When considering small garden ideas, planting a tree might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But if you choose carefully, there are plenty of trees that can enhance even a small yard, without causing problems by being too tall or bushy. In this article, we will see the 12 best trees for small gardens.
12 trees for small gardens
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 11 trees that are ideal for small gardens, making it easier for you to find the perfect variety for your small garden.
Olive trees are slow growing and reach 2 meters in 8 to 10 years, making them perfect trees for small gardens. The silvery gray foliage stays intact all year round and they also thrive in a pot. When planting them, add a pinch of horticultural sand to the soil to ensure good drainage.
Olive trees need a protected place to survive the winter. If you live in an exposed area or have your garden in a frost zone, wrap them in horticultural fleece if frosts are expected.
In the spring, feed the olive trees once a month with organic fertilizer. And keep them hydrated during the summer. If they start shedding their leaves, a glass of water, light pruning and some food should solve the problem.
The lilac is a green bush that grows into a large bush and sometimes a small tree.
The height of growth varies greatly depending on the species: While the Syringa meyeri only reaches 90 cm to 1.5 meters in height, the common lilac can reach 7 meters.
The leaves are opposite, petiolate and usually simple. However, there are also species and varieties with lobed or pinnate leaves.
Lilac growth is extremely upright and compact. Flower buds are formed in spring, usually in pairs at the end of branches formed the previous year.
This is when the white, yellow, pink or purple flowers give off their typical scent.
All lilac species love the sun and can also handle dry heat. They also grow in shady places, but they do not form a dense crown and have much fewer flowers.
The common lilac is also very wind resistant, so it is often planted as a windbreak.
It grows best in nutrient-rich, drier, loamy, chalky soils. It is extremely tolerant and does well even in less favorable soils. However, it does not tolerate waterlogging and compacted soils.
It’s hard to beat the pale beauty of a birch tree, and the good news is that there are varieties suitable for small gardens.
Birch is a medium-sized tree with a graceful, slender form. It will reach approximately 7m x 3.5m in 20 years.
Hardy and adapted to all sorts of soils and conditions, it has airy green leaves in spring and yellowish-brown catkins, then turns a glorious golden yellow in fall.
Once the leaves have fallen, the snow-white bark is exposed, which is an impressive feature in itself.
The tree is easy to care for, simply prune dead or damaged branches from late summer to mid-winter. If the bark is dirty, it can be washed with water and a sponge.
Birch trees can be planted in the ground as “bare root” during fall as long as the ground is frost free.
If you are going to grow it in a container, you can plant it any time of the year. Keep the area around them weed-free for the first few years.
The spectacular tulip-shaped flowers of spring make the magnolia a very striking tree.
A variety like Magnolia x soulangeana has dark pink flowers. Its sleek, rounded shape is suitable for smaller spaces and will be a hit if you’re looking for new garden ideas.
It should reach around 6 meters in height with a spread of 4 meters over 20 years.
These trees need full sun or partial shade and moist conditions. Avoid exposed areas, as frost can ruin blooms and turn the pretty petals brown.
When you plant it, water well during the first months and during dry periods of summer. A rabbit sitter may be needed if you live in a rural area.
White flowers followed by copper foliage make the Guillomo a charming fixture.
These small deciduous trees bear clusters of dreamy star-shaped white flowers on soft copper-colored foliage in spring. The leaves turn dark red and bright orange in the fall.
It is “covered in snow-white flowers in the spring, which are adored by bees”, then “has bright red-purple berries which birds love, followed by a burst of fall color”.
Despite their delicate flowering, they are hardy trees that can handle wet conditions and most soil types, although they prefer clay or sandy soils.
Try growing Amelanchier lamarkii ‘Ballerina’ as this variety will not grow taller and spread beyond 4-5 meters.
A compact crabapple tree can brighten up a small garden. In the spring, it has beautiful clouds of flowers. In autumn, it produces a profusion of small, intensely colored fruits in shades of scarlet, yellow, gold and red, as well as attractively colored leaves.
The height of these trees can vary greatly, so check carefully before purchasing.
The smallest are the malus ‘Butterball’ and the ‘Wisley Crab’, which can reach a height of around 4 meters. Malus x zumi is a beautiful rounded tree with golden fruits.
Plant them in a sunny spot, in moist but not waterlogged soil. In winter, remove damaged or crossed branches.
Bare-root varieties should be planted throughout fall, while container-grown trees can come in at any time.
If you love fall colors, you can’t stop planting a maple tree. It will introduce a burst of bright orange, red or pink, and once the lovely leaves have fallen many have ornamental bark which makes a lovely feature.
It is a good option for gardens, as it is a small, dense tree that reaches 4 meters in height in 20 years.
They prefer partial shade as the sun can scorch their leaves, and they happily grow in pots or in the ground.
For container-grown trees, use ericaceous compost to plant them, as this ensures a more vibrant foliage color.
Avoid piling up the earth in the shape of a volcano around the main stem, as this can promote the appearance of diseases.
The Japanese acre rarely needs pruning, they are low maintenance trees and an asset to any small garden.
A confetti of pink or white petals in spring is the hallmark of Japanese cherry blossoms, and there are some very pretty, smaller varieties that fit into a compact space.
It will reach about 3 meters in height in 10 years. Another option is the ‘Pink Shell’ cherry tree, with pastel pink flowers that turn white in spring, contrasting with its light green leaves. In addition, it will not grow beyond 3.5 m.
They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil of any kind. Once established, they require very little maintenance.
Known for its spectacular spring and summer blooms, Chinese dogwood stands out throughout the season, with pretty foliage and unusual strawberry-shaped pink fruits.
Not all varieties are suitable for a limited space, so do your research before buying.
For smaller gardens, a dwarf dogwood, such as Cornus kousa ‘Angyo Dwarf’, will only reach 1.2-1.5m in height, but other varieties can reach 8m.
These trees need full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, neutral or acidic soil that drains freely.
Mountain ash, also known as mountain ash, is one of the best trees for small gardens. It provides good height and privacy which is perfect if you are looking for garden privacy ideas.
With their clusters of berries in the fall, they are ideal for attracting birds. Try the Sorbus vilmorinii variety, which has a summer bloom and pink berries that turn white as fall turns into winter. It will reach 4m x 4m.
White hawthorn, also known as hawthorn, is another of the trees for small gardens. Commonly seen in hedgerows in the English countryside, this tree variety is a lovely addition to a backyard and will welcome wildlife.
It has compact growth, glossy dark foliage, and white flowers followed by crimson, fall-colored berries. It will reach a height of 16.5 feet (5 m).
In addition, it is a hardy tree that grows well in all kinds of conditions, even in exposed and humid places.
We recommend Cotoneaster ‘Hybridus Pendulus’ as one of the best trees for small gardens. While some varieties of cotoneaster resemble shrubs, this particular type is a small, weeping tree, with graceful branches that form a dome.
It’s covered in red berries in the fall, and it’s always green, so its bright, deep green leaves will add interest and color to your garden all year round.
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After 20 years it reaches a maximum height of around 2 meters and can even be grown in a container if you are looking for ideas for a patio garden.
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