The best trees for small gardens
Photograph coming soon
Suggested lead photograph: the best trees for small gardens
The best trees for small gardens stay compact, have more than one season of interest and cast light, dappled shade. Multi-stem forms are especially good, because they give height and sculpture without a heavy canopy.
What makes a good small-garden tree?
A good small-garden tree stays in scale, typically reaching 4 to 8m in time. It should also offer several seasons of interest, whether flowers, fruit, autumn colour or beautiful bark. A light canopy matters too, because dappled shade lets you plant underneath, and well-behaved roots make it sensible to plant near patios and boundaries.
Photograph coming soon
Suggested photograph: our pick of the best
Our pick of the best
Acer griseum
The paperbark maple is our favourite small tree. It has peeling cinnamon bark and fiery autumn colour, and because it is slow-growing it stays comfortably in scale.
Amelanchier lamarckii
White spring blossom, bronze young leaves, summer berries for birds and glowing autumn colour make this tree hard to beat for value.
Prunus serrula
The polished mahogany bark shines in winter sun, so plant it where you will see it every day.
Malus 'Evereste' and Malus 'Butterball'
These crab apples give blossom in spring and colourful fruit into winter, and both are excellent for wildlife.
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
Pink spring flowers appear on bare stems, followed by heart-shaped, deep purple leaves.
Cornus kousa var. chinensis
Starry white bracts in early summer give way to strawberry-like fruits and rich autumn colour.
Parrotia persica 'Vanessa'
This upright Persian ironwood has spectacular autumn colour, and its narrow habit makes it ideal for tighter spaces.
Osmanthus × burkwoodii
If you want an evergreen, this is a gem, with glossy leaves and sweetly scented flowers in spring.
Tips for success
In a small garden a tree is on show all year, so look at it in winter as well as summer before you decide. Think about the effect you want, too: a multi-stem brings sculpture and a lighter feel, while a standard or pleached tree lifts the canopy and screens neighbours. Once it is in, underplant with ferns, spring bulbs and shade-tolerant perennials to make the most of every square metre.
Photograph coming soon
Suggested photograph: come and choose yours
Come and choose yours
A tree is an emotional purchase, so come and see the trees in person at our Row Town showroom. Stock varies through the seasons, so please get in touch before you visit and we will check what we have.