Acer in the hole
THE atmospheric days of autumn when the leaves turn and the landscape catches fire are unbeatable.
Japanese maples, or acers, have electrifying autumnal shades and their slow growth makes them ideal for small gardens and even pots.
They hate heavy or poorly drained soil, preferring neutral to acid earth, although atropurpureum will grow on chalk providing if it is not very dry.
They also favour sites sheltered from north and east winds, strong midday sun and low-lying hollows where frost can accumulate.
So position is everything to the success of growing this plant.
The maidenhair tree or ginkgo, also called the fossil tree as it dates from dinosaur times, is superb for a small garden. It can also be grown in a patio container.
Technically a conifer, it has delicate butterflylike deciduous leaves that turn butter yellow in autumn then fall.
Look for the male variety fastigiata, which is tall and skinny, ideal for tight corners of the garden. Witch hazels are grown for their fragrant winter flowers but their brilliant buttery yellow autumn foliage cannot be ignored.
Plant them singly in a lawn or, for maximum impact, a group of three or more in a border.
If space is tight, plant them in patio containers so they can be moved according to the time of the year. Try sorbus cashmiriana, a beautiful pyramid-shaped rowan tree with great autumn colour and drooping clusters of gleaming white berries, sometimes tinted pink, that last well into the winter. It can grow to 50ft.
While sorbus joseph’s rock has it all, including a small stature and distinctive silhouette, perfect for the average suburban garden.
Make a feature of it by planting a well-shaped specimen in the lawn.