Hey all. Here's a hypothetical (and might I just say VERY professional) sketch of a plot of land with a detatched house. The resident gardener has decided to plant 5 ornamental trees to give the garden some bones and structure.

Question to you if you were in his/her shoes: would you

1) plant 5 of the same kind to keep coherency ('design'), but sacrifice other stuff you'd want, or
2) do you go for 5 (totally) different species because you want them all, or
3) go for the middle ground?

If they are all the same, you take the chance that they all could get the same disease and wipe them all out, probably better with the diversity. Guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.

I'd go for diversity as well for the visual beauty you could create. Two large trees, like oak and maple, and the smaller 3 ones staggered so they bloom at different times. But it's also an excellent point about a disease wiping them all out.

But as crawgarden says, it's your garden and what would you like to see there?

Murky said: I'd go for diversity as well for the visual beauty you could create. Two large trees, like oak and maple, and the smaller 3 ones staggered so they bloom at different times. But it's also an excellent point about a disease wiping them all out.

But as crawgarden says, it's your garden and what would you like to see there?

Both. That's why in my own case it's so darn difficult to make decisions. I've been at this for 5 years now and planted three so far. Here's one of many sketches of my own garden I've made in that time:



The three that are named are currently in. The rest is just hypothetical (including the extra pink one). There are dozens of species I'd like to have...My garden is just too small for my ambitions lol.
And since last week I've been wondering about winter (evergreen) interest too because I never really found it all that important (it's winter so I'm not much out anyways), but we have huge windows at the back, so some green to look at from inside the house would be nice...

Evergreens are terrific to block any views where you'd rather see green than other houses, etc. I have a few at the back by the fence line, and instead of seeing the back of another house, I just see green trees year round and I think it's wonderful. If you like bird watching at all and attracting them to your yard, putting feeders up under big old trees is the perfect way to get the most birds. So back to whatever suits you and what you want to see there.

If you like seeing more birds, maybe finding out which attract what birds might whittle down your list of what you'd like to plant. Visiting local nurseries to find out which trees are really hardy and problem-free might help get the list down further. Driving around, have you seen any trees that you really love?

Arico said: The resident gardener has decided to plant 5 ornamental trees to give the garden some bones and structure.

Question to you if you were in his/her shoes: would you

1) plant 5 of the same kind to keep coherency ('design'), but sacrifice other stuff you'd want, or
2) do you go for 5 (totally) different species because you want them all, or
3) go for the middle ground?

What is the goals of these trees?

Are you trying to provide some shade to permit being outside in the terrific summer heat?

Are you looking to get some kind of fruit and/or nuts to add to the future meal plans?

a privacy screen?

Or, just something to look at like a bonsai.

I'd figure out my end goals before planting anything.

My first reaction is go diverse- I just can't avoid trying to grow more different things. And with trees, I think one of each is acceptably mixed in terms of design.
With birds, remember that insects are very very important to their diet- at least per Doug Tallamy here. He promotes using local natives partly to support the insect population that birds need.
I like that you aren't hiding your brick behind big evergreen foundation crap.

Totally agree with the preceding opinions.

Flora diversity encourages fauna diversity. What is to be gained by planting an arboreal monoculture? When you mention "design" I think you're confusing healthy home (vs commercial) landscaping with interior decorating. Y'know, like choosing matching lamps.

sallyg said: My first reaction is go diverse- I just can't avoid trying to grow more different things. And with trees, I think one of each is acceptably mixed in terms of design.
With birds, remember that insects are very very important to their diet- at least per Doug Tallamy here. He promotes using local natives partly to support the insect population that birds need.
I like that you aren't hiding your brick behind big evergreen foundation crap.

Not really interested in birds. Not that I don't want them, but it's not a goal of mine....I have a climbing hydrangea planted there though

NMoasis said: Totally agree with the preceding opinions.

Flora diversity encourages fauna diversity. What is to be gained by planting an arboreal monoculture? When you mention "design" I think you're confusing healthy home (vs commercial) landscaping with interior decorating. Y'know, like choosing matching lamps.

This is what I mean:

Sure. Looks very peaceful and low maintenance. A bit institutional for my taste but it's your taste that counts. I'd ask myself "is this a spot I'd like to look at and spend time in long term?" "Will it provide year-round interest?" If you meditate daily, might be just the thing!

NMoasis said: Sure. Looks very peaceful and low maintenance. A bit institutional for my taste but it's your taste that counts. I'd ask myself "is this a spot I'd like to look at and spend time in long term?" "Will it provide year-round interest?" If you meditate daily, might be just the thing!

Oh no. I mean, it looks nice and peaceful indeed. But so booooooooooooring! Accept for a short moment in spring/fall, this type of garden is very static and uninteresting. It doesn't get the juices flowing, you know? I need to get busy in my garden: digging, sowing, bulb planting, dividing, pruning...getting my hands into the soil!

But anyway, I digress.

Sorry, thought you were presenting that as an example of
"...plant 5 of the same kind to keep coherency ('design') ..."

Your response above suggests to me that you've answered your own question.

Arico…said….{START -And since last week I've been wondering about winter (evergreen) interest too because I never really found it all that important (it's winter so I'm not much out anyways), but we have huge windows at the back, so some green to look at from inside the house would be nice. -END}

That is a good point adding a fall color using deciduous small trees with bright fall leaf color blended with winter evergreen interest . This technique is really about the application of a 4 season garden. Not sure what zone you are in or what plants survive in your zone .

The pic below is an example of my garden with fall using deciduous trees and winter interest thru various colors of evergreen foliage using many evergreen shrubs and trees.









Look for slow growing mini evergreens and low growing evergreen shrubs lot les trimming and up keep is essential to keep the shape and warm glow during winter. Look for evergreen shrubs and small trees in colors ..reds, yellows, blue greens etc that accent and dot the garden area with bright color. Available in your zone. Winter is a good time to shop in for visuals of shape and sizes and to see the colors available in your zone.

Even tree bark white , golden colors and striped green and white, dwarf maple trees are excellent trees to grow for fantastic year round color. And exceptional fall color. During the winter the twisted bark of several small deciduous trees add lateral interest and movement to the garden.

Catalogues are also a good study guide for color , size , leaf and trunk color shapes and visuals in ctlogesmwill help,to orient the various specimens needed to acquire the lookmfoe. 4 seasons garden.

Winter evergreens pic from back garden window.

Sorry,but nothing to add to Arico's question but I just have to say WOW Bumplbea what a beautiful garden you have!

Bea's paradise is sooo beautiful!

Thank you tigerpaws…appreciate your enthusiasm.

Special thanks to Gigi for the acorns and encouragement.

bumplbea

Arico, I think you've got a fantastic design started and it does sound like you'll enjoy a diverse collection, both in the working and the enjoying. I think when you get down to the perennial/bulb/annnual level is where you'll want to make any planting of a particular kind not TOO small and mixed up. From my yard, my feel is that since I have sooo many kinds, (and many are natives not super showy, one misses 'seeing' some interesting individuals. I think Bea's works because it is mixed very tastefully and, the individuals are big enough to stand on their own.

Hope you will keep us updated
.

I'm going to be brutally honest Bea so forgive me, but your garden doesn't appeal to my tastes at all I find that people are too hung up about 'continueing summer for as long as possible' to the point of blending the seasons too much with evergreens; so much so that that type of garden isn't too far off from the modern mono type I posted above.
I like colorful fall and 'dead' winter. I like looking at a 'depressing, fungus infected/decaying' landscape because 1) it's part of life and 2) because it makes spring that much more exciting when it arrives.
I never liked evergreens...I still don't really (they're boring, spikey, ugly and I have bad memories of one big pine oozing sticky sap everywhere...)...I've MANAGED to accept two so far: Pinus mugo pumilio and P. leucodermis 'Compact Gem'. But who knows, they might get me hooked eventually

sallyg said: bumplbea

Arico, I think you've got a fantastic design started and it does sound like you'll enjoy a diverse collection, both in the working and the enjoying. I think when you get down to the perennial/bulb/annnual level is where you'll want to make any planting of a particular kind not TOO small and mixed up. From my yard, my feel is that since I have sooo many kinds, (and many are natives not super showy, one misses 'seeing' some interesting individuals. I think Bea's works because it is mixed very tastefully and, the individuals are big enough to stand on their own.

Hope you will keep us updated
.

Perhaps you're right. I'll definately keep your advice in the back of my mind when the time comes

Ok everyone has their own tastes. Not a problem. Just some things can look good in the cold winters here. You are looking at a 'Only Winter' pic . There are bulbs, annuals and perennials planted as well as roses, lilacs summer plants and spring flowering trees. Evergreen plants also flower like rhododendron's and azalea's also included in my garden for spring flowers. Many evergreen trees and shrubs are not all prickly , spikey or drippy. Many have great appeal in my garden during the cold months of winter.
My favorite evergreen tree is the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar with its bluegreen soft short needles . It's a stunner , see a variety of pics in my profile under images posted or garden combinations showing several seasons of the gardens.

Arico,
I would go with different Ornamental trees and away from the house so you don't have root issue at the foundation. Living in the Evergreen State here, I'll tell you
they are a huge mess!! I spend most of my day dealing with the issues our neighboring trees cause. I'd do a lot of flower beds and less lawn too!