Whether you’re planning a large-scale landscape design for your property or simply searching for that perfect ornamental tree to create year-round interest in your front yard formal garden, here are a few interesting facts about some surprisingly popular trees found in gardens across the Tri-state Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware area.

Maples for Bright Fall Colors and Medium Annual Growth
Two maple trees popular in the northeast are the Amur Maple (Acer grinnala) and Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum). These trees provide bright fall color and grow at a slow to medium rate, increasing less than 12 inches each year. The Amur Maple can grow to 15 to 18 feet in height, with an equal-sized spread. The dark green, glossy foliage of the Amur Maple becomes yellow and red in the fall, with fragrant yellow-white flowers that open in mid to late spring. The foliage of the Trident Maple is bronze-purple when new. It becomes green at the beginning of summer and turns to red, yellow and orange in the fall. The tree can grow to 20 to 30 feet tall, with a similar-sized spread. The unscented flowers are green-yellow in color with fluffy umbels or flat-topped flower heads.

The Elegance of Dogwood Trees
Two elegant dogwood trees are the ornamental Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alterniflia) and the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). The Pagoda Dogwood can grow to 20 to 35 feet in height, while the Flowering Dogwood can rise to heights of 40-50 feet. Offering year-round interest, these trees exhibit white, pink or red bracts with small clusters of yellow flowers in the spring. According to HGTVgardens.com, “In summer, their blossoms give way to light green leaves that provide welcome shade. And in autumn, that foliage turns a stunning deep red before falling, leaving a handsome skeleton with alligator skin-like bark in winter.” Dogwoods grow best in partially sunny locations and well-drained soil. When growing in nature, they grow as understory trees, and therefore enjoy afternoon shade to protect them from bright sunlight.

Beautiful Crape Myrtle for Lasting Color and Bloom
Is the beautiful Crape Myrtle one of your favorites? If it is, you may know that the new hybridized form of Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) can be successfully grown in the Tri-state Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware area. Best grown in full sunlight, Lagerstroemia require little pruning, however, pruning will advance new flower-producing branches since flowering occurs on new growth. If you prefer a colorful, low maintenance and long-blooming tree, select a Crape Myrtle tree to enhance your landscape design plan or formal front yard garden.

According to HGTVgardens.com, “In summer, their blossoms give way to light green leaves that provide welcome shade. And in autumn, that foliage turns a stunning deep red before falling, leaving a handsome skeleton with alligator skin-like bark in winter.” 

Aardweg Landscaping Design, Installation and Maintenance
Serving the Tri-state area of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware for over 30 years, Aardweg Landscaping is based in Newtown Square on the Philadelphia Main Line.  With decades of experience selecting the perfect ornamental trees to suit formal and informal residential garden landscape designs, the professional team at Aardweg Landscaping stands ready to transform your landscape design ideas into a beautiful new outdoor space. Contact Aardweg Landscaping by telephone at 610-355-0703.

 Visit Aardweg Landscaping on YouTube and Houzz.