Many evergreens have it all - flowers, leaves throughout the year and beautiful bark. Gum trees, strawberry trees (Arbutus) and rhododendrons are among the more commonly grown. They are the show-offs of the plant world.
For many gardeners, however, it is the deciduous trees and shrubs that are of most interest. They are the plants which, in the depths of winter with their leaves long departed and flowers just a distant memory, still manage to pull your attention with their striking structure.
It is important to select the right tree for the size of your garden. Smaller trees such as paperbark maple, Acer griseum, are perfect but large trees like the yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis should be reserved only for large gardens and public parks.
Deciduous trees and shrubs of particular winter interest are:
• Prunus serrula - superb shiny maroon-coloured bark.
• Snakebark maples such as Acer davidii, Acer capillipes - wonderful white striations down the bark.
• Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' - the coral bark maple with outstanding red colour on the stems.
• Cultivars of Cornus alba are great for the smaller garden, with stem colour ranging from red to vibrant green-yellow. For really intense stem colour, prune hard in early spring to 5-10cm high.
There are many specimens exhibiting outstanding bark throughout Dunedin Botanic Garden, particularly in the lower garden and arboretum.
- Barbara Wheeler is Collections Supervisor at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
