Top 10 Small Trees for Tiny Gardens

They can bring you privacy and shade, as well as lovely variance in height and structure.

Many also bring stunning autumn colour or pretty spring blossom, and some will even reward you with a crop of edible fruit.

Trees are also vital for wildlife such as nesting birds and bees, so getting one in your garden is really a no-brainer.

Quite a few people believe their garden is too small for a tree. But actually there are so many small and dwarf varieties of tree, and many that can even be grown in containers.

Even if you only have a balcony or a narrow urban garden, you can still plant the perfect tree for your space. When choosing a tree for a small garden, check its mature height and spread before buying to avoid future issues.

Pick a variety with a light, airy canopy to keep the space feeling open and let sunlight reach the ground below. Avoid trees that grow too large too quickly, as they can block light and dry out the surrounding soil.

Here are ten fabulous tiny trees that are perfect for small gardens. Most of these trees won’t grow more than eight metres tall. And will take a long time to get that big.

Japanese maples are the perfect choice for smaller gardens as they’re very slow growing and can tolerate shade as well. They offer a huge range of colours, with leaves that transform beautifully through the seasons, finishing in a vibrant autumn display.

Grow Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ for a compact tree that produces purplish-red spring flowers and delivers rich autumn colour. It complements Japanese-style gardens perfectly and thrives in pots, making it a great choice for patios and smaller spaces.

Amelanchier trees are a beautiful addition to any small garden and are most often grown for their showy white flowers in spring.

You also get autumn interest in the form of red turned purple berries that the birds love.

The leaves are tinged with bronze and turn a vibrant red as they fade. Try the classic Amelanchier lamarckii (Juneberry) in a sunny or partially shaded spot.

Hawthorn is a native British tree that illuminates hedgerows with its white blossom in spring.

Some varieties, such as Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ are perfect for small spaces. And they will bring glossy green leaves and masses of white blossom, turning a dramatic red in autumn. Also, it likes a sunny location and is happy in most soil types.

Rowan or mountain ash trees are always popular trees for small gardens. Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ is an eye-catching variety with small divided leaves which change to orange red and purple in autumn.

The tree bears white flowers in spring and bright, butter-yellow berries in autumn. Finally, it does well in moderately fertile soil that is acid or neutral and prefers a sunny or partially shaded area.

You don’t need a huge garden to grow apples! There are loads of small and dwarf varieties of apple tree that are perfect for smaller gardens and can also be grown in containers.

They’re so wonderful because of their lovely spring blossom, summer leaves and edible fruits for you to harvest in autumn.

Also, it’s important to check the rootstock with apple trees to find out the ultimate size. Malus domestica ‘Discovery’ is a good choice for a sunny spot that has a compact growing habit.

Magnolia trees are well-known for their stunning goblet shaped flowers in spring time, and there are many varieties that are suitable for small gardens.

Magnolia stellata is a perfect choice, producing masses of star-shaped, white flowers in early spring, growing no more than 210cm. Additionally, it has the added advantage of rarely having its flowers damaged by frost, unlike many of its taller counterparts.

The corkscrew hazel is a lovely unique looking tree. It makes a striking addition to any small garden, especially over winter when the bare corkscrew branches are on display.

Also, these branches are popular for cutting and displaying indoors. Bearing long yellow catkins in spring and early summer, corkscrew hazels grow well in chalky soils in sun or dappled shade.

Cherry trees are famed for their beautiful spring blossom. Fortunately, there are many shorter growing varieties that make excellent trees for small gardens.

Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ is a small tree and an absolute delight bearing clusters of frilly-petalled, double flowers in shades varying from the lightest to the darkest pink. With the added bonus of leaves turning bright shades of red and orange in the auaumn. This makes it an ideal specimen tree choice.

Alternatively, try Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ if your space is narrow, as this variety has a columular or upright growing habit.

Silver birch are often good choices for small gardens. They are famed for their stunning bark which looks great throughout winter.

Plus, Silver birch trees can have a single trunk or be multi-stemmed. Try the weeping Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ which has arching stems of ovate leaves that fade to yellow in autumn.

Ornamental pear trees are grown, as the name suggests, for their wonderful spring blossom and unique silvery-green foliage in summer.

The Pyrus Salicifolia ‘Pendula’ is a petite weeping variety with soft downy leaves bringing a lovely soft canopy. In autumn, the small fruits will prove popular with birds and wildlife.