Spherical trees are the perfect solitary trees for small gardens or front gardens: their characteristic spherical crown remains compact even as they get older, and most varieties don't grow particularly tall. The selection is very diverse, so that you can find the right specimen for every location and every climate.
Which spherical trees are suitable for the garden?
Spherical trees for the garden include the spherical maple (Acer platanoides 'Globosum'), the spherical winter linden tree (Tilia cordata 'Green Globe'), the spherical black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Umbraculifera') and the spherical black locust. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken'). These trees are characterized by their compact, round crown and low height.
The most beautiful spherical trees
In general, spherical trees are divided into two groups: The first are species that do not naturally grow spherical and therefore need to be shaped with scissors. These include the common boxwood, the various false cypresses as well as beeches, willow and even the Chinese wisteria. An annual cut is necessary. The second group includes specially bred varieties whose spherical crown grows on its own. These are often grafted onto weakly growing rootstocks and therefore only reach low heights. However, depending on the tree species and variety, the crowns can become very wide as they age. Here too, an occasional topiary is useful.
Deciduous trees
Deciduous trees with a spherical crown are refined to different trunk heights and are therefore usually offered as half or standard trunks. We have summarized the most beautiful species and varieties for your home garden in the table below.
| Type of tree | Latin name | Variety name | Growth height | Growth width | Location | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ball maple | Acer platanoides | ‘Globosum’ | up to five meters | up to four meters | Sun to partial shade | dense crown, no cutting required |
| Ball – winter lime tree | Tilia cordata | ‘Green Globe’ | up to four meters | up to two meters | Sun to partial shade | valuable bee pasture |
| Ball locust tree | Robinia pseudoacia | ‘Umbraculifera’ | up to five meters | up to five meters | Sun | slow growing |
| Ball Amber Tree | Liquidamber styraciflua | ‘Gumball’ | up to five meters | up to four meters | Sun | five to seven-lobed leaves |
| Spherical Field Maple | Acer campestre | ‘Nana’ | up to five meters | up to five meters | Sun to partial shade | graceful structure |
| Ball Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba | ‘Mariken’ | up to 1.5 meters | up to 1.5 meters | Sun to partial shade | ideal for pots |
| Ball trumpet tree | Catalpa bignonioides | ‘Nana’ | up to three meters | up to three meters | Sun to partial shade | does not bloom or bear fruit |
| Spherical Swamp Oak | Quercus palustris | ‘Green Dwarf’ | up to three meters | up to two meters | Sun to partial shade | easy care |
Coniferous trees
Spherical conifers are evergreen, robust, hardy and small.
| Type of tree | Latin name | Variety name | Growth height | Growth width | Location | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Pine | Pinus mugo | ‘Pug’ | up to 1.5 meters | up to 1.5 meters | Sun to partial shade | spherical shape without trunk |
| Dwarf Ball Tree of Life | Thuja occidentalis | ‘Danica’ | up to 80 centimeters | up to 100 centimeters | Sun to partial shade | ideal for pots |
| Dwarf Tree of Life | Thuja occidentalis | ‘Tiny Tim’ | up to 100 centimeters | up to 150 centimeters | Sun to partial shade | broad, spherical growth |
| Ball cork fir | Abies lasiocarpa | ‘Green Globe’ | up to two meters | up to 1.5 meters | Sun to partial shade | very good for rock gardens |
Tip
Trees with umbrella-shaped crowns are also great for small gardens.
