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Small trees for small gardens

By Jo Calvert

Even the smallest garden has room for a tree. We help you find the right kind for your space.
22 small trees to try
Colourful all season
• Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Japanese maple) has feathery bright green leaves that turn orange in the fall. Up to 2 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Aesculus pavia* (red buckeye) has red flowers in early spring. Up to 5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
Cornus stolonifera* (red osier dogwood) has insignificant white flowers and fruit, but brilliant red shoots in winter. Up to 2 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 2.
Cotinus coggygria (smoke tree) has cultivars with flowers and foliage ranging from purple through scarlet to lime green. Up to 5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.

Flowering
• Cercis canadensis* (eastern redbud) has an open crown of heart-shaped green leaves that turn deep red in fall. Up to 10 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (corkscrew hazel) has long yellow catkins on its twisted branches in early spring. Up to 5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 3.
• Magnolia stellata (star magnolia) has white flowers blushed with pink. Up to 3 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Salix discolor* (pussy willow) has furry grey catkins in late winter. Up to 5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' (Japanese tree lilac) has lacy white flowers in midsummer. Up to 4 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.

Fruiting
• Cornus alternifolia* (pagoda dogwood) has horizontal branches with white flowers, then black fruit that birds love. Up to 6 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Malus sargentii 'Tina' (dwarf crab apple) has white flowers and deep red fruit. Up to 1.5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Prunus avium 'Compact Stella' (dwarf cherry) is a Canadian hybrid developed for its sweet fruit. Up to 2.5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Sambucus canadensis* (American elderberry) has small white flowers followed by purple fruit. Up to 3 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Sorbus reducta (dwarf mountain ash) has white flowers, red berries and dark green leaves that turn red in fall. Up to 1.5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.

Weeping
• Caragana arborescens 'Pendula' (Siberian pea shrub) has thorny branches with yellow flowers in spring. Up to 1.5 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 2.
• Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Pendula' (purple beech) has dark purple foliage. Up to 3 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Malus 'Royal Beauty' (crab apple) has a profusion of pink-purple spring flowers, purple leaves and dark red fruit in fall. Up to 2 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.
• Morus alba 'Pendula' (white mulberry) has broad, toothed, glossy leaves, and purple fruit that attracts birds. Up to 3 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula' (hemlock) has feathery green boughs. Up to 4 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii' (Camperdown elm) has a domed crown with tiny red flowers in spring. Up to 8 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 5.

Evergreen
• Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Aurea' (Hinoki cypress) has golden green foliage. Up to 2 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 4.
• Picea engelmannii 'Compact' (dwarf Engelmann spruce) has blue-green needles. Up to 2 metres tall. Hardy to Zone 3.

*Native to North America

Not sure you have the know-how?

For expert information and illustrations on pruning ornamental trees and shrubs, visit the Montréal Botanical Garden website and select Trees and Ornamental Shrubs.


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  • Keywords : garden projects , gardening

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