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Flowering trees add bloom to gardenBY ED HUTCHISONASSOCIATED PRESS Think spring. Think Washington, D.C. Think cherry blossoms. This spring's National Cherry Blossom Festival was expected to attract an estimated 700,000 visitors for the March 27-April 11 celebration. And as always, the horticultural star of the show was the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis). This is the tree that dominates plantings around the Tidal Basin. This tree and its kin do very well in areas of similar and colder climates, as do a number of other spring-flowering trees that are every bit as spectacular, although not so historic or steeped in tradition. Quite a few trees blossom in the spring, so they are by no means rare or unusual. A quick count shows at least two dozen, and they represent most of the alphabet, beginning with American snowdrop (Halesia diptera) and continuing through Southern witchhazel (Hamamelis macrophylla). What is so special about springflowering trees is that their vigor and color give a much needed oomph to the garden, given the grayness that is pervasive in most spring landscapes in April and early May. Flowering times differ widely among tree types and areas of the country. Most flowering trees live at least several generations, provided they are planted in the right place and have proper care. Correct siting is extremely important, as some of the best bloomers do so in woodland settings and balk if they are planted in sunny spots. Notable in this regard is the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). While some hybrids can deal with sun, the ever-popular species tree simply does not like sites in full sun. It may grow reasonably well for a few years, but then gradually the sun "gets to" it and it dies. Seldom will it bloom in a sun-stressed environment. But plant it where there is shade relief from taller trees and it will do gloriously. Indeed, gardening success can be summed up in six words: Right plant, right place, and right care. The United States Department of Agriculture long ago mapped the country into distinctive growing regions, giving zones a numeric code to represent an average annual minimum temperature. Most zones are divided into two zones, such as zone 5a and 5b, with subzone a being colder by five degrees. The higher the number, the warmer the zone. Zone 1, for example, experiences temperatures below minus-50 degrees. Here is a look at some outstanding spring-flowering trees, quirks aside: Buds begin as reddish-purple (an unusual color in the landscape) and open to rosy pink pea-like clusters. What is striking is the blooms open before the foliage does, and with the dark gray bark, the contrast is stunning. It does best in full sun and soil that is moist and well drained. It grows up to 30 feet tall and 35 feet wide. Blossoms are bell-shaped and pendulous, ranging from white to a very pale pink. It grows up to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide, doing best in moist soil and in sun to partial shade. This tree bears clusters up to 12 inches wide of white, bell-shaped flowers. Some folks claim there is some fragrance. It is a long-lived tree that grows fast, an unusual combination. It will reach 40 feet tall and 30 feet across. It tolerates different soil types and does fine in sun to partial shade. Its big drawback is that it is a coarse tree that has crooked, brittle wood ù a deal-killer for many gardeners. Others ignore this fault and appreciate it for its spring beauty. Its coarse nature suggests it should be planted away from the house. This is probably the best known of the springflowering trees because of its clear white blossoms that open wide to display a colorful center. Blossoms yield glossy red fruit in the fall that attracts birds. This is often the tree you spot growing on the edge of woodlands that line expressways, especially in mild to southern climates. It grows up to 30 feet tall and about 20 feet wide; typically it matures at lesser dimensions. It does its best in light shade and planted in moist soil that is mulched to maintain moisture and a cool temperature. Imagine a forest floor and the natural mulch it bears; this is perfect for the dogwood. Many types of dogwood are available, but some of the shrub types are not flowering. This tree has a lot going for it. Among its attributes are that it flowers at an early age, long before it reaches its mature height and width of 15 to 25 feet, and its blossoms are huge (5 to 10 inches across). Blossoms are white, pink and pink-purple. It does best in moist and welldrained soil and sun to partial shade. About the only drawback is that some types are susceptible to late frost damage, which can easily destroy the blossoms. Look for later- flowering hybrids to lessen this risk. This is a relative newcomer among spring bloomers and is now overplanted as a yard and municipal tree. Its height varies greatly, depending on the variety, from 20 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide. It grows quickly in a wide range of soils, including compacted soil, and does best in full sun. The blossoms emerge early, often in March and April. Some folks consider the odor offensive. Fall color is yellow, scarlet and purple, with leaves persisting long after those on other trees have dropped off. A drawback is that the branches tend to weaken as the tree matures and this can create litter and make a mess after storms.
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