Large trees with growth heights of over 15 meters and a correspondingly wide crown only fit in large gardens - and certainly not in front gardens. Small, attractive and therefore representative trees are more suitable here. Ultimately, they should leave a good impression of the house and garden, and trees with pretty flowers and fruit decorations as well as unusual growth forms are particularly suitable for this.
Which small trees are suitable for the front garden?
Wild and ornamental fruit trees as well as trees with unusual growth forms such as columnar, spherical, umbrella or hanging shapes are suitable for small front gardens. Examples include crabapple, cornelian cherry, carnation cherry, globe or columnar ash and hanging cord tree.
Ornamental fruit for the front garden
Wild and ornamental fruit trees are perfect for the front garden, as they don't grow too big and offer an attractive sight all year round: in spring, lush white or pink flowers adorn the branches, and during the summer months the trees show one dense, lush green foliage and, from late summer onwards, sometimes even edible fruit decorations in bright colors. In some species and varieties, this even stays on the tree over the winter months and serves as food for birds.
| Type of tree | Variety name | Latin name | Growth height | Growth width | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serviceberry | Sorbus torminalis | up to 15 meters | rounded growth | raw edible fruits | |
| Rowberry / Mountain Ash | ‘Rosina’ | Sorbus aucuparia | up to 10 meters | up to 4.5 meters | richly bearing |
| Edible rowanberry / mountain ash | ‘Konzentra’ | Sorbus aucuparia | up to 12 meters | upright growth | Bird food plant |
| Tree Rock Pear | ‘Robin Hill’ | Amelanchier arborea | up to 8 meters | up to 5 meters | striking autumn colors |
| Common rock pear | Amelanchier rotundifolia | up to 3 meters | up to 3 meters | native species | |
| Cornelian cherry | ‘Golden Glory’ | Cornus mas | up to 5 meters | up to 3 meters | slender stature |
| Cornelian cherry | ‘Aurea’ | Cornus mas | up to 3 meters | up to 2 meters | golden yellow foliage |
| Crabapple | ‘Red Obelisk’ | Malus | up to 6 meters | up to 2 meters | columnar growth |
| Crabapple | ‘Butterball’ | Malus | up to 6 meters | up to 5 meters | golden yellow, red-cheeked fruits |
| Crabapple | ‘Dark Rosaleen’ | Malus | up to 7 meters | up to 4 meters | strong, dark leaf and flower coloring |
| Japanese carnation cherry | ‘Royal Burgundy’ | Prunus serrulata | up to 7 meters | up to 5 meters | red leaves, pink, double flowers |
| Japanese weeping cherry | ‘Kiku-shidare-Zakura’ | Prunus serrulata | up to 5 meters | up to 4.5 meters | overhanging branches |
| Blood Plum | ‘Nigra’ | Prunus cerasifera | up to 4 meters | up to 5 meters | very robust |
| Edible Blood Plum | ‘Trailblazer’ | Prunus cerasifera | up to 7 meters | up to 2.5 meters | large, edible fruits |
Small trees with attractive growth forms
Even small trees with unusual growth forms look wonderful as solitary trees in the front garden. Narrow growth forms in particular also fit into small front gardens or even as solitary plants planted in pairs that flank the front door. For example, trees withare recommended.
- columnar growth: ornamental cherry 'Amanogawa', columnar rowan, columnar hornbeam, columnar fruit
- spherical crown: spherical Norway maple, spherical ash, spherical trumpet tree, spherical black locust, spherical steppe cherry
- Umbrella-shaped crown: Gold Gleditschia, Copper Rock Pear, Tulip Magnolia, Crabapple varieties, Japanese Clove Cherry
- or overhanging branches: weeping carnation cherry, willow-leaved pear, weeping string tree, bower elm
Tip
If the tree is to be planted as part of a border planting or if the front garden is really very small, short-stemmed, small-crowned trees on quarter or half trunks are recommended. These can also be cultivated in larger planters and boxes, for example on the balcony or terrace.