Adding vertical interest?

leopard_fax_0a26372 · 9 February

Hi all,

I have a small south facing garden, however in the rear left corner I really would like to add perhaps a small tree to create some vertical interest - am I being unrealistic here with the space I have available? I am looking ahead ultimately as I don’t want something to outgrow my garden. Do you have any recommendations? I had been looking at small trees such as Amelanchier, small crab apples etc. Ideally I want something with some food on for the birds. I realise I need to make some space in that corner for whatever I decide to plant. I’m thinking about reserving amelanchier for the back right corner, likely alnifolia obelisk as a shrub as it’s tall and narrow (but I can prune to control height to fit).

If unrealistic, any alternatives? Would a tall’ish growing shrub be better? Would I be able to plant something in that rear raised border (small tree or shrub) or is it too cramped with the fence? do I need to bring it forward into the next border nearest the grass?

- gardening amateur here

Thank you

Kayleigh.G · 9 February

Would you consider some trellis and a climbing/ rambling plant?

Probably would not need as much space as a tree, and you can get some with year round interest. Plus loads of flowering and fruit-bearing plants to choose from 😊

ViewAhead · 9 February

Welcome!

I would say the raised bed would suit a shrub more than a tree, root mass wise. I can see why some height would look good in that location though. I have more experience with things suited to shade, but I'm sure others will be along with oodles of ideas. 👍

Fire · 9 February

Does the raised bed have a base or does the soil go deep down under it? If so, I would think a small tree would be fine.

Loxley · 9 February

Prunus 'Amanogawa' would be a classic choice for the top left corner, however it's rather similar in habit to Amelanchier 'Obelisk' and it might look odd to have two fastigiate trees next to each other. I would have one fastigiate and one non-fastigiate, so they look balanced. Perhaps replace the Amelanchier with something like Cornus kousa?

Ceres · 9 February

You could plant a conifer in that corner. Thuja comes to mind https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/75683/thuja-occidentalis-smaragd/details

You aren't going to get everything you want in one tree but something columnar would fit well.

Plantminded · 9 February

I planted an Amelanchier Obelisk last year in a narrow border to screen the roof of my neighbour’s garage. It didn’t take long to flower and grew about a foot in height in the first year without much increase in width.

Plantminded · 9 February

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub with potentially tree like proportions which can be pruned to suit a limited space. It bears white or pink flowers depending on the variety, producing strawberry like fruits which are popular with blackbirds. I pruned mine into a rounded head to hide a gap in my neighbour’s hedge. You could also consider a wooden or metal obelisk with a climber like a Clematis or rose.

DaveGreig · 9 February

The garden being south facing means that’s a north facing corner so it could be the most relatively inhospitable part of your plot. There are a few varieties of Rowan maybe worth a google search. Good for wildlife, tough as old boots plus flowers, decorative fruit and some have good autumn colour. They don’t get big, are easily pruned and you can raise the crown as they mature to allow plants to flourish underneath.

ViewAhead · 10 February

Plantminded said:

I planted an Amelanchier Obelisk last year in a narrow border to screen the roof of my neighbour’s garage. It didn’t take long to flower and grew about a foot in height in the first year without much increase in width.

That's lovely, @Plantminded. 👍 Are the leaves sticky? (Am not keen on stickiness, but I very much like fastigiate shapes. 🙂)

Plantminded · 10 February

No, not sticky @ViewAhead, it’s a nice little tree for a small space.

Adding vertical interest?

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