Trees
for Small Gardens
Just because your garden is small, don't think
you can't have trees. Here's a selection of slow growing or naturally
small trees for you to consider.
Acacia
This small tree is grown for its foliage and small flowers.
The varieties range from tender to frost hardy and they need full
sun and a well-drained soil.
Acer Palmatum
Also known as Japanese Maples, these lovely trees have lovely dissected
leaves and come in a variety of colours from deep red to green.
It is hardy in temperate climates and grows on most fertile soils
but prefers one that is slightly acid. If you want to know more,
see Japanese Maples for a list
of specialist pages.
Cordyline
This is a slow growing tree from Australia with a palmlike appearance.
It is half hardy to tender but I have grown it in a sheltered spot
in a garden in Southern England and it has survived several winters
without additional protection. It likes fertile, well drained soil.
Cornus
Commonly called the dogwood, they are grown for their foliage,
flowers or coloured stems in winter depending on the variety. The
range from hardy to half hardy and should be planted in sun or semi
shade in fertile, well drained soil.
Eucalyptus
This fast growing Australian tree can qualify for a small garden
because the tree can be cut hard back in spring. Not only does this
restrict its height, it also keeps the young foliage which is more
attractive than that on an older tree. The varieties vary from hardy
to frost to tender so check before buying. They need full sun and
shelter from strong winds as well as a well drained fertile soil.
Holly
The Latin name is Ilex and the most common holly is Ilex
Aquifolium. They vary in height so you must take care in choosing
a variety suitable for your garden. They can be clipped back and
used for hedging. If you want berries you must buy a male and female
holly as berries are only found on the female. Hollies are hardy
and prefer well drained soil and will grow in sun or shade. Don't
try to transplant it because it will surely die!
 
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Laburnum
This small tree has lovely pendulous flowers in spring and early
summer but the seeds are very poisonous so it should not be grown
if you have young children who may eat them. It is hardy and grows
best in full sun in any kind of soil as long as it isn't boggy.
Magnolia
This is another tree where mature heights vary with different
types so check before buying. They are grown for their dramatic
flowers which are often scented. Although they are hardy, flower
buds can be damaged by late frosts. They should be grown in sun
or semi shade with shelter from the wind. All types like fertile,
well drained soil but some only do well on alkaline chalky soil
whilst others need an acid soil so check before buying.
Malus
Better known as the crab apple, this decorative tree also gives
fruits that can be used in preserves. They are especially good for
adding to jams and jellies using fruit like blackberries that are
low in pectin. They are hardy and do best in full sun. They are
not fussy about soil but don't like boggy ground.
Prunus
These genus of trees and shrubs is better known as the cherry
and the ornamental types are grown for their wonderful flowers that
can engulf the whole tree. The flowers vary in colour and the trees
in height depending on the variety so choose carefully. They can
be grown in any soil as long as it isn't waterlogged.
Sorbus
You probably know Sorbus Aucuparia as the rowan or mountain
ash, planted in times past in the UK to ward off evil spirits or
the evil eye. These pretty trees are grown for their foliage, flowers
and fruits. They are hardy and can be grown in sun or semi shade
in fertile, well drained soil.
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Copyright © 2005 - Carol
Fisher
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