A tree is more than just an eye-catcher, but also a functional addition to the garden. In summer it provides shade and offers privacy, in autumn and winter it gives the outdoor area character with its colored foliage. Its flowers attract birds, butterflies and bees, and hammocks are hung on its branches. Even if the property is small, that's okayPlanting a treenothing in the way. We list different varieties that have a compact growth.
1. An easy-care tree for the small garden: The most important questions at a glance
There are many low-maintenance and small-sized trees that are perfect forsmall gardenssuitable. However, there are a few things you should consider when making your choice. Ultimately, a tree is a long-term investment and can have a significant impact on the appearance of the garden.
1. Many garden owners ask themselves: “Which trees stay small?” But it's not just the height that plays a big role in the choice. The shape of the tree crown is also very important and should be chosen according to the function and location.
- Ball trees are suitable as accents in the flower bed.
- Trees with overhanging crowns are the perfect shade for the terrace.
- Columnar trees can be combined with other hedge plants and serve as privacy screens.
2. An evergreen or a deciduous tree? Basically it's a matter of taste. However, when it comes to a tree for the allotment, you should think carefully about your decision. Evergreen columnar trees are perfect for planting on the property border. Please take local regulations into account. You can plant deciduous trees in the front garden or around the terrace.
3. A tree in front of the house looks nice, but can quickly become a problem. Therefore, the location and the type of tree should be chosen very carefully.
2. Choose a tree for a small garden depending on its function
Which tree is suitable?for the allotment garden? We list several varieties that have a compact growth habit
2.1 An evergreen tree for the small garden: an eye-catcher all year round
- The mountain pine (also known as mountain pine)is a shallow-rooted conifer that reaches a maximum height of 6 meters. It prefers a sunny location, but can also thrive in partial shade. A mineral, moderately dry soil offers the best conditions for rapid growth. The mountain pine has a bushy habit but can tolerate topiary.
- The silver pineis the perfect addition to the stone orfor the allotment garden. It has a dense tree canopy, so the area under the pine tree is difficult to plant. The silver pine reaches a maximum height of 6 meters and tolerates frost well. However, the snow can damage the needles.
- The European larch and the Japanese larchare two dwarf forms of larch. They grow to a height of one meter, but can grow up to 2.5 meters if well cared for. These larch varieties need a shady spot in the home garden. In winter you can withstand snow, wind and frost, in summer – heat.
- The ball cork firis an evergreen ball tree that grows up to 2 meters high. It prefers a location in partial shade and a nutrient-poor, slightly acidic soil with a high sand content.
Areas of use: At the edge of the garden, as an accent in the rock garden, in the Japanese garden
2.2. Small tree for the garden: types of shade
Fast-growing ball tree varieties that provide shade in the garden are:
- The ball locustis a hardy tree that tolerates pruning and grows as tall as it is wide. It grows about 10 cm per year until it is 5 meters high. A loose, permeable and humus-rich soil offers the best conditions for their rapid growth. She is a true sun lover who feels best in full sun.
- The sweetgum treegrows to around 2 meters high and has a rounded treetop.
- The silk acaciais a fast-growing tree that can reach its maximum height of 8 meters relatively quickly. Its umbrella-like crown provides shade on hot summer days.
- The ball trumpet tree“Nana” is a small trumpet tree variety that grows up to 6 meters high. It prefers a sunny location, but needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, when it comes to the soil, it is undemanding. This trumpet tree is partially hardy and requires frost protection from December to March.
Areas of application: terrace, seating in the garden, front garden
2.3. A tree as a privacy screen for the small garden
- The ball maplehas a spherical crown. It can be used as a solitary tree in an allotment garden, but also cuts a fine figure in groups, for example around the driveway.
- The golden elmis short in stature and, depending on the variety, reaches a maximum height of approx. 5 meters. This makes it the perfect house tree for the front garden. The golden elm is a deep-rooted tree that you can plant under imaginatively. Plant several golden elms around the terrace so that the seating area is protected from wind and screened from prying eyes.
- The weeping birchis a tree that can be staged in many ways. In a small garden, even a small birch like the “Youngii” variety cuts a good figure, especially as a soloist. You can also group several small birch trees together if you wish, as long as you have the right space in the garden. The silver birch should not be planted too close to the house because it grows very quickly and forms a dense crown that hardly lets in any sunlight. The birch is extremely easy to care for and can withstand heat. It prefers dry and sandy soil and cannot tolerate waterlogging.
Areas of use: Around the garden entrance or driveway, in front of the hedge, centrally as an accent.
2.4. A slender tree for the small garden: narrow-growing columnar trees
- As for their height,the golden elmnot exactly small. But the columnar tree scores with a very narrow crown and upright growth. The tree tolerates pruning and pruning if this is done in winter. If the golden elm is in full sun, its leaves turn yellow and look particularly decorative. If the location is in partial shade, they remain green.
- The columnar mountain ashDepending on the variety, it can grow between 5 and 7 meters high. She cuts a particularly good figure as a soloist in the front garden. The mountain ash prefers a humus-rich, airy, moderately moist soil and a sunny location. The fruits of the columnar mountain ash provide food for animals and birds.
- The columnar hawthornis suitable for narrow niches and corners. The slender tree reaches a maximum height of almost 5 meters and impresses with its very compact growth.
Areas of use: In groups around the terrace as wind and privacy protection, around the garden path
2.5. Deep-rooted trees for small gardens
- The real hawthornis a deep rooter that needs moderately dry, nutrient-rich soil. The tree grows up to 6 meters high and produces large pink flowers in May. The real hawthorn provides a nesting place for birds and has decorative value as an ornamental tree.
- The European yewis an easy-care tree that even tolerates pruning well. In autumn the yew produces small red fruits.
- The blood plumis a tree that can grow up to 6 meters high. There are also dwarf varieties that grow up to 2 meters tall. The blood plum grows very slowly and has more of an ornamental value.
Areas of application: In the flower bed, in front of the house or in the front garden. Suitable for underplanting
2.6. Bee-friendly trees for small gardens
- The cherry varieties “Accolade”, “Kanzan” and “Ruby”grow up to 8 meters high. Their fragrant flowers attract birds and butterflies to the garden.
- The Canadian Judas Treereaches a maximum height of 4 meters. The nectar plant is particularly friendly to bees. The common Judas tree prefers moderately dry, nutrient-poor soil with a high clay content and a location in full sun.
- The copper rock pearis a multi-stemmed tree with a maximum height of 6 meters. At the end of March it produces snow-white flowers that attract bees and birds. The tree has no special requirements for soil or location. It tolerates drought and waterlogging equally well, and can easily withstand strong winds in winter.
Areas of application: In the natural garden, in the cottage garden, in the kitchen garden
Trees under 10 meters for the allotment garden: examples of successful design
Die Lagerstroemiais a tall house tree. Depending on the variety, it blooms in red, lavender or white. Particularly beautiful varieties are “Arapaho” and “Catawba”. The two not only score points with their flowers, but also with their particularly attractive autumn color. The tree thrives best in full sun and needs well-drained soil.
How to plant the Lagerstroemia in the garden:Directly in front of the garden fence in combination with a columnar tree and a tall shrub. The tree is perfect for underplanting because its crown allows sunlight to pass through. At the same time it offers privacy.
Heard with its pink or white flowersthe flower dogwoodone of the most beautiful North American trees. The varieties “Cloud Nine” and “Cherokee Sunset” are particularly interesting for the home garden. The first produces large, delicate flowers, the second scores with a beautiful dark pink color. The tree grows to around 9 meters high.
How to plant the flower dogwood in the garden:In the middle of the flower bed in the natural garden. Tulips and other seasonal flowers are the perfect planting partners. The house tree has similar soil and location requirements as the conifers and can also be combined with fir trees.
The golden showeris very similar to wisteria. Its overhanging branches and large flower clusters are often visited by bees and bumblebees. The tree grows 9 meters high.
This is how you put the laburnum in the garden:It cuts a particularly good figure in the rock garden and on the garden path. Laburnum does not tolerate neighbors, especially if they are the same height or higher. It feels much better at the edge of the lawn, where there is no root competition.
Der Rotdornis a real magnet for bees. At the beginning of summer it produces white flowers that exude a pleasant, strong scent throughout the garden. In late summer and autumn it attracts birds with its red fruits. Its orange-red autumn color makes the tree a highlight in every garden, even in autumn.
How to plant the hawthorn in the garden:As a privacy screen on the garden fence or as an accent in the front garden.
