Despite the extremely warm weather we have experienced over the past few days, the trees and shrubs at Arundel Arboretum, one of the leading garden centres in Sussex, are continuing to look exceptionally healthy.
During a period of continued warm weather, the aftercare of your trees and shrubs is even more vital, especially if they are newly planted. Watering is key to their success and if you are looking for tips and advice on looking after your garden plants in hot weather please refer to our earlier blogs on the subject which can be found here and here.
Our trees and shrubs are still giving a good show of colour, and if you are considering planting a tree or shrub for some summer colour, you may like to consider the following:-
Agapanthus (African Lily)
A definite summer plant! Agapanthus are known for their tall, large headed flowers during the summer months. These plants are ideal for planting in borders and large containers and make a real statement. Most varieties of Agapanthus are hardy and their leaves will die down during the winter months. There are evergreen forms of Agapanthus, but these are usually more tender plants and would need to be sheltered during winter-spring, primarily in a greenhouse.
Euonymous alatus (Winged Spindle)
Euonymous alatus is a large, spreading, deciduous shrub. Its oval leaves turn a beautiful crimson in the autumn, so whilst this is a shrub to primarily consider for its autumn interest, its green leaves are starting to subtly change now, giving a green-pink hue to their leaves. The branches have a cork-like appearance for added interest. Small, green flowers are followed by purple-red fruits, which split to reveal bright orange seeds.
Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash)
Our Sorbus aucuparia berries are looking very striking now. This is an upright, deciduous tree whose pinnate leaves turn red or yellow in the autumn. White flowers appear in late spring. Sorbus aucuparia will grow happily in full sun or partial shade.
Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ (Mountain Ash)
The berries on our Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ are continuing to emerge now. This variety of Sorbus also has an upright growth habit. Its bright green leaves turn orange, red and purple in the autumn. Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ produce clusters of white flowers in the spring, which are followed by their pale yellow berries. These will later turn orange-yellow. Another deciduous tree that will grow in full sun or partial shade.
Cotinus coggygria ‘Old Fashioned’ (Smoke Tree)
This large shrub has rounded leaves, which emerge a purple-grey in the spring, gradually changing to blue-grey as the shrub matures. It produces large clusters of small yellow-green flowers in the spring. Cotinus coggygria ‘Old Fashioned’ has a upright growth habit and prefers and well drained soil and to flourish is best planted in full sun. Its young foliage is looking good now with soft hues of pink-red.
If you are looking for ideas of trees and shrubs to plant with some summer interest, then a visit to Arundel Arboretum garden centre in Sussex will be an ideal place to start. With a wealth of knowledge and exceptional quality plants, we shall look forward to welcoming you.
