Small Flowering Trees For Fall Planting

Flowering trees are gems of the landscape. They put their bright colors right at eye level with striking intensity. And they do so with flair and pizazz, announcing changes in seasons and becoming focal points in the landscape. Flowering trees are also functional. They can be used to soften strong lines of homes or hardscape, or strategically positioned to shade your home, thus reducing summer air-conditioning bills.

September is the ideal planting season for most of the country. Here are some of our favorite small flowering trees. Most of these trees stay in the 15- to 25-foot-high range, ideal for small gardens or for using around entryways, patios or decks.

• Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). A lovely, deciduous tree which covers its bare branches with pink or white flowers in early spring. The variety "Forest Pansy" has purplish foliage.
  
  
• Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Large pink or white flowers in midspring are followed by red berries. Leaves turn intensely red before dropping in fall. Needs partial shade in areas with hot, dry summers. Ask for disease-resistant varieties in eastern states.
  
  
• Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). A summer blooming deciduous tree with large clusters of crapelike blooms in shades of white, pink, red and purple. The bark is good-looking, shiny, and peeling; fall color is yellow to red. Performs best in hot summer areas. Ask for varieties resistant to powdery mildew.
  
  
• Magnolia (Magnolia). Several species of small deciduous trees are included in this large family of plants. Most popular are the saucer magnolia (M. soulangiana) with huge white, pink, or purple cup-shaped flowers in early spring, and the star magnolia (M. stellata) with large, starlike blooms, also in early spring.
  
  
• Flowering crab apples (Malus). Colorful, deciduous trees producing early spring flowers in shades of white, pink, red and purple. Flowers followed by colorful, edible fruit. Ask for disease-resistant varieties.
  
  
• Flowering fruits (Prunus). A large family of plants with many excellent small flowering trees. They include several types of fruitless, purple-leaf plums and beautiful flowering cherries. Most are deciduous and produce white or pink fragrant flowers on bare branches in early spring.
  
  

Planting and Care. Check with your local nurseryman to make sure the trees you select are well adapted to your area. Water frequently after planting and well into fall. Mulch heavily with organic matter, such as ground bark or compost, after planting. Watch your tree closely for the next several months and inspect the leaves and branches for insect damage. A new tree in your landscape may create a new opportunity for ravaging insects set on destroying your investment. Help your new tree get off to a great start by providing up to 12 months of protection against insect pests such as aphids, leaf miners, borers, scale, and Japanese beetles--use Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. Follow label instructions carefully. Do not apply to trees whose fruits or nuts are intended to be eaten.

Caring for Existing Trees. Not only is September ideal for planting trees for most of the country, it’s the perfect time to focus on the care of your existing trees. Get your trees back into shape with the only product that protects them from insects for 12 months, Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. It's easy to use: Just mix with water in a watering can, then pour around the trunk of the tree. There's no messy spraying. Once applied, it systemically moves into the branches and foliage, and protects against such insects as aphids, leaf miners, borers, scale, and Japanese beetles, for up to 12 months. Follow label instructions carefully. Do not apply to trees whose fruits or nuts are intended to be eaten.

Products Mentioned In This Article

Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate