Almond Prunus 2/4/6 15-25ft The flowering Almond is among the first trees to bloom in the spring. It will provide a brilliant display of double white flowers as soon as the air begins to warm. The variety P. amygdalus alboplena has white blossom, P.a.roseoplena has the popular double pink blossom. Neither of the varieties are hardy and need a moderate climate. Apricot Prunus 2/4/6 15-30ft The flowering Apricot blooms in the late spring with pale pink flowers that have a distinctive and sweet fra- grance. P.mume requires a mild climate. P.armeniaca is slightly more hardy but is difficult to grow in cold regi- ons. P.a. 'Charles Abraham' is also more hardy but will not succeed in the cold. Cherry Prunus 2/4/6 20-30 ft There are several varieties of flowering cherry including, Higan, Mazzard and Oriental, all of them semi- hardy except Mazzard which will grow in the northern zones. They bloom in white or pink in early spring and the Shirotae is paricularly attractive with a pleasant fragrance. The Yoshina Variety is the one to be seen in springtime Washington, D.C. Coral Erythrina 2/4/6/ 25-40 ft The coral tree is wide-spreading and unusual. The tubular flowers bloom in mid-winter before the leaves appear. It is not at all hardy and its growth is confined almost to the southern states - California, Texas and Florida with exceptions for a few milder coastal areas. The colors vary sligh- tly with variety but are usually pink or red. Note: The seeds are poisonous. Crab apple Malus 2/4/6 20-25 ft There are several varieties of Crab apple, none of them completely hardy except for M.Dolgo with its fragrant white flowers every other year and fruits used in jelly making. Most of the Crab apple trees have pink or white flowers with red fruit. The most pop- ular seems to be the Japanese (M.flor- ibunda) with red flowers that turn white as they fade. Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia 2/4/6 10-20 A very popular blossom tree that can be found in countless gardens in California, Texas and Florida. It is semi-hardy and easy to grow. The flowers, produced in profusion, are usually pink, but different varieties have shades that vary from white to deep purple. The leaves change color in the autumn. Dogwood Cornus 2/4/6 10-20 ft This is an attractive garden tree and is seen across the country. The variety C.nuttallii is suitable only for the pacific coast where it often blooms twice a year. On other varieties, the smallish green flowers are surrounded by bracts of white or pink that give the appearance of large flowers. The Japanese (C.kousa) bears red, raspberry like fruit in autumn. Golden Chain Laburnum 2/4/6 15-25 ft An extremely attractive tree for the smaller garden. In late spring, it produces long, hanging clusters of yellow, pealike flowers followed by brown seedpods containing seeds which are poisonous if eaten. The Golden Chain tree can be found in many gardens across Europe where it is known by its Genus name of Laburnum. There are many Laburnum Avenues. Jacaranda Jacaranda 2/4/6 25-40 ft When in bloom, the Jacaranda is a most beautiful tree, producing a cloud of misty-blue flowers from spring to mid- summer. A fine garden tree, it is also used as a street tree in the states with a milder climate. It is also used as a shade tree in Shopping Mall park- ing lots where its feathery leaves provide ample shade. Unfortunately falling blossoms can stain car tops. Magnolia Magnolia 2/4/6 15-30 ft There are many varieties of Magnolia, most of them only semi-hardy and all of them with white blossoms, some of which have a purple throat. The flowers usually appear and fade before the leaves are formed. The Magnolia is easy to grow and makes a garden showpiece. It is sometimes attacked by scale. See section on Insects. Melia Melia 2/4/6 20-40 ft The Chinaberry(M.azedarach) and Texas unbrella tree(M.a.umbraculiformis) are showy trees with fragrant lilac flowers that appear in the spring. The flowers are followed by clusters of yellow berries which attract birds. The Texas umbrella tree is notable for the dense shade provided by its down hanging foliage. Parrotia Parrotia 2/4/6 15-20 ft Plant this tree where it is going to stand for the rest of its life because it doesn't transplant easily. It is a pretty tree with blossoms that appear in the spring before the leaves. The flowers have bright red stamens that are really eye-catching. Very pest and disease resistant. The Parrotia is not hardy and grows best in the south or Pacific states. Redbud Cercis 2/4/6 15-20 ft Also known as Chinese redbud, Eastern Redbud, Western Redbud and the Judas Tree. It produces Rose/Purple flowers in the spring before the leaves appear. The Western Redbud has leaves which turn from blue-green to brilliant gold in the fall. It makes an attractive garden tree. Shadblow Amelanchier All 25-40 ft Also known as Serviceberry and Juneberry. It produces lots of white flowers which appear just as the leaves are forming. It is a tall, fairly compact tree and not really suitable as a shade tree. A.canadensis is the only variety which is truly hardy. Silver bell Halesia 2/4/6 20-30 ft This is a beautiful tree with white bell-like flowers which open before the leaves appear in early spring. The blossoms on H.monticola are very large and more pendulous than the other varieties. Silver bell needs a soil which is well drained and protection from winds so it is best grown on the leeward side of the house. Smoke tree Cotinus 2/4/6 12-20 ft This is a 'must-have' tree for the less formal floral garden. Its blossom takes the form of fluffy purple flowers which bloom in the summer and then continues to be attractive when the flowers fade leaving hairy stalks which give it the 'smoky' appearance. The female tree is the most preferred because of its superior flower display. Give plenty of water for first 3 years. Snowbell Styrax 2/4/6 20-30 ft An ideal tree for the center of a formal lawn. It produces white, bell- like flowers in summer, some of which are very fragrant. It is a troublefree tree resistant to insects and diseases. Snowbell grows rapidly but needs a fairly moist, non-drying soil. Stewartia Stewartia 2/4/6 20-30 ft Stewartia is a handsome tree that produces large, camalialike flowers in summer. The bark is attractive, espec- ially with S.pseudocamelia, where it is dark red, peeling away from the trunk in large pieces. The flowers are a bright white, the leaves a brill- iant crimson in autumn Does not transplant easily and needs lots of humus and water.
