Small Trees that Fit a Small Yard

Many gardeners are stumped when designing a small garden.  The options of trees, shrubs, perennials, containers, vegetables, patios, fire pits, and a barbeques all seem to overwhelm - the choices are endless. And we want it all!  The dilemma is further exasperating when familiar plants are just too big for the space.

Trends in housing in the U.S. seem to be leaning toward smaller homes, smaller yards, patios and balconies typical of urban living.  Even suburban properties are following this path also, and folks are giving up 'excess' for a more manageable manner of living.

This charming area is appealing with a feature of one tree. 

Many trees would not work here.  The space demands a limit to size - and here are a few lovely trees that will fit any small garden.  I've kept the list of trees to ones that have a maximum height of 25 feet.  These trees are sometimes considered under-story trees since they grow in the shadows and shade of taller trees in the grove.  Some trees have been cultivated to be specimens or ornamentals in the landscape. Small trees structure can give an added element of interest to the garden. 

Sweet Bay Magnolia has multiple trunks

Blooms of Sweet Bay Magnolia

Sweet Bay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana,  is a small tree for the small garden.  It grows to 10' to 20' and has interesting structure.  The fragrant blooms would be well appreciated near a patio or deck. Hardy in Zones 5 - 9, the dark green leaves have a silver underside. The Magnolia appreciates acidic soil but does well in sandy soil or loamy gardens that are well drained. 

Pagoda Dogwood

Pagoda Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia

Pagoda Dogwood blooms are not brilliant white and berries are a dark purple. Wide spread of limbs makes this tree a great choice for an ornamental specimen in the garden.  This tree is found in most of U.S. and is hardy to Zone 4.

Cherokee Sunset, Dogwood, Cornus florida

Variegated Foliage of Cherokee Sunset (photo complements of Glyn Lowe)

This Dogwood is stunning and grows in Zone 5 - 8 to a height of 10' to 25'.  

Krousa Dogwood, 'Wolf Eyes'


                                                                             
The small variety of Dogwood grows to

only 6' to 10' and is shade tolerant.  Nice berries attract birds and deer are not drawn to this shrub type plant.


Chionanthus virgninicus, Fringe Tree

Fringe Tree is a native in the Eastern U.S. and is hardy in Zones 4 - 8.  This small tree grow to about 12' to 20' and has purple fruit. Fall foliage is clear yellow.  Stately plant is wonderful when in bloom.

Japanese Maple are exquisite specimens in a small garden.  Foliage is deeply cut and can be green or red.  Many varieties are small, and weeping.  Some look more like a shrub and stay close to the ground to anchor an area. 

Floating Cloud

 

There are many Japanese Maples to choose in the market place.  Evaluate your space and research mature height for your tree.  Talk to the garden center associates to determine which tree is right for you. 

Small gardens and yards have a determined size, and putting a plant in that will overwhelm the space is like putting an elephant in the room. Scale is a design element that can get out control if plants are not carefully chosen.  So a small tree that highlights a small garden can be the element that is needed. 

Smaller Yards Need Smaller Plants

 

As urbanization takes on a life of its own, home builders are faced with the need for smaller homes on smaller lots.  Homes are spaced closely, and attached homes have even less outdoor space.  Condos, and semi-attached homes still need to feed the need for outdoor spaces.  Patios and yards with limited green space have made small plants a must-have and the nursery industry is stepping up to offer some great options.

This patio is enclosed for a private space for this homeowner, but notice the neighbors just over the wall.  Screen plantings are useful here, but typical plants may outgrow the space.  Dwarf varieties will serve the purpose and allow the space to function as a gathering place. 

 

Here are a few of the many varieties of dwarf plants that may help landscape a small space. 

Small shrubs mature size is usually about 5 feet, and dwarf shrubs mature at about 3 feet  at most.  These mature elements can be very important detail when designing a small garden.   

 

 

This Blue Shag Dwarf white pine has blue-green long, soft needles and it's globe shade tops out at 3 - 4 feet high and wide.  Here the Blue Shag is flanked with Elijah Blue Fescue grass clumps that also remain small.

 

 

Mahonia aquifolium 'Compacta' is a multi-season plant that just keep giving.  Common name is compact Oregon Grape Holly. It stays small at 2 - 3 feet. This low maintenance  shrub has new leaves with a bronze/red color and turns to a green during summer.  Fall leaves turn a purple/red color and remain all winter. Birds are attracted to this Grape Holly berries and it is deer resistant.  This shrub does well in containers, too, and can be a nice potted plant on the patio.  Grape holly is hardy in Zone 5a - 9b.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many small gardens need tall plants to expand the view upward.  Here, conifers are placed against the backdrop of a wall.  Pruned varieties have a stem that extend the foliage up, and visually keeps the space from feeling crowded. 

 

 

These ground covers spread and droop along the ground. Both are thyme - the top one is Archer's Gold Lemon, and the lower picture is Wooly Thyme.  The texture of these plants is small, and dainty and does not overtake the small space.  Also, since this is a small seating area, the luscious aroma of thyme will permeate the area and create another pleasant feature of a small garden.

 

Keeping a small space tidy could become difficult if leaves drop, or petals fall on the patio or deck. Dwarf English boxwood is an evergreen shrub that adapt well to containers or small spaces, and except for a nip or snip occasionally stay neat and tidy. 

English Boxwood are hardy in Zone 6 - 8 and grow to about three feet tall.  

 

A pretty flowering shrub that stays small is a Regent Serviceberry.

 

 

Regent Serviceberry is a compact shrub with bluish-gray foliage and white blooms in early summer.

Great fall color and edible fruit make this plant pretty for three season each year. This shrub grows up to 4 - 6 feet so it may not be suitable in a really small patio. 

 

 

Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri' is a drooping variety that only grows to 3 feet.  Ideal for evergreen color in a small garden.  The cool blue color is spectacular, and this juniper is hardy in Zone 5 - 8. 

 

Many shrubs are available in compact varieties.  Local garden centers and nurseries will have many choices.  Keep in mind the mature size of any plant that you may purchase.  Keeping size manageable in a small space will enhance the feeling of a coziness, and will keep maintenance to a minimum.  More time to relax in a small garden.

 

 

 

 

 

I have highlighted other small plants in a post and you can see them here.

 

Just because our outdoor space is small, does not mean we can not have a lovely, relaxing garden to enjoy.

 

 

 

SIZE DOES MATTER - New Small Garden Choices

I had the opportunity of attending a Member and Volunteer meeting at the Wegerzyn Gardens in Dayton, Ohio last week.  As part of the Five Rivers Metro Parks, this non-profit foundation has supported horticultural and educational programs for 35 years. 
Kent Phillips was the speaker and introduced us to these new plants for 2011.  He represented Studebaker Nurseries, a wholesale grower in Ohio.
Patio gardens, and entry ways are just two places to build a small garden. And putting the right plant in the right place is particularly important in a limited space.  Mistakes can easily be seen if a shrub over steps its bounds or the continuous maintenance to keep a plant under control needs your attention every other weekend.
New plants come into the market each year.  Hybridizers and growers are always looking for the next ‘must have’ in the garden.  So I want to share with you some of new plants that will be an asset to our small gardens. 
This is a compact Red Twig Dogwood, called ‘Artic Fire’.  Growing to only 4’, this shrub is half the size of  other Dogwoods and has twice the branches.  “Baileyii” has blooms in late spring, and, of course, the showy stems all winter.
As the name suggests, this Forsythia, ‘Show Off’, will make a huge impact.  At full height of 3’ – 4’, “Show Off’ will work as a short hedge, or as a specimen in your landscape.  “Mindia” is one variety and needs full sun .  The dark green foliage allows this small shrub at least three seasons of interest.
‘Lil Kim’ Rose of Sharon is easy to grow, and is hardy in Zones 5-8.  What makes this  Hibiscus shrub stand out is the blossoms last three days and her blossoms are 3” across. Top height of 3’-4’, ‘Lil Kim’ can be grown in mixed containers or perennial beds.  This is a Proven Winner variety. Give this one full sun for maximum show.
  This photo of Leptodermis oblonga was taken at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  No common name has been given to this shrub, but that does not take away from the nice show of lavender blooms it gives from summer till frost. This plant can take full sun to part shade, is drought tolerant (once established), and no known insects or diseases plague it. It grows to  a 2’- 4’ mound and is hardy to Zones 5-7 .
The” KnockOut” Rose family has gotten larger.  The ‘Home Run’, an offspring, is compact and tops out at about 2’.  This is a true red with bright yellow stamens. This variety is fragrant, and butterflies and hummingbirds will come to it.  I can see this in a container. Sweet! 
Thanks for visiting, and if your garden center does not have these varieties, have them contact kphillips@studebakernurseries.com.
As you know, my mantra is ‘Envision, Enrich, and Enjoy’, your garden.  Check out plant sizes before you plant, and by all means, sit back and enjoy!!