Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Dec 28, 2009 10:47 pm ... my first post, be gentle. I would like some help chosing a couple of feature trees to my new front garden. The garden bed consists of a shaped mound with some new top soil and black dyed mulch, we have recently planted some native grasses, iris, cycad, bird of paradise and small shrubs to fill the gaps, but now am looking for a feature (small) tree to excentuate the garden bed and to compliment the green and black colours selected so far. The downside is the eaves on the house hang partially over the bed, so a height limit of 3m is desired, and the orientation is west, so the afternoon (full) sun position is well exposed to the elements. Initially we wanted an evergreen tree to provide some year round shade & privacy to the windows behind, but we also think we may have overdone the 'green' colour theme, and may also like something with more colour. Perhaps an ornamental pear, cherry or something exotic to provide a little interest. ............... all suggestions are welcome, but please consider I am in the outer west of Melbourne, no irrigation system installed (haven't had too, the new plants still look great) a drought hardy choice would be preferable. Re: :: native tree\feature to front yard 2Dec 29, 2009 1:12 am Oh no!!!! you have used mulch that serves no purpose but looks very pretty A quick search of my user name and "small feature trees" will result with more than enough answers from someone who is more than qualified to answer your question i would also suggest you do a search using my username and mulch as the key words. It will be very insightful Re: :: native tree\feature to front yard 3Jan 01, 2010 6:38 pm I searched as suggested out of interest as I'm still trying to decide on a street tree. You suggested in one post claret ash and/or chinese tallow. Council have given me the choice of chinese tallow, manchurian pear, claret ash or flowering plum. (I was going to try to persuade them to plant a eucalypt but have given up on the idea since some bloke camped out in a street eucalypt he was trying to stop my council from removing!) I'm currently leaning towards the pear as I've read that the chinese tallow sets seed easily and becomes an invasive weed, although it's the only one of the lot that Benara lists as waterwise. Any comments? I found this rather helpful site http://www.austep.net.au/evaluations.as ... var_ref=33 which reckons the pears have problems with branch abscission. What on earth does that mean? Branches that randomly drop off like Karris? Re: :: native tree\feature to front yard 4Jan 05, 2010 8:46 pm That info will not be relative to WA Englyn Like the Tipuana and a few others. In fact i have never seen either set seed or become invasive. Neither has anyone in the industry landscape or nursery that i have even known of. What a call to make between all those. If you have the space I'd suggest also looking at growing the ginkgo biloba. In Perth, no one really knows what they grow too. I have had it mentioned by very well respected Horts and landscapers they only grow to 6-9 metres here but the potential in the right conditions is for 30m If you live in China that is They love hot summers and cold winters Lacebark will tell you to grow the Claret Ash, Toparious will suggest the Manchurian Pear. I know the manchurian pear is a fav of Matt Lunn's (used to and I think still does the weekend garden show on RTR or curtin radio on FM very good show, check it out;) ) There is a beautiful speciemn around the corner from me and they also have a claret ash I see so many beautiful examples of the Chinese tallow but soemtimes landscapers plant them in the wrong place. Like the Manchurian Pears used through Two Rocks in the new estates. poor things there should be ss cable so you can pull up bore pump for service 1 3135 Hi , I'm currently going through this now within the Whitehorse council which has a similar set of restrictions. We're having to make compromises with our floor plan due… 3 30668 Fig Landscapes has produced an e-book and native plant index, available for purchase from their website. It's a great resource, full of inspiration and tips. Another… 1 12222 |