn Spire' variety in their garden will enjoy clusters of golden-yellow fruits in autumn.It is also distinguished by a compact, columnar habit and small size (reaches up to 5 m in height).Other interesting varieties of rowan are, among others, 'Joseph Rock' with creamy white clusters or 'Pink Veil' with pink fruit.
