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July: Two Summer Trees

Two completely different trees, one a fine lawn specimen with summer flowers and the other a small weeping tree with gentle grey foliage.

Liriodendron tulipifera also known as either the Tulip Tree or Tulip Poplar is a large, bold deciduous tree with an impressive conical habit spreading with age which was introduced from North America in the late 17th century. The common name refers to the appearance of the flowers which appear on mature trees in mid summer, these are attractive but can be hidden within the foliage. This tree can easily reach 90 feet in height and up to 50 feet in spread – so it needs plenty of space. The interestingly shaped leaves are a glossy bright green and have the added advantage of turning yellow in the autumn.

There is an upright form, L. tulipifera Fastigiata, which is narrower and will only reach around 60 feet in height and also a variegated cultivar L. tulipifera ‘Aureomarginata’ where the leaves have a variable broad yellow edge.

Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ or Silver Weeping Pear is a small tree that will form a domed or mushroom shaped crown of arching and weeping branches. The narrow leaves are a soft grey. In early summer it has inconspicuous white flowers followed by conical small fruit. At most this tree with reach around 15 feet in height but is easily pruned to keep it smaller. It is an easy tree to grow but prefers full sun and a well drained soil, in common with most other grey leaved plants.

This tree is particularly effective against a dark background such as a yew hedge or it can be mixed into a planting scheme to show off other colours including pale yellows and blues. Soft grey foliage can act as an attractive foil to a number of different colour schemes, dark purple leaves or flowers are shown off to good effect when contrasted with the grey leaves, try a purple-leaved vine or purple flowered clematis climbing into a silver pear.

If the tree is pruned to allow some clear space underneath it, which will be lightly shaded, then some ground cover such as the purple ajuga, A. reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’, as well as foxgloves. For a summer bedding scheme in a sunny spot then underplant with some of the sprawling and floriferous surfinia petunias, deep rich colours would show up best.

CAF