Woodie’s Picks: Evergreen Trees For Small-Space Landscaping
No landscape is complete without a lush wall of evergreen trees. But not everyone has room for trees that reach mature widths nearing 20 feet like the Thuja Green Giant! Lucky for you, there are a select number of evergreen trees that are perfect for small-space landscaping.
In this blog, we will provide insight into ways to make the most of your small landscape without overwhelming the space. Then, we will highlight four iconic evergreen trees that bring immense beauty without taking up too much square footage on your property.
Making The Most of Your Small Landscape
Scale Down Your Landscape Materials and Decor
Our first tip to making the most of your small yard may seem obvious, but it is essential to conserving space.
Instead of choosing a few significant elements, like three massive paver stones or an extensive outdoor sectional, we recommend you choose to think smaller but in larger quantities! For instance, opting for a path of pea gravel instead of giant pavers can make a space feel larger!
Choose Columnar or Compact Plant Varieties
The next crucial step in making a small outdoor space feel larger is choosing Columnar and compact plant varieties! By using naturally smaller plants, you will be able to have more variety without having to cram everything in! For instance, instead of planting one giant maple that towers over your home and fills your yard, you can have a collection of Japanese Maples to bring unique interest to your space.
Take Advantage of Foliage and Texture
The final tip for maximizing your small-scale outdoor living area is to take advantage of foliage and texture. While you want to scale back the size of landscape materials, you may want to consider choosing plants with larger foliage to manipulate the scale of your yard and make it feel larger.
Big leafy tropicals in summer, like Bana Musabajoo or heavily textured Mahonia shrubs in the cooler months, can boost visual appeal and distract from a space's overall size.
Four Evergreen Trees For Small Outdoor Spaces
Emerald Petite Arborvitae
Our number one plant recommendation to those with limited space is the Emerald Petitte Arborvitae. Growing to a mature height of six feet and a width of one to two feet, this small but mighty tree is ideal for various landscape projects!
The Emerald Petite has the same lacy evergreen foliage as your favorite privacy tree but grows on a much smaller scale. The tree does well in moist, well-drained soils and full sun conditions. The vibrant evergreen foliage stands out beautifully and remains green year-round.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Another dwarf, evergreen tree that elevates a smaller outdoor space is the Dwarf Alberta Spruce. A longtime favorite in the landscaping world, it boasts a pristine cone shape and dense, soft-to-the-touch needles.
Hardy to USDA zones 3-8, Dwarf Alberta Spruce trees grow to a mature height of around eight feet and a width between five and six feet. These trees are great for instilling year-round interest in the landscape. Additional benefits of this popular evergreen include cold hardiness, natural pest resistance, and a low-maintenance care regimen.
Forever Goldy Abrvorvitae
For a fun pop of color, consider incorporating the Forever Goldy Arborvitae! This golden beauty grows to a mature height of 10-12 feet and a width of 3.5 to 4 feet. The small landscaping specimen maintains its rich golden green hues throughout the year and is a real showstopper for displays.
As a bonus, this pyramidal tree is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. For a low-maintenance pop of color, the Forever Goldy is a top-tier choice among gardeners and landscape enthusiasts.
Little Gem Magnolia
When considering evergreen trees, pyramidal arborvitaes, cypresses, and junipers are likely the first to come to mind. If you are looking for a more unconventional evergreen plant to bring beauty and interest to your small space landscape, we recommend planting a Little Gem Magnolia Tree. Boasting large, lustrous green leaves and white dinner-plate-sized blooms in summer, this specimen will take your breath away.
The Little Gem Magnolia grows to a mature height near 20 feet and a mature width between 8 and 10 feet. While this tree is on the smaller side compared to other Magnolias, it is important to note that it still needs a significant area for growth. This would be an excellent option for a courtyard or suburban backyard.
Shop Dwarf Landscaping Plants Online
In conclusion, just because you have less space available does not mean that you can’t cultivate an intriguing and beautiful outdoor space! Make the most of your limited space by incorporating dwarf plants, scaling down in size, and focusing on quality over quantity! Shop our wide variety of dwarf trees and shrubs online today and enjoy convenient shipment directly to your doorstep!