We have one almost completely dead flowering crabapple in the front yard, and two more that are aging fast. Happydad would like something with fall color and/or spring flowers. I’d like something that is more upright so I’m less likely to bash my head on the branches when doing yardwork. Native or at least non-invasive plants are preferred. House has beige-ish siding, and the expiring trees have pale pink multiple blossoms.
Any suggestions for specific cultivars of cherries, plums, crape myrtle, or anything else to replace one or more of these trees?
I was going to suggest a dogwood, too. I have two white ones, one in each of my front beds. They are much less expensive then pinks and pinks don’t do as well in my upstate NY climate as the whites. Pinks should be fine in DC area, I just didn’t want to spend $800 on trees that might not make it here.
Dogwoods have very pretty flowers in the spring and beautiful reddish leaves in fall.
I vote for Crepe Myrtle. I’m in the same area, mine are flourishing! We have ours shaped as big trees and we have several different colors. They bloom for so long, I think they’re just lovely.
For native trees with beautiful flowers I would go for serviceberry, fringe tree, dogwood, redbud, wild plum, wild cherry or magnolia.
Sweetbay magnolias only grow 15-30 feet high and are lighter in color and density than southern magnolias. The flowers are smaller but have the same heavenly scent. Fringe trees are beautifully delicate and slow growing. They get to be 20-35 feet tall but will take awhile. I’m sure you’re familiar with redbuds. They also get to be 20-35 feet tall.
All of these will be much more beneficial to wildlife than a non-native tree. You can get a copy of “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation landscaping - Chesapeake Bay Watershed” free from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. I’ll try to find a link.
If you get a crepe myrtle please check how big it gets. Some get really large and look so bad when pruned too hard. Japanese maple better than crepe myrtle for fall color
Dogwoods are beautiful. Japanese maples are absolutely wonderful. Instead of the low-growing mounded one, look for the Emperor Japanese maple. Graceful upright form.
Fuji cherry is nonfruiting and has beautiful flowers. Any of the ornamental plums will flower and not produce fruit.
I like real cherry trees that do produce fruit, although you will need a dwarfing root stock to keep them small. Any fruit I get… the birds take care of.
The Audubon Society also has a database of native plants and trees. You enter your zip code, choose the type of plant, and they will list the results in alphabetical order by the common name. You can even search for particular birds you are trying to attract. (you don’t have to enter your email address to see the results). I had forgotten about American Witchhazel. It blooms in the fall and winter.
Interesting choices dogwood and japanese maple. I believe they thrive in opposite type of soil. Dogwood in acidic Japanese maple prefers alkali. Your soil type may decide it for you if you are on the fence. I am also looking for a small tree for a wooded hill area. I have a fringe tree, frankiln trees, many dogwoods, a small fountain beech, rising sun redbuds that are smaller than the regular redbud. I am looking into a serviceberry, and a caroline silverbell. A fringe tree has a wonder fun flower but last only a week. Does anyone knpow how long a serviceberry blooms?
@greenwitch Is American witchhazel different from virginia witchhazel? Mine blooms in February and March. Lonest blooms ever. It starts out in early Feb in the snow and last until the temperature reaches 70 which could be late March.
Yes, we are looking at something that won’t go past 20/30 feet. The homeowner’s association frowns on tall trees. We have an end unit, and the lawn is on the south and west, so definitely full sun. No idea about acidic/not acidic soil, so should probably have that tested.
I’m fairly certain that japanese maples prefer acidic soil. I live in an area with acidic soil and our japanese maple is the most thriving plant in our landscape.
@Iglooo - I was getting the witch hazel info from the Audubon site. They call it American Witchhazel and the Latin name is Hamamalis virginiana so I bet it’s the same as your Virginia witch hazel. I thought the bloom time of October - December seemed odd because the witch hazels I’ve seen are always blooming in February.
So, I looked on Wikipedia. Apparently there are 4 species native to North America:
Maybe the one you have is not H. virginiana? As long as you like it it doesn’t matter.
The OP could also visit the Arboretum and look for trees she likes, or Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. There’s a lot to like in both places.
