Collection: Trees for Small Gardens
We've got a whole range of small trees that are perfect for more space-limited gardens. Grown with the utmost care at our Vale of Evesham nursery, we have everything from patio fruit trees to dwarf acers and cherry blossoms. Because after all, why should having a smaller space stop you from owning a lovely little tree?
Need help picking?-
Regular price £35Regular price Sale price £35
Patio Lilac Tree | Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'
Wake up and smell the... Lilac!
- Perfectly-proportioned, upright patio tree
- Small tree - grows up to 1.5m (when pruned)
- Stunning, fragrant pink blooms
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £100Regular price
£140Sale price £100Japanese Maple Tree | Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg'
A Dutch delight
- Glorious shrubby tree
- Small tree - grows to 4m
- Downwards-curving, purple, deciduous foliage
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £35Regular price Sale price £35
Espalier Apple Tree
Transform a boring wall!
- Professionally trained in an espalier shape
- Includes both cooking and dessert varieties
- Bite into fresh or incorporate into crumbles
- Juicy, crisp apples, impressive blossoms
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Regular price £50Regular price Sale price £50
'Melred' Red-Flowered Patio Peach Tree
Glorious hot-pink blossoms
- Divine fruits with punchy peach flavour
- Gorgeous pink blossom in spring
- Delicious eaten fresh from the tree
- Harvest your peaches in August
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £85Regular price
£87Sale price £85Patio Cherry and Plum Trees | Perfect Partners
Your balcony's new best friends
- Stone fruit grown on the patio!
- Sweet, juicy, and oh-so moreish
- RHS award-winning varieties
- Loved by pollinators
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £45Regular price Sale price £45
Patio Cherry Blossom Tree | Prunus 'Brilliant'
Utterly fantastic blossoms
- Statuesque, upright patio tree
- Small tree - grows up to 1.5m (when pruned)
- Delightful white blossoms
- RHS Plants for Pollinators
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £100Regular price Sale price £100
Japanese Maple Tree | Acer palmatum 'Ueno Yama'
Superb spring and autumn colour
- Upright and bushy tree
- Small tree - grows to 3m
- Foliage in shades of orange, green and yellow
- Looks brilliant alongside other shrubs
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £55Regular price Sale price £55
Duo Apple Tree | 'Jonagold' & 'Golden Pearmain'
One tree with two apple varieties
- Crisp, sweet and juicy
- Grown on a dwarfing rootstock
- Eating, juicing and scrummy baking
- Pick from September
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £85Regular price Sale price £85
Japanese Apricot Tree | Prunus mume 'Beni-chidori'
An early springtime showstopper
- Compact, bushy tree
- Small tree - grows up to 2.5m
- Abundant pink, highly fragrant blossoms
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price From £30Regular price Sale price From £30
Pink Pussy Willow Tree | Salix gracilistyla 'Mount Aso'
An incomparably stylish willow
- Cheery bushy tree
- Small tree - grows up to 2m
- Shimmering pink catkins in spring
- RHS Plants for Pollinators
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £50Regular price Sale price £50
'Mirabelle Ruby' Plum Tree
Sweet jewels in a small package
- Sumptuously sweet and juicy
- Amongst the largest mirabelle varieties
- Perfect for a plum pie
- Harvest from September to October
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £40Regular price Sale price £40
Patio Ginkgo Tree | Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken'
Spectacular autumn hues
- Superb, upright patio tree
- Small tree - grows up to 1.5m (when pruned)
- Fan-shaped leaves, fabulous autumn colour
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £40Regular price Sale price £40
Patio Camellia Tree | Camellia 'Spring Festival'
The finest spring flowers
- Elegant, upright patio tree
- Small tree - grows up to 1.5m (when pruned)
- Dark evergreen foliage, glorious pink blooms
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £155Regular price Sale price £155
Variegated Japanese Maple Tree | Acer palmatum 'Beni-schichi-henge'
The variegation sensation
- Elegant, shrub-like tree
- Small tree - grows to 4m
- Variegated cream, pink and green foliage
- Lovely and low maintenance
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £105Regular price Sale price £105
Japanese Maple Tree | Acer palmatum dissectum 'Emerald Lace'
Plumed perfection
- Gently arching, shrub-like tree
- Small tree - grows to 3m
- Gem-green foliage turns ruby-red in autumn
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
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Regular price £70Regular price Sale price £70
Fan-Trained Plum Tree
A glorious way to use a fence
- Carefully trained into a fan shape
- Includes award-winning varieties
- Bake in a pie or make your own conserve
- Ambrosial plums, amazing flowers
Currently out of stock
South Downs National Park
Meet Danielle
110 years' expertise free with every tree
Danielle's nursery has been growing trees in the South Downs National Park for over a century, and it shows. Dug up and sent straight to your garden at between 18-36 months old, their quality rootstocks, expert pruning and natural pest control mean that these traditionally field-grown trees are the hardiest you can get.
Need help picking?

Which trees are best for small gardens?
There are lots of trees well-suited to growing in small gardens, from naturally diminutive species to the stouter dwarf siblings of larger cultivars. Our first suggestion is always a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). These low-growing, spreading trees often grow to just a couple of metres tall and wide, making them ideal for smaller spaces. Many can be grown in containers, too, making them a viable option for patio gardens. Other options include dwarf (and columnar) cherry blossom trees, patio-trained fruit trees and compact willow varieties (like flamingo and 'Kilmarnock’ weeping).

How do you care for trees for small gardens?
Care for small trees grown in the open ground is similar to that of larger specimens; typically, moist but well-drained soil is preferred with nice levels of fertility. Pruning can vary from species to species but many will only need a light trim each year, while an application of general-purpose fertiliser at the start of spring can be beneficial. The differences come for those smaller trees grown in pots. Container-grown plants dry out more quickly than those grown in the open ground and have less readily-available access to nutrients in the way that ground-grown plants do. That means more regular watering (and often a more frequent feeding schedule) is needed for trees grown in pots.

Planting schemes involving trees for small gardens
Just because you’ve not got much room to deal with doesn’t mean you can’t curate your own garden planting scheme with the odd small tree or two. Using acers, for instance, you can create a Japanese-style dry garden with gravel. If you want to be whisked away to the Tuscan hillsides, then a citrus, fig or olive tree offers just the ticket, helping contribute to a Mediterranean planting scheme. The addition of a pair of laurel trees flanking the doorway can help bolster your space’s elegance and give it a more formal feel. The world, as they say, is your oyster.
Trees for Small Gardens FAQs
What is the best tree to have in a small garden?
That’s a bit like asking a parent who their favourite child is! We can’t pick just one, but any of the following make excellent trees for small gardens:
- Japanese maple trees
- Dwarf and weeping cherry blossom trees
- Patio-trained trees (both fruiting and flowering)
- Magnolia trees
- Cornus (dogwood) trees
- Amelanchier (serviceberry) trees
- Many crabapple trees
- Fruit trees grown on dwarfing rootstocks (e.g. apples grafted onto an M27 rootstock)
What are the best small flowering trees?
Some of our favourite small flowering trees include ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’ cherry blossom, ‘Susan’ magnolia and ‘Scarlett’ crabapple. There are so many to choose from, however, so it’s well worth taking a dive through our range!
How do you create height in a small garden?
If you’ve only got a small space, then there are a couple of ways you can add some verticality: plant a climber or plant a tree. For the latter, you want to be looking for something that grows to around the three metre mark; this is large enough to give that sense of height without threatening to loom over and shade out the rest of the space.
Are acers good for small gardens?
Yes, acers are absolutely good for small gardens! Most are both low- and slow-growing, with weeping or spreading habits that are well-suited to smaller spots. Many grow well in large containers, too.
What is the best evergreen tree for a small garden?
There are a few good evergreen options for smaller gardens, including the holly, laurel, olive and strawberry tree – the latter of which produces amazing funky berries!
Happy plants make happy customers
Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.
Monica Spence
| 24 May
Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!
Jacqueline Burgess
| 2 Jun
I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.
Judy Lane
| 23 Oct
The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.
Martyn Hill
| 5 Jul
As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.
John-Paul
| 22 May
Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.
Gavin Wilcock
| 8 Nov
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