All landscapes aren’t created equal, especially when it comes to size. Some homeowners are blessed with extra room to roam and grow, while some of us are blessed with spaces that are “tight.” Even if your gardening space is limited, you can still enjoy the splendor of an ornamental tree and the tree-form of traditional shrubs. These five beautiful trees for small landscapes are flowering trees, small in size and big on beauty:
Coralburst Crabapple
At just 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide, Coralburst is a terrific choice for a small accent on your lawn or an anchor in a mixed border. Very compact and slow-growing, this low-maintenance tree forms a neat, dense, symmetrical crown. Coral-pink buds open in spring to semi-double, rose-pink flowers against deep green leaves. You’ll love the bronze-red, 1/2-inch fruit that comes next. Coralburst crabapple is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant it in full sun for best results.
Limelight Hydrangea (Tree Form)
Eye-catching at every stage of the game, Limelight is an elegant addition to spaces large or small. Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, this specimen is a tree-form of the limelight hydrangea shrub that brings your landscape profuse blooms from July through September. Lime-green flower buds open to celadon green blossoms that progress to lime-tinged white. As the flowers mature, get ready for sumptuous shades of pink and burgundy. Give Limelight full sun to partial shade in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8.
Louisa Weeping Crabapple
The sculptural form created by this crab’s long, cascading branches attracts attention year-round wherever it grows. Reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and spreading up to 15 feet wide, Louisa offers stunning red-pink buds that open to true pink flowers against a backdrop of glossy dark green leaves. The persistent red fruits measure about 3/8 inch and will earn you the gratitude of winter birds and other wildlife. For best performance, grow Louisa in full sun in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 7.
Palibin Lilac (Tree Form)
Also known as dwarf Korean lilac, tree-form Palibin is right at home in tiny places. Growing just 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, its dense branching forms an attractive, compact crown of glossy green leaves — with subtly ruffled edges. The extremely fragrant flowers start as deep, red-purple buds that open to soft lilac-purple and age to lilac-pink. Resilient Palibin lilac flourishes in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant it where it gets full sun for maximum beauty and blooms.
Tina Crabapple (Tree Form)
Tina typically grows just 8 feet wide, but this impressive crabapple can reach 8 to 12 feet in height. Beautiful as a small specimen tree, grouped in the landscape, or framing an entry, this tree provides a flurry of red buds that open to fragrant, yellow-centered, single white blossoms. Clusters of long-lasting, tiny, ¼-inch fruits follow. You’ll enjoy the striking combination of red fruits and yellow fall foliage. Tina is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 7. The best displays of flowers, fruit, and foliage come with full sun.
Regardless of your landscape’s size, an ornamental tree can lift its beauty and your enjoyment to new heights. With 125 years of experience behind us, McKay understands your landscape needs — small and large. Shop our plants online with confidence or stop in at one of our retail garden centers either in Madison, WI, or Oshkosh, WI. See our plants firsthand, spend some time with our staff, and take another step closer to making your landscape dreams a reality.