23 Beautiful Small Trees For Landscaping That Offer Attractive Flowers And Fruits
When it comes to selecting trees for your landscape, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, even the smallest trees can pack a significant punch when it comes to enhancing the visual appeal of your garden. This is especially true for those with limited gardening space, where small trees can be a perfect solution.
Our curated list of top small tree species for landscaping showcases just how much impact these tiny titans can have, whether through vibrant flowers, ornamental fruit, or simply their refined growth habits. Whether you’re looking to add some color and interest to your outdoor space or create a beautiful focal point, this collection of compact trees is sure to have something that will resonate with you.
Key Takeaways
As you explore the world of small trees for landscaping, you’ll discover a diverse range of species, each with its own distinct characteristics that make it valuable in ornamental landscape design. While this journey will undoubtedly impart niche knowledge about each species, we’ll highlight a few key takeaways to keep in mind. One notable aspect is the general height of these trees: most mature at under 25 feet tall.
Additionally, many popular small trees are actually dwarf varieties of larger tree species. This compact nature makes them an excellent choice for smaller growing areas. Moreover, the flowers of small trees can be a stunning feature that adds to their appeal. Finally, some species have the ability to grow in a shrub-like form, offering even greater versatility in landscape design.
23 Ornamental Small Trees for Landscaping that Enhance any Property
Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon citrinus)
The bottlebrush tree is an excellent starting point for our list of small trees for landscaping, thanks to its striking floral display. One of the most distinctive aspects of this plant’s blooms is their dual appeal – both the color and texture are equally captivating. Typically, the flowers emerge in deep red hues, comprising numerous feathery structures that form a loose cylindrical shape. This unique texture gives the plant an airy, feathery appearance during bloom time.
While it can grow as a large shrub or small tree, reaching up to 25 feet in height at its peak.
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
The camellia’s crowning glory is undoubtedly its stunning flowers, which boast a rose-like appearance with numerous petals arranged around a central hub. The intricate geometry of these blooms is truly breathtaking. Beyond their beauty, the camellia’s foliage also deserves praise, comprising broad, evergreen leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the vibrant flowers.
What’s more, this versatile plant can thrive as a small tree, reaching heights of 10 to 12 feet and featuring a stately multi-stemmed form that only adds to its refined elegance.
Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)
While the Carolina silverbell tree may be small in stature, it packs a big punch when it comes to enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits of a landscape. The secret to its success lies in its unique, tiny white flowers that dangle like ornaments from its branches.
These delicate blooms not only add a touch of elegance to any garden setting but also serve as a vital source of sustenance for local pollinators, making it an attractive option for those looking to create a thriving and beautiful outdoor space.
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
While others may overlook the chaste tree due to its diminutive size, this compact shrub’s striking beauty makes it a worthy addition to any landscaping endeavor. Its purple flower spikes, reminiscent of those found on lavender, add a pop of color and vibrancy to the landscape. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the chaste tree also boasts remarkable resilience.
Capable of thriving in poor soils, highly alkaline conditions that can prove challenging for many other plants, this hardy species is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty. As long as it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, the chaste tree will flourish, making it a reliable and attractive addition to any outdoor space.
Crabapple (Malus)
Crabapple trees are undoubtedly the stars of any garden, regardless of their size. In early spring, they transform into vibrant displays of color as flowers blanket their branches before leaves emerge. While some crabapple varieties can grow larger than others, there’s always a compact option available if you prefer a smaller tree. Typically, crabapple trees top out at around 25 feet tall or less, earning them the designation of small trees.
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’)
The Crimson Queen Japanese Maple, a dwarf cultivar of the Acer palmatum species, boasts an impressive miniature stature and captivating foliage. Unlike its full-size counterparts, this compact gem reaches only a few feet in height and width at maturity. Its most striking feature, however, is its weeping habit, a unique characteristic that sets it apart from typical Japanese Maples.
Additionally, its intricate leaves display a lace-like appearance, showcasing the plant’s remarkable complexity and beauty.
Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse ‘Nana Gracilis’)
For those seeking a compact, evergreen tree with ornamental appeal, the dwarf Hinoki cypress is an excellent choice. Its unique, pointed cylindrical shape allows it to thrive in narrow spaces without taking up too much room. The dense foliage boasts a vibrant, bright green hue that can occasionally be accented by golden hints.
While this tree has the potential to reach 25 feet tall over time, its typical mature height ranges from five to eight feet, making it an ideal option for smaller gardens or containers.
Dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)
The dwarf Mugo pine offers an endearing evergreen option for compact growing spaces. Its irregular habit gives the impression of a wild, untamed plant, but this unpredictability is part of its charm. The new growth it produces takes the form of candles that stand vertically, providing a delightful color contrast against the dark green needles.
While this dwarf species remains relatively small overall, it’s worth noting that it tends to spread horizontally more so than vertically, so be sure to account for this when spacing the plant.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Incorporating early spring blooms into your garden has never been easier than with the eastern redbud, a compact tree that thrives in this season’s earliest days. While many plants remain dormant or slowly awaken from their winter slumber, the eastern redbud bursts forth with a vibrant display of deep purple flowers that adorn each major branch like nature’s own confetti.
As the blossoms fade, the show doesn’t stop – large, heart-shaped leaves emerge, adding an extra layer of visual interest to this tree’s already impressive appeal.
English Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
With its compact stature, the English hawthorn tree typically reaches heights of around 20 feet, boasting an asymmetrical canopy that presents a kaleidoscope of colors across different seasons. Springtime sees the tree adorned with delicate white blooms, which gradually give way to the development of vibrant, reddish-pink fruits. These fruits add another layer of ornamental value, complementing the flowers and providing a striking visual contrast.
Throughout its active growing period, the English hawthorn is also characterized by lush, rich green deciduous leaves that serve as the perfect foil for its colorful displays.
European Fan Palm (Chamaerops humils)
While palms are often associated with tropical climates and towering heights, the European fan palm tree is an exception. This compact variety grows to a manageable 10 feet tall, featuring iconic fan-shaped fronds that delight palm enthusiasts. What’s more, it possesses an unexpected resilience to cold temperatures, making it suitable for outdoor cultivation as far north as hardiness zone 8.
This means it can thrive year-round in a larger portion of the United States than many other palm varieties, offering homeowners and landscapers a unique opportunity to bring a touch of tropical charm to their outdoor spaces.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
When it comes to selecting small trees for landscaping, the flowering dogwood is often at the top of many plant experts’ lists. One reason for its popularity is its stunning display of spring flowers, which are hard to match in terms of beauty. This versatile tree also boasts a charming growth habit characterized by spreading branches that can reach up to 25 feet tall and wide when mature.
Whether you’re looking for a focal point in your garden or simply a striking addition to your landscape, the flowering dogwood is an excellent choice.
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
To create an eco-friendly landscape design, incorporating native species is a great approach. Not only do they support local pollinators and wildlife, but they can also bring unique beauty to your outdoor space. Take the fringe tree, for instance. Native to the eastern United States, this tree produces stunning flowers with a pure white color and a distinctive frilly shape, rivaling the aesthetics of cultivated ornamentals.
Hopi Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Hopi)
While many crape myrtle varieties are compact in size, if you’re looking to ensure your tree remains diminutive, the Hopi crape myrtle is an ideal choice. This cultivated option reaches a maximum height of 5-10 feet, making it an excellent option for those with limited space or wanting to avoid overpowering their landscape.
The Hopi crape myrtle still retains all the ornamental charm that has come to define this plant group, boasting showy clusters of pink flowers that persist throughout much of the year.
Jane Magnolia (Magnolia liliflora ‘Jane’)
The Jane magnolia variety stands out for its compact size, with some specimens growing as shrubs rather than trees. Despite this modest stature, the tree produces stunning flowers in the spring, often preceding the leafy foliage. However, these delicate blooms can be susceptible to late winter and early spring storms, making it essential to provide wind protection when planting a magnolia tree. This can ensure the flowers remain intact and thrive in their new environment.
Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)
The Japanese pieris, also known as Japanese Andromeda, exhibits remarkable versatility in its development stages. Capable of growing into either a small tree or a large shrub, this plant’s adaptability is matched only by its ability to provide a rounded canopy of glossy, evergreen leaves with a distinctive pointed oval shape. As the seasons change and the bloom time arrives, Japanese pieris produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers that dangle elegantly from its stems.
An added bonus for some varieties is the vibrant new growth that unfurls in shades of fiery red and orange, gradually transitioning to a lush green as the seasons progress.
Limelight Hydrangea Tree (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’)
While many hydrangea varieties grow into medium-sized to large shrubs, the limelight hydrangea tree stands out as a dwarf species that takes on a miniature tree form. This unique characteristic is defined by a single slender trunk and a compact canopy comprising flowers and foliage. What sets this plant apart from its peers are the distinctive blooms, which have inspired its common name. Each flower panicle boasts a predominantly white hue with subtle green undertones.
The combination of these features – along with the plant’s unconventional growth habit – makes it an intriguing addition to our collection of small trees suitable for landscaping.
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
While other maple tree varieties get plenty of attention, the understated paperbark maple often flies under the radar. But with its unique characteristics and striking appearance, it’s definitely worth considering for your next planting project. One of the main draws of the paperbark maple is its stunning bark, which develops a rich bronze hue that shines brightly in the sunlight.
As the tree grows, the outer layers of this bark peel dramatically, creating a visually striking display that adds to the plant’s charm. The paperbark maple also boasts leaves that are distinct from those of other maple species, which may contribute to its relative lack of recognition. Nonetheless, these differences make it an attractive option for gardeners seeking a smaller tree with a touch of flair.
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
The paper birch tree is a staple in both residential gardens and forests across the United States, boasting a unique presence that’s hard to ignore. While it’s possible for this tree to reach medium heights under ideal conditions, its natural tendency is to remain compact throughout most of its life cycle.
This small stature belies the significant visual interest it brings to your outdoor space, with its striking white bark and vibrant yellow foliage providing a captivating display across all four seasons.
Royal Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple)
For those who adore the majestic color of purple, the royal purple smoke tree is an excellent choice for any landscaping project. This stunning small tree boasts an impressive display of varying shades of purple, making it perfect for adding a touch of royalty to your garden. The leaves of this plant are round and darkly hued, while its light purple seed clusters have a unique, smoky appearance that adds texture and visual interest.
What’s more, the royal purple smoke tree is surprisingly easy to care for and maintain, requiring only moderate upkeep and reaching a manageable height of 15 feet tall.
Sargent Cherry (Prunus sargentii)
The Sargent cherry tree is a unique and vibrant addition to any garden, offering a striking display of color in the spring. Its canopy transforms into a breathtaking pink hue as the famous cherry blossoms bloom, releasing a sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators from far and wide. The tree’s sturdy trunk, characterized by its shiny gray color and prominent horizontal lenticels, provides a solid foundation for this compact, rounded specimen.
Reaching only moderate heights, the Sargent cherry tree is an ideal choice for smaller growing areas, its compact form allowing it to thrive in spaces where larger trees might not fit.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
The serviceberry tree is a notable example of a small tree species that bursts into bloom during early spring, when many other plants are still dormant. Its flowers, while diminutive in size, are striking for their delicate white color and loose star-shaped arrangement. As the seasons progress, these blossoms give way to edible fruits that are as visually appealing as they are nutritious.
One of the serviceberry tree’s most distinctive features is its unique growth habit, which comprises multiple slender stems that gracefully curve upward as they mature.
Weeping Higan Cherry Tree (Prunus pendulata ‘Pendula Rosea’)
The weeping higan cherry tree rounds out our list of top small trees for landscaping, impressing with its unique growth habit and vibrant blooms. Like its Sargent cherry counterpart, it bursts forth with pink flowers in the spring. Its striking feature, however, is its sprawling canopy, which grows from a single central trunk in an elegant, arching pattern. While regular pruning is necessary to prevent the pendulous branches from becoming overgrown, this plant remains relatively low-maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Trees for Landscaping
What Size is a Small Tree?
While the term ‘small tree’ may evoke images of diminutive plant life, there’s actually a more precise definition at play. In botanical circles, small trees are characterized by a maximum height at maturity of around 25 feet or less. However, this parameter isn’t the only factor that determines whether a plant can be classified as a small tree. For instance, the growth habit of the plant is also crucial – it must display a tree-like structure to qualify as such.
This 25-foot threshold serves as a useful benchmark for understanding what’s meant by ‘small tree’, but it’s essential to consider both height and morphology when categorizing these plants.
Which Tree is Best for the Front Yard?
When selecting the ideal tree for a specific location, adaptability is key. This flexibility ensures the tree thrives despite varying growing conditions. Many homeowners opt for ornamental trees and shrubs in their front yards to boost curb appeal and fill out foundation beds. If space permits, shade trees can also play a significant role in the front yard landscape, providing welcome shade on homes during summer months – a bonus that may even lead to reduced cooling costs.
What is the Best Tree to Plant Near a House?
When incorporating trees into your landscape design near a residential property, it’s crucial to choose a species that won’t outgrow the available space. Overly ambitious plants can cause significant damage to both above-ground and below-ground components of the house, resulting in costly structural issues. A more effective strategy is to opt for varieties that remain compact throughout their lifespan.
Alternatively, consider species with slender, upright growth patterns that are naturally better suited for proximity to buildings and other structures.
What is the Smallest Growing Tree?
While it’s difficult to pinpoint the smallest-growing tree globally, numerous dwarf plant species exist that thrive on a diminutive scale. Bonsai trees, for instance, are renowned for their petite stature, a result of both their natural growth pattern and deliberate cultivation practices aimed at maintaining their compact size.
Moreover, there are many varieties of dwarf trees that can be grown outdoors, reaching heights of just a few feet or less without sacrificing their unique characteristics.
What is a Shrub or Small Tree?
The blurred lines between shrubs and small trees are where the real interest lies. Plants designated as such often represent a transitional phase in their life cycle, where they may start out resembling shrubs before maturing into miniature tree forms. However, pruning can also play a significant role in shaping these plants’ growth patterns, making it difficult to definitively categorize them as either large shrubs or small trees.
This ambiguity is precisely why the term is useful for describing plants, allowing us to better grasp their unique characteristics and behaviors.
What Trees Are Safe Next to the House?
When selecting trees to grow next to a house, it’s essential to choose varieties that won’t outgrow their surroundings. Some species have robust roots that can damage foundations or compromise structural integrity if they’re not properly contained. Even with safe options, adequate spacing is crucial to prevent issues with the house. A tree’s root system can become a significant concern if it’s not given room to grow and expand without encroaching on the property.
While many trees are well-suited for planting near homes, it’s vital to consider factors like size, growth rate, and root depth when making your selection.
The topic of small trees in landscaping can be surprisingly complex, with a multitude of questions and concerns arising. To address these queries, we’ve compiled some answers to the most frequently asked questions about this subject below.
Our responses will cover foundational principles and offer practical guidance for anyone looking to incorporate one of these remarkable plants into their landscape.
23 Graceful Small Trees for Landscaping that Are Easy to Manage
It’s undeniable that small trees can bring just as much visual charm to a landscape as larger plants. Their compact sizes make them accessible to gardeners with limited space, while their diverse offerings – including vibrant flowers, attractive foliage, and juicy fruits – ensure there’s something for everyone. The sheer variety of small tree species is what makes this group so universally appealing.
When it comes time to incorporate one into your landscape, our list will serve as a trusted starting point for exploring the best options.