Top 10 Shade Trees
At Grevillea Nursery we have a large selection of trees and the most popular request is for a tree that both looks good and provides shade. Below is a list of trees that we consider to be the top 10 in shade and appearance.
1. Acer negundo ‘Flamingo' (Variegated boxelder)
A beautiful, small tree with a rounded habit and new leaves that appear with a pink tinge, then turning green with white variegation as the leaves age. A tree that gives dappled shade through the warm months and also gives striking foliage contrast colour for the garden. Grows 5 metres high by 3.5 metres wide and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
2. Acer rubrum ‘October Glory' (Lipstick Maple)
An impressive tree with bright fire-red autumn foliage colour and a dense, rounded habit suitable for large gardens and street plantings. The foliage appearing in spring is green, large and palm-like, typical of the maple family. Performing best in a full-sun situation with moist, slightly acidic soil, but is tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Growing 12 metres high by 9 metres wide.
3. Betula pendula (Silver Birch)
A favourite in almost every garden for it's striking silver-white trunk and graceful, semi-weeping bright green foliage. Although it does not flower, Silver Birches give a spectacular display autumn foliage colour with their bright green leaves turning golden. They make a great feature and will provide dappled shade from Spring to mid-Autumn and growing 10 metres high by 6 metres wide. Enjoys a moist position in well-drained soil in an open, sunny spot and will tolerates periods of dryness.
4. Robinia pseudoacacia Frisia (Golden Robinia)
A spectacular shade tree widely used as a feature in gardens for their remarkable lime-green, fern-like foliage and white, slightly perfumed pendulous flowers in spring and its rich golden autumn colour. An adaptable medium tree, that is relatively fast growing, with an upright habit and preferring moist, well-drained soil. Growing 10 metres high by 8 metres wide.
5. Lagerstroemia indica ‘Lipan' (Crepe Myrtle)
Crepe Myrtles are a very attractive vase-shaped tree and Lipan is no exception. It has white-beige bark which compliments the deep green foliage and lavender-pink flowers which appear throughout summer. The flowers are very showy with a fluffy appearance and almost completely cover the ends of each branch. Lipan enjoys a full-sun position and is drought, heat and mildew resisitant and grows 4 metres high by 3 metres wide.
6. Malus floribunda (Japanese Crab Apple)
A stunning small tree with an arching habit and masses of white and pink flowers appearing in spring and the small, dark-green foliage turns brilliant yellow in autumn making this a beautiful feature for gardens and street plantings. Preferring full-sun and rich, well-drained soil, however it is tolerant of dry conditions and slightly acidic soil. Growing to 3.5 metres high and 3.5 metres wide.
7. Platanus x acerifolia (London Plane Tree)
A favourite for parks and street plantings, the London Plane is a gorgeous, lush shade tree with large, deep green foliage and olive-brown bark. It is a fast growing, dense tree with a pyramidal habit reaching a height of 14 metres and a width of 10 metres. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions including heavy soils, salt spray and high pH.
8. Prunus campanulata (Taiwan Cherry)
An absolutely beautiful small tree with a graceful habit and masses of magenta bell-shaped flowers appearing in late winter to early spring. An asset to any garden and lovers of ornamental / flowering cherries because of its early flowering and elegant vase shape. Growing to a height of 4 metres and width of 3 metres.
9. Prunus ‘Elvins' (Flowering Plum )
This adorable small tree is a beautiful sight in spring with its masses of white flowers which change to pink as they age. The branches are willowy and the flowers completely cover them from mid-spring creating an impressive floral display. The foliage is deep green in colour which turn yellow-orange in the autumn. Prunus ‘Elvins' has a rounded, spreading habit and will reach a height of 3 metres and a width of 3 metres.
10. Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer' (Ornamental Pear)
An ornamental pear with vivid autumn foliage colour in shades of red, yellow and burgundy making this tree a delight to have in the garden. A conical shaped tree with glossy, bright green, oval foliage and clusters of white flowers in spring. A very adaptable shade tree that thrives in full-sun and tolerates both wet and dry conditions. Dense in habit and growing 10 metres high by 5 metres wide. |
