gardening
Strawberry tree
Story by Pat Rubin
Star magnolia
Trees to fit the yard Think small when planning for a modern California landscape Landscape designs must always take into account the eventual size of the plants in the plan. That tiny deodar cedar might look cute in its 1-gallon pot, but it will grow to 80 feet tall and 40 feet across. Today’s front yards are small and call for trees that fit the space. Here in California, they also need to thrive without depleting precious water resources. Try these space-saving trees: Crepe myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ): Mid-summer these trees produce masses of flowers in colors from off-white to deep red. Mature trees have smooth bark that looks like marble. Give them regular deep soakings once established. Shop for crepe myrtles when they are in bloom (July and August). Dwarf types stay about 4 feet tall. Semi-dwarf types reach about 8 feet. Standard crepe myrtles grow to about 15 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet. Star magnolia ( Magnolia stellata ): This compact, long-living tree (it can live 80 or more years) grows slowly to about 20 feet tall and perhaps 10 feet across. Each spring before the leaves appear, it produces small multi-petaled star-like flowers, white with a pink tinge. They are tough trees, thriving in the sun with minimal water. My favorite is “Leonard Messel.”
Strawberry tree ( Arbutus ‘Marina’ ): Grow this one for its handsome evergreen foliage and rich-colored mahogany peeling bark. Drought tolerant once established, it grows slowly to 8 to 10 feet tall and as wide. It can be grown as a multitrunked specimen tree. It makes clusters of pendulous pink flowers in spring and reddish fruit in fall. It can be a little messy. It also does well in raised planters or large pots. Coral bark maple ( Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ ): This is the perfect accent tree for small yards and can be grown near patios and walkways. It grows to about 25 feet tall and stretches 10 to 15 feet wide. It isn’t bothered by full sun, pests or diseases. The leaves are colorful each fall, and you can enjoy the coral-colored bark all winter. Chinese pistache ( Pistachia chinensis ): Popular along freeway interchanges, these tough, dependable trees turn brilliant red each fall. They eventually grow to 25 feet tall and as wide. The female tree will develop clumps of purple and red berries (inedible) in the fall. Birds love them. You may get a stray seedling or two from them as well.
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January/February 2023
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