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If there is such a thing as "The Mystique of The South", it is not unrealistic to conjure up a vision of a landscape with magnolias and Spanish moss-draped oaks.
There are, however, many more choices Southern gardeners can make for their landscapes, especially now that homes on smaller plots of land have become popular in this part of the United States. The four thousand square foot home on three acres is rapidly becoming outdated, in favor of a house that may not be smaller in square footage, although it often is, but that has been built on a quarter acre or smaller lot. The Right Tree for the Right Space in the Southern Landscape.Trees have to “fit” their spaces. There is perhaps room for one Magnolia in the far corner of the garden, but for the rest of the available space, smaller trees are recommended, such as the Yoshino Flowering Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) or the Autumn Blooming Cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'). The Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a gorgeous tree for Southern gardens and its dwarf varieties are suitable for even the smallest lots. Homeowners with a penchant for red in their gardens will love the Dwarf Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia). Conifers have become favorites in Southern gardens in recent years and there are many nurseries in the region that offer hundreds of varieties. They are often planted in combination with Japanese maples, to make a spectacular display. Planting the Tree. Once a tree has been chosen, its planting has to be organized. After the perfect spot has been determined (sun, soil, drainage conditions) as well as the tree’s purpose (to provide shade for a patio, to fill an empty spot in the landscape or perhaps to replace a tree that has died and been removed), the hole must be dug. Make sure it is not deeper than the tree’s crown (the place where the trunk and the roots come together), but two to three times as wide as the root ball. Release the tree’s roots from their confinement, whether that is a pot or a burlap cover, and gently untangle them. Place the tree in the hole, on a soil cone, spreading its roots towards the outer edges. Put the removed soil back into the hole. To amend or not to amend? Advice from older gardeners, or perhaps from nursery sales staff, may suggest adding compost or fertilizer at this point. Bad idea! Your tree needs time to get used to its new location this means that its roots should not be given added growth stimuli. Just gently put the original soil back in the hole, do not pile it up along the trunk and do not tamp it down. Mulch for Protection and Conservation.Water the newly planted tree deeply two or three times a week and maintain a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch (pine straw, bark, leaves, compost or wood chips) around it, avoiding the trunk. Mulch protects the tree’s roots from the elements, it helps conserve water and it guards against the development of weeds. Finally, although a tree can be planted any time of the year, fall is the best time (summer the worst), because its cool temperatures give the tree time to establish its root system and adapt to its environment.
The copyright of the article Trees for Southern Landscapes in Trees is owned by Lya Sorano. Permission to republish Trees for Southern Landscapes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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