What Are The Best Trees For Small Gardens?

Top Tips

Find out the ultimate height of the tree and how long it takes to reach that height. Some slow growing species might initially fit very well but over time could grow to dwarf your space.

Choose trees with berries to attract birds and provide perches and nesting sites. This will add life and sound to your garden, and make the space seem more active.

Consider planting in pots as they allow you to play with placement and let you bring more delicate trees in over winter. It can also give you a bit more control over the growth of some species.

Our top picks

Kilmarnock Willow

Eventual Height and Spread : 2m x 1.5m (6.5 x 5ft)

This bushy willow has a dense, weeping style that provides year-round interest. Bright grey fuzzing anthers bloom in the spring before rich green foliage appears in the summer. The Kilmarnock Willow looks beautiful in a pot and brings a simple but contemporary feel to any space.

Corkscrew Hazel

Eventual Height and Spread: 4m x 4m (13 x 13ft)

The twisting stems of this tree bring unusual but ever changing interest into the garden. Its sharp toothed green leaves give way to yellow catkins in late winter to create an ever changing display. The Corkscrew Hazel is the perfect foundation or centre point for a Japanese inspired garden.

Flamingo Willow

Eventual Height and Spread: 2m x 1.5m (6.5 x 5ft)

This deciduous tree displays cream-pink foliage in the spring and summer which drops in autumn to show coral-orange stems. This bright little tree brings an impressive look to your garden that will suit a Mediterranean style.

Kiku-Shidare

Eventual Height and Spread: Will vary

A traditional cherry blossom tree that is both elegant and impactful, adding an ever changing display to your space with leaves that are a gorgeous bronze when young, before turning red with the spring, and light green in summer. Come autumn, they fade to a mellow orange. Combined with its striking pink flowers, this is the perfect choice for an eastern themed or relaxation space.

Kojo-no-Mai

Eventual Height and Spread: 2m x 2m (6 x 6ft)

This dwarf flowering cherry tree boasts wonderful white flowers on a complex network of zig-zagging branches that gives you a year round display. The bright flowers stay impressive until at least April when new foliage takes on a bronzed tinge and darkens to a vivid orange in the autumn.