{"id":42600,"date":"2024-11-26T15:47:29","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T14:47:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dcf3769c-c329-4309-a63c-23798b2ae21b"},"modified":"2024-11-26T17:31:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T16:31:43","slug":"limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Limited space? You probably still have room for a tree &#8211; discover the best trees for small gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\">Many people worry that a tree will overpower a small garden, but as garden designer Sarah Price shows, the key is finding the right place and the right tree <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 26 November 2024 at 14:47 PM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html> <head\/> <body> <p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/plants\/perennial-plants-best\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Perennial Movement<\/a> in planting design has a tendency to push trees into the background, yet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/garden-advice\/how-to\/planting-tree-maintenance-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trees<\/a> are far more than a frame for exuberant planting and they deserve to take centre stage. In the temporary, manufactured setting of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/chelsea\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">show garden,<\/a> trees give a sense of permanence allowing us to suspend our disbelief. In a real garden, trees are a magnetic presence that honour the seasons.<\/p> <div class=\"wp-block-group highlight-box is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <p><strong>You may also like<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/plants\/trees\/evergreen-trees-best-care\">The best evergreen trees for your garden<\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/garden-advice\/how-to\/planting-tree-maintenance-care\">How to plant a tree<\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/plants\/trees\/tree-planting-garden\">The joy of planting a tree<\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/garden-design\/small-gardens\/small-garden-design-ideas\">32 tips for small gardens<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <p>I frequently plant mature trees where instant effect is needed; often mixing them alongside smaller specimens that will establish quickly and eventually outstrip the more expensive purchase. Compared to the price of a bespoke oak <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/gardens\/best-garden-pergolas-to-upgrade-your-outdoors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pergola<\/a> or a retaining brick wall, the cost of planting a mature tree in a well-considered position is a worthwhile investment.<\/p> <p>I once planted four mature multi-stem <em>Amelanchier canadensis<\/em> in a caf\u00e9 garden. Within a single day the modest 7m x 10m space was transformed from a building site into a secret garden, sheltered from the outside bustle of the street and animated not only by sunlight streaming through the boughs, but also by the amelanchiers\u2019 kooky, sinuous stems and later, their April blossom.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/garden-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here are more garden design ideas<\/a>.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens\">The best trees for small gardens<\/h2> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trees-that-provide-a-delicate-canopy-for-a-small-space\">Trees that provide a delicate canopy for a small space<\/h3> <p>Often, we are reluctant to plant trees because of the potential shade they will cast. <em>Amelanchier, <\/em><a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/the-best-crab-apple-trees-for-colour-and-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">crab apple<\/a><em> (<\/em><em>Malus) <\/em><em>Koelreuteria, <\/em><a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/how-to-identify-trees-berrying-and-hedgerow-trees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hawthorn<\/a> (<em>Crataegus<\/em>) and <a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/best-birch-for-your-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">birch<\/a> (<em>Betula<\/em>) are all popular small garden trees as they have a delicate canopy that gently filters the light, allowing <a href=\"\/plants\/perennial-plants-best\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">perennials<\/a> to grow beneath their spread.<\/p> <p>In Scandinavia the use of <a href=\"\/garden-design\/creating-a-woodland-glade-oasis-at-maggies-centre-southhampton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">woodland<\/a> as a setting for your home is common; in the UK, less so, but trees planted up close to the glass of a modern extension to frame intimate views can work really well. Birch trees, for example, can be planted up close to the glass of a modern extension to frame intimate views. Or choose other trees with a delicate canopy, such as field maple (<em>Acer palmatum<\/em>), <a href=\"\/plants\/autumn\/euonymus-how-prune-grow-best\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">euonymus<\/a> (such as <em>Euonymus europaeus<\/em> \u2018Red Cascade\u2019) or an ornamental <a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/16-of-the-best-cherry-blossom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cherry<\/a> such as <em>Prunus<\/em> x s<em>ubhirtella<\/em> \u2018Autumnalis\u2019.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-amelanchier\"><em>Amelanchier<\/em><\/h4> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\">  <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Amelanchier in Andy Sturgeon&#8217;s garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 \u00a9 Gardens Illustrated team <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>Amelanchiers are often cited as the best trees for small gardens, as they offer blossom in spring, berries in summer and colourful autumn foliage. They have excellent <a href=\"\/garden-advice\/how-to\/attract-wildlife-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wildlife<\/a> value, too. They are often available as multistemmed trees, which adds an architectural element to your garden.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-crab-apple\">Crab apple<\/h4> <p\/> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3262\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/08\/JI_260918_ParhamGardens_143-LANDSCAPE-8905980.jpg\" alt=\"September plants and flowers: Malus x robusta\u2028 \u2018Red Sentinel\u2019\" class=\"wp-image-9809\" title=\"\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Malus x robusta\u2028 \u2018Red Sentinel\u2019 \u00a9 Jason Ingram &#8211; \u00a9 Jason Ingram <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>Crab apples are another great all rounder tree for a small garden, offering stunning blossom in spring in shades of pink or white, and colourful fruits in autumn. Read our feature on the <a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/the-best-crab-apple-trees-for-colour-and-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best crab apple trees<\/a>.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hawthorn\">Hawthorn<\/h4> <p><a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/how-to-identify-trees-berrying-and-hedgerow-trees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hawthorn<\/a>, or cratageus, are smothered with white or pink blossom in spring and berries in autumn. They are tough trees that are great for wildlife; many different <a href=\"\/plants\/plants-for-birds-best\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">birds<\/a> love the berries. They can also be grown as part of a hedge.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-silver-birch\">Silver birch<\/h4> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/GettyImages-1464385062-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Silver birch trees\" class=\"wp-image-180917\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> \u00a9 simonkr\/Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>The UK&#8217;s native <a href=\"\/plants\/trees\/best-birch-for-your-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">silver birch<\/a>, <em>Betula pendula<\/em> is a popular tree for small gardens, with a light canopy, tactile peeling white bark and yellow leaves in autumn. <em>Betula utilis<\/em> var. <em>jacquemontii<\/em>, has the whitest bark. Birches offer dappled shade and look beautiful underplanted with <a href=\"\/garden-advice\/shady-gardens\/best-plants-for-shade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shade loving plants<\/a> and <a href=\"\/plants\/bulbs\/where-to-buy-bulbs-our-list-of-the-best-suppliers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spring bulbs<\/a>.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-trees-to-create-dense-shade-in-small-gardens\">Best trees to create dense shade in small gardens<\/h3> <p>Some trees, such as figs and mulberries, create a denser shade and are more suited to hot <a href=\"\/gardens\/town-and-city\/small-courtyard-london-cullis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">courtyard<\/a> spaces, where they will provide welcome respite from strong sun.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fig-tree\">Fig tree<\/h4> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3081\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/08\/JI_240918_CBWordenHouse_113-LAND-3f7a8d5.jpg\" alt=\"Ficus carica \u2018Brown Turkey\u2019\" class=\"wp-image-9930\" title=\"\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Ficus carica \u2018Brown Turkey\u2019 \u00a9 Jason Ingram &#8211; \u00a9 Jason Ingram <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>Several species of fig, such as &#8216;Brown Turkey&#8217; or &#8216;Brunswick&#8217; have been bred to grow in the UK climate. They also grow extremely well in containers, as they like to have their roots restricted, making them ideal for small spaces. Figs have attractive foliage that is scented when crushed, and of course bear delicious fruits. Figs are self-fertile, so you only need to grow one tree.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mulberry\">Mulberry<\/h4> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/GettyImages-1358583697-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Large mulberry tree in full lentgh standing near a pond\" class=\"wp-image-180918\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Large mulberry tree in full lentgh standing near a pond. \u00a9 49pauly\/Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>Mulberries (<em>Morus alba<\/em> or <em>Morus nigra<\/em>) make an interesting architectural feature in a small garden, thanks to their spreading, gnarled form. In a small garden they can be grown as a standard or half standard tree.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-trees-as-parasols-in-small-gardens\">Using trees as parasols in small gardens<\/h3> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1703\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2023\/11\/GettyImages-2175662221-scaled.jpg\" alt=\" Hornbeam\" class=\"wp-image-180919\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Hornbeam \u00a9 joerglondong \/ 500px\/Getty <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>In many small gardens there is already a tree that could form the perfect focus for the garden if given the space. \u2018Halo felling\u2019 is a romantic phrase for a practical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/garden-design\/creating-a-woodland-glade-oasis-at-maggies-centre-southhampton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">woodland management<\/a> policy that allows a broadleaf tree\u2019s beauty to shine. This means clearing enough shrubs and trees around a single tree to create a halo of light, enabling that one tree to thrive.<\/p> <p>This sensitive treatment honours the spirit of a tree and can be applied to even the smallest of spaces.<\/p> <p>Careful editing can extend to self-seeding saplings, such as hornbeam, oak or even ash, which can be pruned into low cloud-like forms or twisted together to from an abstract shape or tunnel.<\/p> <p>Alternatively, many trees can be bought as trained umbrella or parasol trees, including hornbeam, lime and mulberry.<\/p> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hornbeam\">Hornbeam<\/h4> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-pleached-trees-in-small-gardens\">Using pleached trees in small gardens<\/h3> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2016\/01\/Malus-Evereste-JI_230417_BlacklandHouse_031_JasonIngram-68dfb0c.jpg\" alt=\"Malus 'Evereste'\" class=\"wp-image-7213\"\/> <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> \u00a9 Jason Ingram &#8211; \u00a9 Jason Ingram <\/figcaption> <\/figure> <p>Pleached trees are trained trees that have straight clear stems and a head of branches that have been formally trained onto framework. Often seen in formal gardens, they are useful in smaller gardens as they can provide screening and privacy.<\/p> <p>Hornbeam and limes are commonly trained as pleached or stilted trees and can be bought ready trained. However, many other species are just as effective when pleached, including the crab apple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/plants\/trees\/the-best-crab-apple-trees-for-colour-and-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Malus<\/em> \u2018Evereste\u2019,<\/a> mulberry (<em>Morus alba<\/em>), pear <em>(Pyrus calleryana<\/em> \u2018Chanticleer\u2019), plane (<em>Platanus<\/em> x <em>hispanica<\/em>) and field maple <em>Acer campestre<\/em>.<\/p> <p>Trees can also be trained as espaliers against a fence or to screen a space \u2013 fruit trees are often grown this way.<\/p> <p>Saplings are available in many different cultivated shapes and once planted can be trained exactly to suit your space.<\/p> <p>Read our advice on <a href=\"\/garden-advice\/how-to\/espalier-how-to-train-fruit-trees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to train fruit trees<\/a>, or take a look at <a href=\"\/garden-equipment\/tools\/tools-bare-root-tree-shrub-planting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our favourite tree-planting tools and supplies<\/a>.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people worry that a tree will overpower a small garden, but as garden designer Sarah Price shows, the key is finding the right place and the right tree <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":42601,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/11\/limited-space-you-probably-still-have-room-for-a-tree-discover-the-best-trees-for-small-gardens.jpg",1200,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Many people worry that a tree will overpower a small garden, but as garden designer Sarah Price shows, the key is finding the right place and the right tree","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/42600"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}