When I first started garden blogging, like many, I had no idea what I was doing. I never had the intention to really keep up with it. At best, I thought it would be a chance to show off some photos of my plants with my friends and family.
Then one day I received a complimentary email from a woman who is the nursery manager at my local garden center – Rutgers Nursery. You mean people I don’t know actually read my nonsense? Sweet! That note gave me the confidence to keep on writing and taking photos and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve always wanted to share that story with you all and today made the most sense. Why? Because Leslie recently recommended two new trees she knew would fit my conditions and so I had them planted by the nursery. I am so super psyched with them already and again, thankful for her wonderful feedback.
By the way, before I forget, Leslie blogs for Rutgers Nursery here and also blogs on her own here. I highly recommend that you check them both out.
On to my trees:
Amelanchier grandiflora (Serviceberry) ‘Autumn Brilliance’:
I had an area on the side of my driveway begging for some height that also had to be able to deal with clay soil that can remain wet at times and is also browsed by the deer. The tree also had to fit into this bed that contains mostly native plants. So far, so awesome:
I’ll need to dig up some of the grass to incorporate the tree into the bed but no biggie. I love the fact that this tree (or large shrub if you wish) is multi-trunked as it just feels right based on it’s location:
I look forward to the white blooms in April (click on the photo for the origin of this photo):
But most importantly, I cannot wait for the fall color (hence the cultivar name):
From what I’ve read and researched, the purple/black berries that mature in the summer on this tree will be devoured by the birds. A dream come true!
Crataegus viridis (Hawthorn) ‘Winter King’:
I have had a tough time photographing this tree just right but it has already changed the look and feel of the front of my home. Before this tree was installed, there was this eyesore that I’ve threatened to remove for two years now:
This Hawthorn will also bloom white but a little bit later in spring which works well with the other trees in my yard and their bloom times (click on photo for the original location of the pic):
same here john….i had no idea what i was doing when i started my blog. i certainly never thought anyone would actually read it.
gardening….it’s addictive!!!!
John, I think you speak for a lot of us “new” to the Blog thing. I started as a way just to keep a journal of what I was doing in the garden. I had been keeping details notes and pictures in files then decided to go to the computer and try the Blog. It is way easier and yes, there are people interested in what is happening in the gardens. People from all over the planet, just amazing. And your service berry is a popular tree in this part of the woods too. See you soon. Jack
Nice trees! It’s always nice to get a kind word from a reader. I live for it, in fact. 🙂
You will love the Serviceberry, great tree! My only experience with the Hawthorn is the long thorns and a gall that I couldn’t get rid of. I think it was the Washington Hawthorn, not the one that you are considering.
Eileen
Wonderful experience and precious memory, your tree probably will remember you forever. Greetings from China.
That is a very nice specimen of the serviceberry. It has a wonderful shape. Congrats on two new trees!
Looks like two great new additions to your beautiful yard. And sounds like you have a very caring friend to give sound advice—you’re lucky!
John,
That was a ‘Tree-Mendous’ post.. The trees look just like I thought they would in your yard! Beautiful! I can’t wait to see the future posts of your new trees as they change with the seasons. I’m sure they’ll be spectacular! Thanks again! -Leslie
nice that you have your own ‘expert’ looking in on you and assisting with suggestions. 🙂 gotta love blogging.
Oooh, new trees, wonderful!