Patio trees for full sun
13 Best Small Trees for Patios
By
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 12/19/22
Reviewed by
Kathleen Miller
Reviewed by Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
The Spruce / Tara Anand
Small trees on patios or decks can serve as natural focal points, add privacy, frame views, provide shade, and even bear fruit. Many of these trees can grow well in containers or raised beds. Some have special features, including flowers, attractive bark, and vivid fall colors. However, the features of certain trees might be too messy for your taste, dropping seeds, flowers, fruits, and more. So it's important to know all of a tree's traits, as well as whether it thrives in your climate, before committing. Here are 13 of the best small trees to grow around a patio or deck.
Tip
To find the right tree for your space, first consider its mature height and width. Also, note whether its roots tend to crack or lift up pavement, which wouldn't be ideal right next to a patio. And if you plan to grow your tree in a container, make sure you'll be able to repot it whenever the roots need more space.
25 Popular Small Trees for Landscaping
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The Spruce / K. Dave
A chaste tree is a Mediterranean and Asian native with multiple trunks that can be trained to make a nice shade tree. Leaves of the chaste are aromatic, and it produces small, fragrant flowers on spikes during the summer and fall. Varieties 'Silver Spire' and 'Alba' have white blossoms while 'Latifolia' and 'Rosea' have pink flowers. This tree can also be pruned into a shrub. Annual pruning during the late winter is recommended to maintain its shape. Moreover, the tree is heat-tolerant and resistant to oak root fungus.
- USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
- Color Varieties: Lavender-blue, white, pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Loose, well-drained, medium moisture
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Kumquat (Citrus japonica)
The Spruce / Kerry Michaels
Kumquat trees can be grown in the ground or in pots.
In the ground, they can grow to a mature size of 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide; container-grown trees are generally much smaller. Kumquats have beautiful dark green leaves and pretty orange flowers that turn into tangy edible fruit. Potted kumquats make great patio accents with their sweet-smelling blooms and bright orange fruits. They must be moved indoors for the winter in zones 8 and below. Moreover, it’s recommended to repot them every two to three years into a slightly larger container. Also, fertilize them throughout the growing season.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 10
- Color Varieties: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Moist, sandy loam or clay
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Japanese maple trees are naturally small (up to about 15 feet tall) and work well in the ground or in containers. Just be ready to repot your tree into a larger container every other year or so.
The best varieties of Japanese maples for containers are the kinds with weeping branches and finely cut, threadlike leaves. This includes the 'Dissectum', 'Red Dragon', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'Butterfly', and 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' varieties. Japanese maples require little pruning. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches as you spot them, and prune for shape if you wish.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
- Color Varieties: Red-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic
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The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Ficus trees can grow to heights of 50 feet or more in the wild, but in the home environment they are most commonly grown as houseplants. This small tree's bright green leaves and twisty, arching branches make it an eye-catching feature in any location. Ficus benjamina, or weeping fig, makes a versatile patio plant that transitions easily from indoors to outdoors.
It is hardy only to zone 10 but can be brought outside in cold-winter climates after the threat of spring frost has passed. Your ficus will benefit from monthly fertilization during the growing season, but then you can back off the fertilizer in the winter.
- USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12
- Color Varieties: Insignificant bloom
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
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European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
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The striking silhouettes of palm trees are perfect for instantly adding a look of the tropics to your patio or deck. In addition to European fan palms, there are several other species suitable for small spaces, including the pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii), paradise palm (Howea forsteriana), lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis), and windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei).
Fertilize your palm throughout the growing season, and prune off dead or diseased portions as you spot them. Also, be sure not to overwater, as this can kill a palm.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Color Varieties: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
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Ornamental Crabapple (Malus)
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Ornamental crabapple plants are admired more for their brief but lovely display of red, pink, or white flowers than for their edible fruits. The smallest varieties can be planted in containers while other types can be trained against a wall or fence as an espalier. Also known as flowering crabapple trees, the varieties suitable for large containers include 'Centurion', 'Indian magic', Japanese (M. floribunda), and Sargent (M. sargentii). Crabapple trees are somewhat drought tolerant once they’re mature, but don’t let their soil dry out.
If there is a stretch without rain, especially during warmer months, water your tree. Also, they generally require little pruning outside of removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
- Color Varieties: Red, pink, white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
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Ornamental Cherry or Plum (Prunus)
The Spruce / Loren Probish
Small, flowering Prunus trees are variously called cherry or plum trees. They typically have dark purple foliage, as well as white, pink, or red flowers, depending on the variety. They are suitable for large containers or raised beds. Some of these trees are susceptible to insect issues and fungal diseases. So prune your tree to slightly thin the branches and improve air circulation, which can help to prevent these problems.
Small varieties of plums include the purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera), Krauter Vesuvius purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius'), and double pink flowering plum (Prunus x blireiana).
Small flowering cherry trees include purple leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena), Yoshino cherry (Japanese flowering cherry; Prunus x yedoensis), 'Albertii' (Prunus padus), and 'Okame' (Prunus incisa x Prunus campanulata).
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
- Color Varieties: White, pink, red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
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Pine (Pinus)
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Because pines are evergreen, they give you something green to look at on your patio throughout the year. Plus, they maintain some shade and privacy year-round. With frequent pruning, you can keep a pine small if you wish. Several species are suitable for patios or decks, including lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana), evergreen Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra), and evergreen Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora).
In large containers, consider growing evergreen Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) or evergreen Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergiana). Pine trees generally require little care. Water your tree during prolonged dry spells, and fertilize annually if your soil is poor.
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
- Color Varieties: Nonflowering
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained, medium moisture
40 Species of Pine Trees You Can Grow
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The smoke tree, also referred to as the smoke bush, is known for its stunning dark reddish-purple leaves and silky hairs that resemble puffs of smoke. It can be grown in a large container or near a deck or patio. The "smoke" effect is created by the fluffy hairs that follow the tree's (insignificant) flowers in the spring. The hairs turn pink and then purple as summer progresses.
Lightly prune the tree as needed in the early spring for the best blooming.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
- Color Varieties: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
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The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
You will need at least two pear trees for optimal cross-pollination and fruit. Alternatively, choose Anjou or Bartlett if you have room for only one tree, as these varieties are able to pollinate themselves to some degree. Other suitable varieties for patio areas include: snow pear (Pyrus nivalis), Manchurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis), edgedell pear (fl x P. betulaefolia), 'Glen’s Form' (Pyrus calleryana ‘Glen’s Form’), and 'Jack' flowering pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Jaczam'). Pear trees typically can tolerate wet soil, though you must ensure that your tree has good drainage.
The trees are susceptible to a disease called fire blight, so it’s important to promptly prune off infected portions to help stop the spread.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
- Color Varieties: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Moist, humusy, well-drained
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The Spruce / Almar Creative
Sweet bay is a small, slender evergreen with a conical form. Its foliage is dark green and highly aromatic. The leaves are the same bay leaves that are used in many types of cooking. A good choice for containers on decks or patios, it can be pruned into a topiary or hedge. Planted in the garden, it is drought-tolerant. But you should water it during prolonged dry spells. Also, while this plant likes a lot of light, protect your tree from hot afternoon sun during the warmest months of the year.
- USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
- Color Varieties: Yellow-green
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
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The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Crepe myrtle trees (or shrubs) are well known in the southern United States for their showy pinkish blooms, gorgeous bark, and beautiful fall foliage.
You can grow full-size varieties in large containers; they will reach about 10 feet tall. There are also many smaller trees, such as 'Acoma', 'Yuma', 'Zuni', 'Catawba', 'Comanche', 'Hopi', 'Centennial', 'Chica Pink', 'Chica Red', 'Glendora White', 'Peppermint Lace', 'Pink Velour', 'Seminole', and 'White Chocolate' varieties. Avoid excessive fertilization, as this can promote leaf growth over blooming. Also, extensive pruning usually isn’t necessary, though you can prune for shape if you wish in the early spring.
- USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
- Color Varieties: White, pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
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The Spruce / Loren Probish
Besides being absolutely gorgeous, wisteria can be trained as a vine, shrub, or small tree. To train it as a tree, remove all but one stem, and secure that stem by tying it to a stake.
When it reaches the desired height, prune or pinch the branch tips to force more branching. Wisteria can also be grown to cover an arbor or pergola. The two common species are Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda). Fertilizer usually isn’t necessary unless you have poor soil. But you can add a layer of compost to promote blooming and healthy growth.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
- Color Varieties: White, pink, purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Queen Palm Problems. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Disease and Insect Resistant Ornamental Plants. Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Fire Blight of Ornamental Pear. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Research and Extension.
Best trees to grow in pots: 15 beautiful compact varieties
The best trees to grow in pots can add much needed interest to patios, courtyards and other areas of your back yard.
With both deciduous and evergreen options, offering various leaf color, fruit and flowers through the seasons, potted trees are versatile container gardening ideas.
Growing pots in trees is a way to zone a secluded seating or dining area as a patio idea, flowering trees can add color and scent, while citrus or olive trees are ideal if you want to create a Mediterranean-style garden.
One of the big advantages is that you can grow tree species that wouldn't usually suit the growing conditions in your hardiness zone as the best trees to grow in pots can be moved indoors in colder months.
The best trees to grow in pots
Many different trees can thrive in pots, so look beyond the local garden center for inspiration. You could choose one of the best indoor trees that you move outdoors in warmer months to surround yourself with nature year round.
'There are many types of trees you can grow in pots and containers,' says small space gardening expert Emilly Barbosa Fernandes of Housegrail . 'They instantly brighten up any garden, and can become the main focal point.'
If you want a low-maintenance planting scheme, then the best trees to grow in pots must be compatible with your local climate, and require minimal pruning. An advantage of planting trees in pots is that you can control their soil type – perhaps growing an acid-loving tree in a chalky soil, or creating free-draining conditions in a garden with heavy clay soil.
Consider where you want the tree to be positioned in your garden, as whether it will sit in full sun or receive some shade will be a factor in which varieties will be suitable.
It's important to look at the maximum size of a tree species, and how many years it will take to reach maturity. Some trees are suited to pots for their whole life, while other slow-growing varieties can have a long pot life before needing to be eventually planted in the ground as part of your flower bed ideas.
Trees have hungry, thirsty roots, so container size is also key. Ensure you invest in a pot that's big enough for your chosen tree to flourish.
Remember that a tree planted in a pot will dry out more quickly than in the ground, and the smaller the pot size, the more often you will have to water it.
1. Peach tree
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Enjoy a delicious home harvest of fruit by growing a peach tree in a container. These are among the best fruit trees to grow, and ideal for trees to grow in pots, particularly as you can move the container to the sunniest and warmest positions throughout the year.
You will need a fairly large container for growing a peach tree – although not so large that you can not easily move it when required. Good drainage is important, so either add some crocs or stones to the bottom of a container, or raise it up on pot feet to aid drainage.
'You will need to water peach trees grown in pots almost every day in the growing season, and repot them every few years' explains Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS .
2. Crab apple tree
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Producing lovely pink blossom in spring, followed by their ornamental fruits in fall, crab apples are among the best trees to grow in pots.
When planting crab apples in containers, use a pot that is approximately 12-15in. (30-40cm), in a good quality and free draining loam based compost, explain the experts at Pomona Fruits .
Keep them well watered in the first growing season, watering them daily in warmer weather. They are also among the best trees for autumn color.
3. Amelanchier
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
A small, compact deciduous tree, amelanchier – known by a number of other names including juneberry, shadbush and sarvisberry – offers interest through the seasons. It produces lovely starry white flowers in spring, red and purple berries in summer through to fall, and its bronze tinged young leaves turn through green to the fiery colors of orange and red, making this undoubtedly one of the best trees to grow in pots .
Amelanchier prefers a spot in full sun, so move the container to the best spot throughout the year. Plant bare root trees for the most economical option, in ericaceous compost in a large pot.
4. Japanese maple tree
(Image credit: Ian West / Alamy Stock Photo)
Japanese maples trees – or acer palmatum – are ideal for smaller gardens, as they are slow growing and require minimal pruning or training. They also offer lovely fall color.
‘With a variety of showy cascades in foliage and colors ranging from vibrant greens to deep blood reds, this is a showcase tree for container growing,’ says Tammy Sons, owner of Tennessee Nursery .
‘Japanese maple trees do not grow to extreme heights, seldom reaching over 15 feet. My favorite varieties are 'Crimson Queen' and 'Bloodgood', with their added attribute of spectacular fall foliage.’
Meanwhile, Lisa Tadewaldt, arborist and owner of Urban Forest Pro , particularly favors the dwarf maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'. ‘They can live in a pot for hundreds of years,' she says. 'You can ignore them or pamper them – either way they always look great. This is a favorite of serious bonsai artists, and what I personally have on my deck in pots.’
Position Japanese maples in a cool spot that receives some shade during the hottest part of the day, and water regularly in the summer. They are perfect to include for Japanese garden ideas.
5. Lemon tree
(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)
‘I always think there is something very romantic about a lemon tree growing in a pot,’ says Aaron Bertelsen, author of Grow Fruit & Vegetables in Pots . ‘Perhaps it is the way the scent of the blossom fills a room, or the knowledge that rich people in the past would build dedicated lemon houses to shelter their highly prized trees. ’
While lemon trees make fantastic house plants during the winter, they can grow happily outdoors during the spring and summer. This is why planting them in pots is the best solution, so you can bring them indoors in frosty weather.
You can even learn how to grow lemon from seed, to surround yourself with these uplifting trees.
‘Lemons are hungry plants, so make sure you use a good, soil-based compost, adding some grit or sharp sand to improve drainage,’ adds Bertelsen, who recommends the Meyer variety as it flowers throughout the year.
Make sure you understand how to prune lemon trees to get the best out of them, and let them dry out between waterings.
6. Dwarf conifers
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
Larger conifers are some of the best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard, but there are a number of smaller species that are perfect for pots.
Some recommended conifers to consider are dwarf varieties of cypress trees, yew trees, mountain pines, and Chinese juniper.
‘They are not top-heavy and have an equal branch structure from the central leader to the top,’ says Sons.
‘Evergreen conifers also offer year-round beauty and they can successfully be trimmed back in order for them to not overwhelm the container.’
7. Crepe Myrtle
(Image credit: Biosphoto / Alamy Stock Photo)
Crepe myrtle – or crape myrtle – is a striking tree that offers year-round interest, and grows very well in pots.
‘This beautiful tree has large trumpet-shaped flowers that often have an orange tint to them,’ says Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield . 'Crape myrtles also have good fall color, with attractive peeling bark. I love how the branches are always thick enough to handle being in pots.’
Choose from flowers of white, pink or purple, which bloom from late spring through summer. Some varieties flower until the first frost in fall.
Crepe myrtle trees need full sun to thrive, and in frost-prone areas will need to be overwintered in a greenhouse or conservatory. Learn how to prune crepe myrtle to keep your trees looking their best.
8. Bay tree
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
As well as creating a sculptural feature, bay trees are aromatic herbs that have wonderfully scented leaves that can be used in cooking fresh or dried.
Bay trees look particularly stunning in pairs flanking a doorway, or can be positioned next to seating areas on the patio for outdoor dining ideas. They thrive in containers and can be clipped into attractive ball or pyramid topiary shapes.
‘A bay tree is very easy to look after, provided you give it a good sunny spot and feed it regularly,’ says Bertelsen. ‘Prune every spring, both to keep it at the size you want it and to reduce any congestion.’
It’s a good idea to repot bay trees every few years to keep them healthy and encourage fresh growth. Bay trees are an excellent choice for planter box ideas.
9. Banana tree
(Image credit: Oleksandr Sokolenko / Alamy Stock Photo)
Banana trees are some of the best trees to grow in pots if you want to add a tropical garden idea to your patio. But bear in mind if you are growing a banana tree in the garden this will generally be for their ornamental leaves, rather than for fruit, unless you live in a climate of at least 60ºF (15°C) for most of the year.
‘If you live in a cooler climate, then a banana tree still brings a taste of tropics to your landscaping,’ says Tadewaldt. ‘The growth of these trees is usually stunted by the colder weather enough that they can live in the pot for an extended period of time.'
Smaller varieties of banana tree are particularly well suited to climates with colder winters, as they can be brought inside and enjoyed as a houseplant.
10. Rhododendron
(Image credit: Gina Kelly / Alamy Stock Photo)
As well as the popular shrubs, rhododendrons are also available in tree form – R. arboreum. Although after several decades they can eventually reach great heights of over 40 feet, they are slow-growing trees that will live happily for years in a pot, so it is worth learning how to grow rhododendrons.
‘I really like rhododendron – it is such a pretty flowering tree with red and white flowers in the summer,’ says Hyland. As an evergreen tree, it possesses attractive dark green leaves year round.
‘My favorite thing about it is its ability to thrive in stunted, acidic, or shallow soil conditions.’
Be sure you know how to prune rhododendron to keep your potted specimens under control.
11. Olive tree
(Image credit: Darren Chung)
If you want to create a Mediterranean garden, olive trees are ideal and perfectly suited to growing in containers, as they can be moved to safety during excessively cold winters.
‘Olive trees are not fond of winter, so make sure to cover them if you know a frost is coming,’ says Barbosa Fernandes.
‘They love warmth and sun, and they also do well in dry areas. However, they do need the right conditions to produce olives.’
In order for the trees to fruit, they will need two months with temperatures below 50°F (10°C), but above 14°F (-10°C), as well as fluctuation between day and night temperatures. Although self-fertile, olive trees benefit from cross pollination.
‘If you don’t have the right conditions to grow olives, don’t be too disappointed, as they’re such elegant evergreen trees,’ says Barbosa Fernandes. ‘Fertilize them in the spring for the best results.’
You also need to know how to prune olive trees to improve their shape and increase the chances of fruit production.
12. Wedding Cake Tree
(Image credit: Steffen Hauser / Botanikfoto / Alamy Stock Photo)
Also known as Cornus controversa 'Variegata', the wedding cake tree is a variegated dogwood tree.
‘The white in the leaves adds interest and it naturally grows in layers – like the layers of a cake, hence its name – and pruning will help to emphasize this form,’ says Tadewaldt.
However, regular pruning isn’t essential, and as the tree is slow-growing, it will live happily in its pot for a long time, as long as the soil is fertile.
‘Eventually, however, this tree will outgrow the pot and need to be transplanted,’ adds Tadewaldt.
13. Apple tree
(Image credit: Unsplash)
Smaller varieties of apple tree are perfect for growing in pots on the patio. Not only are varieties grown on dwarf rootstock usually quicker to fruit, but they are often better quality than larger trees.
When choosing a variety of apple tree, you need to consider pollination. ‘Self-fertile cultivars are available, although it’s generally recommended to have at least two different partner trees nearby for cross-pollination,' explains Period Living’s gardening expert Leigh Clapp.
When planting apple trees in pairs, 'opt for different varieties of apple tree that flower at the same time.'
If you only have room for one apple tree, Red Falstaff is a great choice as it is heavy cropping and very hardy. Apples trees are among the best fast growing fruit trees so you will enjoy a well sized tree before you know it.
14. Starry magnolia
(Image credit: Getty Images)
While most types of magnolia will grow too large to plant in pots, starry magnolia is a more compact, bushy tree that produces the most beautiful white, star-shaped flowers.
The tree flowers in the spring and exudes a delicate fragrance, adding a romantic air to a patio seating area.
Position starry magnolia in a sheltered spot, and plant in neutral to acid soil that is well drained.
When established, they are low maintenance, and require only mulching in spring, and learn how to prune a magnolia tree lightly in the summer.
15. Kumquat
(Image credit: Francesco Maltinti / Alamy Stock Photo)
Citrus trees make for some of the best indoor trees, but you can grow them outside in the right climates.
‘If you’ve never tried kumquat, then you most definitely should – you can eat the entire thing, skin and all,’ says Barbosa Fernandes.
Producing small orange fruits and flowers that bloom in the summer, these compact trees can be easily grown in pots, and are one of the hardiest citrus fruits.
‘Position them in full sun, and plant in moist, well-draining soil. However, you don’t need to worry about cross-pollination or cold weather killing it down to 18°F (-8°C),’ adds Barbosa Fernandes.
What trees can remain in pots?
Trees can remain in pots indefinitely if you can find a container large enough to accommodate their maximum mature size. Otherwise, you will need to plant them in the ground when they grow too large.
Opt for dwarf varieties of container-friendly trees, such as Japanese maples and small conifers. Bay trees, small citrus trees and olive trees are also good options.
Bear in mind that most trees will need potting on to a larger container every few years, when they have outgrown their pot.
(Image credit: Darren Chung)
Can trees survive in pots over winter?
Some trees can survive in pots over winter, but this will largely depend on your local climate.
In warmer regions, for example, citrus trees can stay outside year round, but in regions that experience cold winter nights of below 50°F (10°C), they will need to be brought inside.
Japanese maple trees are excellent choices for pots in most climates, and can survive very cold winters where temperatures reach as low as -20°F (-28°C).
What are the best evergreen trees for pots?
There are a number of best evergreen trees for pots. These include Rhododendron arboreum, bay trees, conifers, Japanese holly and Italian cypress – to name but a few. There are many other options you can find to suit the conditions in your garden and area where you live.
8 trendy Mediterranean plants for balconies and terraces
Tips
1. LEMONS
The mid-latitude climate does not allow growing citrus trees outdoors. But who will stop lovers of lemons - especially since they grow well and bear fruit in a pot! On top of the luxury of having your own windowsill-grown lemons, you get the added bonus of a beautiful tree with a subtle, summery scent! A homemade lemon can grow up to three meters in height and, with proper care, produce up to 200 fruits per year. The main thing is not to forget to water it regularly.
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2.
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Olive groves are a symbol of the Mediterranean. No other tree can create a Mediterranean atmosphere in the house better than the olive. The homeland of olive trees is the subtropics, so they need a lot of light and sun. The best place for them is a windowsill or balcony on the south side. Olives love to be in the fresh air, therefore, with the advent of heat, regularly take them out to a sunny, wind-protected place. And don't forget to water! The hotter it is outside, the more water they need.
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3. LAVENDER
Lavender is associated with the endless fields of Provence — with their bright blue and spicy smell of herbs heated by the southern sun. What could be better for those who are forced to spend the summer in the city! Lavender grows well in a pot in urban areas, as long as it has enough sun. Be sure to water the plant regularly several times a week and occasionally add fertilizer for longer flowering. Lavender flowers can be used for baking, and bunches of dried herbs can be used to decorate a room in the fall.
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4. FIG TREE
Figs are another "southern guest" who feels great in a city apartment. Fairy fig trees do well in a pot and bear fruit in July and September. Like all Mediterranean plants, figs need sun, warmth and regular watering to grow well. Once a year, the tree needs to be replanted, picking up a pot 2-3 cm wider than the volume of the root system.
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5. HIBISCUS
Despite its obvious tropical origin, hibiscus thrives in our climate and can live indoors all year round without any problems. Hibiscus loves moisture and the sun and feels best on the sunny south side, but in the heat you should move the plant away from the glass or something to obscure from direct rays. At the same time, the flower will immediately respond to the lack of sun by dropping leaves or buds. Don't forget to water it regularly and bathe it occasionally - and the hibiscus will thank you with its vibrant flowers!
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6. BOugainvillea
Snow-white facades, tiled roofs, cozy balconies and terracotta terraces entwined with bright scarlet flowers are the calling card of Mediterranean cities. But even in our latitudes, this exotic plant can be grown in pots and tubs, if you are not afraid of its capricious nature. Bougainvillea loves sunlight and does not like being moved from place to place: even with a slight turn of the pot, it can begin to protest and drop leaves. Therefore, if you decide to acquire this southern beauty, immediately look for a permanent place for a flower - well-lit, on the south or west side. And keep in mind that bougainvillea is a climbing plant that will need to be tied up when it grows up.
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7. ROSEMARY
Spicy herbs with the aroma and taste of the Mediterranean are a 100% must have this summer, and rosemary will be a great solution for growing on the windowsill, on the balcony and on the terrace. It will not only delight you with its smell, but will also come in handy as seasonings for many dishes. The main plus: this plant is a perennial, so it will retain its beautiful decorative appearance for more than one season. The main thing is not to be zealous with watering, he does not like this and does not tolerate long-term stagnation of moisture at the roots. Water it only when the topsoil is dry.
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- Getty
8. THYME
Thyme is another spice that loves lots of sun and a dry climate. With a magical aroma and pleasant taste, it is ideal for all summer dishes. Thyme is not particularly picky and doesn't require much care - just use a pot with holes to ensure good drainage. Also, when buying seeds, learn that many varieties of thyme are decorative and not suitable for human consumption. For culinary needs, common thyme, lemon and caraway are most often chosen.
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Sun-loving plants for the garden: perennial and annual flowers, shrubs and trees
The sun is necessary for plant life. But the rule “the more the better” does not always work. A site that is completely open to the sun's rays has a number of disadvantages. Mastering it is not so easy. Not all plants are suitable for this location. Let's figure out what moments it is important not to miss when planting flowers and shrubs in the sun, and what types to choose for an open space.
Ann-Marie Powell Gardens Ltd
Advantages and disadvantages of a sunny site
The main advantages of a place exposed to the sun is good warming, due to which rather heat-loving plants can grow here. A large amount of sunlight creates good conditions for plant nutrition and is suitable for many flowering species. The sun's rays dry the soil and leaves well, acting as a natural disinfectant. Due to this, there is a much lower chance of developing putrefactive processes and fungal diseases than in damp shady areas. This creates favorable conditions for the good development of many species, but also turns into a number of problems that will require attention.
Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
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Things to consider when planting plants in the sun
1. Intense heating leads to overdrying of the soil and burns. Not all plants can endure a dry and hot microclimate. They tolerate such conditions well even without additional measures:
The Outdoor Room, LLC
- Succulents store moisture in thick fleshy leaves and stems.
- Plants with pubescent leaves - this surface reduces moisture loss. Plant a cleaner (Stachys), a sapling (Cerastium), anafalis (Anaphalis).
- Types with silvery and dove-colored leaves - it contributes to less heating. Most of them acquire this color just due to whitish pubescence. To create a silvery flower garden, wormwood is suitable: Steller (Artemisia stellerana), Schmidt (Artemisia schmidtiana) and others, seaside cineraria (Cineraria maritima), panicled gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata), pinnate carnation (Dianthus plumarius) and other carnations.
Rollin Landscape Design
- Plants with thin and small leaves - they have less evaporation area. These are the majority of cereals and conifers.
- Bulb Plants - The bulb also serves as a store of moisture and nutrients.
Most of the steppe and desert plants have exactly these qualities, sometimes several of them at once.
Blooming Toronto
To expand the range of species and make an open sunny place more comfortable, it is worth artificially adjusting the humidity balance. A well-thought-out automatic watering system will help ensure the regularity of watering. When choosing its type, keep in mind that sprinkling in an open sunny place can only be done in the early morning (before sunrise) and late evening hours. Otherwise, drops of water that will settle on the plants will cause burns.
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A pond or fountain will help increase the overall humidity in an open area. When placing the pond in the sun, count on the fact that you will have to control its overgrowth - aquatic plants will develop especially intensively. Creating artificial water movement will help solve this problem. For a fountain, a sunny spot is the best position. Light and water jets will decorate the space with moving highlights, and the smallest drops will increase humidity. But when placing plants, be aware of the drift of water by the wind - arrange flower beds so that water does not moisten the leaves.
Petriv Landscape Designe
2. In sunny areas, snow melts earlier in spring. This may seem like an advantage, but it actually poses a danger to the plants. They are exposed ahead of time and lose their snow protection at a time when the air temperature is still low and there is a threat of frost. In such places, many plants will need additional protection. However, there is a risk here too: shelters in a sunny place get very warm and the plants can dry out. In such cases, it is especially important to regulate the temperature under the shelters by ventilation, that is, spring worries are added.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
3. The significant contrast between day and night temperatures also poses a threat. In a sunny place, it is especially sharp. And it's not just about early spring. In our far from southern regions, the period of cold nights lasts as early as early June and returns as early as August. Many thermophilic plants suffer from such a temperature contrast. In addition to choosing zoned varieties, placing flower beds near walls that accumulate heat and then give it away will help. Large stones will also help with this: rockery is a good choice for a sunny flower garden.
ETs Ekopochva-LD
4. Due to temperature contrasts, spring protection against burns should be taken especially seriously. Conifers in open areas suffer greatly from the active sun, combined with still low temperatures.
Avant Garden
5. Many thermophilic species are afraid of drafts. Cold winds are detrimental to them. Therefore, a sunny flower garden should be protected from the wind. This will help placing it under the cover of walls or arrays of shrubs. Protecting the entire area with hedges also helps.
Kingfisher Landscape
Tip: To expand your planting options for a sunny flower garden, consider protecting species that like good light but suffer from overheating during the midday hours. Plant them under cover of tall sun-loving plant species - on their northern side. They will shade the neighbors during the hottest hours.
Anderson Lawn Care
With these risks and protective measures in place, a sunny location allows for a bright and lush flower garden with a long flowering period. Many sun-loving plants for the garden - perennial and annual flowers, shrubs and others - look very unusual and even exotic. And the range of species suitable for active sun is quite wide. To create a memorable and harmonious composition in a sunny place, you can use one of several scenarios that are different in their imagery.
Arteza Company
Maki-Luki Landscape Bureau
1. Rosary
An open sunny place is necessary for growing roses. In order for plants to be healthy and bloom intensively (after all, this is why we love roses), they need enough light and good nutrition. No matter what forms and varieties we are talking about, a sunny location will be optimal. However, when creating a rose garden in our latitudes, you will have to remember all the safety measures that I have listed: winter shelter, sufficient humidity and protection from the wind. If you supplement them with the basic requirements of agricultural technology - nutritious soil, respect for planting distances and proper pruning, then the rose garden in a sunny area will be able to show all its beauty.
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KATE GOULD 2. AIRISTERROMEN the plot is a good opportunity to create a Mediterranean-style garden with bright colors and southern relaxation. Sun-loving plants typical of the Mediterranean do not hibernate here - they can be used in an annual crop. Here you have a choice of popular flowering annuals, seedlings of which you can easily find in spring in garden centers: petunia (Petunia), sutera (Sutera), ampelous lobelia (Lobelia), pelargonium (Pelargonium), balsams (Impatiens) and others. Some southern sun-loving flowers for the garden grow with us as indoor ones - you can simply take them outside for the summer (do not forget that this should be done gradually, having endured the hardening period). Azalea (Azalea), bougainvillea (Bougainvillea), begonia (Begonia) will decorate the flower garden in summer and return indoors in winter. Other species can be replaced by plants adapted to our climate, which, meanwhile, bear a completely southern imagery. To create a Mediterranean mood, use sea buckthorn (Hippophae), willow (Salix) and silver goof (Elaeagnus argentea).
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Flowers include mallows (Alcea), daylilies (Hemerocallis), onions (Allium), verbenas (Verbena), clematis (Clematis), climbing honeysuckles (Lonicera). Sage (Salvia), hyssop (Hyssopus), veronica (Veronica), catnip (Nepeta), oregano (Origanum), Perovskia (Perowskia), lobelia - brilliant (Lobelia fulgens), sessile (Lobelia sesilifolia) and blue (Lobelia siphilitica) will complete the picture. ). They, in combination with silvery, as if dusted plants, will create a special atmosphere in the gardens of Provence.
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Perfectly fits into the Mediterranean imagery and balances the moisture of a fountain or wall cascade. For decoration and decoration in such a landscape, use terracotta, mosaics and natural stone.
Debra Lee Baldwin
3. Exotic Garden
In a hot, sunny place, you can create a real collection of exotic plants - in an annual culture or in a pot. Canna, kniphofia, bougainvillea, fuchsia, hibiscus will add southern luxury to the landscape and become spectacular accents. Many natives of the south with a rhizome that does not winter in the ground have not been exotic for us for a long time, but they will completely complement their company: do not forget about such sun-loving flowers for the garden as gladioli (Gladiolus), dahlias (Dahlia), amaranths (Amaranthus). Supplement them with flowering annuals: already familiar begonias (Begonia) and balsams (Impatiens), petunias (Petunia), pelargoniums (Pelargonium) and others.
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4. Village or meadow flower garden
Such a flower garden is a splash of bright colors and multicolor. A sunny position will only enhance the riot of flowering. It’s good if it blooms throughout the warm season - choose plants for the flower bed that replace each other. The range of suitable species is very wide and allows you to change both the color scheme and the image of the flower garden.
Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Sun-loving perennial flowers: mallows (Alcea), lupins (Lupunus), delphinium (Delphinium), foxglove (Digitalis), ornamental onions (Allium), yarrow (Achillea), barkwort (Knautia), cornflower (Centaurea), flax (Linum ), bluebell (Campanula), kosmos (Cosmos), echinacea (Echinacea), rudbeckia (Rudbeckia), gaillardia (Gaillardia), marigolds (Tagetes), nivyanik (Laucenthemum).
The names of some speak for themselves: sunflower (Helianthus), helenium (Helenium), heliopsis (Heliopsis), helianthemum (Helianthemum), helichrysum (Helichrysum) - they all have the sun in their name and prefer to grow in its rays.
Karena Batstone Design
5. Grass garden
Grasses are true lovers of the sun. Only a few of them are ready to put up with penumbra. Most tolerate dryness well and are undemanding to watering. Therefore, an open sunny area is a great opportunity to create a composition of cereals. In terms of expressiveness, it is not inferior to a bright flower garden. The variety of species allows you to select a variety of color combinations. Moreover, the cereal garden retains its decorative effect all year round, decorating the site even in winter. And how beautiful are the cereals, illuminated by the morning or evening sun! Even if you are not ready to use only cereals, they will be a great addition to other sunny compositions.
Dig Your Garden Landscape Design
6. Arid desert composition
An unusual garden can be created in an open arid place, as if transferred from the desert or from a rocky mountain slope. Use succulents for this. In their fleshy leaves, they are able to accumulate moisture, and therefore are completely undemanding to watering and soil. Despite the fact that many of them feel great in our latitudes and have long earned popularity, they still look exotic.
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Succulents - types, names and rules of care ) have many forms. They differ in size - from miniature plants spread on the ground to large bushy specimens that can act as tapeworms. The different shape of the leaves and the shade of flowering allows you to create a wide variety of compositions from them. Thanks to their undemanding nature and shallow root system, they are suitable for rockeries, roof gardens and planters.
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Roof garden: How to choose the right plants
GREEN LANDS garden company
Plant pines (Pinus), junipers (Juniperus), arborvitae (Thuia), larches (Larix), microbiota (Microbiota). When creating a coniferous composition in an open area, combine plants with different crown shapes: narrow verticals and tall conical varieties will become accents, plant outstretched forms in their roots, complementing the composition with spherical and ovoid plants. However, when creating a coniferous garden in the sun, remember about spring protection - these plants are especially susceptible to burns with spring temperature differences and active sun.
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Unique by Design
It is in the sun that they fully reveal their varietal properties, while in the shade, many of them (especially yellow and variegated forms) lose their unusual pattern. There are many decorative leaf varieties both among shrubs and among herbaceous plants. A large number of decorative forms are famous for garden shrubs such as barberry (Berberis), spirea (Spiraea), white derain (Cornus alba), viburnum vesicle (Physocarpus opulifolius). Among the herbs, the multi-colored color of the leaves is distinguished by the lamb (Lamium), perilla (Perilla), hybrid coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides), loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), tenacious (Ajuga).
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The most beautiful plants for a garden with decorative foliage - types and care - aquatic plants in this position will develop especially intensively. But it is the solar pond that is suitable for growing beautiful nymphs (Nymphaea). Due to the variety of shapes and colors, water lilies or water lilies are not in vain considered favorites among aquatic plants. In a sunny place, you can collect a whole collection of these beautiful flowers. Other flowering aquatic species will also thrive in full sun and provide a wonderful backdrop for the vibrant nymphaeum flowers.
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Premier Green Landscaping
10. Aromatic garden 9 . Many aromatic plants are native to the southern regions and require an open location. Here their growth is especially intense, and the aroma is revealed to the maximum. Most of the spice plants are grown as an annual crop and a significant part of them are used as food. An excellent solution for them would be a container garden or mobile flower beds near the summer dining or recreation area. Plant lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), thyme (Thymus), hyssop (Hyssopus), basil (Ocimum), coriander (Coriandrum) and others for decoration and fragrance.
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Karena Batstone Design
YOUR TURN… YOUR TURN…
Do you use them to create southern compositions or do you leave them for growing vegetables? Show us sun-loving plants - flowers and shrubs, - growing in your garden. Post your photos in the comments section.