Best small tree to underplant

I'm looking for ideas for the best small tree to underplant, with pictures if you have them please. I'm looking for something with structure, and fall interest, so I thought now would be a good time to ask. Flowers and fruit would be a nice bonus. I'm leaning towards a dogwood at the moment. This would anchor a corner of my backyard, which is enclosed with a 6 foot tall cedar privacy fence, on a typical suburban lot. I plan to underplant the tree with my current collection of hostas, heucheras and ferns. The reason I want a small tree is, the front yard has a towering blue spruce, and the center of the backyard is dominated by a huge Crimson Norway maple (built into an octagonal deck, attached to the raised deck by steps leading down to it ) and this small tree would serve the purpose as a transition between the planned mixed shrub borders and the larger trees.

I have really taken a shine to Cornus alternifolia, Alternate Leaf Dogwood, also known as Pagoda Dogwood. This is a small tree that has nice horizontal branching with upturning spurs. The foliage is attractive and there are flowers followed by fruit that birds quickly eat.

I've really taking a liking to C. alternifolia and Ostrya virginiana. Great understory trees packing a lot of oomph into small spaces. O. virginiana tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. Foliage is equally attractive on both as are spring blooms however O. virginiana is showier in my opinion but devoid of the the horizontal branching mentioned by David_Vermont.

Thanks you guys! I'm liking the Cornus better so far, figures, as that was my first inclination. I would really rather have Rhus typhina 'Lancinata', not a good choice for underplanting at all, yet it shows what a big fan of horizontal branching I am.

A good Ostrya-like tree that HAS got the horizontal branching is Carpinus caroliniana. It has also got a very interesting smooth, sinewy bark that is very aesthetically interesting at all times of the year, but especially winter.

Stewartia likewise.

Or, do this. Go the to the library and borrow J.D. Vertree's book on Japanese Maples. A classic garden plant, almost over-planted, but rightfully so. And there are so many great JM cultivars that are very seldom planted. If zone 5A is pushing it for JMs, look at Acer pseudosiebolianum. JM-like, but hardier.

Here is a picture of C. caroliniana, showing the horizontal branching.

Scott

C. caroliniana bark.

Scott

C. caroliniana foliage. Note, if the site is in full-sun, you might need to do a bit of artful pruning to achieve a horizontal branching pattern with American Hornbeam. Note also, full-sun and Cornus alternifolia equalled death in my garden. Finally, I haven't got any decent pictures of Acer pseudosieboldianum unfortunately, but I bet there are some in Plant Files. It's not a terribly rare tree, and becoming more common all the time.

Scott

The tree would be shaded by the spruce. Here is a picture of my front yard showing the fenced corner, the tree would be in the backyard of course.

Here is a picture to give you an idea of the type of planting I want to do. This is Malus 'Prairifire.'

http://www.treeplanter.com/images/trees/Crab%20Apple/crabapple_malus_prairifire_.jpg

PureGirl,

I'm not much of a fan of red-flowered crabapples, generally speaking, but that one is spectacular!

But back to the topic at hand. I think the American Hornbeam might be a solid plant for the location and look that you want.

I'll shut up now and await the opinions of the Northern Illinois contingent on the feasibility of a Japanese Maple, which would be a stunning plant for the location and look and of Acer pseudosieboldianum for the site.

I think the Cornus alternifolia idea is looking really good too, with a little shade and perhaps a little irrigation.

scott

Thanks Scott for all of the photos and other information. It took some research, but I finally figured out that C. caroliniana is a tree I know as Ironwood. Since it will be in shade, I'm a little leery that it will lean towards the sun, ie the fence. But it is a beautiful tree, as is Stewartia. I have some thinking to do.

We cross-posted. I think Prairifire is a bit too red myself, but that pic gives an excellent representation of the kind of mixed border I'm aiming for. I have some shade already, so why not embrace it? The maple and fence combined make it really difficult to grow grass, which is actually fine with me, perfect excuse to plant a garden.

I just got off the phone with another friend who is relocating by the end of next summer. To the same town my best friend moved to, which is 10 minutes from my school. Hmmm. Looks like we may be moving soon if I can help it.

Now what do I do? Is it ever worth it to pour blood, sweat and cold, hard cash into something you intend to abandon in a few? I have always called my efforts my laboratory, so there is the educational value, however limited.

PGirl,

In natives not yet suggested, you could try Redbud, Sweetbay Magnolia or Common Witchhazel. Flowering Dogwood (Dirr says "the aristocrat of native flowering trees") would be a great choice as long as the plant is a selected variety for the north. Opening up to non-natives brings in yet more fun. Jap. Maples, Stewartia, Styrax, Crabapples, Kousa Dogwood,etc, etc. I wouldn't plant a Japanese Maple this time of the year but it would be a fine plant. Bloodgood, Emperor I are pretty hardy clones but there are many plants growing in N. IL that suggest that in the right spot, most will grow there. A. pseudosieboldianum supposedly gets a little larger but is fine tree and more cold hardy.

Good luck,
Ernie

What about an Acer Shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'. I don't have one yet but I think the color would contrast well with the crimson maple. I know over in GW there are some really good pics of one in the maple forums gallery section posted by rkburgess. It is an awesome tree, but might be pricey for a decent sized one. Supposedly hardier than Acer Palmatums.

Bill

Ernie~Witchhazel will definitely make the cut, if we proceed as planned. I think I'll stick to dogwoods, there are so many lovely choices. Nobody mentioned this tree, maybe because it's not native and "hard to locate to purchase."

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/e/evodan/evodan1.html

Oooh Bill, you have good taste. Yes, that would be lovely. I would definitely keep it potted up for a possible move!

My two favorites would be Stewartia koreana/pseudocamellia, or C. kousa, or one of the Rutger's hybrid dogwoods. There is something really nice about having a tree that blooms after the main spring flush for underplanting --- the flowering of the tree can coincide with some of the plants that are planted below. Our gardens typically have so much spring interest that it is always worthwhile going after the later flowering plants. The nice thing about underplanting a stewartia or a younger kousa is that you would have quite a few years where sunny perennials will grow just fine. I had my Stewartia koreana planted in a large mixed border with summer flowering perennials in my old garden, and it was spectacular like that -- it bloomed in July with the perennial peak.

And all of those plants have a great second season with good fall color and bark interest. One of the great things about kousas and the Rutger's hybrids is that their fall color comes late. The C. florida here have all lost their leaves after a great color show, but the kousas and hybrids are just starting into their fall color, which lasts into early November.

Witchhazels are all excellent plants for underplanting with perennials -- take your pick. I had a big native H. virginiana in my old garden underplanted with late asters and fountain grass, and it was a sight to behold in early November. Great season extender.

There's another plus to the C. kousa since you have a little boy at home. Get him a sling shot. Mine love sending these projectile-

Good landscaping is always a selling point for the house. Besides, we all know you can't just not plant something there. Maybe you shouldn't go too expensive though.

Acer griseum, Acer triflorum, Amelanchier 'Cumulus', Cornus controversa 'June Snow' or 'Janine', Cornus alternifolia 'Golden Shadows', Styrax obassia, Carpinus coreana, Viburnum sieboldii 'Wavecrest' in tree form

Thanks to everyone here for all the great suggestions! I knew I could count on you. Sally, you hit the nail on the head, "we all know you can't just not plant something" LOL Kneevin, I'm saving your list for future use. Funny how one neighborhood uses all the same stuff, then you drive somewhere, and that neighborhood has a different set of all the same stuff, LOL. Acer griseum, for example, is very popular in newer developments, but not so much in my (older) neighborhood. I keep coming back to the Cornus, thanks David for reminding me about the Rutger's hybrids. Since Matt already has a penchant for breaking windows (don't ask), I won't be getting him that sling-shot, LOL.