i have been wanting a flowering tree for a long time and am looking for one to plant in the front yard. i was just wondering if anyone has any ideas for what kind to get for the front part of the yard that meets with the street. it is about 8ft x 13ft. i really like the flowering japanese yoshino, but i have read conflicting arguments about whether or not this would be a good place for it. any thoughts or advice would be apprecitated......thanks
oh yeah i live in chicago and heard that this tree is good in this area.
We are planing an ornamental Pear (no fruit) tomorrow on recommendations for a small-ish well shaped tree that flowers.
While not technically a tree, mom has a Rose of Sharon. She is in just south of you, in Crete.
My favorite are lilacs. They bloom in the spring and you are lucky that they will grow in Chicago.
Many times a builder will put in a flowering cherry or a Bradford pear. We had a pear in VA and the cherries grow really well on the Mall in DC. They do tend to lose their little petals all over the place though. THey are pretty.
There is also a weeping cherry that is pretty and an ornamental plum with deep purple leaves.
Ornamental pears, weeping cherry, even red buds. The Rose of Sharon can be trained into trees, but they drop their flowers and are very messy. A non-flowering tree with really COOL leaves is the Ginko Tree, and they do really well in Chicago (pollution tolerant) and are beautiful in the Fall.
You're planting on your yard, not the parkway, right? You can't dig deeper that three inches on the parkway without permission/permit.
Be sure to call Miss Julie in Illinois before you dig. They'll come mark wires and pipes on your land for free. They won't do the parkway, though.
Happy planting!
I live in CT. Although, not flowering, Japenesse Maples are very popular in our area and make a great front yard tree.
I would NOT recommend a Rose of Sharon for the front yard. They grow in odd shapes and attract bees.
Hi Jess,
Bradford Pears are beautiful and builder's tend to plant them because they grow at lightning speed. They don't fruit but their white blossoms are gorgeous and they tend to stay for a while. They maintain their shape so they can be planted close to the road and not have to be trimmed back.
Dogwoods are my favorite but they are very weak and have to be tended a lot. Other than a white dogwood, my favorite trees have color. Red maples for example....
M.
I am not familiar with plants for your area. But I wanted to say I do not like the bradford pears. Our neighbors have them and they attract grackles.
Do you have a nursery nearby to ask?
Victoria
I don't know if these grow well in your area, but we are looking to plant a jacaranda in our backyard.
