Thursday, December 4, 2008

Colour-Starved Gardener Needs Tree I.D.

Just a short walk from my home there grows a tree that simply takes my breath away. Its branches are loaded with hundreds upon hundreds of red berries that stand out even from a block away. I never noticed this tree in the summer. Now that the cold has set in, there is no missing this beauty. I can't get enough. I have even taken detours on my neighbourhood walks for the chance to gaze upon it one more time.

When I first started gardening, I was happy to see colourful blooms from May through August (as a beginning gardener sometimes even that was difficult.) Now I crave colour all year long. This tree would certainly go a long way in making the grey months ahead more bearable. Imagine looking out the window to see those berries while a howling wind whistles down the street and a blizzard dumps five feet of snow on you. It would be a "zen" moment for sure. The problem is I have no idea what this tree is. I have searched the internet looking for a match but no plant profile fits perfectly. The closest has been a ilex decidua (or deciduous holly or possumhaw holly) but I haven't found an image yet that's an identical match.

So if you have any idea what this tree might be, please take pity on this colour-starved gardener and fill me in. I'm also open to any and all suggestions for awesome, jaw-droppingly beautiful trees that stand out during those months where cracking a seed catalogue is as close as one can get to gardening. After all, spring is just four months away and plans must be made to plant some of the best winter-interest trees ever.

8 comments:

Gail said...

Hi...try this Crataegus phaenopyrum and see if it matches your tree! Just a guess.

Gail
clay and limestone

Ottawa Gardener said...

Sorbus I reckon. They are stunners this time of year.

BTW: Here, here on the poli-comment.

Anonymous said...

It is not a Hawthorn or Mountain Ash.
Perhaps one of the ornamental Crabapple trees?
Hope you enjoy your visist at Sheridan's:)
- Cheers.

Connie said...

It is indeed beautiful, and color at this time of year is a feast for the eyes.
The berries look a little like Hawthorne, but I am no expert.

Gail said...

I am glad I stopped by, too! Now I have added this tree to my ever growing list! gail

Kylee Baumle said...

Irena, your tree looks very much like our Washington Hawthorns. Does it have spiky thorns on the branches? The form isn't exactly like ours, but I would imagine that there are other Hawthorns that might be a better match.

In my latest post, there is a photo of branches with those gorgeous berries. I love those trees because of the berries. The cardinals and other birds love them, too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Irena! I love your tree. I want one. I had a pyracantha that had berries like that but oh the thorns were horrible. It is so good to be at your blog. I'm going to put you on my blogroll once again. I see my story is still up at Passed Down Recipes. Do you remember telling me about them?

Anonymous said...

Sorry to post this here but I could not find a place to contact you. I went to add you to my blog and noticed that you are film makers and writers!

My son is waiting anxiously to find out if he was accepted in to UNCG down here in NC. They have a film making and script writing program.

I would love for you to email him about your experiences and any tips you could give him. He is changing majors at this school and his excellent grades so we are hoping for the best. He would love to go to NC School of the Arts but that is an arm and a leg tuition.

I have an email tag on my blog. I can't wait to tell him what you do if you are agreeable to giving him some info and telling your experience.

Thank you! Anna