Landscape small trees: 19 Small Trees for Your Landscape

19 Small Trees for Your Landscape

Plant smaller trees in your yard that won’t outgrow their space
By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer
Published 9/13/2022

With more people living in urban areas and lot sizes shrinking, smaller-sized plants have become more popular than ever. Trees are an essential part of any landscape, providing structure, cooling shade, and habitat for birds and other wildlife. There are many small trees that offer these benefits without outgrowing the space where they are planted.

While there are no hard and fast rules as to what constitutes a small tree, the Arbor Day Foundation defines small trees as those that grow up to 30 feet tall. Some are naturally small, while others are dwarf varieties of larger trees. Here are some of the best small trees to grow.

Photo by: Anna Krzywania / Shutterstock

CAROLINA SILVERBELL (

Halesia carolina)

Zones: 4-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 30 to 40 feet tall, 20 to 35 feet wide
Bloom time: Spring

Native to the southeastern U. S., this understory tree is named for its natural range and the nodding white bell-shaped flowers that appear in spring. Oval green leaves turn yellow in fall, while the furrowed reddish-brown bark adds winter interest. May be grown as a tree form or multi-stemmed shrub.

Photo by: guentermanaus / Shutterstock

CHASTE TREE (

Vitex agnus-castus)

Zones: 6-9/>
Exposure: Full sun
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 20 feet tall, 4 to 15 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Chaste tree, which grows as a small tree or shrub, produces showy violet-blue flower spikes. Although the bloom time is short, it is a spectacular show. The deciduous foliage looks similar to hemp, with broad palm-shaped leaflets. Flowers and foliage are fragrant. Use as privacy screening in a small yard or in a mixed border.

Learn more about growing arborvitae.

Photo by: Jonathan Ward / Millette Photomedia

WEEPING HIGAN CHERRY (

Prunus pendulata ‘Pendula Rosea’ )

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright weeping habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Early spring

Rose-pink buds open to pale pink blossoms in early spring before the leaves emerge. Dark green foliage turns brilliant red or yellow in fall, while the graceful weeping habit adds year-round structure. Use as a stand-alone focal point, or in an Asian-style landscape.

Learn more about growing flowering cherry trees.

Photo by: Proven Winners

SWEET SUGAR TYME® CRABAPPLE (

Malus spp.)

Zones: 4-8/>
Exposure: Full sun
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Spring

Snow-white flowers appear in abundance in early spring, followed by rich green foliage. Clusters of bright red fruit persist into winter, providing food for birds and other wildlife. Use as a focal point or in a small space.

Learn more about growing crabapple trees.

Photo by: BA LaRue / Alamy Stock Photo

CRAPE MYRTLE (

Lagerstroemia indica)

Zones: 6-10/>
Exposure: Full sun
Growth habit: Vase-shaped habit with a single or multi-stemmed trunk
Height/Spread: 10 to 30 feet tall, 10 to 20 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer to fall

Crape myrtle is a deciduous tree that offers year-round interest, with showy flower clusters, brilliant fall foliage, exfoliating bark, and attractive structure that lends winter appeal. Flower colors are pink, red, lavender, magenta, or white. Use as a focal point, in a curbside planting, or mixed border. Dwarf varieties are suitable for containers.

Learn more about growing crape myrtle trees.

Photo by: Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz / Shutterstock

FLOWERING DOGWOOD (

Cornus florida)

Zones: 5-9/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Spring

Flowering dogwood is a popular tree, native to eastern North America, with four-petaled white or pink blooms that occur in spring before the leaves emerge. Bright red fruits mature in late summer, with the green foliage turning purple in fall. Plant as a street tree, stand-alone specimen or in a woodland border.

Learn more about growing dogwood trees.

Photo by: Nature Lovin’ Geek / Shutterstock

KOUSA DOGWOOD (

Cornus kousa)

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: May to June

This Asian native produces showy white, pink, or pale green flower bracts in late spring to early summer, with large strawberry-like fruits that develop after flowering. Deciduous foliage is green or variegated, with scarlet or purple fall color. Use in a formal or Asian-style landscape.

Learn more about growing dogwood trees.

Photo by: sibyl2011 / Shutterstock

FRINGE TREE (

Chionanthus virginicus)

Zones: 3-9/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 12 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Native to the southeastern U.S., this hardy deciduous tree is named for the fragrant white fringe-like flowers. Female specimens produce black olive-like fruits, providing food for birds and other wildlife. Green lance-shaped foliage turns yellow in fall. Plant as a focal point, in a mixed border, or native landscape.

Photo by: Karl Gercens / Millette Photomedia

FRANKLIN TREE (

Franklinia alatamaha)

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 20 feet tall, 6 to 15 feet wide
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Franklin tree, a southeastern U. S. native that is now extinct in the wild, is revered for its elegant stature and white camellia-like flowers, which are sweetly fragrant. Deciduous oblong green leaves turn shades of purple, red, and orange in fall. Use as a stand-alone specimen or in a mixed border.

Photo by: Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock

GOLDEN CHAIN TREE (

Laburnum x watereri)

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Golden chain tree is named for the long hanging clusters of yellow pea-like flowers that appear in late spring. The wisteria-like flowers are followed by bean-like pods that persist into fall. Plant as a single specimen, train as an espalier, or along an arbor or pergola.

Photo by: Gabriela Beres / Shutterstock

HARLEQUIN GLORYBOWER (

Clerodendrum trichotomum)

Zones: 7-10/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall

This deciduous tree or shrub is grown for its multi-seasonal attributes. Clusters of fragrant white star-shaped flowers are followed by metallic blue berries surrounded by bright red calyces. Also known as peanut butter tree for the scent when the heart-shaped leaves are crushed. Use as a street tree or focal point. May be invasive in some areas.

Photo by: Iva Vagnerova / Shutterstock

ENGLISH HAWTHORN (

Crataegus laevigata)

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Spring

Grown as a small tree or large shrub, English hawthorn produces white, pink, or red flowers in spring, followed by red fruits in fall. Named for the thorny branches, this deciduous tree is tolerant of different growing conditions, making it a good choice for difficult sites. Use as a specimen or street tree.

Learn more about growing hawthorn trees.

Photo by: Rosamar / Shutterstock

CRIMSON QUEEN JAPANESE MAPLE (

Acer palmatum var. dissectum)

Zones: 5-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Compact weeping habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 10 to 12 feet wide

There are hundreds of different varieties of this popular ornamental tree. ‘Crimson Queen’ has a weeping habit and deeply dissected foliage. Burgundy red leaves hold their color throughout summer, turning bright orange-red in fall. Use in a container, or as a focal point in a woodland or Asian-style landscape.

Learn more about growing Japanese maple trees.

Photo by: Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia

JAPANESE SNOWBELL (

Styrax japonicus)

Zones: 5-9/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Japanese snowbell is named for the hanging bell-shaped flowers in colors of white or pale pink that bloom in profusion in late spring. This deciduous tree has an elegant growth habit, producing glossy green leaves that turn yellow and orange in fall. Plant as a street tree, or alongside a patio or deck.

Photo by: Mariola Anna S / Shutterstock

STAR MAGNOLIA (

Magnolia stellata)

Zones: 4-9/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall, 10 to 15 feet wide
Bloom time: Early spring

Star magnolia produces fuzzy pussy willow-like buds and white or pale pink ribbon-like flower petals that form a starburst. The blooms are followed by attractive fruit; fall color is insignificant. Plant this slow-growing deciduous tree in a prominent spot where the flowers can be most enjoyed. Flowers are susceptible to late frosts.

Learn more about growing magnolia trees.

Photo by: Saxon Holt

EASTERN REDBUD (

Cercis canadensis)

Zones: 4-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 30 feet tall, 25 to 35 feet wide
Bloom time: Spring

Eastern redbud is grown for its graceful vase-shaped habit and clusters of pea-like pink or purple flowers that appear before the foliage emerges in spring. Attractive heart-shaped green leaves turn yellow in fall. Use as a specimen or street tree. ‘Ace of Hearts’ is a dwarf variety suitable for small spaces.

Learn more about growing eastern redbud trees.

Photo by: MAKNAD / Shutterstock

CANADIAN SERVICEBERRY (

Amalanchier canadensis)

Zones: 4-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 30 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide; dwarf varieties are smaller
Bloom time: Mid-spring

This multi-stemmed deciduous tree or shrub, native to eastern North America, produces clusters of white star-shaped flowers that emerge before the leaves. Dark blue berries provide food for humans and birds. Serrated oval green leaves turn brilliant orange-red in fall. Plant this moisture lover along a stream or in a woodland garden.

Photo by: Elena Odareeva / Shutterstock

MOUNTAIN STEWARTIA (

Stewartia ovata)

Zones: 5-9/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 15 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer

Native to the southeastern U. S., this deciduous tree or shrub is grown for its multi-seasonal appeal. Oval green leaves provide a backdrop to showy camellia-like white flowers, which are followed by brown seed capsules. Foliage turns orange-red in fall, while exfoliating bark provides winter interest. Plant in a woodland or native border.

Photo by: J Need / Shutterstock

WITCH HAZEL (

Hamamelis virginiana)

Zones: 4-8/>
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Growth habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Fall to early spring, depending on the variety

One of the best small trees for winter color, witch hazel produces spidery yellow, orange, or red flowers, some with fragrance. The elegant vase-shaped habit and colorful fall foliage provides multi-seasonal interest. Makes a great choice as an understory specimen in a woodland or mixed border.

Learn more about growing witch hazel.

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By

Les Engels

Les Engels

Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through the Camden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. He describes himself as a “tree-hugging dirt worshipper” who is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 03/13/23

Reviewed by

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Reviewed by
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Review Board

The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy

We don’t all have room for a giant sequoia or huge oak in our yard. Fortunately, there are many small trees—known as dwarf trees in the landscaping trade—that are suitable for small yards. These trees generally mature at around 15 feet tall or less. Not only are they easy to fit into landscaping, but they are also less cumbersome to maintain than large trees. Pruning is typically a simpler task, as is training the trees to grow in a certain way. Plus, many small trees can even be grown in containers, which you might be able to bring inside for winter if your climate isn’t suitable for them.

To plant a small tree in your yard, find a suitable spot away from strong winds. Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball and roughly three inches deeper. Gently remove the rootball from the container and loosen the soil around the roots. Place the tree in the hole and backfill around the rootball, compressing the soil firmly as you go—the tree should remain in place if you give it a tug after filling the hole. Mulch around the base of the tree but keep the material a couple of inches away from the trunk. Give your new tree about a gallon of water each week.

Here are 25 small trees that are ideal for landscaping tight spaces.

Tip

If you have a small yard, focus on your vertical space. Select plants with an upright growth habit, and use vertical planters to maximize your ground space.

• 01
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Cryptomeria japonica can grow as tall as 60 feet. Luckily there is a dwarf tree cultivar that’s just the right size to fit the smallest of spaces. ‘Globosa Nana’ grows only a little over three feet high with a pyramidal shape. Its blue-green foliage develops a bit of a reddish-bronze color in the winter. Make sure never to allow its soil to dry out, and plant it somewhere sheltered from harsh winter winds.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 9a

  Color Varieties: Nonflowering

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Moist, rich, acidic, well-drained

• 02
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Wintersweet is usually grown as a shrub, but it can be trained easily to grow as a small tree. It generally reaches around 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide when mature. The yellow blooms that arrive over the winter are quite fragrant, making this an ideal plant to situate near a deck or patio. Make sure to keep its soil moist but not soggy.

  USDA Growing Zones: 7b to 9a

  Color Varieties: Yellow with purple-brown centers

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained

• 03
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Even if you don’t have a lot of landscaping room, you can still include some wow factor. The harlequin gloryblower can achieve that with its ultra-showy summer flowers and purple pearlescent fruits. The foliage on this plant also has a unique trait: When bruised it smells somewhat like peanut butter. It will take a few seasons to train your harlequin gloryblower into tree form with some easy pruning. The mature plant can reach between 10 and 20 feet high.

  USDA Growing Zones: 7b to 9a

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained

• 04
  of 25

  The Spruce / Les Engels

  Franklinia alatamaha is a dwarf tree that can grow either with a single trunk or as a multi-stemmed shrub. It features five-petal, sweetly fragrant blooms that appear late in the summer. While it can grow up to 20 feet as a tree, that’s uncommon. Its average height is around 8 to 10 feet. This plant must have sharp soil drainage, as it is not tolerant of being waterlogged.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5b to 8a

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained

• 05
  of 25

  Megan Hansen / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

  Acer campestre ‘Carnival’ is a hedge maple cultivar. This dwarf tree’s foliage appears as a variegated silver and lime green for most of the year, though it is a cotton candy pink in the early spring. Best of all, it tops out at only around 15 feet, providing a lot of visual interest in a tiny package. It also needs relatively little maintenance besides watching out for common garden pests, such as aphids and scale.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5b to 8a

  Color Varieties: Yellow-green

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

• 06
  of 25

  ‘Randy’ Magnolia (Magnolia ‘Randy’)

  David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

  The ‘Randy’ magnolia cultivar is part of the Little Girl series, making them similar to a magnolia ‘Jane’ which were all bred to be small, low-branched deciduous trees. It grows around 10 to 15 feet tall with an oval form. And in the late spring, it blooms with reddish-purple, star-shaped flowers that have white on the inside. This dwarf tree doesn’t need much pruning besides removing dead or diseased branches as needed.

  USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8a

  Color Varieties: Red-purple

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Rich, neutral to slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained

• 07
  of 25

  Hardy Orange (Citrus trifoliata)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  A member of the citrus family, the hardy orange does produce small fruits that ripen in the fall. But unlike typical oranges, they are quite acidic and have more of a lemon flavor. Many gardeners leave them on the tree for aesthetic value rather than consuming them. This plant can grow as a shrub or small tree, reaching around 8 to 15 feet high. It can be pruned after it’s done flowering, but be careful of its sharp thorns.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 9a

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

• 08
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The main dawn redwood species can easily reach 100 feet. However, the cultivar ‘Miss Grace’ is an extremely slow-growing dwarf tree. It will only reach around 8 feet after 10 years. This cultivar has a weeping form that offers flexibility for those with small yards. It can be left to weep in almost a completely prostrate manner or staked to grow upright.  

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8a
  • Color Varieties: Nonflowering
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Humusy, moist, well-drained

• 09
  of 25

  Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium)

  William Herron / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2. 0

  Native to China, yellowhorn is not commonly seen in landscaping. But it is a beautiful flowering tree that’s worth a look. It matures between 8 and 25 feet high and features an abundance of star-shaped blossoms in the springtime, followed by small green fruits. Plus, it’s quite hardy and adaptable to various growing conditions. It can tolerate some shade but ideally should be planted in full sun for best flowering.

  USDA Growing Zones: 4b to 7a

  Color Varieties: White with yellow or red center

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained 

• 10
  of 25

  Mountain Witch Alder (Fothergilla latifolia)

  Ron Evans / Getty Images

  Mountain witch alder is a slow-growing shrub that can be trained to grow as a dwarf tree with a single trunk. It reaches only around 6 to 10 feet high. This plant bears fragrant flowers in the spring, and in the fall the foliage turns to shades of red, orange, and yellow. In optimal growing conditions, it is prone to spreading via root suckers around the base of the plant. So these should be removed if you want to limit its spread. 

  USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8a

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

• 11
  of 25

  Dwarf Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinoides)

  Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

  Oaks trees are one of the most ecologically important species. They host countless moths and butterflies and are a vital source of food for wildlife. The dwarf chestnut oak allows you to contribute to this even in a small yard. This dwarf tree only reaches around 12 to 25 feet high. And it will start producing acorns in a few years, benefiting wildlife. It will require some raking of fallen leaves in the fall but not nearly as much as a larger oak.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5b to 8a

  Color Varieties: Yellow, green, red

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Average, acidic to neutral, medium moisture, well-drained

• 12
  of 25

  Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Meschick’)

  David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

  Several holly varieties can work in a small space, but the Dragon Lady holly is an excellent choice for a few reasons. It is widely available. Its conical form requires little maintenance. And it only reaches around 10 to 20 feet high. However, to get the attractive berries, you need both a female plant and a male pollinator nearby.

  USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Acidic, moist, well-drained

• 13
  of 25

  Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The Spanish fir’s main species plant grows between 50 and 75 feet high on average. But the dwarf tree cultivar Abies pinsapo ‘Fastigiata’ only reaches around 10 feet tall. The short, rigid, evergreen needles are a blue-green color. And the seed cones are a pinkish-purple color that matures to brown. This fir tree is fairly low-maintenance, but it is important to keep an eye out for insect pests.

  USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 7

  Color Varieties: Nonflowering

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Somewhat rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained

• 14
  of 25

  Bonehead / Garden.org

  Acer palmatum ‘Lemon Lime Lace’ is a colorful, compact Japanese maple cultivar. The leaves emerge a lemon-yellow color, turning to chartreuse in the summer, and ending up a bright orange in the fall before dropping for winter. This dwarf tree only reaches around 6 to 12 feet high with a 4- to 5-foot spread. Pruning is not typically needed, but any pruning for shape should be done in the late fall.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8

  Color Varieties: Insignificant

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Rich, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained

• 15
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Witch hazel can be grown as a shrub or dwarf tree. In landscape use, it usually reaches only around 15 to 20 feet high, though in the wild it can grow even taller. In the fall, the plant bears shaggy, citrus-scented, yellow flowers. Overall, witch hazel is low-maintenance. If you need to clean up growth, pruning in the early spring is best.

  USDA Growing Zones: 3a to 9a

  Color Varieties: Yellow

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

• 16
  of 25

  Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Amur maple is a fast-growing but relatively small subspecies of tatarian maple (A. tataricum) that grows to only about 20 feet tall and has brilliant red fall foliage. It is a good choice if you want a small tree with brilliant fall color that grows quickly. Few trees will show results faster than this species, but care must be taken not to allow the plentiful seeds to volunteer in native areas where they are unwanted. In parts of the Midwest, the use of this easy-to-grow tree is discouraged. It is naturally a multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub, but it can be easily pruned to favor a central leader that serves as a trunk.

  USDA Growing Zones: 2a–8a

  Color Varieties: Yellow-green flowers (non-showy)

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

• 17
  of 25

  The Spruce

  While most apple trees grown for their edible fruit are cultivars of Malus, flowering crabapples are a much more diverse group, with dozens of different species and hundreds of hybrids and cultivars. Most are relatively diminutive trees, rarely growing more than 30 feet tall, but there are many notable dwarf varieties you can choose from if you want a beautiful spring-flowering tree that takes up little space. For example, consider ‘Abaria’, a small 10-foot tree with beautiful creamy-white flowers; or ‘Cinderella, an 8-foot-tall tree with yellow fruits.

  USDA Growing Zones:  4–8

  Color Varieties: White, pink, red, purple

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained

• 18
  of 25

  Linda Raymond / Getty Images

  The many varieties of domestic apples are categorized according to size, from “very dwarfing” trees just 4- to 6 feet tall, to “very vigorous” varieties growing to 15 feet or more. The height of the trees is dictated by the type of rootstock used, so many types of apple trees are available in two or more sizes. For home gardens, some excellent tried-and-true varieties include ‘Honeycrisp’ (good for cooler climates), ‘Granny Smith’ (short chill time, ideal for warmer climates), and ‘Golden Delicious’ (works well in both cool and warm climates). Remember that different apple varieties require different chill periods—the number of days when temperatures reach between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to choose a variety that matches your region’s climate.

  USDA Growing Zones:  3–9 (varies by cultivar)

  Color Varieties:  White flowers; fruit colors include yellow, green, pink, and red

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-draining, slightly acidic

• 19
  of 25

  Alexandr Penkov / Getty Images

  Many fruit trees are now available in small dwarf varieties, perfect for when you want a beautiful flowering tree that also produces plenty of edible fruit while taking up a small amount of space. No fruit tree fits that bill better than dwarf cultivars of sweet cherry (Prunus avium). These trees are best suited for temperate climates—the places where citrus trees are out of the question. In general, cherry trees are rather small specimens, rarely growing more than 25 or 30 feet tall, but if you have even tighter space restrictions, look for one of the dwarf cultivars, such as ‘Lapins’ (a 12-to 18-foot tree that produces an especially heavy crop of black fruits) or ‘Stella’ (8- to 10-foot tree that produces especially sweet cherries in early summer).

  USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 (varies by cultivar)

  Color Varieties:  White blossoms in spring

  Sun Exposure: Full sun 

  Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained

• 20
  of 25

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) is a popular cultivar of the white spruce, bred to be a slow-growing specimen that reaches a mature height of only 10 to 13 feet. It is ideal for when you require a small evergreen that doesn’t overwhelm a landscape the way many pines can. Slow-growing (2 to 4 inches per year), it makes a good potted patio tree and is sometimes used as a living Christmas tree. But this tree is not well suited to warm climates and will struggle in zones 7 and above. The dense needles can be prone to fungal disease unless air circulation is good.

  USDA Growing Zones: 5b-7a

  Color Varieties: Non-flowering

  Sun Exposure:  Full sun

  Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

• 21
  of 25

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault 

  Because the native species can be quite a towering tree, it may surprise you to learn that there are several cultivars of cypress that are quite diminutive, making them perfect specimens where a small evergreen landscape tree is called for. Suitable for zones 5 to 8, C. obtusa is a native of Japan. It has a spreading growth habit with horizontal branches that dip at the ends. The foliage consists of flattened scale-like leaves rather than needles. Some excellent small cultivars include ‘Confucious’ (4 to 5 feet), ‘Fernspray Gold’ (10 feet with yellow branches), and ‘Tetragona Aurea’ (reaching just 10 feet in height after 10 years of growth). Further, Hinoki cypress is so slow growing that it can make an excellent potted tree or bonsai specimen, as repotting is needed rarely.

  USDA Growing Zones: 4a–8a

  Color Varieties: Non-flowering

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Acidic, well-drained

• 22
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), or crape myrtle, is a native Asian species of small flowering tree that has become iconic in southern U. S. gardens—and for good reason. Producing beautiful flowers in shades of pinkish red for a long bloom period from July to September, it continues the display with attractive yellow to red fall foliage and has exfoliating bark that makes for good winter appeal. Most cultivars are relatively small, growing to a maximum of 15 to 25 feet tall, but for an even smaller specimen, you can choose from several cultivars, including ‘ Enduring Summer White’, a 4 to 5-foot tall dwarf, and ‘Catawba’, a purple-flowered cultivar that grows to a maximum of 15 feet. Crepe myrtle will naturally assume a multi-stemmed growth habit, but if you prefer a single-trunked tree, it readily accepts pruning to this shape.

  USDA Growing Zones:  7b-9a

  Color Varieties: Rose red

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs:  Medium moisture, well-drained

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  Neme Jimenez / Getty Images

  In the landscape, dwarf orange trees are hardy only in zones 9 to 11, but as patio trees that can be moved into a shelter for the winter, they can be grown into zone 4. There are many small varieties of dwarf orange trees to choose from, but those from the mandarin group (Citrus reticulata) are both naturally small, and produce smaller, sweeter, and largely seedless fruits). Two recommended types from this group include:

  • ’Clementine’ (Citrus reticulata ‘Clementine’): This is precisely the same Clementine orange sold in grocery stores. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall with seedless, sweet fruit that ripens in midsummer.
  • ‘Tango’ (Citrus reticulata ‘Tango): This cultivar is 8 to 10 feet tall, producing fruit from January through spring when grown as a landscape tree.

  USDA Growing Zones:  9–11

  Color Varieties:  White flowers in spring

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained

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  Vladimir1965 / Getty Images

  Even in species form, redbuds are all relatively small trees, with a maximum height of about 25 feet, but for a truly small landscape tree, choose one of the several dwarf varieties available, such as the natural variation Alba (12 feet), or the cultivar ‘Covey’ a weeping form that grows only 5 to 6 feet tall. This North American native does not do well in hot climates but is tolerant of any well-drained soil. Unpruned, it tends toward a multi-stemmed shrubby growth habit, but it is easily trained to be a beautiful small single-trunk tree. It blooms in very early spring before leaves appear.

  USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9a

  Color Varieties: Pink to purple

  Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

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  Denis Tevekov / Getty Images

  This tree is a hybrid creation, a cross between a lemon and a Mandarine orange. Growing to a maximum of 10 feet, it is both beautiful (with glossy green leaves and white flowers) and productive (producing delicious fruit starting when it is about four years old). Its natural growth habit is as a multi-stemmed plant, but it can easily be pruned to take a more classic single-trunk form. It can also make an excellent container tree for a sunny patio.

  USDA Growing Zones: 9–11

  Color Varieties: White

  Sun Exposure: Full sun

  Soil Needs: Sandy, well-draining

Choosing Plants for a Small Garden

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Flowering Crabapple Trees. Colorado State University Extension

2. Growing Apple Trees in a Home Garden. University of Maryland Extension

Landscape. Ways to Draw Trees • Learn to Draw

On the following pages, you will learn how to draw trees in a variety of ways: drawing, painting and printing. With any of these techniques, you will get even better results if you paint your trees larger.

This oil painting of an olive grove by Vincent van Gogh was painted by the artist in 1889. With many short strokes, Van Gogh creates the shape and color of the trees and the sky.

Oil pastel

1. With dark brown oil pastel paint a curved tree trunk and some short branches.

2. Using green oil pastel, apply many short diagonal strokes over the branch lines.

3. Using lime pastel and light green pastel, draw many diagonal lines to represent the leaves.

Instead of short lines, the crown of this tree is depicted with small spots.

For autumn leaves you will need pastels in three colors: brown, orange and rust.

Fountain pen and ink

1. With brown ink, draw and color a very simple tree trunk with three thick branches.

2. Using green ink, trace a wavy outline of the crown and fill it in, leaving a small amount of small voids.

3. Using a felt tip pen or fountain pen, draw looped lines along the edges of the wood and around the gaps left.

Watercolor

1. Lightly touching the bristles of the brush to the paper, as if spraying paint, apply small spots of green and brown watercolor onto the paper.

2. Allow the image to dry and then, using different shades of brown watercolor paint on the trunk of the tree.

3. While the trunk is still wet, paint the branches of the tree, carefully painting them with the brush right on top of the leaves.

Pastels

1. Paint the trunk with yellowish-brown watercolor paint, then add some branches.

2. Now with light green pastel chalk, draw lines to represent the leaves. And in some places add a few dark green touches.

3. Use your fingertip to gently rub the applied lines to blend and blend the colors.

Sponge leaves

1. Take watercolor paint or ink and use the tip of the brush to draw the trunk and curving branches of the tree.

2. Soak part of the sponge in water and dip it in the red paint. Now carefully apply it with the painted side around the tops of the branches.

It is best to use a natural sponge.

3. Wash the sponge and wring it out as best you can. Then dip it in purple paint and apply it to the branches in the same way.

This tree was painted using straw. Use this technique to depict winter trees.

Dip the hard tip of the brush into the paint and run it over the still wet areas of the watercolor to represent the branches.

The leaves on this tree were printed with an eraser and cut into different shapes.

Draw the trunk with brown pastel crayons. Then quickly and casually depict the foliage. Blend it in several places.

This stylized tree is drawn in pastel crayons, with the leaves first and then the trunk.

The foliage was first painted with dark green acrylic paint and then overlaid with a lighter green tone.

Zigzag trees

1. Using green watercolor paint, paint three tree trunks tapering towards the top, and then the ground.

2. Draw the tip of the brush from the top of the tree down the trunk in a widening zigzag line.

3. Do not paint the part of the trunk at the base of the tree. In the same zigzag way, apply a little clean water along the entire trunk.

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