Terrific trees to fit in small spaces (Seaside Magazine - November 2020)

It can’t be overstated the importance of trees in a landscape.  However, with the steady decline in yard sizes, we’re finding that many of our clients just don’t have the room for most trees.  If you have a lack of space but still have your heart set on planting a tree this year, here are some of our favorites that can fit into tight spaces.

Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus) – At 25’ tall and wide these aren’t the smallest trees on the list but a snowbell will keep a naturally neat shape without much pruning.  Also, the roots of styrax are unlikely to come up above the surface so they’re a great candidate for planting next to a patio or in a lawn.  More importantly, the snowbell is one of the most beautiful trees for our zone especially in late spring when they’re covered in masses of white flowers.  A truly stunning addition to a sunny landscape.

Styrax flowers

Prairifire Crabapple (Malus ‘Prairifire’) – Many gardeners underestimate the beauty of flowering crabapples. If you’ve ever seen a ‘Prarifire’ in bloom, you have to wonder why they’re not more common.  These trees flower so heavily that the entire tree will turn an electric pink in spring.  They’re a tremendous accent tree for boulevards and other full sun spots and will reliably grow to 20’ tall and wide.  

Prairifire Crabapple

Venus Dogwood (Cornus x ‘Venus’) – If your yard lacks the size for a larger dogwood, a Venus dogwood is a great alternative.   A hybrid between our Pacific Dogwood and Korean dogwood, that boasts a jaw-dropping display of flowers and superior disease resistance in a much smaller size.  These trees will mature to 15-20’ tall and excel in a spot with full to part sun.  

Cornus ‘Venus’

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) - One of the few broad-leafed evergreens that will fit into in a small garden.  A relative of our native madrona, these small trees excel in the hot summers of Southern Vancouver Island.  Though it can also be grown as a large shrub, pruning off the lower branches will create a tree with glossy green leaves and beautiful fall fruit up to a height of 12-15’.   A terrific choice for year-round interest, and the birds will love the fruit. 

Fruit of the Arbutus unedo

Teddy Bear Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Southern Charm’) – Another terrific evergreen is this dwarf cultivar of the southern Magnolia.  Despite a moderate height of only 20’, ‘Teddy Bear’sports the characteristic white flowers and dark green/ velvety brown leaves of it’s (enormous) parent.   It does lack the open habit of the Southern magnolia in favor of a tight, upright form; so plant it as an accent rather than a shade tree.

Magnolia ‘Teddy Bear’

Good gardening!