Although not known primarily as a "flowering tree" Aesculus x carnea (Red Horse Chestnut) forms a ridy, rounded tree with snowy pink panicles appearing late spring and early summer. Good for smaller space. A pair was given by the Lake Bluff Garden Club several years ago to be planted on the Village Green.

FLOWERING TREES IN ILLINOIS - Judy Ziemba, GCI Horticulture Chairman

As GCI continues to encourage planting trees, it might be good to consider some flowering varieties as we plant trees in our home landscapes and civic projects. Qualities one needs to consider include the planting site. This means you need to check soil type (clay, sand or loam), light requirements (sun or shade) and moisture. Think about bloom color, fruiting habits, bark and leaf texture and size including the width, height and shape of the mature tree. Consider the tree or trees as they relate to your home. Evelyn Clemmons, a longtime member of the Landscape Design Council, explains you can use ornamental trees to frame an entrance, to create a sense of enclosure around a patio or deck or to serve as a focal point of a garden.

One of the earliest ornamental trees to bloom is the eastern redbud (Cercis Canadensis) which blooms before its foliage unfolds. 'Forest Pansy' and 'Oklahoma' cultivars are more floriferous than their native relatives are. Saucer and star magnolias also bloom before leafing out, but frost may ruin the floral show. Probably the hardiest and most widely planted ornamental tree is the crabapple (Malus varieties). There is a multitude of cultivars but we must choose carefully in Illinois to obtain the most disease resistant. Crabapples are available in sizes from 8' to 40' so consider the size and shape which is best for your site. 'Prairifire' is highly recommended and develops to 20' tall by 20' wide. Other cultivars to consider are 'Profusion', 'Centurian'. And 'Sugar Tyme'. Avoid 'Radiant' and 'Hopa' cultivars as they are magnets for scab. Be sure to think beyond flower color and plan for upright, spreading or weeping varieties. These are characteristics, which are present yearlong. Plant cultivars, which have inconspicuous or persistent fruit near patios, driveways and sidewalks to avoid unwanted fruit and the insects near living areas, but to attract birds, choose large fruiting cultivars. Morton Arboretum has an evaluation program and publishes an extensive list of suitable cultivars. (www.mortonarb.org)

David Robson, University of Illinois Extension Educator and Springfield Civic Garden Club member suggested several flowering trees in his Winter Gardening Telnet series including several dogwoods, Seven-son flower tree (Heptacodium miconioides), golden raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) and Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata). Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) and cousin cornelian cherry dogwood (C. mas) are hardy in most of the state. In addition to the spring bloom, the Pagoda and kousa dogwoods have deep red or purple fall leaf color. Seven-son flower tree has wonderful red calyces (sepals) in autumn and they make it appear to be flowering. The Japanese Tree lilac is used as a boulevard tree in Peoria and puts on a wonderful flower show in June each year. Cultivars are available called 'Ivory Silk', 'Regent' or 'Summer Snow.'

Other choices for fall color are the North American native Amelanchiers. Some say the varieties are hopelessly muddled in cultivation but most are hardy and adaptable. Apple Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora) has beautiful emerging purple leaves in spring. According to Michael Dirr, highly regarded horticulturist, the best cultivars are 'Autumn Brilliance', 'Ballerina' and 'Princess Diana', all of which deep red fall color. Shadblow serviceberry (A. Canadensis) grows well in wet areas near ponds, bogs and streams but will perform well in drier soils. Dirr says his choice of the best variety is Amelanchier arborea and it is especially good to naturalize at the edge of the woods. The fruit tastes like highbush blueberries but you have to outwit the birds to taste them.

My grandmother always loved her summer-flowering Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata). When young the tree is a bit gangly, but with maturity it forms a rounded shape. It produces a multitude of yellow flowers at the ends of the branches in late June and July. These gradually form green pods that become strings of 2" lantern shaped beige pods. Goldenrain trees can withstand drought, heat and wind but will grow faster in moister soil. The 'fastigate' (upright) cultivar does not flower well, but 'September' produces masses of yellow flowers. Unfortunately it seems to lack hardiness and is rated Zone 6. Also be aware some plantsmen confuse this tree with Goldchain tree (Laburnum species) which is not hardy north of I-70.

Again talking to Evelyn Clemmons, she explains how she has planted a small ornamental tree near every window of her home for her own personal viewing of seasonal interest. She can enjoy the winter forms of multi-trunks and bark and then the flowers, then fruits and birds, then leaf colors and texture throughout the year. As members of GCI, think about including some flowering ornamental trees in your landscape.