Trees in the Dog-Path Garden

Trees in the Dog-Path Garden were chosen for their contrasting leaf colour. So there are light greens, and reds, variegations, exotic and deciduous, some limbed up to give space to the flowering shrubs underneath.

Trees often grow without a gardener realising - until looking back at old photographs. I find it hard to visualise mature trees when I first plant them. And I wonder if I'll still like my choices years later!

Smoke Bush and Golden Elm Tree

The Dog-Path Garden trees gave me my first big, serious tree purchasing experience. When I think of the books I read and the lists I made! Now, years later, I love the colours I chose. But what are the biggest trees called? Elms? Oops.

Dog-Path Garden Trees and Shrubs - 2007

The red foliage of the Cotinus and the variegation of the smaller Dogwoods are beautiful in spring and summer. Later in autumn there are some brilliant colour displays. I'm happy - I think my trees were a good choice. As the woodland feeling of this garden increases I've had to move out the smaller plants which are sun-seekers. And please don't look at the state of the grass! Aargh!

An Early Dog-Path Garden Photograph

In this photograph from the archives you can see the curved edge of the Dog-Path Garden, with the garage on the other side of the water race in the distance. It won't be long before the stumps in this garden are completely covered.

Dog-Path Trees - 2000

The garden was well mulched with weed supressing newspaper and reject lucerne. The new trees in this archive photograph are still quite small. They were chosen for their all-year-round features.