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Small trees for front gardens


Best Trees for Small Gardens

When choosing trees for small gardens, it's important to do your research. Crucially, find out the ultimate height of the tree and how long it takes to reach that height. Some species are slow growing and might initially fit very well in a small garden but over time could dwarf your space, blocking out light and potentially damaging the foundations of your house.

Fortunately, there's plenty of tree species and cultivars with a compact habit that won't outgrow their surroundings. A well-chosen tree, positioned effectively, will make a beautiful focal point and provide interest throughout the year. If you only have a patio or balcony, there are also lots of ideal trees for pots. If you want to plant a tree to give you some privacy, consider our recommended screening trees.

Choose trees with berries to attract birds and provide perches and nesting sites. Or, for abundant harvests, grow apple, pear or cherry trees.

If you're not sure where to place your tree, growing it in a pot could be the solution – position your tree in different locations and take it with you if you move. This is also useful if you need to protect the tree in winter.

If you're looking for something really small, consider shrubs. Many can be crown lifted to give the look of a small tree while being shorter in stature – shrubs to try this with include viburnum, lilac and elaeagnus.

Here, Joe Swift shares his favourite trees for small gardens:

As for planting, simply follow the easy steps in our guide to planting trees.

Here are 20 of the best trees for small gardens.

Small trees for autumn colour

Japanese maple leaves in autumn

Japanese maples – there are lots of small, slow-growing Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) that won't overcrowd your garden. The foliage provides blazing autumn colour and grows in an attractive shape. Grow them in a sheltered spot, out of direct sun, or try them in a large pot. There are some lovely varieties to choose from, but Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' is a particular favourite.

Paperbark maple – the paperbark maple, Acer griseum, is a slow-growing small tree with dark green leaves that turn a rich, crimson colour in autumn. Once the leaves have fallen, its trunk and stems provide winter interest, as the chestnut- coloured bark peels away to reveal the new, orange-red bark beneath.

Amelanchier – Amelanchier trees, including Amelanchier canadensis and Amelanchier lamarckii, have white, showy blossom in early spring and purple fruit in summer. In autumn, its leaves fade from dark green to gold. Does best in a sunny or part-shady spot in moist soil, and can reach an eventual height of 6m.

Cercis – commonly known as redbuds, Cercis trees are grown for their spring and summer blossom, with some cultivars having dramatic bronze or purple foliage, too. Cercis chinensis 'Avondale' will reach around 3m tall, while Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' will grow to 8m. Cercis siliquastrum, the Judas tree, reaches 4. 5m.

Japanese dogwood – the Japanese flowering dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a lovely small tree native to Japan and Korea. In early summer it bears masses of tiny flowers that are surrounded by conspicuous white bracts. When autumn arrives, the foliage turns a vibrant shade of crimson along with strawberry-like pink fruits. Also try Cornus florida and Cornus mas.

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Small fruit trees

Apples on a patio tree

Cherries – fruiting cherries are perfect trees for small gardens. Their spring blossom is breathtaking and their fruit is delicious. Choose a cherry on a dwarfing rootstock to ensure it grows in your small space. Available as a standard tree or fan-trained.

Figs – native to Syria and Persia, fig trees have been grown in Britain since Roman times. Although the species doesn't offer a reliable fruit crop in the UK, it's still worth growing for its striking, lobed foliage. Shelter the fig against a warm wall. 'Brown Turkey' is considered one of the best varieties for growing in the UK. It reaches 3-4 metres in height.

Espalier apple trees – to make the best use of space, choose a 'family tree' espalier, where each arm is a different variety of apple. Plant against a warm, sunny wall or use as a garden divider.

Peaches – peaches make lovely small trees, and contrary to what you might think, they're hardy and will provide a crop in the UK. To get fruit it's essential that they're planted in a warm, sunny and sheltered spot – frosty spots will increase the risk of damage to the flowers. Well suited to training as a fan or espalier.

Patio or dwarf fruit trees are also ideal for small gardens and can be grown in pots.

Small trees for wildlife

Rowan berries

Hawthorn – hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, is a wonderful choice for a small garden and one of the most wildlife-friendly trees you can grow. Native to the UK, it's a caterpillar food plant for a number of moths, bees visit the flowers in spring and birds love the calorie-rich berries in autumn. The species can reach 6-8m in height and there are plenty of cultivars to choose from.

Rowans – most rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia) have pretty, pinnate leaves, complemented by spring flowers and autumn berries. They're great trees to grow for garden birds such as robins, blackbirds and thrushes, which love the nutrient-rich berries. An excellent choice for a small garden would be the cultivar 'Rosiness', which reaches 4m. For a slightly larger space you might consider 'Eastern Promise', which can reach 8m.

Crab apples – Crab apples are great all-rounders, with plenty of food for wildlife, colourful fruit and spring blossom. Try growing a variety like 'John Downie' to make your own crab apple jelly, or an upright variety like 'Golden Hornet' to save space.

Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula' – elegant Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula' has slim, silvery foliage and slender weeping branches. It will tolerate most soil types, as long as it's in a sunny spot. Creamy-white, sweetly scented blossom appears in spring.

Stewartia monadelpha – Stewartia monadelpha is a handsome deciduous, multi-stemmed ornamental tree with white, camellia-like flowers that are a magnet for bees. It can reach 8m in height. If that's too large for your space, consider Stewartia rostrata, which reaches 4-6m.

Small magnolias

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Alexandrina'

Magnolias are truly grand plants, and while many are too big for a small garden, there are just as many shorter types to go for. Try species like Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia wilsonii, Magnolia macrophylla × Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei and Magnolia stellata, or cultivars like 'Alexandrina' (pictured) and 'Sayonara'.

Small evergreen trees

Loquat

Topiary bay tree

Loquat – these glossy evergreens can often be spotted growing in urban gardens where they thrive in the sheltered microclimate cities provide. Eriobotrya japonica is grown for its scented flowers, fruits and glossy foliage and can ulimately grow to 8m in height. Eriobotrya deflexa is prized for its bronze-tinted leaves and scented flowers and will eventually reach 5m

Topiary shapes – they might not be conventional trees but topiary bay, box and yew make up for it with their versatility. Choose a ready-trained lollipop tree, spiral or pyramid-shaped tree, or save cash and train your own, in given time. Bay and yew can become very large if left unchecked, so do keep them trimmed.

Strawberry tree – this neat evergreen is a great choice for interest all year round, providing plump red fruits and white bell-shaped flowers in autumn. Arbutus unedo often grows into an attractive multi-stem specimen and thrives especially in coastal areas. Can be crown lifted to improve its appearance. It can reach as high as 8m.

Snow gum – the snow gum, Eucalpytus pauciflora subsp. niphophila, provides year-round interest, with grey, green and cream patchwork bark and evergreen grey-green leaves, which grow longer and narrower with age. Bears small, snow-white flowers in summer. It can grow to a height of 8m.

Small palm trees

Hardy palm, Chaemerops humilis

Hardy palms are brilliantly architectural plants, suiting different garden styles, from gravel gardens to Mediterranean and tropical gardens. Small and hardy palms to grow include the Mexican blue palm (Brahea armata), Canary island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) and the Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis).

Best Trees For Privacy | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

Many of us are looking for more privacy in our gardens so that we can enjoy them without feeling overlooked by our neighbours or nearby houses. Or we want to screen an ugly building, a view of a neighbour's shed, trampoline or climbing frame or even the harsh light from a street lamp. While hedges and screening are very useful, sometimes the height that can be provided by a tree is the only solution.

A tree, is of course, a wonderful addition to any garden. It changes with the seasons, gives welcome shade in summer, rustles in the breeze and provides habitat and food for wildlife.

The best trees for privacy are generally evergreen trees. However if you only need privacy during the warmer months when you use the garden most, or want a tree to serve as a 'net curtain', giving privacy from the street in a front garden while still allowing light in, you could consider the wide range of deciduous trees. A deciduous tree will lose its leaves in winter, but it will change more dynamically with the seasons, providing spring blossom and beautiful autumn colour. If you have the space, a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees can work really well, giving some permanent cover but also interest throughout the year.

Here are our recommended trees for privacy, plus some factors to consider when choosing.

Where to grow trees for privacy

Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii) planted in the middle of a garden

Your instinct might be to plant trees around the edges of your property for the best sense of seclusion, leaving as much space in the actual garden as possible. However, this may upset your neighbours, and may deprive both your garden and theirs of sunlight. (It's also worth bearing in mind that if the branches of your tree overhang a neighbour's property, they have a right to cut them off and return them to you.) Planting trees around a boundary can also make your garden feel hemmed in and smaller. Often the solution is to plant a smaller tree within the garden, strategically placed so that it screens an ugly view or makes a particular area, such as a seating or dining area or patio, feel more secluded. This way you will also have a beautiful focal point in your garden that you can enjoy year-round.

How to plant trees for privacy

Planting a tree

Container grown trees can be planted all year round, but spring and autumn are the best times, when the soil is warm and moist. Bare-root trees are dug up from a field and supplied without roots and are planted during the dormant season, from November to March. These are often a cheaper option.

Stake the tree to prevent windrock, which can tear the roots and create a gap around the base of the trunk that can fill with water and encourage rot. The stake should be about a third of the height of the tree, hammered in at a 45° angle. Attach the trunk to the stake using an adjustable tree tie. Leave the stake on for at least a year.

Water the tree thoroughly, then keep it watered during dry spells for at least the first year. After that it should get all the water it needs from rainfall.

Where to buy ornamental trees online

How to care for trees for privacy

Pruning a tree

You may need to prune your tree as it grows, to enhance its natural shape. It’s also an opportunity to cut away any dead, diseased or crossing branches to keep the tree healthy. Evergreen trees are usually shaped in summer. The best time to prune deciduous trees is while they are dormant, from November to March. For more advice, check out how to prune an ornamental tree.

Advice on buying trees for privacy

Where to buy trees for privacy online

  • Thompson & Morgan
  • Primrose
  • Crocus
  • Ornamental Trees
  • Barcham Trees

    • Evergreen trees for screening

    Evergreen trees are a good option for privacy and screening all year round.

    Italian cypress

    Cupressus semperivrens. Getty Images

    One of the best trees for screening a tall building is the tall and slender Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). It has a contemporary, Mediterranean look. Keep watered during dry spells for the first couple of years and trim regularly.

    Best for: Screening a tall building, small garden

    Position: Sun or partial shade, sheltered spot

    Eventual height x spread: 10m x 1m

    How to grow Italian cypress

    Holly

    Ilex aquifolium 'Golden van Tol'

    Holly, Ilex aquifolium, typically has dark green, spiny leaves and bright red berries. However, there are many different varieties of holly with variegated leaves in shades of silver or gold. If you want berries, grow a female plant. Holly can be trimmed into a formal shape if required.

    Best for: Winter interest, clipping into shape, variegated foliage

    Position: Moist, well drained soil in sun or shade

    Eventual height x spread: 15m x 4m (but can be clipped)

    How to grow holly

    Photinia

    Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'. Getty Images

    Photinias are mostly evergreen shrubs or small trees that look good all year round. Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a particularly attractive variety, with eye-catching, red young growth. It produces a froth of white flowers in summer if left unpruned. It can be bought as an attractive lollipop tree or pleached tree.

    Best for: Pleaching, urban or small gardens

    Position: Grow in sun or partial shade, in moist, well drained soil

    Eventual height x spread: 4m x 4m

    Holm oak

    Quercus ilex. Getty Images

    The holm oak (Quercus ilex), also known as the holly oak or evergreen oak, is a large, evergreen tree with a rounded crown. The young leaves look similar to holly, while the older leaves have smoother edges.

    Holm oak is tolerant of salt spray and strong winds, so is a good choice for coastal gardens and is often planted as a windbreak. It’s also tolerant of pollution, so can be grown in urban gardens. Holm oak can also be clipped into shapes or grown as a hedge.

    More like this

    How to grow holm oak

    Best for: Urban gardens, coastal or exposed gardens, topiary

    Position: Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

    Eventual height x spread: 25m x 25m (but can be clipped)

    Cherry laurel

    Prunus laurocerasus. Getty Images

    Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, is a dense, evergreen shrub with shiny and dark green leaves. In spring it bears upright, white flowers, followed by fruits in autumn that resemble cherries. These turn from red to black as they mature. It is also available in pleached forms.

    Best for: Pleached trees, urban or country gardens

    Position: Moist, well drained soil in sun or partial shade

    Eventual height x spread: 8m x 8m (but can be clipped)

    Tree privet

    Ligustrum japaponicum. Getty Images

    Tree privet, Ligustrum japonicum, is often sold as a standard or stilted tree and is a useful for screening around a boundary without taking up space in the garden. It can also be planted close to walls or buildings. It has long, pointed leaves and white flowers in autumn.

    Best for: Growing as a standard, screening around a boundary

    Position: Most soils, sun or part shade

    Eventual height x spread: 7m x 1m

    Strawberry tree

    Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo

    The strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, is a large, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree, with rough bark and dark green leathery leaves. Its bell-shaped autumn flowers resemble those of lily of the valley, while its fruits resemble strawberries. Both the flowers and fruit appear at the same time.

    Best for: Small gardens, coastal areas

    Position: Grow in a sheltered spot in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. It’s tolerant of chalk soils

    Eventual height x spread: 8m x 8m

    Tree fern

    Tree ferns and palms

    The tree fern, Dicksonia antarctica, is not actually a tree, but with its tall ‘trunk’ and dramatic crown of fronds, it does look very tree-like. Its wide, arching fronds can provide privacy and dappled shade and it's well worth considering for making a seating area or patio feel more secluded. In mild areas it remains evergreen; elsewhere, protect the crown by wrapping it with straw or fleece. Canary island date palm is another palm that can provide privacy in a small space.

    Best for: Urban garden, jungle garden, shady garden, small garden

    Position: Partial or full shade

    Eventual height x spread: 4m x 4m

    How to grow tree ferns

    Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'

    Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'

    This arching, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree gives interest throughout the year and good for screening. In early summer, clusters of white flowers appear, followed by masses of red fruits in autumn (much loved by birds). The older leaves turn bronze before falling.

    Best for: Urban garden, small garden, wildlife

    Eventual height x spread: 6m x 6m

    How to grow cotoneaster

    Deciduous trees for privacy

    Deciduous trees are a good option if you only really need screening in the warmer months – privacy when you're spending more time in the garden, for example, or a tree to serve as a 'net curtain', giving a degree of privacy from the street without casting too much shade, especially when light levels are lower in winter.

    Hornbeam

    Hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata')

    Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, is a native UK tree. The apple green, pleated foliage turns yellow and orange in autumn – this is often held on the tree during winter in sheltered spots. Green catkins appear in spring and winged nuts (called samaras) develop in autumn. Hornbeams are tough trees that can cope with exposed conditions. They have a pyramidal shape that later becomes more rounded. 'Fastigiata' has a naturally columnar habit and 'Frans Fontaine' only reaches 6m x 2m. Hornbeams often hold onto some dead leaves in winter.

    Best for: Pleaching, dappled shade, medium and large gardens

    Position: Sun or part shade, moist but well drained soil

    Eventual height x spread: 10m x 6m

    How to grow hornbeam trees

    Ornamental pear

    Ornamental pear (left) and Acer griseum (right)

    The ornamental pear, Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' is said to be the first deciduous tree into leaf in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in the autumn. It has a compact, pyramidal shape, beautiful white blossom in spring and attractive autumn foliage. It's tolerant of pollution and is a popular street tree.

    Best for: Small gardens, urban gardens, spring blossom, autumn colour

    Position: Full sun, moist but well drained soil

    Eventual height x spread: 5m x 3m

    Birch

    Silver birch (Betula pendula)

    Birches (Betula) are beautiful trees, grown for their beautiful pale bark, light canopy of leaves and autumn colour. They can be grouped together in a small grove for stunning effect and look beautiful underplanted with spring bulbs or shade-loving perennials. Read about five of the best birches to grow, including our native Betula pendula.

    Best for: Light shade, attractive bark, autumn colour, medium-sized garden

    Position: Sun or part shade, most soils

    Eventual height x spread: 12m x 8m

    Rowan

    Rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia) are also known as mountain ash. They bear attractive spring blossom followed by bright red or yellow berries, against a backdrop of fresh green, pinnate leaves. They're slim trees, so suitable for smaller spaces and can cope with exposed conditions.

    Best for: Small gardens, exposed areas, blossom, berries

    Position: Full sun or part shade, most soils

    Eventual height x spread: 15m x 7m

    How to grow and care for a rowan tree

    Field maple

    Field maple, Acer campestre

    The field maple, Acer campestre, is the UK’s only native maple tree. Typically found growing in woods and hedgerows, it’s a medium-sized, deciduous tree with a rounded, bushy crown. It has attractive lobed leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn, and tiny flowers in spring that are followed by papery winged fruits, known as samaras. As a British native, field maple is excellent for wildlife. They're also tolerant of urban pollution.

    Best for: Wildlife, medium to large gardens, urban gardens, autumn colour

    Position: Grow in moist, well drained soil in sun or part shade

    Eventual height x spread: 12m x 8m

    Snowy mespilus

    Amelanchier lamarckii . Getty Images

    Snowy mespilus, Amelanchier lamarckii, is a beautiful, small tree. In March the branches erupt with a froth of star-shaped flowers, just as the coppery pink young leaves unfold. In summer these become yellow-green, but later turn scarlet and crimson before falling. In July the tree is studded with dark red berries which become purple-black as they ripen. It is often sold as a multi-stemmed tree.

    Best for: Small gardens, year-round interest

    Position: Moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil, in full sun to partial shade. Amelanchier trees make good trees for pots.

    Eventual height x spread: 10m x 6m

    Hawthorn

    Crataegus oxyacantha 'Rosea Plena'. Getty Images

    Hawthorns (Crataegus) are synonymous with late spring, when their white and pink blossoms mark the changing season. Their autumn fruits (also known as ‘haws’) are eaten by a number of wildlife species, and their dense thorny habit provides a safe nesting place for birds. Hawthorns are compact, so are suitable for smaller spaces. They are tough trees that can cope with exposed conditions.

    Best for: Small gardens, exposed conditions, wildlife

    Position: Moist, well drained soil in full sun or part shade

    Eventual height x spread: 8m x 8m

    How to grow hawthorn

    Crab apple

    A crab apple tree with pink blossom.

    Crab apples are among the best ornamental trees, with stunning blossom in spring, attractive and edible fruits and good autumn colour. They're also good trees for wildlife. Malus 'Evereste' and 'Red Sentinel' have narrow, columnar habits, making them good for smaller spaces. Malus sylvestris can also be used in hedging.

    Best for: Spring blossom, winter interest, wildlife, small gardens

    Position: Moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

    Eventual height x spread: 7m x 6m

    Golden rain tree

    Koelreuteria paniculata

    The golden rain tree or Pride of India (Koelretueria paniculata) has lots to offer – attractive yellow flowers in summer that attract pollinating insects, followed by lantern like seed pods. The pretty foliage is pink-bronze in spring and yellow in autumn. This medium-sized tree has a rounded crown. It does best in a sunny spot and can cope with pollution.

    Best for: Medium gardens, urban gardens, summer flowers

    Position: Full sun, moist but well drained soil

    Eventual height x spread: 6m x 4m

    Family tree in front garden

    Tree selection is one of the most important aspects of garden design. And when it comes to the front garden, the right choice of large plants plays a decisive role in creating a composition that successfully fits into the overall look of the garden. When designing a front garden, one should take into account the size, shape, location of plants, including trees and shrubs. After all, the main thing is that the plants do not cover the facade of the house, but beautifully frame and complement it.

    The choice of a front garden family tree that will be your partner for life must be chosen carefully to achieve maximum effect. Many trees are getting taller and more beautiful every year. There are suitable trees for every garden style and every location, and if you make the right choice, the result of your efforts will please you for years to come. So take your time and pick the perfect family tree for your front garden. Before buying, decide what criteria the tree should meet, and what criteria limit the choice. In addition, give yourself an answer to such questions: what role will the tree play in the front garden? To create a shadow? To protect privacy? For decorative purposes or to protect the yard from prying eyes of neighbors? That's why we decided to give you some interesting ideas to help you make the right choice.

    Fruit trees in the front garden

    Fruit trees provide the same pleasant shade on hot sunny days as other ornamental trees. Their advantage is that in a couple of years you will be able to enjoy their unsurpassed edible fruits. This is a good and profitable investment, because in spring they give us memorable flowering and dense foliage, and in late summer and autumn they will delight us with wonderful fruits. The gnarled old apple tree impresses with its characteristic silhouette even in winter.

    It should be noted that fruit trees require more attention and care than all other trees. Therefore, opt for a tree with real development opportunities in the climate of your region. So, citrus trees love warmth, plenty of sun and plenty of moisture, while apple trees prefer coolness. For your front garden, choose a family tree whose fruits you are going to use. There is no need to invest in quince or pear if you don't like these fruits.

    Selection of unusual tree species

    In Europe it is fashionable to plant oaks, pines or junipers in front gardens. Designers advise using unusual and extraordinary types of trees for the same purpose, which will add zest to your front garden and arouse visual interest among passers-by. For example, gray maple (Acer griseum) with unusual bark and luxurious orange-red autumn foliage is very popular in European horticulture. The slow-growing spined pine (Pinus aristata) with bluish-green needles and a slightly white bloom strikes the eye with its beauty.

    Foliage and flowering

    Trees with colorful foliage and showy flowers are the key to successful front garden design. A real decoration will be a Japanese maple with a spectacular crown of thin twigs and leaves, which in autumn acquire a rich crimson and purple color. Flowering trees look spectacular during their flowering period - in spring and summer. Evergreen trees with bluish or yellow foliage are the best choice for adding color to the front garden in the winter season.

    Correct dimensions

    A small yard with a few large trees will look crowded, but a large front garden will look empty if it has small trees. A few large trees can frame a house while smaller trees are a lifesaver for filling voids. Large trees are usually planted at the edge of a plot or in the middle of a large lawn.

    Family tree crown size

    One of the main criteria for choosing a family tree for a front garden is not so much the attractive appearance and height of an adult specimen, but the size of the crown, the degree of its spreading and density. What trees are appropriate in the front garden? From a dense and regular geometric shape of the crown or from an openwork and widely spreading one? So, for example, a tree with a spherical or columnar crown is well suited to a modern home, and a tree with a loose, wide crown fits perfectly into rural design.

    Take, for example, the common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Its branches usually form a spreading, low, wide-cylindrical shape. And at the same time, the common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) of the Fastigiata variety has a regular narrow-conical crown. Its geometric compact form fits well into the design of the front garden.

    When choosing a family tree for a front garden, it is also necessary to take into account its annual growth in both height and width.

    So, the shape of the crown is extremely important for the design of the front garden. Trees with a columnar crown, creating clear verticals, take up very little space and do not block the view of the site. In addition to the conifers known to us (yew, cypress, juniper), this group also includes many deciduous trees with a columnar crown shape, including:

    tree

    height (m)

    Crown width (m)

    Norway maple

    8-12

    3-5

    hornbeam

    10-15

    5-8

    hawthorn

    5-6

    1-2

    serrated cherry Amanogawa

    4-7

    1-2

    golden columnar elm

    8-10

    3-4

    mountain ash

    6-9

    2-4

    Globular trees bring some peace to garden design. Often we are talking about grafted standard trees, in which the crown grows very slowly, eventually reaching from 2 to 6 m in diameter. Low trees with a spherical crown create a small leafy tent that protects from the scorching sun. Rounded or spherical shapes always look unusual, which is why they are used mainly for decorating the front garden. Such a crown is typical for:

    tree

    height (m)

    Crown width (m)

    Norway Maple

    4-6

    3-5

    beautiful catalpa

    3-4

    3-4

    hawthorn spherical

    6-8

    4-6

    ash

    4-6

    2-4

    shrub cherry

    3-4

    2-3

    locust bean

    5-6

    4-5

    Trees with a weeping crown do not grow strongly. They look most impressive on lawns, near a bench or near a pond, both in a single planting and in a group of no more than three specimens. Their hanging shoots bring a certain calmness and serenity to the atmosphere of the garden. For front gardens, weeping crowns grafted on stems are usually used. Crowns of falling branches of a climbing rose, fuchsia or willow will decorate even the smallest front garden.

    tree

    height (m)

    Crown width (m)

    drooping birch 'Youngii'

    4-6 (depending on trunk)

    3-4

    serrated cherry

    3-5 depending on stem

    4-6

    loose leaf pear

    4-6

    4-6

    Japanese Sophora

    5-7

    3-6

    rough elm

    3-5

    7-10

    Planting time

    The optimal time for planting a family tree is autumn, when new young roots quickly grow in relatively warm soil, thanks to which the tree grows and develops well. In autumn, the dry period is not so terrible for young seedlings as in spring.

    A slow growing tree takes several years to reach a significant size and maximum decorative effect. Therefore, landscape designers are advised not to opt for inexpensive small seedlings. The trunk diameter of a meter-long seedling should be at least 12 - 14 cm. Pay attention to the bark: it should have a uniform color, without obvious signs of damage. The stem of the seedling should be straight, and the crown should be uniform.

    The hole should be prepared at least twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. To improve the soil, you can add compost or long-acting fertilizers.

    Blooming wisteria - a real decoration of the front garden

    Since ancient times, many have planted a family tree in front of the house on a certain occasion, for example, in honor of a wedding celebration, the birth of a child, or because they believe that the tree will protect the house from evil. And today there are many reasons that speak in favor of woody plants, and not because a house without them looks lonely, bare and incomplete. With a successful selection, a tree can emphasize the character of the house, give it individuality. Two trees planted symmetrically to each other on both sides of the gate look spectacular, forming a stylish green frame for the entrance area.

    The tree in front of the house creates a visual connection between the inner and outer world and allows you to experience the change of seasons. The family tree in the front garden is a symbol of constancy and a good friend that accompanies the house and its inhabitants all their lives.

    The highlight of the front garden - Japanese maple

    Birch surrounded by petunias

    Symmetrical arrangement of trees

    Magic tree lighting

    Kölreuteria paniculata in the front garden

    Japanese maple with green leaves

    Sakura - decoration of the front garden

    Translation: Lesya V.
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    Front garden mini trees |

    They give the dwelling a welcoming look, give a cool shade, and over time become the faithful guardians of the house. Meet: mini trees, suitable even for a small front garden . A beautiful tree growing in a front garden sometimes becomes just as important a part of a small homeland as a street, courtyard, house familiar from childhood ...

    expression "family tree". Now the presence of green spaces in the front garden is explained rather by the purely aesthetic preferences of the owners. Be that as it may, it is very important to choose the right “front-entrance” tree, especially when the land is small. We will tell you which trees with compact crowns will look great even in a small area.

    The first thing to consider when choosing a place to plant a tree is the amount of sunlight. Most front gardens "look" to the north: such conditions are ideal for shade-tolerant holly, cherry laurel and sucker. In partial shade, they will feel like a king on a name day, globular maple and columnar mountain ash. But birch drooping and cherry serrated, on the contrary, need a bright sun.

    The soil is also of great importance: for example, ash and marsh oak with a spherical crown prefer moist, while spherical Robinia and willow pear prefer dry.

    Fast growing trees need constant monitoring. For example, the branches of the Spanish plane tree (Platanus x hispanica) are tied to horizontally arranged poles and the shoots growing upwards are regularly cut off - so even after many years it retains a compact crown.

    Sakura (Prunus incisa) ‘Kojo-no-mai’ gives fireworks of colors in autumn. In early spring, the tree is covered with soft pink flowers, and in winter it stands out due to zigzag branches. It grows only up to 2 m in height and up to 1.5 m in width.

    All year round retains the decorative appearance of Ebbing's sucker (Elaeagnus x ebbingei). In some nurseries, this shrub is also grown in a standard form with a spherical crown. In cold regions, the sucker is covered for the winter.

    Plant Holly Holly (Ilex aquifolium) ‘Silver Queen’ in a shaded, sheltered position and it will thank you with a lush evergreen crown and decorative red fruit.

    Landings in the trunk circle: pros and cons

    In the front garden, trees are usually surrounded by flower beds. Sometimes this leads to certain problems: the root systems of some trees and shrubs do not get along well with herbaceous perennials and grasses planted in the near-stem circle of a tree. As a rule, this does not apply to trees with a tap root system that goes deep into the ground: they are quite "hospitable" - in contrast to trees with a shallow root system.

    For example, in Norway maple, in addition to the main root system that goes deep into the earth, many thin roots form in the upper soil layer. This will be a serious hindrance to neighboring plants, so it is better to leave his trunk circle free. Under good soil conditions, satellite plants can be planted around the following trees: bignoniform catalpa, liquidambar, ash, ginkgo (all with spherical crowns) and apple.

    Catalpa bignonioides Nana looks like a huge umbrella. The tree grows up to 4-6 m in height and the same width. It usually does not bloom, but it has light green leaves in the shape of hearts.

    Another significant factor is the distance between the house and the street or neighboring plot. Check: will a crown with a diameter of 6 m fit here? Or is there enough space only for a columnar shape no wider than 2 m? Also remember that foliage should not obscure the windows through which light enters the house. You will not run into this problem if you plant dwarf trees, such as willow.

    It is also important to consider how your green friends will look in autumn, and not just during the beautiful spring bloom. Do you want the trees to play with bright colors and attract the eye during the time of the general “wilting nature”? Take note that in the fall, liquidambar “dresses up” in a spectacular golden outfit, and apples hang on a decorative apple tree, like toys on a New Year tree.

    And finally, pay attention to the crown . Most of the trees we know from childhood drop their leaves in autumn, but this does not mean that everyone does this. If you don’t want to admire the bare branches in the autumn, choose representatives of the flora for the front garden that retain their outfit all year round (holly, laurel cherry on the trunk). Sakura leaves early, does not shed ginkgo leaves for a long time. But at the catalpa, green clothes appear only in late spring and disappear in early autumn.
    does not bloom 2. Birch hanging 8 Betula pendula 'Yuginii' 4-6m4-6m Sun, undemanding
    to the basis of Slowly, many roots
    in the upper soil, decor 3.

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