There is a dwarf weeping goat willow that would at least not grow enormous and would have a pleasing shape though the year. It might still self seed absolutely everywhere and be a PITA.
I would suggest instead Weeping Silver Pear, Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'. Very popular with bees and willow-like, quite beautiful.
Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'...I agree is a super tree. But the garden in question does not have room for a tree of this shape. 3 different examples below.
The goat willows I pass whilst walking the dog look great in spring and some are covered in bees but for the rest of the year they aren't anything you'd stop to look at. If you have to coppice the plant you would lose a years worth of flowering as well which would make me suggest something else.
The viburnum mentioned is a good choice. You get some flowers and then berries on a plant that won't get to big if you choose the right cultivar. Is it spring flowering you are looking for?
Thanks @Fire I didn't know that (possibly because I've never let one reach that stage - the regular seedlings which appear here are pulled as soon as noticed!) I shall look out for them in the field boundaries and neglected land around here, as there's clearly already an ample supply of seeds arriving, so they must be coming from somewhere!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
What about trying a tree like Chitalpa tashkentensis Summer Bells? Up to 8m? Can be kept as a bush. Can grow like a multistem. Beautiful orchid like flowers. Or amelanchier. Again can be kept as a bush or multistem.
I can't see that there's room for any kind of tree or large shrub there. It'll surely affect the light to the greenhouse too
I certainly wouldn't have any kind of willow - even the Kilmarnock one, although it doesn't seem to seed so drastically IME. Willows are fine left to their own devices in the great outdoors, but not in a domestic garden. The route up to a small local hill here [windfarm] is hoaching with the seeds floating everywhere if you're there at the appropriate time. Pretty to look at but not for a small space. I'd agree with @Silver surfer re the Pyrus [pear]. Lovely tree, and it would be a shame if it was constantly being pruned to fit the space. It's a specimen tree - as the photos show, not something to be stuck in a corner and hidden away.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've got several goat willows (well, it's difficult to only have one) none of which I planted. They tend to appear where water runs after storms. The bees and also the birds love them - they are always full of finches and tits (presumably one reason they spread so readily). They are great wildlife trees but not for a small garden or, indeed, a tidy garden.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I can't see that there's room for any kind of tree or large shrub there. It'll surely affect the light to the greenhouse too
There is room, the other side of the archway and to the right, in the lower part of the garden. It's south facing so anything in front of the greenhouse wont cast shade.
Here is the area that i'm clearing and tidying and want to plant a tree/bush. I've decided to remove the self seeded holly tree as it's sending suckers up, and whilst the berries are useful for birds, I'm concentrating on plants for pollinators. I'm considering a mahonia for early food supply for bees, but would prefer something a bit more attractive..
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But the garden in question does not have room for a tree of this shape.
3 different examples below.
The viburnum mentioned is a good choice. You get some flowers and then berries on a plant that won't get to big if you choose the right cultivar. Is it spring flowering you are looking for?
I certainly wouldn't have any kind of willow - even the Kilmarnock one, although it doesn't seem to seed so drastically IME.
Willows are fine left to their own devices in the great outdoors, but not in a domestic garden. The route up to a small local hill here [windfarm] is hoaching with the seeds floating everywhere if you're there at the appropriate time. Pretty to look at but not for a small space.
I'd agree with @Silver surfer re the Pyrus [pear]. Lovely tree, and it would be a shame if it was constantly being pruned to fit the space. It's a specimen tree - as the photos show, not something to be stuck in a corner and hidden away.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Here is the area that i'm clearing and tidying and want to plant a tree/bush. I've decided to remove the self seeded holly tree as it's sending suckers up, and whilst the berries are useful for birds, I'm concentrating on plants for pollinators. I'm considering a mahonia for early food supply for bees, but would prefer something a bit more attractive..