Plan Now, Plant This Autumn: Create a Garden Full of Colour

Before choosing a tree, spend a little time looking at your garden from different positions—including from inside the house.

Are there empty corners that need height? Would a tree improve the view from a window? Perhaps you need more privacy, shade or seasonal interest. Thinking about what your garden is missing will make it much easier to choose a tree you will enjoy for many years.

Remember to consider its eventual height and spread, along with the available sunlight, soil and distance from buildings.

Crab Apple ‘Red Sentinel’ is a wonderful choice for seasonal colour and interest. Pretty white blossom covers the branches in spring, followed by glossy red crab apples that often remain on the tree into winter.

Its compact shape makes it suitable for many gardens, while the fruit provides a valuable food source for birds during the colder months. The crab apples can also be used to make a beautifully coloured jelly.

It is an excellent choice if you want an ornamental tree that combines spring flowers, autumn colour, winter fruit and wildlife value.

Autumn is one of the best times to plant many trees and shrubs. The soil is still warm from summer, while cooler temperatures and more regular rainfall reduce stress on newly planted trees.

Although growth above ground begins to slow, roots can continue establishing in the soil. This gives your tree a valuable head start before new growth begins in spring.

Container-grown trees can be planted throughout autumn, provided the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Water them thoroughly after planting and during any dry spells while they settle in.