My fantasy row of flowering trees
If I could snap my fingers and magically create my dream garden,
it would be filled with a row of flowering trees. Not just any
flowering tree, but those that bloom in sequence one after the
other throughout the year.
First would be the magnolia tree known as saucer magnolia. Also
called a
”
tulip tree
”
because of the shape and color of the flowers, the saucer
magnolia is one of the first flowering trees to bloom in January
and February in our region
– a gloriously colorful welcome in the dead of winter.
My fantasy row of flowering trees
If I could snap my fingers and magically create my dream garden, it would be filled with a row of flowering trees. Not just any flowering tree, but those that bloom in sequence one after the other throughout the year.
First would be the magnolia tree known as saucer magnolia. Also called a “tulip tree” because of the shape and color of the flowers, the saucer magnolia is one of the first flowering trees to bloom in January and February in our region – a gloriously colorful welcome in the dead of winter.
Just as the saucer magnolia starts to shed its flowers, the flowering cherry, peach and plum trees make their appearance. These fruitless trees bloom somewhat at the same time as the earliest fruit-bearing trees.
Almond trees are usually first. But through the spring months, depending on varieties, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, persimmon and apples put out their flowers. If the weather and the bees cooperate, the flowers are then pollinated to form the new fruit set, and then the petals fall drifting down in lovely carpets of color.
As summer sets in, the lavender blue of the jacaranda trees are startling additions to the hot summer landscape. Flowering alongside the jacaranda trees are the smoke trees – they are often planted together because one compliments the other during the warmest days.
What comes next? Just as the jacaranadas shed their flowers, the crape myrtles take over. As a medium-size tree with flowers in shades of pink, red, or white, the crape myrtles bloom from August through fall. When other trees are worn out from summer heat and begin to drop their leaves, the crape myrtles are still colorful with their healthy flowers.
But then, the cold weather sets in. Except for citrus trees, flowering trees are just a memory. Or, are they?
Late fall is the time to admire the persimmon trees. Of course they are not in bloom in fall but they offer something better. Persimmon trees drop their leaves almost all at once. What is left is a tree hanging with big orange persimmons, almost like ornaments on a Christmas tree. Not flowers, but really a pretty sight.
So, how do I care for my fantasy garden of flowering trees? Fertilize flowering trees three or four times a year. Irrigate by deep watering. Clean up beneath trees, removing weeds, fallen petals and leaves, and old fruit. Junk left underneath trees is a breeding ground for insects and disease.
Check the special needs of the tree you are planting. The saucer magnolia, for one, has shallow roots and does not transplant well when moved from site to site. Use a slow-release fertilizer because it is susceptible to salt damage from over fertilization.
Fruit-bearing trees need careful pruning for the best fruit set. This is particularly true of apricot and apple trees that bear fruit on established old wood.
Some trees do well set in the lawn; some don’t. Saucer magnolia and crape myrtle are good bets as lawn trees. However, keep grass from growing right up to the trunk. Don’t plant flowers or other plants underneath trees. They don’t like the competition for water and nutrients.
When these trees are all in place and well established, there should be a never-ending flower show from January through the late days of fall.
And that is no fantasy.
A Reader Wants to Know: I have two orange trees that are dropping oranges that are rotten. There is a large crop so I’m not worried about losing oranges. But I wonder if it’s from the wet weather or the frost? – Rudy
Joan Says: Probably a little bit of both. Wet weather damages the oranges, frost nips them, and the wind knocks them off. There is not much you can do about it. At least you have a good supply of oranges left on your tree.
A Reader Wants to Know: Maybe this is a dumb question but why are the hills so green and my lawn is half dead? – Anne
Joan Says: There is no such thing as a dumb question. The hills are green because they are covered with wild grass. It comes up with the winter rains, dies out in summer heat, and ends up a never-ending fire threat. Your lawn is seeded grass. It looks sickly now because your grass type is dormant. It will recover and green up again when warmer temperatures come back. Be sure to apply a spring fertilizer. Your might also consider overseeding your lawn with a grass blend that remains green in winter.
