When selecting trees for a small garden in many cases there may only be space for one tree so choosing the right one is important. When planting in small enclosed spaces, it is advisable to plant trees that have a small crown spread.
Eventual height is an important factor too. Even small ornamental trees may, over time, reach a height of 6-7m or more. If you only have room for one tree ideally look for one with more than one feature or season of interest such as coloured bark or fruit or autumn colour following on from flowers. It is important when choosing trees for a small garden that any trees chosen are right for their surroundings in terms of proportion as well as for their decorative value.
Feel free to browse through our stock, we are always happy to talk about our trees. Visits to the nursery are welcome by appointment and are a great way to experience our trees for yourself.
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"The Korean Fir is a tidy, compact, slow growing evergreen conifer. It has a dense, deep green foliage with a silvery blue hue. The seed cones are decorative with a lovely distinct colour turning from purple in spring to brown in the autumn. It can grow to heights of approximately 6-10ft tall x 3ft wide over 10 years. It prefers a sunny position in full sun in a slightly acidic, well drained soil."
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"Acer campestre Nanum is a top worked variety with a very dwarfing, rounded habit. Its leaves are smaller than those of the species and they form a very dense crown. Acer campestre Nanum does best in well drained soils, but does well in virtually any soil type, and will readily tolerate drought, soil compaction and air pollution. Very good for streets and residential planting, or any site where space is at a premium. This clone has long been in cultivation and was introduced in the 1830s."
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"Acer griseum is a small tree, but a magnificent one. Originally from China, from an early age the bark peels to reveal cinnamon coloured under-bark and the trifoliate leaves have attractive reddish tints in autumn. Introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1901. Acer griseum does best in moist, well drained soil, and is not drought tolerant. Nutrient rich, wet soil can inhibit autumn colour."
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"Acer palmatum Atropurpureum, known as Purple Japanese Maple, is a stunning and reliable clone introduced in the late 1850s. Best grown as a low branched bush, it emerges with deeply cut dark purple foliage in spring that turns to crimson in the autumn before leaf fall. Acer palmatum Atropurpureum thrives best on fertile, free draining soils in sheltered positions away from desiccating winds and scorching sun. Dark leaved trees provide wonderful contrast within a garden as its colour draws our eyes from the onset. With this in mind it is always good to plant on the extremity of the garden to focus the view through the plants."
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"Acer platanoides Globosum was introduced in the 1870s. This lollipop tree is top grafted onto a platanoides stem to form a dense mop headed tree. A very good choice as a street tree and for urban plantings. It does well on most soil types, tolerates air pollution and resists drought. The dense rounded formality of the crown makes this a delight for architects seeking contrast. Wonderful when in full foliage, it is best for an urban environment where small is beautiful."
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"Small but broad tree with a broad, virtually round crown. The leaves are 3-lobed, the middle lobe being significantly longer than the two side lobes. The leaves are bright green, turning yellowy orange to bright red in autumn. The fruits also turn bright red for several weeks as they ripen. This happens before the leaves change colour in autumn, so that the red fruits stand out attractively. Both the fruit and the autumn coloration benefit from a sunny location. A very hardy plant that flourishes on almost any soil type and is highly resistant to air pollution, drought and road salt."
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"Amelanchier arborea Robin Hill (Juneberry) is a wonderful small tree which forms a dense oval habit and produces its masses of spring flowers that open pink and turn white. The young leaves emerge coppery-red and then harden to green by late spring before they turn orange and red in autumn. Will produces a light crop of berries in late summer. A very good choice for residential areas, the tree provides plenty of interest with virtually no maintenance. Being a relatively small tree at maturity and limited spread (up to 7 metres by 4 metres), it makes for a great choice in urban areas. It does best in moist, well drained, lime free soils."
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"Amelanchier lamarckii (Service berry) is a stunning sight when in full bloom with its white flowers produced in plentiful racemes. It is a small, shrubby tree with emerging copper coloured leaves turning green by late spring before they mature to a rich red as autumn progresses. The rounded fruits, red in summer before turning black in autumn are edible. Amelanchier lamarckii is available in multi-stem form or as a single stem."
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"Amelanchier Ballerina is a small tree that is naturalised over much of Western Europe and has the significant benefit of providing some interest at all points of the year. The profuse white flowers emerge in the spring, followed by foliage which is a coppery colour that turns to bright green by late spring. The autumn colour is brilliant red, emerging in conjunction with rounded fruits which are initially red in summer before turning black in the autumn. Although not the sweetest of tasting fruits, they are edible, adding to the attraction of this little tree as a superb addition to any garden planting scheme."
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"Arbutus unedo is a lovely, broadleaf, evergreen shrub/small-tree with year-round ornamental interest. Native to the Mediterranean region but also found in the south west of Ireland where it is sometimes referred to as the 'Killarney Strawberry Tree'. It is noted for its beautiful yellow and red fruit - resembling the strawberry fruit - as well as striking flower, leaves, and bark thus making it an ideal specimen tree. Creamy-white flowers that are lightly scented are produced in autumn, followed a year later by edible red berries. Grows at a relatively slow pace but can eventually reach to a height of 4-5 metres. Can be grown in a multi-stem format or as a single trunk tree. Tolerates various climates and most soil types, especially if they are free draining."
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"Betula pendula Youngii (Young's Weeping Birch) is a small to medium weeping birch which has no defined central leader and therefore eventually forms an attractive dome shape. The thin branches of Betula pendula Youngii eventually reach the ground and the serrated, triangular leaves show good autumn colour. It develops a smooth white bark and it is an attractive specimen tree for lawns. It grows well on most soils and has been a great favourite for many years."
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"Carpinus betulus Fastigiata Frans Fontaine is a far better proposition for planting in restricted areas than Carpinus betulus Fastigiata. It retains its columnar habit, being only 3m wide after 25 years. It tolerates pollution and soil compaction, making it an excellent street tree. It grows well on most soils, including clay and chalk. It is a tree well suited for urban settings and for poor planting conditions."
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Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a beautiful tree which can grow up to 15 metres in Ireland. It has a rounded conical crown and attractive heart shaped leaves in opposite pairs. Katsura is a plant which gives interest all year round, with its constantly changing colour displays. In spring, its leaves flush out pinkish-bronze, gradually turning to a lush green in summer. Autumn brings brilliant displays of orange yellow and red and in our opinion the best quality is the accompanying smell of burnt sugar and candy floss which drifts gently in the breeze. Neither the flowers or fruits are particularly significant. Best grown in a rich, fertile soil avoiding sites which are windy or with hot afternoon sun as the leaves can scorch. May not colour as well in autumn on alkaline soils.
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"Known commonly as Chinese Redbud, this hardy plant is fine on free draining soils but is not recommended in exposed areas. Dark pink buds litter the branch and stem network in the late spring to erupt into flower by May. Cercis Chinensis Avondale certainly is a show stopper and great for south facing gardens."
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"Cornus controversa is a particularly stunning ornamental specimen tree that develops a layered type structure, similar to the tiers of a wedding cake. This interesting tree has elliptically shaped deep green foliage and broad clusters of creamy white flowers which emerge after the foliage in May."
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"Cornus kousa China Girl has large bracts, great autumn colour and good sized fruits. Plants as small as 40-60cm are capable of setting flower buds making this an ideal garden tree that exhibits lots of interest. The flowers of the Cornus kousa China Girl are borne in abundance in early spring and the foliage turns vivid colours by autumn. It will not thrive in alkaline soils and it is best only to plant on ground with a ph less than 7 and to avoid waterlogged or compacted soils."
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"Cornus kousa Milky Way is a spectacular Chinese Dogwood that was selected from a seedbed in Ohio in the 1960’s and named for its abundant flower display suggestive of the many stars in the Milky Way!"
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"Cornus mas - commonly known as the Cornelian Cherry - gives a rewarding exhibition of colour and fruit throughout the year. This pretty tree is a native of central and southern Europe and gives a very long period of interest. This small growing, compact, tree has small yellow flowers that appear in February from the bare stems putting on a stunning display of colour in an otherwise gloomy month of the year! The bright red, cherry-like fruits are edible, and the leaves turn a delightful reddish purple in autumn."
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"Crataegus laevigata Paul's Scarlet ('Paul's Scarlet' Hawthorn) is a small, rounded deciduous thorny tree or hedge with lobed, glossy leaves and fully double, pinkish-red late Spring flower. Flowering arrives in May when almost all of the other spring flowering trees have finished their floral displays. The foliage is a classic Hawthorn shape, small and dark green, changing to red in the autumn time. The fruit also appear in the autumn and are red, very small and similar to the Common Hawthorn fruit. This tough tree is a quite resilient and will perform well in most soils, including very dry and wet conditions. It can however be a little slow to root post transplanting and thus we recommend moderate pruning of the crown in the first few years post planting to ensure that good anchorage is achieved. As a small to medium sized tree, this variety is a great choice for gardens which are exposed or coastal as it is one of the very few ornamental varieties which can withstand a little salt laden wind. This species should be a certain inclusion for any planting project which looks to extend the floral display well into the early summer."
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"Crataegus lavalleei 'Carrierei', also known as Cockspur thorn 'Carrierei', is a deciduous, tidy, multi-stem small tree. It has a dense broad crown and dark green glossy oval leaves and is ideal for small gardens showcasing its highly decorative looks. Whilst thorny, these are less dense than other Hawthorn. It's leaves turn red in late autumn and fall late making for ideal screening and/or a security barrier. It's blossoms are clustered and white, 5-petaled, and with a red centre whilst it bears large, orange-red berries in the autumn - great for attracting wildlife. Quite small even once fully mature, it will slowly grow to be 4 to 8 metres high and up to 8 metres wide. This tough tree will thrive in most soil types and aspects including coastal sites. Prefers to be planted in moist but well drained soil and has access to sun or partial shade. Noted also for being pollution tolerant so ideal for city/urban planting."
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"Davidia involucrata (Handkerchief Tree or Dove Tree) is well named and much sought after. Its common name derives from the large white bracts which appear in May. These are followed by large, oval fruits in autumn. Foliage and habit are similar to those of the lime. A medium to large tree, it is very good for parks and does well in a fairly sheltered position. It thrives best on deep fertile soil."
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"Davidia involucrata (Handkerchief Tree or Dove Tree) is well named and much sought after. Its common name derives from the large white bracts which appear in May. These are followed by large, oval fruits in autumn. Foliage and habit are similar to those of the lime. A medium to large tree, it is very good for parks and does well in a fairly sheltered position. It thrives best on deep fertile soil."
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"Fagus sylvatica Ansorgei (Ansorgei European Beech) is a lovely narrow-leaved variety of beech with linear, dark-purple leaf and arching branches. An uncommon, hardy beech specimen, it's ideal for a small garden. Particularly suitable as a standalone specimen or for blending with mixed planting, larger rock displays, or set beside a water feature/path. This beech should thrive just about anywhere other than exposed and coastal locations. As it is shallow rooted, under planting is not recommended. Does well in most reasonably fertile, well drained soils, Fagus sylvatica Ansorgei will not thrive in heavy clay or light sand." Note that it is very slow growing - it will eventually grow to around 4 metres in height with a maximum spread of 5-6 metres - as a benchmark it can take up to 10 years before it reaches 1.5 metres in height and spread."
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"Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Gold is a golden-leaved form of the Fastigiate Beech. A fairly large, columnar tree, which looks good from spring right through to autumn. In spring the leaves are golden yellow, turning pale green in summer before reverting to a golden yellow in autumn. It looks especially attractive planted planted against a dark background and is good as a specimen in parks and as a verge tree. Beech thrives just about anywhere other than exposed and coastal locations. As it is shallow rooted, under planting is not recommended. Doing well in most reasonably fertile, well drained soils, Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Gold will not thrive in heavy clay or light sand."
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"Fagus sylvatica Dawyck is a medium to large tree with a columnar habit and is a very good choice for both wide verges and specimen plantings in parks. It is quite suitable for urban areas also. Even when mature, it is seldom more than 3m wide. Beech thrives just about anywhere other than exposed and coastal locations. As it is shallow rooted, under planting is not recommended with this variety."
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"Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple is a fastigiate beech with stunning dark foliage. It is a little narrower than Dawyck Gold but not quite as dense. It makes a splendid tree for parks and verges and has striking, deep purple foliage."
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"Fagus sylvatica Rohanii forms a large pyramidal tree at maturity which is perfect for parks, estates and open spaces. Like all Beech this cultivar does well in most reasonably fertile, well drained soils, it will not thrive in heavy clay or light sand and should not be planted in exposed or coastal locations. The foliage very stricking, deep purple in colour with a wavy margin to it. Like all dark purple leaved trees Fagus sylvatica Rohanii is best planted towards the back of a scheme, as these colours tend to draw focus away from anything that may sit behind."
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"Halesia monticola is a stunning shapely small tree known for its beautiful snowdrop shaped flowers in masses of clusters in May/June. Striking autumn foliage which is bright yellow create a real feature in the garden."
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"Halesia monticola is a stunning shapely small tree known for its beautiful snowdrop shaped flowers in masses of clusters in May/June. Striking autumn foliage which is bright yellow create a real feature in the garden."
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"Hamamelis x intermedia has a terrific floral display with hints of yellow, orange and red on its ribbon like flowers which emerge sometimes as early as February. It only makes a small tree so is ideal for a garden border where space is at a premium. Hamamelis x intermedia has a great autumn display that can start quite early in September. The foliage turns from green top luminescent yellow / orange / red before falling in October. It thrives on most free draining soils but prefers moist conditions for optima growth."
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"Heptacodium miconioides or Seven Son Flower is a bushy, upright shrub and tree with a vase shape to nearly round, half-open crown. It can reach up to anywhere from 4 to 6 metres in height and similar spread, growing from a shrub into a small multi-stem tree. It produces dark green leaves and prolific clusters of small fragrant white flowers from late summer to late autumn. Great value to bees and butterflies. It needs full or partial sun but will tolerate any non-alkaline soil as long as it is moist, free draining , and with some humus content. Relatively hardy, particularly frost resistant, and okay in coastal locations."
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"Ilex x aquipernyi Dragon Lady is a hybrid between Ilex aquifolium and Ilex pernyi. The cultivar grows as an upright, symmetrical, very narrow pyramid. Spiny, evergreen, dark green leaves are attractive year round. Scarlet fruits mature in autumn and remain on the plant through winter. As this is a female plant, if fruits are desired a male nearby clone is required. Hardy."
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"Ilex meserveae Heckenfee is a female, upright variety of the popular blue holly. It has dark glossy leaves with excellent vigour and branching making it a great choice over other varieties. A narrow growth habit makes it ideal for hedges, foundation plantings, or even as a stand alone specimen. Bright red ornamental berries appear in autumn if pollinated. It will achieve a maximum height of 2-3 metres, with a spread of about 1 metre. As a result, this shrub will fit in beautifully in large and small gardens alike."
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"Ilex Nellie R. Stevens is a relatively recent hybrid between Ilex aquifolium (Common Holly) and Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly). It typically grows as a large broadleaf evergreen shrub with dense, conical form to 4-6 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide. It also can be trained to grow as a small tree. This hardy variant has glossy, dark green leaves that have spiny margins, 2-3 spines per side. Small greenish-white flowers appear in spring (April), but are generally inconspicuous. Flowers give way to often abundant amounts of berries which ripen to bright red in autumn and persist into winter. As with all holly variants, makes for a great screen or hedging or an individual specimen."
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"Juglans regia 'Broadview' ('Broadview' English/Persian Walnut) is a slightly smaller and more compact cultivar of the regia species. The tree grows to an average maximum height of 10 metres, over a period of between 10 and 20 years. It grows with a broadly pyramidal crown and makes for a very good choice for planting in small to medium settings. It will begin cropping well when still young, always dependant of course on the Irish climate and conditions. Bark is silvery grey and foliage colours change throughout the seasons from shades of dark green and purple to dark bronze and gold. Green and yellow flowers appear in the spring and summer. Grows in most types of well-drained soil types and prefers a full-sun position with a south or west facing aspect."
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"Lagerstroemia Indica 'Muskogee' is a relatively new variant of the Crape Myrtle and makes for a lovely garden tree for late summer flower, stunning autumn foliage colour, and year round bark interest. This multi-stemmed tree/shrub is compact, upright to spreading, moderately hardy, and deciduous. It has exfoliating, brown and grey bark, with oblong to ovate, dark green leaves turning orange-red in autumn, and panicles of beautiful lilac-pink to lavender flowers from summer into autumn. Likes most soil types it prefers free draining soils, a south facing sheltered position with full sun and flourishes off the reflected heat bouncing off walls and patios. Will grow up to an average height of 5 metres when fully formed."
