Flowering plants

okgirl

Hi I am looking for 2 present ideas for my brother. Firstly a tree/shrub which flowers white in June and a tree/shrub as a christening present which flowers in Feb?

Ellechim

Hiya, there is a small flowering tree, Magnolia Sieboldii, which has white large flowers (3-4inches wide) with red centres and grows to about 10ft. The flowers have a wonderful scent and if it's in the right spot (fairly sunny) it will flower all summer. It has a preference for slightly acidic soil - but it also takes a few years to establish - so no flowers probably for maybe two years. It needs a really rich mulch every spring in order to do well. The red centres turn to a type of inedible fruit which stay on the tree in autumn. It is quite hard to get however, you would probably have to order it - it's not readily available in most garden centres.....but it would have to be my favourite, the scent is phenomenal. You can also grow it in a very large pot as long as you don't let it dry out.

Will have a think about February, but the magnolia immediately came to mind for June....here's a picture: http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/12/magnolia_sieboldii.php

JOL

Catoneaster Cornubia, is a semi-evergreen tree which I really like.

It produces white flowers in june and red berries in the autumn and keeps most of its leaves all year round, except in the winter months, where it will lose a few if there is hard frost.

It can grow to around 24 feet. As far as I know it grows in most soil types, its pretty hardy tree.

Most garden centers would have them.

JOL

Here is a link. I think I the spelling was incorrect in the last post.

http://www.gardenseeker.com/calendar_oct/cotoneaste_cornubia.htm