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Trees in small 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

    What kind of trees to plant in a small garden? Check out the possibilities.

    No garden without trees! And in small gardens there is plenty of room, and one well-placed solo tree will noticeably liven up any garden. Of the 1,750 varieties grown in our fields, many are suitable for planting in small gardens. We have prepared a small selection, and by clicking on the button below, you can see the entire range for small gardens. See also the private gardens page.

    Which trees are suitable for small gardens?

    Trees in category 3, up to 6 meters tall, are almost always suitable for small gardens, unless they are widely spaced out. Category 2 trees with a narrow crown, such as a columnar, narrow vase or narrow pyramidal crown, are also well suited to small gardens. When choosing a tree, you should also pay attention to the shape of the tree. Almost all trees are grown in the standard form, but some varieties, such as the common hornbeam Carpinus betulus, are also supplied in various forms. From a cylinder and block on a trunk to a multi-stem roof, the possibilities are many. In conclusion, trellis trees are very suitable for small gardens. This is the perfect solution for a front garden or for planting along a fence.

    Each tree creates its own effect

    Due to the variety of forms, each tree creates its own effect in the garden. The art lies in choosing the trees that will create the desired effect in the garden. Standard trees with a bare trunk keep the territory open to some extent due to its visibility under the tree crowns. If, on the contrary, you need to fill the space, pubescent trees are great. If there is little space, trees with a columnar crown will make the necessary green element. Shaped trees and trellises are also an ideal solution for a small garden. Trees in the form of a trellis will also help create a privacy protection or cover up a scary wall. Possible options are far from being limited to the well-known tapestry linden. Chestnuts, pears, beeches, liquidambars and many others are also grown in the form of a trellis.

    Give your garden depth

    It is sometimes useful to combine trees with different foliage patterns and growth habits. If the garden is surrounded by a hedge of dark green yew, a tree with a transparent crown and lighter foliage, such as honey locust, may work well. In addition, there are a huge variety of varieties of trees and shrubs with green, variegated, red and gray foliage. Choose contrasting combinations, this will make your project more interesting and give the garden depth.

    Trees with ornamental value

    The ornamental value of trees also plays an important role. What does a garden owner want? Many trees have their own specific decorative value. Some of them are distinguished by magnificent flowering (flowering trees), others glow in autumn with bright purple-red foliage or produce special fruits. There are also many trees with beautiful winter silhouettes and showy bark. These trees perform their decorative function not only in summer, but are the highlight of the garden for several seasons. A well-chosen tree will noticeably enliven any garden. Use the contrast with the surroundings so that the tree can be clearly seen from the house.

    Acer campestre 'Baronne'

    Aceraceae

    Acer griseum

    Sapindaceae

    Amelanchier alnifolia 'Obelisk'

    Rosaceae

    Amelanchier 'Ballerina'

    Rosaceae

    Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum'

    Cercidiphyllaceae

    Cercis canadensis

    Caesalpiniaceae

    Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

    Caesalpiniaceae

    Crataegus ×lavalleei 'Carrierei'

    Rosaceae

    Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade'

    Celastraceae

    Lagerstroemia indica

    Lythraceae

    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'

    Hamamelidaceae

    Magnolia denudata YELLOW RIVER ('Fei Huang')

    Magnoliaceae

    Malus 'Adirondack'

    Rosaceae

    Malus baccata 'Street Parade'

    Rosaceae

    Malus 'Evereste'

    Rosaceae

    Malus 'Rudolph'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus ×gondouinii 'Schnee'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus ×subhirtella 'Pendula Plena Rosea'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus sargentii 'Rancho'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus serrulata 'Ukon'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus 'Snow Fountains'

    Rosaceae

    Prunus 'Spire'

    Rosaceae

    Quercus ×warei KINDRED SPIRIT ('Nadler')

    Fagaceae

    Quercus palustris 'Green Dwarf'

    Fagaceae

    Quercus pontica

    Fagaceae

    Styrax japonicus

    Styracaceae

    Trachycarpus fortunei

    Niet alle bomen groeien uit tot reusachtige exemplaren. In feite zijn er veel soorten kleine bomen die relatief klein blijven, zelfs als ze volledig volgroeid zijn. Een van de populairste kleine bomen is de Japanse esdoorn. Deze prachtige bomen zijn perfect voor kleine tuinen, en ze zijn er in verschillende kleuren en bladvormen. Andere kleine bomen die relatief klein blijven zijn de sierappel en kornoelje. Hoewel ze niet zo hoog worden als hun grotere neven, zorgen deze kleine bomen toch voor veel schoonheid en schaduw.

    Ideas for a small garden: ornamental trees, shrubs and plants for a small garden, photos and tips

    Just because a garden is small doesn't mean you can forget about it. A few simple ideas will turn it into heaven on earth!

    A small garden is somewhat similar to a theater stage, because everything in it is in plain sight: walls, paths, sheds and, of course, the main characters are plants. A tree, bush, grass, creeping ivy or flowers should look great all year round, because you look at them not only in the garden, but also from home. Even those plants that shed their leaves for the winter must be attractive.

    The garden is a natural extension of the house, so it is better to think over every centimeter of the site and plant only those plants that will fully justify the space they occupy. So how do you know which plants to choose? Our recommendations will help you.

    Claire Stevens Interior Design

    The simpler the better
    Simplicity is the key to small garden design, and this applies to both small architectural forms (paths, stairs, etc.) and plants. You will have to control yourself and stop at one type of tree, two or three types of shrubs and two or three flowering plants. You can diversify the composition with the help of outdoor pots and flowerpots of various shapes, but the choice of plants should still be as simple as possible. A good example is this small garden in Brisbane.

    brucele

    No tree, no garden
    All gardens, even those that are the size of a shoebox, look better with a tree in them. Wood is a necessary vertical landscape design element that helps to balance the horizontal planes of paths, lawns and fences. They adorn the garden with foliage, fragrant flowers and berries, birds nest on their branches.

    Compact ornamental trees for a small garden can be planted in large pots if space is limited. Possible options include small cherry, apple, plum, lemon, dogwood, crimson, large-flowered or star magnolia, Japanese maple (pictured), olive, birch and pear.

    Monrovia

    Talents and Fans
    Where possible, follow the advice of landscapers and try to buy plants with more than one merit. Pretty blooms are not the most compelling reason to buy a plant (unless, of course, you are crazy about this particular species). It should also have beautiful foliage, good shape and, if possible, a pleasant aroma or bright berries (albeit inedible).

    Think also of the practical functions that plants can perform. They can be used as a hedge or as a canopy to protect from the sun or wind. Many plants bear fruit (cherry, dog rose, dogwood). If the plant that you like has at least three positive qualities, then most likely it will suit you.

    Habitat Design

    Protecting privacy
    The garden is a place to relax, so it is very important that you can hide from prying eyes here. But how to achieve this in a small garden? Build high walls? An alternative would be a hedge of plants that grow upward while maintaining a slender silhouette.

    A good result can be achieved by planting red hawthorn, spruce, thuja, juniper, as well as flowering trees and shrubs ─ ornamental apple and plum trees, tree hydrangea, coronal mock orange, various types of lilacs and forsythia.

    Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design

    Higher and higher
    Creeping plants are ideal for a small garden. Not only do they take up little space on the ground, but they can also form a green canopy, which comes in handy if you have a small garden next to which your neighbors' tall mansions stand. Creeps can also be used to decorate a wall that you don't like the look of.

    Most species can be planted in pots and trimmed as needed. There is a wide variety of species of creeping shrubs and grasses, including the sweet-scented star jasmine (pictured). Other varieties of creeping shrubs are pyrostegia, akebia quintuple (with an unusual smell) and Azorean jasmine.

    Monrovia

    The Benefits of Shrubs
    Small shrubs like camellias are the backbone of almost any planting scheme. They are simply indispensable in small gardens, because they have lush foliage, but do not take up as much space as trees.

    Other advantages of shrubs include bright flowers and berries, as well as the ability to form borders and fences. Such unpretentious and “multi-tasking” shrubs will surely suit you - such as boxwood, camellia, lavender, choisia and many types of viburnum.

    Barbara Pintozzi

    Semiflower
    Tiered planting is a good option for smaller gardens. The bottom row is occupied by colorful flowering perennials or low-growing shrubs, the top row is occupied by creepers or low trees. Choose one species of flowering perennial and form clumps at the foot of a wall or fence, as well as at the base of trees, to fill in unnecessary voids. For these purposes, yarrow, decorative flax, daylily (pictured), iris, geyhera, carnation, undersized kniphofia and rudbeckia are suitable.

    Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

    Garden
    Even a small area can be a garden. Herbs and vegetables do well in containers. Today there are also many low-growing fruit trees that can be planted in large pots and tubs.

    Glenna Partridge Garden Design

    Unusual mix
    Some edible plants such as the artichoke (pictured left), rhubarb and lemongrass are so showy that they are planted simply for beauty.

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