RE: re: Apologies- now ideas and links for a few spots

Well Donna, there certainly are others on this list far more expert than I, 
but I'll toss in my 2 cents. You mentioned multi-season interest, which would 
exclude most flowering trees which are spectacular for a few weeks in the 
Spring but otherwise are just "trees". Still, I wouldn't rule out some of the crab 
apples, many of which stay small and have interesting fruit. I like the 
weeping form of my Red Jade.

Since your island is not very big, you'll want a tree that that doesn't grow 
out of bounds. And since you'll get some afternoon shade, perhaps a Japanese 
Maple cultivar might work. There are hundreds to choose from, ranging in size 
and form from tiny drooping miniatures to ones that grow up to 30 ft. tall. 
Wayside Gardens has a nice selection, and although pricey, they will cheerfully 
replace/refund any plant that doesn't survive, no questions asked. <A
HREF="

    http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10067&storeId=10151&langId=-1&mainPage=page1";>Wayside


Gardens: Welcome to Wayside Gardens Online!</A> 

Mountain Maples is a specialty nursery with a huge inventory, although I've 
never ordered from them- just gawked at their catalog. <A HREF="

    http://www.mountainmaples.com/WS4D_Cookie=8.4.03_03,16,41_20/index.html";>Mountain

Maples Home</A>


Another tree with multi-season interest would be a Beech. There are several 
gorgeous weeping forms, one with deep purple leaves, another called "Tricolor" 
with leaves of white, rose pink and green. They grow extremely slowly, so I 
don't think they would outgrow their spot in our lifetime! I think Mountain 
Maples sells them too, but you could probably find them available locally, since 
they are commonly used in professional landscape plantings. 

Then there are a number of beautiful birches, with graceful branches, some 
with finely cut leaves, some with deep purple leaves, and all with various 
shades of peeling bark. Some cultivars are short lived due to birch borers, but 
others, such as the snow-white paper birch and Heritage river birch are 
resistant. The Paper-bark maple has similar peeling bark and can get pretty big, but it 
grows very slowly.

One of my favorite catalogs is Forest Farm. I get no commissions, but I sure 
do put in a lot of plugs for them! Their catalog must be close to 2 inches 
thick, and no pictures! I have ordered from them for several seasons, and have 
been very pleased with their stock. Most things are sold in tiny "tubes", but if 
I pay attention to their zone ratings, things do very well. I have a number 
of shrubs that were "chopstick" size 3 years ago that now tower over my head. 
Oh, I have (from them) a cultivar of smoke bush, called "Velvet cloak", that is 
the most luscious shade of deep purple, with the "smoke" flowers a rich 
purplish pink. It stays this color all season, and the tree can be pruned to a 
single or multi-trunk shape. It looks gorgeous early in the morning, all silvery 
pink from the morning dew. <A HREF="http://www.forestfarm.com/";>Forestfarm plant nursery: Buy plants for your garden 
online</A> 

You might also consider something of interest that won't grow, such as a 
large interesting boulder (yes, you'd have to buy it and have it delivered) a 
piece of statuary or sculpture, a birdbath, an arbor and/or bench, or a fountain 
or small pool. How about a tiny naturalistic waterfall with a small Japanese 
Maple behind it?

BTW, I am getting some garden photos developed which will be on AOL's You've 
Got Pictures. (I don't have a scanner at the moment) How would I post them to 
the list if anyone wanted to see them?

Hope that helps! My Carpal Tunnel is acting up, so I have to get off this box 
for now.

Maddy Mason
Hudson Valley, NY  zone 5/6

In a message dated 8/3/03 10:19:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,"Donna " <
justme@prairieinet.net>  writes:

> Well now that you asked Maddy:)
> 
> Looking for things to grow in zone 5. Have most of the common things I
> care to have, but need some new ideas for a few spots :)
> 
> Since there is no more room in the backyard, I have started an island in
> the front yard. So far it is not completed as the picture shows, need
> more soil, and a finishing cutting on a few blocks. (how can the bottom
> row fit fine and the top row doesn't!) You are looking at a dogwood,
> specifically, cornus kousa chinensis 'Galilean'. I plan on putting
> another tree at the far end, but haven't decided which one yet. So...
> thoughts folks? Might need this link to figure out what I am taking
> about--
> 
> http://illianagardenpond.org/islandfront.jpg
> 
> http://illianagardenpond.org/islandfront2.jpg
> 
> 
> Oh- It is in full sun, but on the east side of my house so the afternoon
> will be blocked somewhat. Of course, as the first link shows, the
> southern breezes can be brutal since none of my neighbors do anything.

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