Crabapple, Redbud or Red Dogwood (Dallas, Plano: houses, landscaping, neighborhoods)

[mantellas]

I want to plant a small tree w/darker colored blooms. What would be the best option for North of Dallas (Corinth to be exact)? I don't like the looks of Crepe Myrtles, they are too colorful for my taste. I want something pretty with color, but not overwhelming. Which is hardiest, most drought tolerant and smallest? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

[ChristieP]

Dogwoods don't grow well in the black clay soil here. They flourish in East Texas' sandy loam!
Crabapples, or other fruit trees, make a mess. Stick to the fruitless varieties.
Redbud will not get to be a huge tree, but they are very pretty and do well in our soil.

[loves2read]

you need to check the light source for the spot you want to plant a tree--
check the soil--and not the top 1 or 2 inches--
if you have clay soil below top soil that is where the tree's roots will be living and some trees DON'T do well unless you really dig out the clay and augment that with better soil/additives to allow water to drain

make sure the space will allow for natural growth of the tree--most people only see the size they buy (which is usually very small) compared to the mature size

that is why houses in older neighborhoods are often swamped by their landscaping--
at maturity the plantings are just too close and too big...

Redbuds are in bloom now--that lasts until the leaves come out--but some redbuds can become fairly tall trees-

investgate on Internet--go to good nursery--Calloways or good local nursery--not Lowes or Walmart--and ask about YOUR spot--
IF the tree that would really work the best for you is something not usually carried locally (and that is very likely) then you might want to order from reputable on-line nursery--
from what I have read on some gardening sites that it pretty common practice in some areas of the country--

this best good time to plant tree--before the heat of the summer--it can get settled before it becomes too stressed but be prepared to continue watering it more often than your lawn...

and what "darker" blooms would those be--
something like crepe myrtle has various colors of flowers and some have leaves that turn a dark red in fall
a wisteria has lavender/purple blossoms and can become fairly large
there are some tall shrubs with dark flowers--like Rose of Sharon

and Japanese maples for spot w/o much sun can have lovely foliage w/o real blossoms

[elan]

Crepe Myrtles can be found in various colors. Not all of them are that bright fuschia color, some are a muted softer pink or even lavender. Red Buds are very very hardy, I have had good luck with them too.

[Lakewooder]

There is a forest pansy redbud with purple leaves. Redbuds stay in bloom for a while (what a couple of weeks?) but nothing is going to stay in bloom for a long time like a crepe myrtle. Purple leaf plum blooms for a week or two but has the beautiful purple foiliage all summer - it's also a small tree - you might check those out.

[txtoal]

Crepe Myrtles have variations that aren't too "colorful". We have white ones and my parents have the lavenders. Crepe Myrtles do very well in the heat and full sun and are pretty much a low maintenance plant. If not, Redbuds do well, but not as good as the crepe myrtle imo.

[PlanoGirl]

Redbud is the best of those three. Pick the Oklahoma variety over the Eastern for better performance in our climate. Forest Pansy is pretty if you like the purple foliage...but a bit more finicky. Another similar tree in size and habit, but with white blooms in spring, would be a Mexican Plum.

And a couple of other possibilities (if you want some color throughout the summer, but not the intensity of a Crape Myrtle) might be a Desert Willow, Vitex, or Althea...all good in our soils and climate.

[Spree]

Red Bud! We have a dogwood in the backyard that is doing great, we didn't plant it but whoever did must have prepared the soil.

[Lakewooder]

I should also say that Redbuds and Dogwoods (with acidic soil prep) need some shade - also Japanese Maples (no afternoon sun if possible). Crepe Myrtles, Mexican Plum (I think), Purple-leaf Plums (there is no fruit) and Vitex do better in the sun.

[mantellas]

Originally Posted by PlanoGirl

Redbud is the best of those three. Pick the Oklahoma variety over the Eastern for better performance in our climate. Forest Pansy is pretty if you like the purple foliage...but a bit more finicky. Another similar tree in size and habit, but with white blooms in spring, would be a Mexican Plum.

And a couple of other possibilities (if you want some color throughout the summer, but not the intensity of a Crape Myrtle) might be a Desert Willow, Vitex, or Althea...all good in our soils and climate.

Thanks! I love the looks of the Vitex (didn't know what that was, but googled it). We have Althea's, but I didn't know what they were called.