Feature trees for your garden.

For either a small garden or a large acreage property, there is a feature tree that will give you a stunning view at any time of the year.

Feature trees are an important investment as they take such a long time to mature. Consider your choice carefully so they can be there for the lifetime of your property. Keep in mind the mature size and take care they are not planted near drains, under powerlines, block you or your neighbor’s views.

For a feature tree to really shine, it needs to be placed in line of sight from key parts of your house or garden that are frequented. When you walk in the gate, when you sit on the deck, when you look out from the lounge window.  

A feature tree can also screen an undesirable view or give your line of sight more privacy. A broad evergreen tree would be ideal for this such as Magnolia grandiflora. This magnolia is evergreen, with big glossy leaves and large white cupped flowers in the spring. It is tolerant of most Dunedin region conditions including clay soil, coastal wind and frosts.

The larger growing deciduous Magnolia are my favourite for a large space. With interesting branches in winter, stunning flowers that are often perfumed, and robust trees through the summer for shade. Magnolia soulangeana is a beauty growing to 5mh and a spread of 4m after 10 years.

For a  darker, shaded corner, try brightening it up with a Japanese maple.  There is a maple for even the tiniest garden. At just 1m high, is the low spreading Acer palmatum dissectum, or Weeping Japanese Maple, with interesting twisting branches as it ages.  Full Moon Maple, Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon’, at 2-3m high, will brighten any dull corner of a small garden. Maples like a loamy soil with shelter from coastal winds.

The Cherry blossom trees, Prunus species, are surely the ultimate for a feature in the lawn or garden. With varying sizes and shapes including vase, round or poplar. When placing your feature tree in a lawn situation, try to offset it to the side, so it frames the view beyond.

Other feature trees to use in landscaping include Japanese Snowdrop Tree, Styrax japonica, which has an almost perfect form for most medium to small gardens and delicate, perfumed snowdrop flowers in spring. Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica Purpurea, slow growing but can be a stunning lawn specimen tree for a medium to large area.

If you are considering a feature tree for your garden, Leaf Landscape Design can offer a site visit to help you choose, supply AND plant your tree for you. Go to the contacts page on our website /www.leaflandscapes.co.nz/contact or call (03) 470 1114 Dunedin.

A magnificient Magnolia tree in winter at Glenfalloch Gardens, Portobello Road, Dunedin.