Trees for small gardens

Prunus incisa 'Kojo-No-Mai' from Thompson & Morgan

Awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit, Prunus incisa 'Kojo-No-Mai' flowers in spring.
Image: Prunus incisa 'Kojo-No-Mai' from Thompson & Morgan

Almost every garden has room for a small tree, even if you only have a tiny courtyard. If you don’t have space for a huge specimen, try a container tree or consider one of our hedging trees that can be pruned and shaped to a manageable height. Here’s how to choose a tree for a small garden. 

How to choose the best tree for a small garden

Salix Caprea 'Kilmarnock' from Thompson & Morgan

The weeping habit of Salix Caprea ‘Kilmarnock’ makes it perfect for small gardens
Image: Salix Caprea 'Kilmarnock' from Thompson & Morgan

When choosing trees for small gardens, consider how much space you have and which seasons of interest best suit your planting scheme. As well as structure and foliage, trees can bring flowers, berries, fruit, interesting bark and seasonal colour to your outside space. 

You’ll need to bear in mind the tree’s mature height and spread - even small trees can eventually reach a height of 6m or more. Some of the smallest trees have a weeping habit, like Salix Caprea ‘Kilmarnock’ that grows to a maximum height of 250cm. You could also try growing dwarf fruit trees, which are often grafted on to rootstocks that restrict their height. Many patio fruit trees are very happy growing in large containers!

Small trees for summer interest

Small trees for summer interestInteresting Features

Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) - 'Forest Pansy' has attractive red/purple leaves

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Laburnum alpinum ‘Pendulum’ (Scotch Laburnum)

Interesting Features - Colour flowers

Acer palmatum varieties (Japanese Maple)

Interesting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Silver Pear)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colour

Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ (Indian Bean Tree)

Interesting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colour

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’ (Weeping Copper Beech)

Interesting Features - ArchitecturalInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colour

Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’ (Silk Tree)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colour

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’ (Mop-head Acacia)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Architectural


Small trees for autumn interest

Small trees for autumn interestInteresting Features

Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colourInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Crab apple - Malus x robusta

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colourInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Sorbus aucuparia 'Ember Glow'

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Acer palmatum varieties (Japanese Maple)

Interesting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Acer Ginnala 'Bailey Compact'

Interesting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’

Interesting Features - Autumn leaf colourInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Quince (Cydonia oblonga)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade' (Spindle Tree)

Interesting Features - Autumn leaf colourInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit


Small trees for winter interest

Small trees for winter interestInteresting Features

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila (Alpine Snow Gum)

Interesting Features - EvergreenInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Attractive bark

Paper-bark Maple (Acer griseum)

Interesting Features - Attractive barkInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Juniperus chinensis 'Stricta'

Interesting Features - EvergreenInteresting Features - Spring/Summer leaf colourInteresting Features - Architectural

Cotoneaster 'Exburiensis'

Interesting Features - Autumn leaf colourInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Corkscrew Hazel (Corylus avellana 'Contorta')

Interesting Features - ArchitecturalInteresting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Colourful berries or fruit

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

Interesting Features - Colour flowersInteresting Features - Autumn leaf colour

Find growers' guides and tree planting tips at our dedicated trees and hedge hub page.


Sue Sanderson T&M horticulturalist

Written by: Sue Sanderson

Plants and gardens have always been a big part of my life. I can remember helping my Dad to prick out seedlings, even before I could see over the top of the potting bench. As an adult, I trained at Writtle College where I received my degree, BSc. (Hons) Horticulture. After working in a specialist plantsman's nursery, and later, as a consulting arboriculturalist, I joined Thompson & Morgan in 2008. Initially looking after the grounds and coordinating the plant trials, I now support the web team offering horticultural advice online.
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