Questions answered

Chionanthus virginicus

This week, my New York Times Q and A features alternatives to ordinary spring-blooming trees. In it I suggest some natives.

Q. I want to plant a small flowering tree in a sunny spot in my garden this spring. There are already dogwoods, cherries, plums and redbuds in my neighborhood. Can you suggest a few spring-blooming alternatives?

Here is a list of my past New York Times Q and As:

"Protecting Against Winter's Last Gasp"

"Not All Trees Are Cut Out to Be Bonsai"

"The Winter Bloomers"

"Rugged Ivy Turns Finicky Indoors"

"Autumn Bulb Anguish, Dispelled"

"How to Turn Over Old Leaves"

"Houseplants: Exotics from Far Away, Uneasy in Winter"

"Time to Tidy Up the Garden, or Is It?"

"Mums As They Used to Be, Wild and Free"

"Helping Rugged Terra Cotta Age Well"

"Loosening the Look of Formal Plantings"

"How Much Water?"

"Rescuing a Shade Garden from Creeping Gloom"

"A Walkway Comes Alive as Plants Creep Between the Stones"

"In the Garden, Raised Bed for Plants"

"Picking Accessories for Plants"

"Container Gardens Have Their Own Needs"

"When Planning a Garden, Spin the Color Wheel"

"The Right Mulch for Any Occasion"