Selecting Trees for structure: CONSIDER FORM AND HABIT BEFORE MAKING THE NEXT ADDITION TO YOUR GARDEN

摘要

As gardeners, we constantly evaluate a plant's ornamental characteristics before we consider adding it to our garden. We assess its flowering time, and we want to know if it has good fall color. We question whether it is an evergreen or deciduous shrub, and we consider it an added bonus if the plant has fruit or has colored stems. But how often do we look at the form of the plant? Architectural structure is important, especially in the winter. Plants that have a pleasing outline or interesting shapecan still be appreciated when most other plants are dead or dormant, There are plants that, regardless of the season, I enjoy simply for their habit, Some are weeping; others are vase shaped. Contorted stems and stout trunks are other characteristics tolook for.