The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (Amelanchier × grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’) is one of the most celebrated small trees in North American landscaping. It blooms with white flowers in early spring, offers edible fruit in summer, and delivers a spectacular orange-red fall display that justifies its name entirely. But no tree is without its challenges. If you…
There is something quietly spectacular about a tree that blooms at night, fills the air with a lemony fragrance, and keeps its silver-green leaves through winter. The Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’) does all of that — and then some. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting to think about landscaping, this…
There is something deeply satisfying about a Little Gem magnolia in full form. Its dense, glossy foliage and large, creamy-white blooms make it one of the most versatile and admired evergreen trees in Southern landscapes. Many gardeners choose it specifically because it seems low-maintenance. Compact, tidy, and reliably beautiful. Then something goes wrong. Leaves start…
Few trees announce the arrival of spring quite like the Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis). Its clouds of pale pink and white blossoms have made it one of the most planted ornamental trees in the world. Washington D.C.’s famous cherry blossom festival is, after all, built almost entirely on this single cultivar. Yet for all…
There are trees that demand attention — loud, showy, impossible to ignore. And then there are trees like Halesia carolina. Quiet. Graceful. Modest in the best possible way. And yet, when it blooms in spring, draping itself in thousands of small white bell-shaped flowers, it turns heads. I have seen grown adults pause mid-step to…
Soft Touch holly (Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’) has become one of the most popular compact evergreen shrubs in residential landscaping. Its dense, rounded form, soft non-spiny leaves, and year-round dark green color make it a go-to choice for foundation plantings, borders, and low hedges. Unlike traditional hollies with sharp-tipped leaves, this variety lives up to…
Few trees announce spring quite like the saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana). Those large, chalice-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple appear before the leaves, turning the bare tree into something almost otherworldly. Plant one in your garden, and it becomes the centerpiece the moment it blooms. That is why it is so…
The Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) has earned a loyal following among homeowners, urban foresters, and landscape designers. It blooms in early summer with large, creamy-white flower clusters that fill the air with a faintly sweet fragrance. It tolerates cold winters. It handles urban pollution reasonably well. And compared to many ornamental trees, it asks…
Crepe myrtles are among the most beloved ornamental trees in warm-climate landscapes. Their long blooming season, stunning summer color, and relatively low-maintenance nature make them a popular choice for homeowners, landscapers, and city planners alike. Walk through almost any neighborhood in the American South, and you will likely spot at least one lining a driveway…
If you have ever seen a Kwanzan cherry tree in full bloom, you already know why it stops people in their tracks. The deep pink, double-layered flowers are simply unlike anything else in the spring garden. I remember the first time I encountered one lining a neighborhood street — I actually pulled over just to…