Gardening Guides
Urban Gardens
Landscape Design
10 Spectacular Trees for Courtyards and Tight Spaces
Here are some top small-scale trees for 4-season interest, easy care and little mess
Ideally, a small to medium-size tree for a courtyard has plenty to offer year-round — spring flowers, summer shade, fall color and attractive branches for winter interest — without needing too much in return. The perfect patio tree also has a slower growth rate to reduce pruning and doesn’t drop messy seeds, blooms or fruit or have aggressive roots that will lift paving.
Here are some top easy-care choices for small-scale courtyard trees that have many of the ideal characteristics, plus a few with gorgeous flowers (magnolia) or delicious fruit (figs and citrus) that fall into the category of “worth the extra trouble.”
Here are some top easy-care choices for small-scale courtyard trees that have many of the ideal characteristics, plus a few with gorgeous flowers (magnolia) or delicious fruit (figs and citrus) that fall into the category of “worth the extra trouble.”
2. Crab Apple
(Malus spp.)
Crab apple trees offer all of the seasonal interest of crape myrtles with a much higher tolerance for cold climates — hardy to Zone 4. Plant one as a beacon of spring and watch the blossoms cover the tree early in the season in white, all shades of pink and deep plum. In summer and fall, the tree offers decorative clusters of edible fruit as well.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Varieties vary from smaller shrub-like plants, 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, to medium trees, 15 to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide.
(Malus spp.)
Crab apple trees offer all of the seasonal interest of crape myrtles with a much higher tolerance for cold climates — hardy to Zone 4. Plant one as a beacon of spring and watch the blossoms cover the tree early in the season in white, all shades of pink and deep plum. In summer and fall, the tree offers decorative clusters of edible fruit as well.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Varieties vary from smaller shrub-like plants, 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, to medium trees, 15 to 35 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide.
3. Japanese Maple
(Acer palmatum)
A longtime favorite for a good reason, Japanese maples are some of the most stunning small-scale trees around. Leaf colors range from green-gold and bronze to burgundy and fiery red. Prune carefully, or not at all, to maintain the naturally graceful branch structure.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 or minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (zones 5 or 6 to 8), depending on variety
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun; partial shade in hot climates
Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 25 feet wide, depending on variety
11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form
(Acer palmatum)
A longtime favorite for a good reason, Japanese maples are some of the most stunning small-scale trees around. Leaf colors range from green-gold and bronze to burgundy and fiery red. Prune carefully, or not at all, to maintain the naturally graceful branch structure.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 or minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (zones 5 or 6 to 8), depending on variety
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun; partial shade in hot climates
Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 25 feet wide, depending on variety
11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form
4. Edible Fig
(Ficus carica)
Falling into the category “worth the mess,” fruit-producing fig trees have long been beloved in Mediterranean courtyards and gardens. Reduce cleanup from fruit drop by harvesting the figs as soon as they’re ripe, or pick them when they’re just underripe and allow them to ripen indoors. Figs are deciduous and drop occasional leaves throughout the summer and fall, but the leaves are large and easy to pick up by hand.
Where it will grow: Most are hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9); select varieties are cold-hardy down to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Water requirement: Moderate for landscape use; high for tastier fruits
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall and wide; can be kept smaller with pruning
(Ficus carica)
Falling into the category “worth the mess,” fruit-producing fig trees have long been beloved in Mediterranean courtyards and gardens. Reduce cleanup from fruit drop by harvesting the figs as soon as they’re ripe, or pick them when they’re just underripe and allow them to ripen indoors. Figs are deciduous and drop occasional leaves throughout the summer and fall, but the leaves are large and easy to pick up by hand.
Where it will grow: Most are hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9); select varieties are cold-hardy down to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Water requirement: Moderate for landscape use; high for tastier fruits
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall and wide; can be kept smaller with pruning
5. Kousa Dogwood
(Cornus kousa)
Beautiful and well-behaved, kousa dogwood is a perfect small-space tree for gardens in temperate climates. Choose among varieties with white, rosy pink and peach-colored blossoms. Many varieties also exhibit fabulous fall color, with leaves changing to deep coral. The raspberry look-alike fruit can drop on paving, but will most likely be eaten by birds before it falls.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall with an equal spread
See how to grow kousa dogwood
(Cornus kousa)
Beautiful and well-behaved, kousa dogwood is a perfect small-space tree for gardens in temperate climates. Choose among varieties with white, rosy pink and peach-colored blossoms. Many varieties also exhibit fabulous fall color, with leaves changing to deep coral. The raspberry look-alike fruit can drop on paving, but will most likely be eaten by birds before it falls.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall with an equal spread
See how to grow kousa dogwood
6. ‘Bradford’ Callery Pear
(Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’)
Love them or hate them, ‘Bradford’ Callery pears were bred to be small-scale, easy-care street trees. Their tidy habit, pretty white blooms in spring and glossy medium-green leaves make them laudable small-space trees. If you plant a ‘Bradford’ Callery pear, be responsible (see the note below) and avoid design mistakes like sticking one in the center of the lawn. Instead, consider a set of four trees to shade a seating area or a pair flanking a pathway.
Note: Although bred to be sterile with other ‘Bradford’ pears, P. calleryana can cross pollinate with other pear varieties planted nearby and produce an invasive offspring. Check with your local nursery before planting and avoid it altogether if your property borders open space.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: From 20 to 35 feet tall and 10 to 25 feet wide
(Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’)
Love them or hate them, ‘Bradford’ Callery pears were bred to be small-scale, easy-care street trees. Their tidy habit, pretty white blooms in spring and glossy medium-green leaves make them laudable small-space trees. If you plant a ‘Bradford’ Callery pear, be responsible (see the note below) and avoid design mistakes like sticking one in the center of the lawn. Instead, consider a set of four trees to shade a seating area or a pair flanking a pathway.
Note: Although bred to be sterile with other ‘Bradford’ pears, P. calleryana can cross pollinate with other pear varieties planted nearby and produce an invasive offspring. Check with your local nursery before planting and avoid it altogether if your property borders open space.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: From 20 to 35 feet tall and 10 to 25 feet wide
7. Citrus
(Citrus spp.)
Orange, tangerine, lemon, lime, kumquat and other citrus trees all take a bit more care than most landscape trees, but they offer tasty rewards. Citrus thrive in mild climates with well-draining soil and appreciate regular water and doses of organic fertilizer during spring and summer.
Where they will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 10)
Water requirement: Moderate; high in extreme heat
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Varies by variety; many grow between 12 feet tall and wide and 25 feet tall and wide; dwarf varieties are also available
How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well-Fed and Healthy
(Citrus spp.)
Orange, tangerine, lemon, lime, kumquat and other citrus trees all take a bit more care than most landscape trees, but they offer tasty rewards. Citrus thrive in mild climates with well-draining soil and appreciate regular water and doses of organic fertilizer during spring and summer.
Where they will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 10)
Water requirement: Moderate; high in extreme heat
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Varies by variety; many grow between 12 feet tall and wide and 25 feet tall and wide; dwarf varieties are also available
How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well-Fed and Healthy
8. Saucer Magnolia
(Magnolia x soulangeana)
An absolute showstopper of a tree, saucer magnolia is covered in early spring with luxurious white and pink blooms held upright on graceful, arching branches. The tree is unfussy in terms of care but does require consistent water. The wide canopy is a perfect scale for providing shade for an outdoor table.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 20 to 35 feet tall and wide
See how to grow saucer magnolia
(Magnolia x soulangeana)
An absolute showstopper of a tree, saucer magnolia is covered in early spring with luxurious white and pink blooms held upright on graceful, arching branches. The tree is unfussy in terms of care but does require consistent water. The wide canopy is a perfect scale for providing shade for an outdoor table.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 20 to 35 feet tall and wide
See how to grow saucer magnolia
9. European Hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus)
Hornbeams don’t naturally fall into the category of small scale, growing up to 45 feet tall if left unchecked. However, they respond so well to pruning that you can train them into practically any form you’d like for your courtyard garden. The C. betulus trees in this London backyard have been pleached to form an elegant, leafy screen.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Moderate growth rate to 35 to 45 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide; can be kept smaller with pruning
(Carpinus betulus)
Hornbeams don’t naturally fall into the category of small scale, growing up to 45 feet tall if left unchecked. However, they respond so well to pruning that you can train them into practically any form you’d like for your courtyard garden. The C. betulus trees in this London backyard have been pleached to form an elegant, leafy screen.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Moderate to high
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Moderate growth rate to 35 to 45 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide; can be kept smaller with pruning
10. Palo Verde
(Parkinsonia spp.)
Palo verde — Spanish for “green stick” or “green wood” — is named for its bright green trunks and branches. Two species are common in the U.S. Southwest: foothill or littleleaf palo verde (P. aculeata) and the blue-green-leaved variety (P. florida). Both are lovely in desert courtyards and gardens, offering brilliant spring blooms followed by delicate, small leaves.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low water once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: About 25 feet tall and wide
More
Why, When and How to Plant a Tree
Pretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots
(Parkinsonia spp.)
Palo verde — Spanish for “green stick” or “green wood” — is named for its bright green trunks and branches. Two species are common in the U.S. Southwest: foothill or littleleaf palo verde (P. aculeata) and the blue-green-leaved variety (P. florida). Both are lovely in desert courtyards and gardens, offering brilliant spring blooms followed by delicate, small leaves.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low water once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: About 25 feet tall and wide
More
Why, When and How to Plant a Tree
Pretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots
(Lagerstroemia indica)
Topping the charts for seasonal interest and easy care, crape myrtle is a near-perfect patio tree for warm climates. In spring and summer the trees bloom with showy clusters of flowers in colors from white to pale pink, deep magenta and red. In fall the leaves turn bronze and red, even in areas with a mild winter chill, and the peeling bark adds interest in winter. Crape myrtles need little care to thrive —although annual pruning is essential to keep them small — and can tolerate baking heat.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 7 to 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 25 feet tall and wide; can be kept smaller with pruning