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am i asking the immpossible

dodododo Posts: 48
in Plants
hello my dad has recently died and i would like a tree of some sort to plant ,when mum died i planted a magnolia and after 3 attemps gave up on that one. i would like a small tree that has year round pretty colour,and doesnt go bare in winter, or a shrub that does the same,but only to grow about 6 feet i am not an experienced gardener but would like something i know will grow for many years in memory of my mum and dad. it will grow up against a small driveway fence am i asking the immpossible hope you can help regards sandra 

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Posts

  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hello Dodo and welcome to the forum.

    Unfortunately trees don't stay small unless you plant a bonsai.  But - an olive tree can be kept to a reasonable size by pruning.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Yew is a dark and sombre green.  Very suitable.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    My go to is a cotoneaster .will grow almost anywhere .Tiny blossoms in spring and red berries in winter ,feeds the bees and the birds but will need fixing to the wall when large enough ,and keeping cut to size . 
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Welcome to the forum @dodo.  A commemorative tree is a lovely idea.  I would suggest a photinia 'Red Robin'.  They start off as shrubs but grow to small trees in not too long a time and are relatively easy to look after.  Lovely red new leaves in the spring.  And they are easy to find - your local garden centre should stock them. 
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    You don't say what sort of soil you have or if it will be in sun or shade.
    If your soil is acid then there are small rhododendrons and azaleas that could work, also camellias.

    If not, then look up euonymus (some have variegated leaves), Nandina Domestica, Choisya "Aztec Pearl".
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • dodododo Posts: 48
    thankyou all for your help  very kind of you  now i have a few things to think aboutregards dodo

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    What will thrive does depend a lot on your location, soil PH, amount of sun, level of wind. I lost a star magnolia for example because the spot turned out to be too exposed and windy and my soil was probably far too alkaline. So if you can tell is as much as you can about those things that will help making recommendations. A camellia, for example, could be perfect, but if you are unsure of your soil ph, have a look around in nearby gardens and see if anyone is growing them, or what else is doing well locally. 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As @Nollie says - location, climate and soil are very important in making a decision. Those red robin Photinias look awful here for example, and olive trees wouldn't last one winter outside. 
    If the aspect is shady rather than sunny, that's a factor, and how much room you have is also something to consider.  :)
    Many shrubs can be kept smaller more easily than trees.
    The Choysias mentioned by @Busy-Lizzie are very accommodating and could be a good solution. If it's shady, and there's moisture retentive soil, and enough room, many Viburnums could be suitable.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Not just what will suit your site tho that would be the first consideration but perhaps also what you feel your Mum and Dad would like to be remembered by ?  Were they keen gardeners, enjoyed watching the wildlife, loved "natural" spaces, had a favourite plant or colour for example ?  If you can work out what would suit your conditions and see if you could match up with memories and what you can maintain, it would give you a good start.
    As already said, if you can give a bit more info, you will find more suggestions/advice from the people here.
    Good luck with it anyway :)
  • dodododo Posts: 48
    hi no they were not big gardeners but mum loved red carnations and dad loved marigolds  that is why i wanted something with year round colour if possible thanks for your reply

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