With autumn on the horizon in the Hudson Valley, there’s no time like the present to work on your fall planting schedule. If you’re looking to upgrade your landscape with a new tree or two, consider these varieties, all of which grow well in the region. While trees can take longer to mature, depending on their size when you get them, they can make a meaningful impact on a backyard or landscape if you plan ahead.
Serviceberry or Juneberry
Height: 20–30 feet
These trees work well in what Schaad calls “hardy” climates. The Serviceberry has “small white flowers in the spring, then it gets fruit on it that is edible — mostly, though, the birds get it — and it’s native to North America,” making it easy to grow. “It also has a nice, smooth, grey bark.”
Flowering Dogwood
Height: 15–30 feet
A native to eastern North America, the Flowering Dogwood is in its element here. “It shows beautiful flowering in the spring (much showier than the Serviceberry), but they also have good fall color,” says Schaad. “They get the little red berries, which are a showy fruit, but not edible.” Their bloom time is from April to May, depending on the temperature.
Seven-Son Flower
Height: Up to 20 feet
“This is one of my favorite trees because it has a few special qualities,” says Schaad. “It gets tiny, white flowers in a cluster in September — there are very few trees that flower in the fall. The hummingbirds, birds, and bees love the flowers. And after it flowers, it gets these red seed pods that are a dark reddish color. It also has a gorgeous exfoliating bark and a beautiful vase shape. This tree is not native, but it does tend to do well in our area.”
The Phantom Gardener
Rhinebeck
