Having a small yard or other confined outdoor space, whether it’s a tiny patch of land, patio or deck, doesn’t mean you have to give up on growing a tree. While they’ll never reach the height of a stately elm or oak, the following trees and tree-like shrubs can add a focal point, shade and even wildlife benefits in limited space. We asked landscape experts around the country to share the trees they recommend for growing in containers. Read on to see the 12 they picked.
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1. ‘Emerald Green’ Arborvitae
(Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’, syn. ‘Smaragd’)
Why this tree: This small evergreen tree boasts a beautiful green color, dense foliage and a conical form, all of which can be easily appreciated when it is grown in a large container. “I like the vertical stately form,” says landscape designer Linda Greenberg of Charleston, South Carolina.
The cultivar was developed in Denmark, which explains both its preference for colder climates and its name (“smaragd” is the Danish word for “emerald”).
Growing tips: Arborvitaes are naturally slow growers. Lightly pruning the new growth will keep wayward branches in check and also control the overall growth.
Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Don’t overwater; that can result in root rot. You also may need to provide some winter protection in the coldest climates.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 2 to 7; find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 12 to 14 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide when planted in a landscape, but it stays much smaller in a container
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Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates
2. Dwarf Citrus
(Citrus spp.)
Why this tree: Dwarf lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges and kumquats are stars in container gardens. They’re naturally small but can be kept even smaller with pruning. “I really like dwarf citrus, because it stays green all year and you can add seasonal plants under it and make it decorative,” says landscape designer Elizabeth Przygoda-Montgomery of Boxhill in Tucson, Arizona. She likes to give a dwarf lime tree and a six-pack of Corona beer as a housewarming gift.
Growing tips: You’ll need to start with the right container. “A large pot is necessary to provide insulation from hot air temperatures for roots,” says horticulturalist Noelle Johnson of Phoenix. In hot desert climates, she recommends choosing a spot with afternoon shade and keeping the plants away from areas with reflected heat, such as walls.
Growing citrus in containers also makes it possible for gardeners and citrus lovers in colder regions to enjoy the fresh fruit. If you have a sunny and warm spot indoors, let the plants spend the winters there.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11); in colder areas, plan to bring it indoors during the winter. In warmer areas, cover it (or thread its branches with old-fashioned outdoor holiday lights) when frosty nights are expected.
Water requirement: Moderate; less once established
Light requirement: Full sun, ideally about 8 hours per day
Mature size: Varies from 2 to 8 feet tall; it can handle pruning to keep it in check
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Brooklinteriors
3. Japanese Maple
(Acer palmatum cultivars)
Why this tree: Few trees offer the delicate beauty and stunning color of the Japanese maple. “They have gorgeous color, texture and shapes,” Greenberg says.
Japanese maple cultivars grow in a range of shapes, styles and colors: multibranched or with a single trunk; upright or spreading; evergreen or deciduous; and with foliage colors including red, yellow, orange, green and even purple, pink or white. Choose a dwarf or semidwarf variety and make it the solo plant of a container to highlight the form and foliage.
Growing tips: Japanese maples are slow-growing and easy to keep in check. Prune during the dormant season. You may need to provide additional protection in colder climates or if you expect a freeze. Greenberg also suggests stringing lights through its branches to enhance your garden at night.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8); provide afternoon shade in Zone 9
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Soft dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade is best; too much sun will scorch its leaves.
Mature size: Varies; dwarf varieties are generally 3 to 8 feet and can be kept smaller with pruning
Work with a landscape designer in your area
Allin Landscaping
4. Hinoki Cypress
(Chamaecyparis obtusa)
Why this tree: This evergreen conifer is naturally upright and slow-growing, so it will take years for it to outgrow a pot. As a bonus, it also provides year-round foliage color ranging from dark green to yellow with minimal to low maintenance.
“It’s a quality alternative to the more traditional evergreen solutions of boxwood or arborvitae,” says John Algozzini of Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Naturally low-growing choices include ‘Nana Gracilis’ and ‘Nana Lutea’.
Growing tips: Lightly fertilize it in spring. Spring is also the season to do any pruning; you should prune new growth and only as needed to shape the plant.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Sun to partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 8 feet tall
How to Grow Trees in Containers
Sweet Smiling Landscapes
5. Dwarf Pomegranate
(Punica granatum ‘Nana’)
Why this tree: Showy orange-red flowers and glossy leaves that mature from bronze to glossy green to bright yellow make this small hummingbird-friendly plant a standout addition to a small space. Other bonuses are the reddish-brown bark and the small fruits, which are decorative rather than edible. Although usually deciduous, the plant may be evergreen in very warm areas. “It’s uniquely fabulous,” Greenberg says.
Growing tips: This plant loves sun and heat. Prune to keep it to a manageable size and to shape it as a tree.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 10); move it indoors when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius
Water requirement: Moderate to regular; do not overwater
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Reaches 3 to 4 feet tall; can be kept smaller, even as a bonsai, with pruning
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6. Olive Tree
(Olea europaea)
Why this tree: A staple of Italian, French and Spanish gardens as well as those in California and southern Arizona, the olive tree is right at home in a container. It’s naturally slow-growing and shallow-rooted, and can live in a container for years. Choose a fruitless variety, such as ‘Swan Hill’. “Dwarf olives are just timeless, and you can clip the branches for decorative centerpieces for inside,” Przygoda-Montgomery says.
Growing tips: Judicious pruning will keep it within bounds, and you’ll be able to enjoy its gray-green foliage, smooth gray trunk and gnarled branches for years. Be aware that the oily fruits will stain when they drop. This tree also may do well in slightly colder climates if you provide shelter in winter.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (zones 8 to 10)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Can reach 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide, but can be easily kept smaller in a container with pruning
Wickenden Hutley
7. Dwarf Palm Trees
Why this tree: Want your patio to resemble a tropical garden? Dwarf palm trees are the way to go. The hardest part may be choosing just one of the many dwarf and miniature varieties available. “They add great texture and form by pools,” Greenberg says.
Some popular palms that do well in pots are the butterfly palm (Dypsis lutescens), Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) and lady palm (Rhapis excelsa).
Growing tips: If your climate is subtropical or tropical, your palms will likely survive outside year-round. In colder regions, bring the containers inside to enjoy when the weather gets cold.
Where they will grow: Generally hardy to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 1.1 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 13); some are hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (zone 9); container-grown palms can thrive in all zones if brought inside during cold months.
Light requirement: Full sun when young; varies as the palms mature
Water requirement: Varies
Mature size: Varies
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The Organic Gardener
8. ‘Fastigiata’ European Hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata‘)
Why this tree: Dark-green leaves and gray bark make ‘Fastigiata‘ hornbeam a handsome tree suitable for any style of garden. The yellow leaves in fall just add to its beauty. You can use it as a specimen plant to show off its style.
Karl Schmidt of The Organic Gardener in New York City places several pots of hornbeams in a row to delineate spaces. “The hornbeam tree is very hardy,” he says. “It is good in full or partial sun and is drought- and heat-resistant, [so it] is ideal for growth in NYC rooftop garden conditions.”
Growing tips: While the tree can reach a height of 40 feet when planted in the ground, pruning can keep it to a more manageable height for a container.
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 to partial shade
Mature size: Has a moderate growth rate, reaching 35 to 45 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide; can be kept smaller with pruning
Amy Birdsong
9. Camellia
(Camellia japonica and C. sasanqua)
Why this tree: A favorite in warm-winter gardens, camellias add shades of white, pink and red to a garden throughout the colder months. “It’s a colorful ornamental evergreen,” Greenberg says.
Though they’re known as shrubs, both Japanese and sasanqua camellias can be easily trained as trees. As such, use them to flank an entry, anchor a mix of plants or create a simple focal point.
Growing tips: Camellias can be fussy, so use a potting mix that contains at least 50 percent organic matter.
You’ll also need to watch for sunburn, windburn and camellia petal blight, which turns the flowers brown. If you notice sunburn or windburn, move the plant to a shadier or less open spot. For camellia petal blight, pick and dispose of all affected flowers.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9); some newer hybrids are hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Water requirement: Moderate to regular; allow the soil to dry out between waterings
Light requirement: Light shade but it can tolerate morning sun; sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua) tolerates more sun
Mature size: 2 to 20 feet tall; most range from 6 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide
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Amber Freda Garden Design
10. Panicled Hydrangea
(Hydrangea paniculata)
Why this tree: Shrub hydrangeas have long been a popular landscape mainstay. The panicled hydrangea takes the possibilities a step further, as it also can be trained as a standard tree. “You have great versatility with this hydrangea,” Algozzini says. “They can be used as stand-alone sentinels or base-planted with annuals for effect.”
Choose a dwarf variety that is already trained as a standard tree. “Either ‘Quick Fire’ or ‘Limelight’ make great container presentations, and can be used formally or casually to match the setting,” Algozzini says.
Growing tips: Panicled hydrangea is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow and will give you plentiful blooms in summer. “It’s great for cutting gardens,” Greenberg adds. It’s also more tolerant of sun, heat and cold than other hydrangeas.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Water requirement: Regular; you can cut back in winter
Light requirement: Full to partial sun
Mature size: Look for smaller varieties, including those that will reach only 2 to 3 feet.
11. ‘Grace’ Smoke Tree
(Cotinus ‘Grace’)
Why this tree: It’s hard to overlook a smoke tree. The new foliage is light red, followed by delicate and fluffy pink panicles that can be more than a foot long in the summer. It’s these blooms that give the tree its name. Come fall, the foliage turns shades of red, burgundy and purple. The smoke tree is a showstopper in any small space.
“They have a tree-like growth pattern and fill a visual space dramatically with beautiful color in spring, summer and autumn,” Schmidt says.
Growing tips: The plant grows easily but can be kept in check with pruning. It’s also drought-tolerant, and pests rarely bother it.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9)
Water requirement: Average; do not overwater
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall and wide unless kept smaller with pruning
Waterwise Landscapes Incorporated
12. ‘Tiger Eyes’ Staghorn Sumac
(Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes’)
Why this tree: Choose a ‘Tiger Eyes’ staghorn sumac for its color. This dwarf sumac’s chartreuse spring foliage turns yellow-green throughout the summer.
Come fall, the foliage transforms to bright reds and oranges. “The texture of the lemon yellow foliage is impressive and easily comingled with other plants for a lively presentation. The vivid orange fall color is a nice change,” Algozzini says.
This sumac even shines in winter. “The winter silhouette is a noteworthy feature with its antler-like appearance,” Algozzini says.
Growing tips: Staghorn sumac has a natural upright form and is easily pruned as a small tree. It’s a great choice for containers, as it can spread aggressively in the ground. Don’t be fooled by the name; the plant is nontoxic.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Water requirement: Low to average
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
The Organic Gardener
Caring for Container Trees
Growing any plant in a container differs from growing it in the ground, and trees are no exception. Here are some general guidelines.
- Choose the right plant. Look for plants that will thrive in your climate and the proposed location.
- Choose dwarf or semidwarf varieties. These will do well with less pruning to keep them in bounds. Ask for advice at your nursery before buying a tree to grow in a container.
- Plant in the largest container you can. You should aim for a soil depth of at least 2 to 3 feet. Make sure the container has a drainage hole. Tip: Place your container on a plant stand with heavy-duty casters to make it easier to move.
- Water regularly. The potting mix in containers will dry out more quickly than garden soil, so check plants often. Set up a consistent watering schedule or add a timed drip irrigation system.
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- Fertilize as needed. The nutrients in potting mixes can be quickly depleted. Fertilize regularly during the growing season, using a diluted solution of organic fertilizer.
- Turn your container. Rotating the container periodically will ensure that the tree grows consistently on all sides.
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