What trees could you plant in your English Garden?
Thinking Tree 🌳
Choosing the right tree for your garden is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating year-round interest that evolves with the seasons. A well-chosen tree can provide spring blossoms, summer shade, autumn colour, and winter structure. Here are the best trees for each season, ensuring your garden stays beautiful all year round. 🌳🍂❄️🌸
Spring – A Burst of Blossom & Fresh Growth 🌸
Spring is a time of renewal, and nothing signals the change of season like flowering trees bursting into bloom. These trees create a stunning focal point while attracting pollinators.
Top Spring Trees:
🌿 Cherry Blossom (Prunus serrulata) – Produces clouds of pink or white flowers in March–April, perfect for a romantic, delicate look.
🌿 Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) – Large, fragrant blooms emerge before leaves, adding a striking contrast in early spring.
🌿 Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – Covered in clusters of white flowers in late spring, supporting bees and birds.
Summer – Lush Foliage & Cooling Shade 🌞
In summer, a tree can offer cool shade, vibrant greenery, and even fruit. Opt for trees with lush foliage and strong branches to enjoy relaxing outdoor spaces.
Top Summer Trees:
🌿 Silver Birch (Betula pendula) – Delicate, fluttering leaves create dappled light, making it an excellent shade tree.
🌿 Apple Tree (Malus domestica) – Produces fragrant blossoms in spring and delicious fruit in summer—a great edible choice!
🌿 Acer (Acer campestre) – A compact, low-maintenance tree that thrives in smaller gardens, offering dense summer foliage.
Autumn – Fiery Foliage & Seasonal Beauty 🍂
Autumn is when trees put on their grand finale, with leaves turning golden, red, and orange. Choosing a tree with spectacular autumn colour ensures your garden stays vibrant before winter sets in.
Top Autumn Trees:
🍁 Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) – Flaming red, orange, and yellow leaves, making it a garden showstopper.
🍁 Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – Produces clusters of red berries alongside stunning golden foliage, loved by birds.
🍁 Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua) – Offers a rich tapestry of red, purple, and gold leaves throughout autumn.
Winter – Structure, Bark, & Evergreen Interest ❄️
Winter is all about structure, bark texture, and evergreens to maintain interest when most trees have shed their leaves. Opt for trees that stand out in the frost and snow.
Top Winter Trees:
🌲 Dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’) – Offers fiery red stems that create an eye-catching contrast against winter landscapes.
🌲 Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – Evergreen glossy leaves and red berries, providing shelter for birds.
🌲 Silver Birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii) – The striking white bark stands out beautifully in winter gardens.
Final Thoughts
By carefully selecting trees for each season, you can create a garden that offers continuous beauty, structure, and ecological benefits. Whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, apple trees in summer, Japanese maples in autumn, or dogwood in winter, there’s a perfect tree for every garden and every time of year. 🌳✨
Which tree are you thinking of adding to your garden? Let me know! 🍃😊
Winter is commonly the ideal time for adding trees to your garden- check your garden is winter ready before you go adding more plants, take our quiz to see how ready your garden is HERE 🍁
