I get asked a lot about what the best ornamental trees are. There are so many amazing trees out there that it’s impossible to choose just one! Here is my list of the top ten ornamental trees, in no particular order.
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) – The Japanese maple is a classic choice for an ornamental tree, and for good reason! With its delicate leaves and beautiful colors, it’s sure to add interest to any garden.
- Crabapple (Malus sp.) – Crabapples are a great choice for those looking for a tree with some color. They produce beautiful blossoms in the spring, and their fruits make a lovely addition to autumnal displays.
- Magnolia (Magnolia sp.) – Magnolias are well-known for their stunning flowers, which appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. They come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to purple, making them a versatile option for any garden.
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – The ginkgo is an unusual tree that is prized for its distinctive fan-shaped leaves. It is also a popular choice for bonsai due to its slow growth rate and tolerance for pruning.
- Dogwood (Cornus sp.) – Dogwoods are another great choice for those looking for some color in their garden. Their flowers appear in spring, followed by brightly-colored fruits in the summer and fall.
- Birch (Betula sp.) – Birches are known for their striking white bark, which makes them a beautiful addition to any garden. They also provide an excellent source of food for wildlife, such as birds and squirrels.
- Willow (Salix sp.) – Willows are loved for their intricate branches and leaves, which add movement and interest to the garden. They are also one of the fastest-growing trees, making them perfect for those looking to create privacy or shade quickly.
- Cedar (Cedrus sp.) – Cedar trees are prized for their fragrant wood, which is often used in furniture or flooring. They make an excellent choice as an ornamental tree due to their stately appearance and long-lasting foliage.
- Pine (Pinus sp.) – Pine trees are a classic choice for Christmas trees, but they can also be used as ornamental trees all year round! They have long needles that stay green throughout the year, making them a versatile option for any season.
- Fruit trees (Malus sp., Prunus sp., etc.) – Fruit trees make a lovely addition to any garden, and they’re also useful if you want to enjoy fresh fruit right from your own backyard! They come in a wide variety of types and sizes, so there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for your space.
There you have it – my top ten picks for the best ornamental trees! No matter what type of garden you have or what your style preferences are, there’s sure to be an ornamental tree on this list that will suit your needs perfectly.
Other lovely Trees
Looking to plant a tree that’s a little out of the ordinary? Here is our list of the best ornamental trees for your garden to plant this year.
ABIES (a’bez) . Generic name of the Spruces and Firs. Latterly called Picea. Formal and symmetrical trees with green or glaucous (blue-grey) foliage and evergreen in all climates. Make splendid specimens for cold country lawns and gardens. Like deep soil. Plant in Autumn or Winter. Slow growers in early years,-more readily afterwards.
AESCULUS (es’cill-us). The Horsechestnut. A decorative tree, not related to the Chestnut, but like it, suitable only for moderate and cooler climates. The Horsechestnuts of Bushey Park, near London, were a springtime feature. Tall candelabralike blooms. Plant in good, deep soil.
AGATHIS (ag’a-thes) is the Kauri Pine of New Zealand, or Queensland, which is the home of A. robusta. Tall, robust and slender trees of the Pine family, growing to 100 feet or more and making striking specimens in a big layout. Kauri Pine is a softwood, with wide renown.
AGONIS (ag-on-is). A very decorative and hardy small tree originally from West Australia, with weeping habit and attractive white flowers. About 30 feet, and evergreen. Stands heat and wind well. (A. flexuosa is the variety.)
ALURITES (al-ur-i-tfs). Aleurites Fordii is the Tung-Oil tree of commerce. Nuts and all parts are extremely poisonous, otherwise a very good decorative tree for mild to moderate climates. Grows 20 feet. Tung-oil is extracted from the fruits.
ANGOPHORA (an-gofe-ra) is best known as the Sydney Redgum tree (A. lanceolata), which has a dove-grey to fawn and pink trunk of smooth bark. It is a splendid specimen tree for lawns, and favoured in Sydney’s North Shore Line gar dens. The young foliage is bright rose-pink to red, and provides the beautiful “red gumtips” which are as decorative as flowers. Other varieties are A. Bakeri, a gracefulfoliage tree, useful for street planting, and the “Dwarf Apple” of the Sydney coastline, which lights up the bush with its masses of creamy-white blossoms in late Spring.
ASH is the common name of decorative trees of the Fraxinus family. Best knowp are the English (F. excelsior) and its golden form, aurea, suited to cooler climates. The Claret Ash is more amenable to milder climets, and its rich wine-red autumn tones are distinctive. It is a shapely and delightful tree. F.oxvcarpa, or Desert Ash, is also desirable for street and specimen planting. All these trees like a fairly good soil to give of their best.
