Small Trees that Make a Big Impact

November 7, 2016 | By webadmin

When thinking about new plants to add to your landscape, remember that varying the size of the specimens you choose is important. When it comes to trees, it’s not always about big shade. Small trees add a balancing vertical dimension to your landscape, bridging the gap between large shade trees and shorter hedges and shrubs. Consider one of these favorites with lovely foliage and blooms if you are looking for a specimen or focal point in your urban landscape.

Mexican Plum Prunus mexicana

This tough Texas native asks for very little in return for a profusion of white flowers in spring, tangy edible fruit relished by wildlife in summer, tolerance to drought and wonderful fall color. Adaptable to a range of situations and soil types, it can produce fruit in the understory, in full sun or anything in between. A slow growing single trunked tree reaching 15-30 feet at maturity, it is a good companion alongside Redbuds, which bloom around the same time.

Mexican Buckeye Ungnadia speciosa

Small pink flowers appear on bare branches in early spring, this Texas native is another drought tolerant shrub with multiple trunks that can be pruned as a tree, reaching around 20 feet. Leaf color in fall is a bright, golden yellow. Shapely seed pods form in summer and hang on the branches providing interest through winter after the leaves fall.

Hollywood juniper Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa'

With its dramatic, twisting evergreen branches, Hollywood juniper lends an asymmetrical bonsai-like aspect and year round interest and structure. Planted in full sun, this relatively fast growing tree gets to 15 feet and needs little maintenance once established. It's a great contribution to a Japanese garden, but also combines well with desert plants and Mediterranean inspired landscapes.

Chitalpa Chitalpa x tashkentensis  

Combining the compact size and drought tolerance of the Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) and the beautiful blooms of catalpa (Catalpa bignoniodes), the multi-trunked Chitalpa spreads about 20-25 feet high and wide. The light pink flowers bloom from late spring until frost and attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Olive 'Arbequina' Olea europaea 'Arbequina'

Silvery evergreen leaves and gray bark bring excellent ornamental value to your edible landscape. One of the most winter hardy of olive cultivars, tolerating temperatures as low as 15F, slow growing 'Arbequina' will need protection during severe winters.

These smaller scale low-maintenance trees fit easily into gardens large and small, bringing beauty in all seasons and enhancing the value of your home.