Designing Small Gardens: Best Trees for Limited Spaces Not every garden has room to spare. Some are tight on space from the start, others just need a bit of structure without turning into a forest. That’s where smaller trees come in. If you pick the right one, it can lift the whole garden by adding a bit of height, bringing in some seasonal colour, or helping screen out a view you’d rather not have. It doesn’t need to be complicated. A tree with the right shape and size for the space will usually do its job without fuss. Once it’s settled, it becomes part of the garden’s rhythm and will tick nicely along in the background while everything else moves around it. What to Think About Before Choosing a Tree With smaller gardens, there’s not much room for error. A tree that looks harmless in a pot can quickly become a problem if it grows too big or starts throwing shade over everything else. That’s why it’s worth checking how tall and wide it’ll get once it’s fully grown, not just what it looks like now. Light’s another thing to think about. Some trees do fine in partial shade, while others really need a sunny spot to do well. Soil matters too, but most trees will cope if it’s not too dry or heavy. If you’re not sure what kind of soil you’ve got, you can usually get a rough idea just by digging a bit and seeing how it holds water. It also helps to choose something that gives you a bit of interest throughout the year. Spring blossom, summer leaves, berries, autumn colour — anything that earns its place without taking over. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has a few good recommendations for smaller spaces, but the main thing is to go for something that suits your garden, not just the label on the plant. Trees Direct stock a wide range of trees suitable for smaller gardens, which will get into now. Good Trees for Smaller Spaces Just because a tree stays small doesn’t mean it’s boring. Some of the best options for compact gardens bring a lot to the space — whether it’s colour, shape, or just something a bit different to look at throughout the year. Here are a few worth considering, all available from Trees Direct. Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ If you want something with colour that doesn’t shout, this Japanese maple is a solid choice. It’s slow growing, naturally compact, and the deep red leaves hold their colour right through summer. In autumn, they go a richer crimson before falling cleanly. It works well in pots or planted straight into the ground, and it’s one of those trees that just looks good without needing much from you. Best in a spot that’s sheltered from wind, with a bit of dappled light if you’ve got it. Malus ‘Gorgeous’ As crab apples go, this one lives up to its name. You get pink buds that open into white blossom in spring, followed by small bright red fruit that hang on well into winter. It’s compact, tidy, and brilliant for wildlife. Birds love the fruit, and bees hit the blossom hard in April and May. It’s also fairly easy-going when it comes to soil, so you don’t need perfect conditions to get it going. Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ If space is tight but you still want a flowering tree, this upright flowering cherry tree fits the bill. It grows tall and narrow — more like a column than a rounded tree, which makes it a good pick for narrow borders or tighter spots near fences. In spring it’s full of pale pink flowers with a light scent, and the leaves turn a soft orange in autumn. It’s not going to take over, but it gives a proper seasonal moment that’s easy to appreciate. Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ Rowan trees are usually a bit bigger, but this one stays small enough to manage in modest gardens. You still get the feathery leaves and creamy white flowers in spring, but it’s the yellow berries in autumn that really stand out. They hold their colour well and pull in birds once the weather starts to turn. The leaves also shift into red and purple, so you get a proper autumn display without the bulk of a full-sized rowan. Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ Not the most common tree found in smaller gardens, but it probably should be. Hawthorn trees have a slightly more open shape than some, but the leaves are glossy, and the white blossom shows up reliably in spring. In autumn, you get big clusters of red berries, and the leaves turn a mix of orange and red. It’s also a strong pick for anyone looking to support wildlife — bees, birds, and all the usual visitors. Easy to manage, and tougher than it looks. Making Trees Work in Smaller Spaces Fitting a tree into a small garden takes a bit of thought, but it’s usually worth the effort. The trick is to work with the space you’ve got, not against it. Narrow trees with upright growth can slot in neatly without taking over, especially near fences or in the corners of a courtyard. If you’re planting close to a path or seating area, it helps to go for something with a clean trunk so the lower branches don’t get in the way. Multi-stemmed trees are another good option as they all tend to feel lighter and more sculptural, which suits smaller spaces where every shape matters. A single tree like that can act as a focal point without needing much room around it. And if privacy’s an issue, a well-placed tree can soften a view or block a window without adding a solid screen. You can also plant beneath them. A low mix of bulbs, ferns, or small shrubs makes good use of the ground layer and helps the space feel more complete, even if the garden itself isn’t very big. Final Thoughts A well-chosen tree can bring structure, colour, and rhythm to a small garden without making it feel crowded. Whether you’re after blossom, autumn leaves, or something that brings in the birds, there’s no shortage of options that work well in tighter spaces. If you’re ready to plant, Trees Direct has a selection of compact trees suited to UK gardens, along with practical advice on how to get them established. Have a look through our range and see what might suit your space. BACK TO ARTICLES
