New Trees/Plants

In addition to getting rid of all the trees and branches damaged during the ice storm, we've been working on other parts of the the yard -- re-building the front garden; adding some accent trees; etc. We also wanted to do something in the space where the big maple that fell on the house once stood.

We first added a Bloodgood Japanese Maple to the back treeline. Should get to be 15'-20' high with beautiful deep red leaves. We've always loved Japanese Maples. Glad to finally have one.

Next, we added a Redbud in the garden near the screened porch. Close to where the big maple was. Redbuds were quite prolific in Missouri and we've always talked about having one here. We decided that since no tree we planted would get big enough in our lifetimes to shade the porch, we might as well put in a fairly large ornamental that we could enjoy.

Sue had torn almost everything out of the front garden last fall. I had put in a trellis with climbing roses on the garage and then added a short stone wall as an accent. This spring we added 5 yards of compost. Ready for planting. The first thing was to add 3 Boxwoods. They will grow into a natural hedge that will add balance to the stone wall.

But, the most interesting addition is a new one to us -- a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick tree. It'll get to be 8'-10' tall. But the limbs and branches are all twisted (similar to the walking stick that Sir Harry Lauder carried with him on stage). Lots of visual interest. It is supposed to be especially beautiful in the winter when the snow piles up on the twisted branches.