Dwarf fruit tree varieties
11 Dwarf Fruit Trees You Can Grow in Small Yards
Seek Self-Fertile Varieties When Possible
By
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/21/22
Reviewed by
Debra LaGattuta
Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta
Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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The Spruce / K. Dave
Many horticultural and gardening innovations and techniques have been introduced in the 21st century. One of the best innovations for homeowners is how to make use of a small space to grow your own food. Today, homeowners can grow fruits in a small space by choosing dwarf cultivars of certain kinds of fruit trees. Some of the fruit trees listed here will even yield edible produce when grown in containers. Dwarf fruit trees also add interest to the landscape and often scent a yard with fragrant blooms.
Many dwarf variety fruits are self-fertile, which means that they don't rely on another tree to cross-pollinate with them in order to produce fruit. Before making a purchase, confirm with your grower or vendor if the tree or shrub is self-fertile. That is, does it require a second tree or shrub of the same variety or a different variety for cross-pollination to occur. A small garden might not have room for two fruit trees.
Whether you intend to plant your tree in the ground or in a container, be sure to choose a location with full sun and good drainage.
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01 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
The 'Cameron Select' dwarf apple tree is a popular choice for home gardeners and also is resistant to fire blight, one of the biggest scourges of apples. 'Cameron Select' is a dwarf variety of the popular Honeycrisp apple.
This small tree grows to eight to ten feet in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 6. Bright red fruits ripen in September with white flesh that is sweet, crispy, and juicy. 'Cameron Select' requires a second apple tree of a different variety to achieve pollination.
Apple trees are among the hardiest of fruit trees but, like most fruit trees, they are susceptible to insect pests and diseases. Look for a variety with some disease resistance.
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02 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
A good cherry tree (Prunus avium) for backyard growers is the semi-dwarf 'Stella' cherry tree that uses a Colt rootstock. The Stella series, unlike most cherry trees, is self-pollinating. Reaching ten feet at maturity, this small tree produces dark red, sweet fruit. Cherries grow best in USDA Zones 5 to 9.
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03 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
Nothing says summer like biting into a ripe juicy peach. 'Belle of Georgia' is an heirloom dwarf peach tree (Prunus persica) variety that does equally well in more northern zones producing heavy yields of white fruits that show a rose blush when ripe. 'Belle of Georgia' matures at eight to ten feet with fruit that is firm, sweet, and juicy. This variety is self-pollinating.
Peaches, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums are called "stone fruits" because the edible flesh grows around a hard pit or seed.
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04 of 11
The Spruce / K.
Dave An example of a dwarf plum tree cultivar is the 'Johnson' plum (Prunus domestica). It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and typically reaches a height of 1ten feet. 'Johnson' has red skin and sweet red flesh. It requires a second plum tree of a different variety for pollination. If you have room for just one tree, grow an heirloom variety like 'Damson' (Prunus institia) which is a self-fertile plum tree.
Many varieties of dwarf plum trees, including shrubs, bear edible fruit. The Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa), is a shrub that grows to up to eight feet tall and thrives best in the warmer climates of USDA zones 9 to 11.
In colder climates, grow the beach plum (Prunus maritima), which is hardy to zone 3. The beach plum is a six-foot bush that inhabits the sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean.
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05 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
Bananas do not actually grow on trees. The plants are herbaceous with a perennial rootstock, which means they are cut back to the ground each year after harvest then sprout again the following year.
Bananas are the largest herbaceous plants in the world, but don't let that worry you if you're space-conscious. There are small banana plants (Musa spp.) suited to small yards. The dwarf Cavendish banana (Musa acuminata) matures at eight to ten feet tall and grows best in USDA zones 9 to 10. The fruit is small at just three to six inches long but is sweet like its bigger cousins. The large tropical leaves lend interest to the landscape and can be grown in pots indoors. Banana plants are self-pollinating.
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06 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
The dwarf Meyer lemon tree is one of the best varieties you can grow to produce citrus fruit in a small space. The orangish-yellow fruits are rounder than other lemon varieties and the Meyer lemon produces a tart and slightly sweet flavor.
Meyer lemon trees grow four to six tall and are self-pollinating with fragrant white flowers. This tree is suited to USDA zones 9 to 10, but does very well as a potted plant in colder zones.
However, move them indoors during the colder months. -
07 of 11
Orange Trees
The Spruce / K. Dave
The dwarf Calamondin orange tree is another citrus variety that does well as a potted plant. Even though the plant is hardy only to USDA zones 9 and 10, northern gardeners can overwinter potted plants indoors. The Calamondin orange is self-pollinating and grows six to ten feet tall. Because the flesh is not as sweet as the flesh of full-size orange tree varieties, it is used most often to produce marmalade or in cooked recipes. Like the Meyer Lemon, the Calamondin Orange also produces fragrant white blooms and is worth growing for its ornamental value alone.
The orange tree citrus x sinensis is native to China. Many people wonder whether the fruit or the color first received the name, "orange." The fruit came first.
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08 of 11
Tangerine Trees
SHOSEI / Getty Images
If it's the sweet, orangey taste that you want from your citrus fruit, tangerines are a better bet than true oranges.
Citrus reticulata is valued for flavorful fruit that is easier to peel and less messy to eat. Tangerine trees can grow up to 25 feet tall but can be kept pruned to ten feet and still produce fruit. Most tangerine trees are self-pollinating but verify with your vendor before purchasing to be sure you don't need another tree for pollination to produce fruit. -
09 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
Fig trees are fairly easy to grow. They have attractive foliage and produce small green fruits that darken when ripe. 'Celestial' is a small to medium variety bearing small sweet fruits. This variety grows up to ten feet tall but responds well to pruning if a smaller plant is desired. Fig trees in the United States are self-pollinating and are best grown in pots where they can be moved to shelter during the colder months. They are hardy outdoors all year in USDA zones 8 through 11. The fig does have a chilling requirement, which means it must be exposed to temperatures of less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 300 hours in order to produce fruit.
Fig trees grow especially well in containers because the roots do best in a tight space. Keep this in mind if you think it's time to repot your fig tree.
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10 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
The pomegranate is a deciduous plant that can be referred to as being a tree or as a shrub because specimens range from three feet tall and bush-like to 20 to 30 feet tall and more tree-like. They are self-pollinating and are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10. Dwarf varieties that reach eight to ten feet tall are available, but their fruit is smaller. Pomegranate seeds, which are the part of the fruit that is edible, are a bit crunchy with a distinctly sweet, tart flavor.
The word pomegranate means "seeded apple" in Latin. Early Romans observed that the fruit looked like an apple from the outside but had many seeds inside.
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11 of 11
The Spruce / K. Dave
Almond trees need a warm climate and even dwarf varieties don't often thrive well above USDA hardiness zone 8.
One of these varieties is the 'Garden Prince' almond, a semi-dwarf tree maturing at 10 to 12 feet tall. The tree is self-fertile and with judicious pruning can be kept as small as eight feet. Almonds ripen in late September and early October.
Whether you decide to grow a small fruit tree for its foliage, fragrance, blooms, or edible fruit, do some upfront research and talk to your nursery grower. Consider your space both indoors and outdoors if you plan to grow your tree in a pot and overwinter it indoors. Regardless of your end goal, a fruit tree will always add beauty and interest to your landscape.
8 Dwarf Fruit Trees For High Yields In Small Gardens
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Apple, cherry, plum, and other fruit trees are always a splendid addition to the edible landscape.
Gorgeous in every season, fruit trees put out a mesmerizing display of fragrant blooms in spring and dramatic, fiery foliage colors in fall.
And during the dog days of summer, they bear bushels and bushels of fruit, sweeter and juicer than anything you could buy at the store.
Standard-sized fruit trees are long-lived specimens that can become quite massive in time. Mature apple trees have a height and spread of around 30 feet. Naturally smaller trees, such as peach and nectarine, can reach up to 15 feet tall and wide.
Dwarf fruit trees, by contrast, are much smaller in stature. Typically reaching around 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, these miniature beauties will provide an abundance of full-sized fruit each season but are much easier to manage and care for than their towering counterparts.
Whether you wish to grow a tiny orchard or a single fruit tree, dwarfing varieties are a clever solution for growing fresh fruit in small spaces.
What is a Dwarf Tree?Dwarf trees are able to maintain their petite and compact proportions thanks to the horticultural technique known as grafting.
Grafting is a form of asexual reproduction that involves joining the parts of two or more living trees together.
It involves taking a cutting from the upper portion of the parent fruit tree. This is called the scion, a selection of branches with budding tips.
The scion is carefully joined to the rootstock of another compatible tree. Much of this rootstock is underground and includes the tree’s root system with a short trunk.
The upper and lower portions of these two trees are conjoined where each were cut, callousing together as they heal.
While the scion is chosen for its good fruit-bearing characteristics, the rootstock will determine the tree’s size at maturity, its pest and disease resistance, its hardiness, and the soil type it grows best in.
Most fruit trees are propagated by grafting scion to rootstock to ensure consistency, and there are many different kinds of rootstocks to choose from.
For example, an apple tree with an M25 rootstock will grow to be a standard 30 feet in size.
The same variety of apple grafted to an M9 rootstock will be dwarfed to only 8 feet. The semi-dwarf rootstock MM106 will keep the tree’s final size to around 16 feet.
Then there are multi-grafted fruit trees. When more than one scion is joined to the rootstock, a single apple tree, for instance, could yield several kinds of apples, like Fuji, Gala, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious varieties.
7 Benefits of Dwarf Fruit Trees
The more diminutive size of dwarf fruit trees brings with it lots of fringe benefits:
1.
Good for small spacesClearly, dwarf fruit trees are the ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. Some dwarfing rootstocks can limit tree size to just three feet tall and wide, making it possible to plant fruit-bearing trees in tiny yards and gardens.
Many kinds of dwarf fruit trees are good candidates for container gardening and can be set out on a balcony or patio.
2.
Easier careNo need for a ladder with a dwarf fruit tree!Because dwarfed trees grow no larger than 10 feet, maintaining the tree over the course of its lifespan is so, so much easier.
Tree pruning and fruit harvesting can be accomplished from the relative safety of the ground – no need to clamber over a ladder to reach the top of the tree’s canopy.
3.
Faster fruitSmaller trees also reach fruit-bearing age sooner than standard size fruit trees.
Once transplanted in the ground or in a pot, dwarfing varieties will produce fruit in only a year or two. Standard-size fruit trees can take around 5 years before they start setting fruit.
4.
Denser plantingsThe compactness of dwarf fruit trees also means they don’t need much space to grow and can be planted more closely together compared to their full-fledged relatives.
Dwarf trees can help maximize the use of garden space by allowing for multiple plantings. The smallest types can be planted densely to create a flowering and fruiting privacy hedge.
5.
TrainableEspalier is the ancient technique of pruning and tying growing tree branches against a wall, fence, or trellis.
Trees grown along a flat, two dimensional surface can be trained into creative shapes and patterns to save on space and make a living work of art.
Due to their limited growth potential, dwarf fruit trees are great choice for espalier training. And while any woody plant can be trained in this manner, some of the most tried-and-true fruit trees for espalier include apple, fig, stone fruits, and citrus.
6.
CustomizableThanks to grafting, fruit trees can be entirely customized.
There’s a great diversity in grafting rootstocks and their characteristics. Drought tolerance, disease resistance, cold hardiness, early fruiting, ability to grow in poor soils, and of course, size, are some of the optional traits.
Some tree nurseries will throw together a special Frankentree just for you.
7.
TransportableWhen grown in containers, dwarf fruit trees can travel with you wherever you go – no need to leave behind a mature tree when you move.
Another advantage of a portable orchard is that container-grown dwarf trees can also be moved indoors during winter. This opens up a world of possibilities for growing tropical trees in cold climates.
And a Few Drawbacks…Shorter lifespanDwarf fruit trees will generally live for quite a long time, around 15 to 20 years. However, that’s less than full-sized trees that tend to live for 35 to 45 years.
No shadeDwarf trees are too short and narrow to provide much by way of shade. If you fantasize about lounging beneath your fruit tree over the summer, you’re better off with a semi-dwarf or standard size fruit tree.
Lower yieldsWhile it’s true that dwarf fruit trees will provide comparatively less fruit than their full-sized kin, these little trees will still give loads of fruit come harvest time.
A dwarf apple tree, for instance, will on average produce 48 to 192 pounds of fresh fruit each season. Though less than a semi dwarf (240 to 480 pounds) and a standard size (480 to 960 pounds) apple tree, dwarfed varieties often provide more than enough to feed a small family.
If you want greater yields, simply plant more dwarf fruit trees.
8 Dwarf Fruit Trees to GrowWhen shopping around for dwarf fruit trees, pay special attention to traits like disease resistance, chilling hours, pruning requirements, and whether the tree is self-fertile or needs another tree to bear fruit.
1.
Red Delicious Apple (Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’)There’s a staggering amount of choice in apple trees, with more than 2,500 different varieties cultivated in North America alone.
Red Delicious is a popular pick that blooms with pinkish-white flowers in mid-spring. In autumn, it bears sweet and juicy apples that are excellent for fresh eating and cooking.
The fruit has a good storage life and will keep up to six months in the fridge.
It’s important to note that apple trees are not self-pollinating. You will need a second dwarf apple tree of a different variety to produce fruit on either tree. To ensure successful cross-pollination, both dwarf apple trees should be in bloom at the same time and planted within 20 feet of each other.
Compatible pollinators for Red Delicious include other mid-season bloomers such as Golden Delicious, Gala, and Honeycrisp.
Alternatively, you can save on yard space by choosing a multi-grafted apple tree with two (or more) compatible scions.
Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
Dwarf size: 10 feet tall and wide
Chill hours: 700 to 800
Self-fertile? No
2.
Elberta Peach (Prunus persica ‘Elberta’)An heirloom variety that originated in Georgia, Elberta peaches are yellow freestone fruits that finish with a blush of reddish pink.
These fuzzy peaches are large, juicy, and sweet – ideal for eating, freezing, canning, and jam-making.
The tree is a show stopper in early to mid-spring when masses of fragrant pink blossoms adorn its leafless branches.
As the season wears on, fruits are ripe and ready for picking from late July to early August.
Elberta peach trees are self-fertile but will benefit from a second peach tree nearby to cross-pollinate with. Keeping at least two peach trees will vastly improve the production of fruit.
To keep your peach tree healthy and productive, annual pruning is an absolute must. This is because peach trees will only bloom and bear fruit on branches that are at least one year old.
Pruning the tree back by as much as 40% each year is necessary to simulate new growth for the following season. Older wood will eventually stop producing flower buds (and thus, fruit) and needs to be cut back to make way for new fruiting branches.
Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
Dwarf size: 8 to 10 feet tall and wide
Chill hours: 800 to 950
Self-fertile? Yes
Buy an Elberta Peach Tree at Nature Hills Nursery >>>
3.
Santa Rosa Plum (Prunus salicna ‘Santa Rosa’)A Japanese plum, Santa Rosa is a self-pollinating plum tree that is stunning in spring and a delicious provider come July.
Santa Rosa is an early and prolific bloomer, bearing sweet and fragrant white blossoms in tight clusters along every branch and stem. The fruit is large, red to purple in color, and good for eating, canning, and cooking.
It naturally grows in a rounded canopy and requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape and allow for sunlight to reach the center of the tree.
Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
Dwarf size: 10 to 12 feet tall and wide
Chill hours: 300 to 500
Self-fertile? Yes
4.
Black Tartarian Cherry (Prunus avium ‘Black Tartarian’)Black Tartarian cherries are tender and plump with a rich, full-bodied flavor.
The 1-inch, heart-shaped, purplish-black drupes are perfect for fresh-eating since the inner pit is smooth and separates easily from the flesh.
Black Tartarian also does well in canning and preserve making.
Putting out a glorious show in early to mid-spring, the white colored blossoms fill the air with a sweet scent. By mid-summer, ripe cherries arrive in clusters along the branches.
Like all sweet cherry cultivars, Black Tartarian is not self-fertile and needs a second cherry species in order to produce fruit. Plant it along with similar early blooming varieties like Bing, Stella, and Ranier.
Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
Dwarf size: 8 to 14 feet tall and wide
Chill hours: 700 to 800
Self-fertile? No
5.
Washington Navel Orange (Citrus sinensis ‘Washington’)Best for fresh eating, Washington Navel oranges are seedless, easy to peel, and supremely flavorful fruits.
The dwarf version grows to be about half the standard size, but can be carefully pruned to a petite 3 feet in height.
An evergreen tree, Washington Navel orange has attractive elliptical leaves that give off a wonderful fragrance year-round.
In spring, clusters of waxy, white blossoms appear along the branches.
Like all orange trees, Washington Navel loves warmth and sunlight. It grows best in temperatures between 70°F and 90°F (21°C and 32°C).
In frost-free regions, it can be planted directly in the ground. Gardeners in northern climates can grow it in containers and bring it indoors as soon as temperatures dip to 55°F (13°C) and below.
Hardiness zone: 9 to 10
Dwarf Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
Self-fertile? Yes
6.
Celeste Fig (Fiscus carica ‘Celeste’)Fig trees are native to the warm and temperate regions of the Mediterranean and typically grow best in USDA zones 8 to 10.
Celeste is a much more cold hardy cultivar that can be planted outdoors to zone 6. At the cooler end of its hardiness range, it requires a sheltered location and deep mulching to survive winter temperatures of 15°F (-9°C) and lower.
Compact too, it’s a good candidate for container gardens and can be hauled indoors to overwinter in colder areas.
Maturing into a handsome multi-branched tree with silver-grey bark and deeply lobed leaves, Celeste bears small, green, and inconspicuous flowers in spring. Although it’s less showy than other fruit trees when in bloom, this little tree will provide loads of figs in late summer.
Celeste figs are small to medium in size, are bronzy-purplish in color, and have a very rich and sweet flavor. These are delectable eaten fresh off the tree or prepped in jams, preserves, and pastries.
Hardiness zone: 6 to 10
Dwarf size: 7 to 10 feet tall and wide
Chilling hours: 100
Self-fertile? Yes
7.
Ice Cream Mango (Mangifera indica ‘Ice Cream’)Normally, mango trees take up a ton of space and can grow to more than 100 feet in height. But dwarfed varieties, like Ice Cream, will keep your mango tree to a much more manageable size.
Ice Cream mango can be trained and pruned to only six feet tall. Known as a “condo mango” it is easily grown in containers and set out on a balcony or patio.
Although mango trees are better suited to warm, tropical climates, container-grown mangos can be placed outside in spring and summer and brought back inside before temperatures reach 40°F (4°C).
Ice Cream mangos are sweet, rich, and creamy. The fiberless fruit starts out green and will ripen to yellow as the weather heats up in June and July.
Hardiness zone: 9 to 11
Dwarf size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide
Self-fertile? Yes
8.
Black Mulberry (Morus nigra)Although it’s often referred to as a bush thanks to its naturally shrubby habit, mulberry can be trained to grow into classic single trunk trees with a dense canopy.
The standard size matures to around 40 feet tall and wide but the dwarfed version can be kept under 10 feet.
Because Black Mulberry produces its delicious fruit on both old and new wood, it can be pruned back each season after fruiting has finished in autumn. This is how you can keep it to a tiny 2-feet.
Whether grown as a tree or shrub, Black Mulberry is a lovely specimen with serrate and leathery green leaves. Inconspicuous green catkins in spring turn to masses to purplish-black berries in summer.
Black mulberry fruit is considered to be the tastiest of all the mulberry species. The fruits look like oblong blackberries, each about one inch long. Juicy and sweet, these are delightful eaten fresh but are equally wonderful as jam, syrup, and wine.
Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
Dwarf size: 2 to 10 feet tall and wide
Chilling hours: 200 to 400
Self-fertile? Yes
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Dwarf trees for the garden with names and photos
I have a very small area, which is why I have to constantly experiment.
A few years ago I planted dwarf varieties of apple and pear trees, this season I have already harvested the first crop.
The fruits are in no way inferior to traditional varieties, the yield is at a high level. In the article I want to share with you which dwarf trees you can grow in your garden.
Article contents
- early fruiting period, columnar apple and pear varieties can be harvested after 3-4 years from planting;
- due to low growth, regular care is greatly facilitated;
- dwarf plants take up little space, more plants can be planted;
- do not obscure plantings of other plants;
- you can create unique decorative compositions.
- the cost of purchasing planting material is significantly higher, dwarf varieties are more expensive, more seedlings are required;
- needs more frequent planting care;
- all low-growing plants are able to grow in one place for a limited period of life, the growth period is almost two times lower than that of traditional varieties.
- Dwarf trees - artificially bred varieties of traditional crops, differ only in small growth. Suitable for harvesting, used in landscape design.
- Allows you to save space on the plot without losing the quality and quantity of the crop. Dwarf trees do not obscure other plantings, and due to their small growth, care is simplified.
- Apples, pears, apricots and peaches are grown among fruit trees with a low height.
- The most famous dwarf ornamental trees are conic spruce, magnolia, arborvitae and ornamental maples.
- 1 What are dwarf trees?
- 2 Pros of growing dwarf crops
- 3 Disadvantages of dwarf trees
- 4 Planting rules
- 5 Planting scheme
- 6 Caring for dwarf trees
- 7 Fertilizers for dwarf trees
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Today, varieties of fruit dwarf trees have been bred, which not only are not inferior to traditional ones, but also surpass them in terms of yield. The fruits of such crops are often larger, contain more nutrients.
Disadvantages
Growing dwarf fruit and ornamental trees has a number of disadvantages.
There are such shortcomings:
In addition, for some dwarf trees, it is necessary to build a support that protects against a strong gust of wind. Such plants have less winter hardiness; when grown in cold regions, shelter must be carried out.
Fruit trees
Almost all fruit trees are traditional tall and dwarf varieties. Below are the features of the most popular crops.
Apple tree
Separately, dwarf and columnar varieties of apple trees are distinguished. First of all, they differ in the external features of the trunk. The dwarf tree is outwardly completely identical to the classical one, differing only in height.
Columnar varieties practically do not form branches, there are no clear branches.
On sale you can find apple trees reaching a height of up to 1.5-3 m. More than 1 thousand varieties are known, which are usually classified as they ripen. The most famous varieties of dwarf and columnar apple trees are: Candy, Wonderful, Zhigulevskoe, Autumn striped, Carpet, Snowdrop.
Pear
In the scientific literature they are called pears on a dwarf rootstock, they have a small height, reaching up to 1.5-3 m. They have a high yield, the fruits are in no way inferior to tall varieties. Fruiting is possible already for 4 years from the moment of planting.
As in the case of apple trees, dwarf and columnar tree varieties are distinguished separately. Popular varieties: Velesa, Bere Gardi, Patriotic, Parisian, Rossoshanskaya beautiful.
Plum
Dwarf varieties are classified as a separate species of the Plum family. Outwardly, they can be represented by a recumbent or erect deciduous shrub, the height of which does not exceed 2 m.
In horticulture, dwarf plums are also obtained using a special planting and rootstock technology (table grafting or in a garden bed).
The plant is characterized by slow growth, fruiting occurs only 3-4 years after planting. Usually the tree has a weak frost resistance, it is not recommended for planting in the northern regions. Famous varieties of dwarf plum: Blue Free, Chachakskaya, President.
Peach
Bred only with a dwarf rootstock. Plant height does not exceed 2 m, it is sensitive to temperature conditions, humidity.
Not recommended for growing in regions with cold summers. They have developed foliage, so regular shaping is required. Popular varieties of dwarf peach: Sweet Cap, UFO.
Apricot
Low-growing varieties of this crop are obtained using a special dwarf rootstock. As a result, a tree of small growth is formed, which fully preserves the yield indicators. They often have a sweeter taste and greater fruit weight. Known varieties: Hardy, Crimean Amur and Airlie Red Orange.
Ornamental species and varieties
Among dwarf trees there are not only fruit and berry crops, but also ornamental plants. They do not form a crop, but are distinguished by beautiful flowering, shape and foliage.
Actively used for landscaping garden plots, city parks. They respond well to shaping, suitable for creating a variety of decorative compositions.
Thuja
Unpretentious and very decorative tree for planting in open ground. Dwarf representatives grow up to only 1.5 m, are frost-resistant and resistant to diseases and pests. Among the varieties you can find plants with a pyramidal, oval or spherical crown shape.
The plant harmoniously looks next to undersized deciduous and coniferous shrubs. Western thuja Brabant and Wagneri are the most famous representatives of this culture, forming a miniature tree.
Ornamental maples
This is a low growing hardy tree known for its beautiful deciduous crown. It looks especially decorative in autumn, when the leaves are painted in yellow-red shades. Grows up to 3 m in height, responds well to shaping. The most spectacular dwarf types of decorative maple: Canadian, Holly and Plane-shaped.
Magnolia
An exotic flowering tree that forms a fairly voluminous shrub. With proper care, dwarf varieties grow only up to 4 m in height. Magnolia looks especially decorative during flowering. During this period, the plant is completely strewn with large buds up to 15 cm in length.
They exude a delicate aroma with vanilla-citrus notes. Magnolia is very whimsical in care, not suitable for beginners.
Konik spruce
A variety of ornamental Canadian spruce, the result of a natural mutation. The plant is represented by a coniferous tree growing up to 1.5 m in height. It has a pronounced cone-shaped shape, soft foliage of a blue-green hue.
Responds well to shaping, suitable for hedges. The main disadvantage is very slow growth, in one year the spruce adds only 2-3 cm. This is an unpretentious plant that can grow even in frosty winters and cold summers.
Conclusions
Dwarf trees for the garden - varieties, advantages of cultivation, planting, care and fertilization
In conditions of intensive development of horticulture, it becomes necessary to rationally use every piece of land.
Planting dwarf trees in the garden saves a lot of space for other purposes and brings a stable harvest.
Caring for undersized crops has its own characteristics, but if you study the issue in detail, you can grow a beautiful and healthy orchard.
Contents:
What are dwarf trees?
The dwarf apple tree is especially popular among gardeners. As a result of selection work, many varieties of low-growing apple trees were bred. All of them give a high yield, are distinguished by an enviable resistance to diseases. In addition, the apple tree is practically the only tree species to which you can easily make a dwarf stock.
Dwarf apple tree in the garden
Dwarf pears are hardy fruit trees.
They are not afraid of weather anomalies. Pears are renowned for their disease resistance and bear fruit well.
Sweet Cap dwarf peach reaches a height of no more than 1.8 m. The fruits have white flesh and are pleasant in taste. Resistant variety. He is not afraid of severe frosts, and he will not suffer from drought. Gives a stable and high yield.
UFO peach is resistant to many diseases, drought and low temperatures. A very productive and hardy variety. The pulp of the fruit is yellow in color, they taste sweet with a barely noticeable sourness.
Blue Free Dwarf Plum is frost hardy and therefore suitable for growing in cold climates. Resistant to diseases such as root cancer and chlorosis. Oval, sweet-sour fruits are painted in an intense dark purple color, which is even closer to black, have a waxy coating.
Chachakskaya plum is characterized by late fruit ripening. It will be possible to enjoy plums only at the end of September. The variety is disease and weather resistant.
Plum "President" tolerates even the most severe winters well. Sweet fruits with yellowish-green flesh are characterized by excellent quality, not sour. The variety belongs to unpretentious plants, so it is very easy to care for it.
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Among fruit dwarf trees that can be placed in the garden, apricots are also worth mentioning. For example, the very early Earley Red Orange has large light orange fruits. It tastes sweet, a red barrel may appear in the sun. The harvest is well transported, it can be used not only for own consumption, but also for sale.
Late apricots are also found among this variety of plants. For example, the Hardy variety. It is considered quite common. It tolerates frosty winters well, lack of watering in the hot season.
Apricots are very sweet, the pulp is easily separated from the stone. Color is intense orange.
Crimean Amur apricots are classified as mid-late varieties. Differs in large fruits, some of them reach 90-100 grams. Sweet, but slightly sour. The variety also has a strong pleasant aroma.
Advantages of growing dwarf crops
Low-growing varieties are characterized by a uniform crown. Smaller trees are easier to harvest. Fruit tree seedlings are characterized by high survival rate and friendly growth.
Dwarf Peach
Unlike standard plants, dwarf peach plants are compact and do not require constant pruning.
It takes a little time to form a crown, spraying a dwarf garden from pests.
Facilitates harvesting, reduces the percentage of "broken" fruits.
Differs in early fruiting, quick ripening of the crop.
The fruits of the described plants contain a higher percentage of useful substances than in standard varieties. The fruits have the best appearance, they are always large.
The trees bear fruit every year.
Disadvantages of dwarf trees
In addition to the positive aspects, there are also other nuances. Let's look at some of the disadvantages.
During the establishment of a dwarf garden, you will need to buy more seedlings, since their arrangement is more dense than standard varieties.
Low-growing varieties have a shorter lifespan. For example, an apple tree can bear fruit for 20 years, a pear grafted on a quince - 30 years.
Unlike vigorous plants, dwarf plants have a shallow root system. Sometimes strong winds can damage trees by tilting them to the side. Trees also suffer from the weight of the fruits, so proper support is required when growing.
If the planting is done incorrectly and the root neck is buried in the ground, then such a tree will turn from a short one into a tall one.
The described species require more care: regular watering, weed removal, top dressing.
The fruits are often smaller due to congestion.
That is, the described trees always give a high yield, which can negatively affect the size of the fruit. Therefore, it is recommended to control the development of the ovaries and cut off the extra ones.
Fitting Rules
Fruiting dwarf apple
Planting dwarf apples is different from planting regular garden apples. All planting work is required in the spring. Low grades prefer fertile soil.
If the soil is not suitable for planting, a hole 1 m wide and 1.5 m deep will need to be dug.
The ideal planting site is one with groundwater flow close to the surface.
The fact is that the root system of low-growing trees is located in the upper layer of the earth and does not penetrate deeper than 1 m.
Plant roots need to be inspected before planting. A seedling with a dried up root system is placed for some time in water so that it is saturated with moisture.
In the prepared soil, you need to dig a hole, the depth of which should be 50 cm and the width - 70 cm.
At the very bottom, you need to put humus (one bucket will be enough).
Next, fill in a layer of earth in such a way as to cover the humus. Then you need to thoroughly shed the earth. Get a viscous slurry.
Now you need to install the seedling in the prepared hole.
Attention!
When planting a seedling, it is required to ensure that the root neck is either level with the ground or slightly protrudes above the surface. Deepening will lead to a slowdown in plant growth and to its death in the future.
A well-placed seedling must be covered with fertile soil and compacted in the near-stem circle. Next, you should make a near-stem roller 10 cm high and 65 cm wide.
The roller is needed so that during irrigation water gets to the roots, and does not spread over the surface. It is recommended to mulch the soil near the tree trunk.
Planting chart
When planting several low-growing trees, keep the distance between seedlings.
Trees should not be located closer than 2 m from each other.
Important!
Since low-growing trees have a shallow root system, they need support. Therefore, the tree trunk must be tied to a peg with a narrow strip of rubber.
Caring for dwarf trees
Fruiting dwarf peach
Every gardener strives to have healthy seedlings in the garden and get a high yield. To do this, they need to be properly cared for.
It is recommended to loosen the soil in the trunk circle, remove weeds.
To avoid crusting on the soil, it is necessary to mulch the soil. For these purposes, compost is suitable.
Close attention has to be paid to the soil during the dry period. To retain moisture, it is recommended to cover the ground with hay.
Mulching also has special requirements. The mulch should be placed further from the trunk, and not back to back. The outer edge of the mulch should be compared to the canopy of the trees.
Do not mulch the soil during wet weather.
Mulch is detrimental to plants growing in heavy soils.
Watering should be done once a week. It is recommended to pour two buckets of water under one seedling.
Fertilizer for small trees
Top dressing is carried out only after watering the trees. Dwarf plantations respond well to feeding with mullein or chicken manure. Mullein should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and chicken manure - 1:20.
Is whitewash necessary?
Flowering of dwarf trees
To bleach or not to bleach the trunks of stunted trees? Each gardener looks at this problem in his own way.
Some tend to think that whitewashing is not worth it, while others, on the contrary, believe that whitewashing prevents the development of many diseases and is used as a preventive measure.
And it is necessary to whitewash the trunks of dwarf crops. And not for the reason that it creates a beautiful picture, but because it helps the trees to withstand the spring rays of the sun, temperature changes and prevents many diseases.
It is necessary to whitewash the trunks of both seedlings and adult plants. During the preparation of a solution for whitewashing seedlings, the concentration should be reduced. After all, a saturated solution of lime will damage the young bark.
What is the best time to whitewash bonsai?
Whitening is required three times a year. The main whitewashing occurs in October, the second is held in March, and the third in July.
Expert opinion
Yuliya Yuryevna
I have a large garden and vegetable garden, several greenhouses. I love modern methods of plant cultivation and soil mulching, and I share my experience.
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Possible diseases of dwarf trees
The most common diseases are powdery mildew, mosaic, cytosporosis.
When powdery mildew infects leaves and shoots, a white powdery coating appears. This is a fungal disease, because the spores spread quite quickly through the garden.
If the tree bears fruit at the time of infection, the crop will also suffer. The fruits do not ripen, are deformed, the appearance deteriorates.
For prevention, we recommend carrying out rehabilitation pruning, removing debris, fallen fruits from under the plant. The crown should not be thickened, all parts of the plant should have free access to air and light. Also, in early spring, you need to spray the garden with a Bordeaux mixture or a similar agent.
If the plant is sick, all infected areas are removed and burned. Further, the crown and soil near the plant are sprayed with Skor, Topaz, Thiovit Jet or Quadris.
When specks of green and white color appear on fruits and foliage, we can talk about the development of a mosaic. The causative agent is a virus. The danger lies in the deformation of the foliage, the slowdown in development, the drying of young shoots. Also, the fruits are damaged, rotting processes can begin.
Often the disease is transmitted due to the presence of pests or working with undisinfected tools in the garden.
