Image – Wikimedia/© H.-P.Haack
Is it possible to have trees on a terrace? Or in an attic? The answer is yes, but finding the most suitable species can take time. In addition, it must be borne in mind that since it is a tree and therefore a plant that normally grows at least five meters high, it will be necessary to think carefully about where it is going to be placed and what maintenance he is going to give him.
And it is that not all of them can be grown in pots, unless we can. But of course, for this you also have to know that not everyone recovers well from pruning. So, if you are looking for the best trees for terraces and/or attics, here is a selection.
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Acacia of Constantinople (albizia julibrissin)
The Constantinople acacia, although not an acacia but an Albizia, is a deciduous tree that develops a parasol crown and reaches 12 meters in height. Throughout the spring, it produces pink compound flowers that attract a lot of attention.; in fact, these are its main attractions, but it has others. It is a plant that does not need to be watered frequently, and is also perfect for attics or very sunny terraces.
It usually has no pest or disease problems. However, I recommend fertilizing it during the months when the weather is good (spring and summer) so that it grows better. For the rest, know that frost resistant down to -12ºC.
Canadian maple (Acer saccharin)
Image – Wikimedia/Simon Eugster
I could recommend other maples, like the Acer red or the Acer pseudoplatanus, but if the opportunity arises, I prefer to tell you about trees that I grow myself and that I know work well in some places. For example, The Canadian maple is a deciduous plant that tolerates direct sun well, and the heat of the Mediterranean does not harm it too much. as long as you have water available. Moreover, it is very beautiful since in autumn it can turn from green to yellow or red. Of course, it can measure up to 30 meters (in a pot it remains much smaller).
Of course, it is an acid plant, which is why you must plant it in a pot with a specific substrate for these plants, or with coconut fiber, which also has a low pH. And, of course, the irrigation water must also be adequate: its pH must be between 4 and 6. It can also be irrigated with rainwater, or with drinking water. It resists frost well down to -20ºC..
flowering dogwood (florida horn)
Image – Flickr/carlfbaggeFollow
Eastern Flowering Dogwood is a deciduous tree up to 6 meters tall that tolerates pruning, so can be kept in a pot throughout its life. Its flowers are white or pink and appear in spring., before the leaves do. These have a high ornamental value, as they are quite large and therefore attract a lot of attention. As if that were not enough, in autumn the foliage turns red before falling.
But you have to know that it is an acid plant, like the maple I told you about earlier. This is why it must be planted in a pot with an acid substrate, and watered with rainwater or water with a low pH. Frost resistant down to -12ºC.
ficus benjamina
Image – Wikimedia/Dinesh Valke
The ficus benjamina It is an evergreen tree which, if we look for photos of adult specimens on the Internet, we probably will not be interested in having it in a pot because despite its name it grows quite tall, up to 20 meters. But the truth is that It tolerates pruning very well and does not grow quickly.. It is one of those that people tend to have precisely in a container, for example at the entrance of the house or in the attic, because its growth is controlled without problems.
But it will have to be planted in bigger and bigger pots, at least until it has become too big and too heavy and you can’t anymore. Likewise, it will have to be placed in an area protected from strong winds and frost. From experience, I will tell you that mine begins to lose a few leaves when the temperatures remain below 10°C, but It supports up to -2ºC if it is a short-term freeze.
Frangipani (red plumeria)
Image – Wikimedia/Minghong
The red plumeria It is an evergreen or deciduous tree depending on the climate which, due to its slow growth, can be grown for years in pots., even throughout his life. What is special about this plant? Undoubtedly, its flowers. These grow in summer, and in addition to being beautiful, they smell good. It can reach 5 meters in height.
Only downside, he doesn’t really like the cold. If the temperature drops below 10 degrees, it loses its leaves and it drops below 0 degrees, it dies. Therefore, in winter, you will have to bring it home if there is frost in your area.
Guillomo (Amelanchier canadensis)
Image – Wikimedia/Rasbak
William of Canada It is a large deciduous tree or shrub up to 8 meters high. which I personally like. In spring, before the appearance of the leaves, it produces many very pretty white flowers. In autumn, these leaves take on a dark red color, and in winter, even if it is at rest, it is also very beautiful.
It easily withstands severe frosts, down to -23ºC.. It tolerates pruning well, so you can prune it if you find it necessary.
Kumquat (Fortunal)
the kumquat It is a small, evergreen citrus tree, 5 meters high, which adapts very well to pot life., because it does not need a lot of space to grow. It is a very pretty plant, looking like a dwarf orange tree. In addition, the fruits it produces certainly have an orange appearance, since they have more or less the same shape and the skin is of this color, but of course, they are much smaller.
It is a small tree that can do well in attics and terraces, as it tolerates direct sun well, and it is not very demanding. Moreover, It supports cold and frost down to -8ºC.
lemon tree (citrus x lemon)
Image – Wikimedia/Petar43
The lemon tree is another of the trees that I have in the patio, in pots, and which I think is very interesting for terraces and attics. It is an evergreen fruit tree that does not grow very quickly and also produces very aromatic white flowers.. Likewise, it bears fruit at an early age and in doing so usually produces a large number of fruits (lemons). It grows up to 6 meters high.
The only downside is that when planted in alkaline soils or when irrigated with water like this, with a pH of 7 or higher, it tends to have chlorosis in its leaves. This chlorosis yellows its foliage, because it lacks manganese, its production of chlorophyll – which is the pigment that gives the leaves their green color – is reduced. But this can be avoided by fertilizing it regularly with a citrus fertilizer. Frost resistant down to -7ºC.
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Tangerine is another citrus fruit that I also recommend having in an attic or patio. It is persistent, and it does not grow much on its own, so it is interesting to grow it in a pot since it does not exceed 5 meters.. Also, as you know, it produces edible fruits, tangerines, which are a bit smaller than oranges and have a sweeter taste.
Also, you should know that it can be in full sun, but also in partial shade. It’s not a fastidious tree, but it does need occasional fertilization with a citrus-based fertilizer, especially if the soil is alkaline (with a pH of 7 or higher). In this way, its leaves are prevented from becoming chlorotic. Resistant down to -6ºC.
Olive (Olea europaea)
Image – Flickr/Stefano
If you want to give your terrace or attic a Mediterranean touch, what better than to plant an olive tree in a pot and keep it there. It is an evergreen fruit tree up to 15 meters high that is very resistant to drought and heat.; in fact, it withstands temperatures as high as 40°C. And no, it’s not too afraid of frost either: it withstands temperatures down to -8°C. For all these reasons, it is a low-maintenance tree that can give you a lot of satisfaction.
It grows at a slow pace, but produces fruit – the olives – relatively early, after a few years. sayings the fruits are edibleand in fact they can be eaten fresh, just picked from the tree.
Which of these patio and attic trees did you like the most?