As the garden has grown to cover nearly every inch of soil, the golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata, below) is not the scourge that once deposited seedlings far and wide. Still, its planting is one I regret given the troubles it created.
No doubt, the brief period of the golden rain’s late June flowering is splendid, but its many seedlings often nestled closely to other vegetation so that they were difficult to spot until the roots were well established. I must confess that the garden’s Japanese maples deposit many more seedlings, but of course, these are readily accepted. Logic has no part in this.
Beyond the maintenance chores demanded by the golden rain, it was planted too closely beside a sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum, below) that is also flowering, but so far above that only I know it’s there. Again, this is the hazard of occupying a garden for thirty-six years as many trees have grown nearly to maturity (with many benefits). A properly considered planting would have one tree or the other. In this case, I would prefer the sourwood, a beautiful native of the southeast, though not locally.
The sourwood’s lily-of-the-valley type flowers gracefully occupy every branch tip. I suppose they are wonderful for pollinators, but flowers are so far above head that none can be seen. If only the sourwood occupied this space, lower branches would be a long-lasting attraction since the seed heads remain for months.
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
hi Dave I’m curious whether all of the trees that you’ve planted have created heavy enough shade that you have a heavier than typical mosquito population?
I’m uncertain if trees are the reason, but there are abundant mosquitoes in the garden if I fail to spray the cedar oil-based repellent. Our mosquitoes are the tiny tiger mosquitoes whose bite is not as bad as larger ones but there might be fifty or more on exposed skin.
In addition to trees, the garden has five ponds and several birdbaths, though mosquitoes are unlikely to breed in moving water.
Thanks. I’ve heard (tho not researched deeply) that it is not ‘trees’ per se, but shade that breeds mosquitoes. So does the cedar oil repellent bother beneficials like butterflies or bees etc?? If it is safe for them can you share the brand name??
When I first began spraying Tick Killz, the product developer told me that the oil in the spray would kill mosquitoes but also bees and butterflies on contact then repel mosquitoes for several weeks. I’ve used this brand and EcoGuard with good effectiveness but not 100 percent control. I spray early in the morning before insects are out to ensure I don’t kill anything. The garden is full of butterflies and bees, so I see no negatives.
ok, thanks for that info! I’m always SO afraid of harming any of the beneficials.