Gardens of Artistic Symmetry Pattern gardens, or parterres, their popularity dating to 17th-century France, offer sculptured style and majestic, year-round beauty
Choose the Right Tree
Follow these tips for finding the perfect plant for your yard.
By Edwin Marty; photography: Joseph De Sciose
*Rollover tree title for more information.
Click here to download a printable version of this chart.
In just 12 years, the 3-year-old sugar maple on the right can grow from 6 feet to 25 feet.
The tree on the left was planted in ideal conditions with plenty of room.
A 3-year-old Southern magnolia can reach 25 feet in less than 10 years.
Don't make the same mistake as your neighbor and plant a 'Nellie R. Stevens' holly next to the
house. Give this shrub elbow room, or you'll be pruning constantly. The 3-year-old plant on the
right can become a 25-foot tree in about 15 years.
A common mistake homeowners make when landscaping their yards is planting a good tree in the
wrong spot. Usually this happens because people just don't knowhow large a tree or shrub will
eventually become. Save yourself all the wasted energy and time of pruning overgrown plants
by following some expert advice from Eddie Ray, co-owner of The Greenery in Huntsville, Alabama.
What Do You Need?
"One of the most important things is knowing what you want from your trees and shrubs,"
says Eddie. "Working backward from there will guarantee that you end up with something
beautiful and functional." Are you simply looking for something to add color to your yard,
or do you need shade from the afternoon sun? Are you trying to block out the view of a
street, or do you want a touch of color at your kitchen window? Use the box below to match
your needs with the right plant.
