Trees with hanging crowns are an attractive eye-catcher in the garden. Regardless of whether it is a small tree with hanging branches or a large tree with hiding places: this growth habit allows for interesting design variations, especially since the trees offer an exciting sight even when there are no leaves.
Which hanging trees are suitable for gardens?
Hanging trees, also called cascade trees, bring special charm to gardens. Japanese weeping cherry, 'Red Jade' crabapple, black-red weeping beech, willow-leaved pear or weeping catkinse are recommended for small gardens. Large gardens benefit from weeping willow, weeping birch, weeping Nordmann fir and weeping silk pine.
Different shapes of hanging trees
There are several types of hanging trees, sometimes called cascade trees. One form includes normally growing tree species in which only the thinner branches overhang. Typical examples of this are the widespread weeping willow (Salix alba 'Tristis') and the Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara). The second group, on the other hand, includes species in which all branches hang down. You can often recognize trees in this group by the suffix 'Pendula', which is added to the botanical name.
It doesn't always have to be the weeping willow - the most beautiful species
No matter whether you want to plant a cascade tree in a small garden or a large one, it must always stand alone. Hanging trees only really come into their own when planted as solitary plants. They are not suitable for group planting. Perfect places are, for example, in the middle of a lawn or next to the main entrance to the house.
Hanging trees for small gardens
Many cascade trees are smaller and less sprawling than their larger relatives and therefore fit perfectly into small gardens. We have put together a selection of suitable variants for you in the following table.
| Type of tree | Variety name | Latin name | Location | Growth height | Growth width | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese weeping cherry | ‘Pendula’ | Prunus subhirtella | Sun to partial shade | up to four meters | up to four meters | rich flowers, suitable for urban climates |
| Crabapple | ‘Red Jade’ | Malus | Sun to partial shade | up to five meters | up to 3.5 meters | Fruits are edible |
| Black-red silver beech tree | ‘Purpurea Pendula’ | Fagus sylvatica | Sun to partial shade | between six and twelve meters | up to eight meters | very dark foliage color |
| Willow-leaved pear | ‘Pendula’ | Pyrus salicifolia | Sun | up to six meters | up to four meters | slow growing |
| Japanese weeping cherry | ‘Kiku-shidare-Zakura’ | Prunus serrulata | Sun | up to five meters | up to 4.5 meters | lush pink blossom |
| Hanging kitty willow | ‘Pendula’ / ‘Kilmarnock’ | Salix caprea | Sun to partial shade | Growth height depends on trunk height | up to 1.2 meters | trains kittens, bee pasture |
Hanging trees with a large space requirement
If you have a lot of space in your garden, you need an impressive, impressive tree. Large cascading trees really come into their own here. These types, for example, are ideal for large gardens and parks:
| Type of tree | Variety name | Latin name | Location | Growth height | Growth width | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeping Willow | ‘Tristis Resistenta’ | Salix alba | Sun to partial shade | up to 15 meters | up to 12 meters | perfect for bodies of water |
| Weeping Birch | ‘Youngii’ | Betula pendula | Sun to partial shade | up to seven meters | up to four meters | umbrella-like crown |
| Hanging Nordmann fir | ‘Pendula’ | Abies nordmanniana | Sun to partial shade | up to 30 meters | up to nine meters | forms cones up to 18 centimeters long |
| Weeping Silk Pine | ‘Pendula’ | Pinus strobus | Sun to partial shade | up to four meters | up to three meters | ideal for the rock garden |
Tip
Trees with a spherical or umbrella-shaped crown are also attractive eye-catchers in the garden.
