My Top Ten Favourites
Thumb Variety Cultivar Description (Click an item for details)
Click to enlarge Acer (Maple) Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' The highly ornamental Coral Bark Maple is well known for its bright red young stems that add colour in the garden during winter. A small tree, it has wonderful, soft green spring and summer foliage and godd yellow-orange autumn tones. Very good all round tree for small to medium gardens.
Click to enlarge Acer (Maple) Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sentry' Acer 'Crimson Sentry' has deep purple foliage, it retains a very formal erect shape and has great autumn colour. A brilliant contrast to green summer foliage. Tolerates medium levels of drought and would be a great addition to any back or front garden. Highly recommended.
Click to enlarge Acer (Maple) Acer rubrum 'PNI 0268' October Glory® The most outstanding Autumn colour tree in the world! Enough said!
Click to enlarge Acer (Maple) Acer truncatum x A. platanoides 'Warrenred' Pacific SunsetPBR symbol One of the new maples on the world market. Light green very glossy foliage that forms a small / medium round tree with high levels of drought tolerance. Lovely autumn colour. I predict that both Pacific Sunset and Norwegian Sunset will be very widely planted in Australian conditions, both in the home garden and in streetscapes.
Click to enlarge Betula (Birch) Betula utilis var. jacquemontii White, white, white. The BEST white trunk birch on the Australian market by a fair margin. Uniform attractive shape is another highlight of this variety. Is also regarded as one of the more heat and drought tolerant of the birch family.
Click to enlarge Carpinus Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' A tree that I have seen all through Europe but I fell in love withit at first sight! I had to grow it - no choice! Small dark deep green foliage similar in shape to a silver birch. Very commanding upright shape that makes a sensational statement tree or a magnificent avenue. Not spectacular in autumn or spring but trust me, find one and plant it.
Click to enlarge Cercis Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' Cercis ‘Forest Pansy’ has beautiful large dark purple foliage, turning to sensational yellow / mandarin autumn colour contrasts. A real stand out show of small lilac coloured flowers that encase the branches and trunk. Can tolerate most conditions, soil and climate.
Click to enlarge Cercis Cercis chinensis 'Avondale' A relatively unknown small tree in Australia. Lovely deep lustrous green foliage that is arranged on the branches in a very unique pattern, possibly one of the most attractive foliaged trees. Flowering is similar to Cercis 'Forest Pansy', the small lilac / mauve flowers are a real showstopper.
Click to enlarge Pyrus Pyrus betulaefolia 'Southworth' Dancer™ The foliage of Pyrus Dancer™ has a silver glow. It is a tree that handles all types of conditions. Almost fits into the small garden tree category. One of its features is the appearance that it has a contorted limb structure, giving this tree year round interest. Retains its foliage late into winter.
Click to enlarge Pyrus Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer ® The tree that has everything! The closest thing to the perfect tree I have found. Loves wet waterlogged soils, loves drought, heat, a whole range of conditions. Wonderful display of small white flowers in spring followed by small inconspicuous fruit. The shape of Pyrus Chanticleer is narrow and uniform, which makes it a very good avenue tree. Autumn colour ranges from reds to purples, oranges and yellows. A tree that should be planted in multiples to add a real design feature to any space.
Click to enlarge Zelkova Zelkova serrata 'Green Vase' The 'upside down tree. Lovely wine glass shape, planted along driveways will form a natural archway with no formal pruning. Good autumn tones and handles medium level drought conditions. Will be a very popular tree.