Our advice for you...

Choosing a tree for a smaller area can be tricky. We always recommend taking inspiration from gardens that are of a similar size to yours, as there are many trees widely available which come in all shapes and sizes. Not only will you need to think about their surroundings but also their decorative value. We are here to help with this easy step by step guide. Read on to find out more...

Height and Spread

This is the main thing to think about before choosing a tree for your garden. If you have a smaller spread area, columnar trees are more suitable and if height is your worry but you have a larger area to cover, shrubs and sweeping trees are wider spread but shorter.

Seasons

You need to think about whether you want a tree that looks good all year round or whether you want one that is more seasonable. Evergreens are trees that keep their leaves and colour all year round whereas leaves on a deciduous will become autumnal and fall over the winter months, reviving again in spring.

Consider the area

You also need to take into consideration whether the new tree will be planted near either other trees or buildings. Remember if you have neighbouring trees you could end up shading your garden too much and the flowers that grow within that area could die due to the lack of sunlight. You also don’t want a tree to be too close to any building, this could cause safety hazards.

To avoid planting a tree too large for the site, it may help to draw a scale plan of your garden and plot the size of your tree at maturity. If planting in the corner of your garden, be aware that most of the canopy will shade neighbouring gardens.

The advantages of enjoying a suitable tree in a garden far outweigh any disadvantages, provided due care and consideration has been given to the project and adequate preparation has taken place.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are often a great all rounder for a small space. They offer strunning blossom in the spring and colourful fruits in the autumn. Fruit trees are often grown against a fence or trellis in order to screen a space. Strawberry trees are both fruit and evergreen, which means that when they don't provide red plump fruit they provide the landscape with white blossomed flowers. They thrive in coastal conditions and can reach up to 8m in height. 

Evergreen Trees

Loquat trees are glossy evergreens that are mainly spotted in urban gardens where they thrive in the sheltered microclimate that cities provide. Snow gums provide year-round interest, with grey, green and cream patchwork bark and evergreen grey-green leaves. They grow longer and narrower with age, producting white flowers in the summer months. 

Magnolias

Although the typical Magnolia is a grand plant, there are other similar shorter types to go for if you like the look of them. Species like Grandiflora and Wilsonii are typical examples of Magnolias that give off the same aesthetic. 

 

 

Tree Inspiration (under 5m)


Amenlanchier Alnifolia Obelisk

Cercis Chenensis Advondale

Pendula Rosea

Exochorda serratifolia Snow White

Prunus Amanogawa

Aesculus Mutabilis Induta

A quick reminder that you will find our range of larger trees in the 'Specimen Area' towards the back of the outdoor area of our Centre. These can be bought and picked up in-store - they are also available for home delivery.