As I enjoy the blooming spectacle being put on by the flowering trees in my area, I can't help but think of what can be a false dichotomy between "ornamental" trees and more useful trees. Some trees can serve double duty....

When we contemplate adding flowering trees to the spring landscape, we generally think of "ornamental trees" such as magnolias and redbuds. They're pretty to look at -- and pretty useless beyond that. But the option of growing apple trees reminds us that beautiful flowering specimens can be more than just eye candy. This article provides information on varieties of apple trees suitable for home landscaping. Growing any of these apple trees will allow you to enjoy a first-rate floral display in spring, and delicious fruits in the fall! Edible landscaping with beauty to boot -- how can you beat that?

Related article: The Growing Popularity of Backyard Orchards