The Columbus Park of Roses has developed a wonderful collection of ornamental trees over the decades. Many offer year-round interest in the gardens: brilliant foliage in the fall and berry displays through the winter, but most put on their best show in spring and early summer.

This is when the crabapples, dogwoods, magnolias and redbuds are stand-outs in the gardens with white, cream, pastel pink and vivid magenta blossoms. The gardens’ dark green conifers and deciduous trees leafing out in bright light green provide a perfect backdrop for showcasing the smaller ornamental trees as they flower.

As you stroll through the gardens, any number of these ornamental trees might pique your interest for more information, perhaps for your own yard.

The Columbus Park of Roses website has several resources to help you — all accessible from smart phones:

• A self-guided tour of 17 dogwoods (2 of which are shrubs) in the gardens, organized in a logical walking path order, including their genus, species and cultivar; growing habits; as well as location and photos.

• A self-guided tour of 11 redbuds in the gardens, organized in a logical walking path order, including their genus, species and cultivar; growing habits; as well as location and photos. 
• A comprehensive listing of trees in the gardens, presented in alphabetical order, including their genus, species, cultivar and location.

To access from smart phone: go to parkofroses.org > Visit > scroll down to Self-Guided Tours and Tree List links.