What trees can you plant in a small garden?

A reader, who lives in Port Elizabeth, recently wrote in to Estate Living to ask the following: ‘What trees can you plant in a small garden? I’d like to plant indigenous trees and bushes to attract bees or birds that won’t affect my paving. What would you recommend?’

Gardens in most affluent neighbourhoods are big and owners of homes are spoilt for choice in terms of what they can plant in them. But owners of homes with smaller gardens, especially tiny houses, must think more creatively about the space they have to ensure that things don’t look too crowded.

It’s a challenge, but not an impossible one.

Trees for estate living and suburbs

Jason Parsons, Landscape Designer at Facility Services Group (FSG), says the pompom tree is one of the most beautiful indigenous trees and has become very popular in the suburbs. ‘Its explosion of pink flowers in summer provides a stunning display for any garden. The nectar-rich flowers attract many butterflies and other pollinating insects, and insectivorous birds are in turn attracted to the tree when it is in flower.

‘The pompom tree is a relatively fast grower and is frost tolerant. It is regularly used in estates along pavements and sidewalks, and under certain conditions can grow to a height of 6–8 metres. All in all, this is a great choice for a small garden,’ he explains.

Shermain Matsvimbo, landscape architectural technologist at FSG, suggests the Dombeya rotundifolia (wild pear). ‘It is, however, deciduous but it flowers from June to October and bears fruit from around October to December, attracting birds and other insects. It is a relatively fast grower and does not have an invasive root system. Another option could even be the gardenia, a moderately fast grower that will give flowers almost all year round. It has fragrant leaves, which is a bonus, and will grow to about 5 metres.’

Good for Gauteng

If you don’t live on the coast, there are other options to consider. Glenice Ebedes, the founder of Grounded Landscaping, offered a top 10 indigenous tree list that was specifically appropriate for Gauteng. The trees include:

• Schrebera alata (wild jasmine)
• Dais cotinifolia (pompom tree)
• Indigofera jucunda (river indigo)
• Polygala myrtifolia (September bush)
• Mundulea sericea (cork bush)
• Apodytes dimidiata (white pear)
• Diospyros whyteana (bladdernut)
• Heteropyxis natalensis (lavender tree)
• Ilex mitis (Cape holly)
• Croton gratissimus (lavender croton)

Ebedes says: ‘This is a list of our top 10 indigenous trees (in no specific order) for small gardens appropriate specifically for Gauteng as their availability and suitability in other regions may not be ideal. The top five have showy flowers in summer. All have the benefits of attracting wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies, etc.’

Good for most gardens

Life is a Garden suggests the following trees for small, tight gardens:

Tree wisteria – this, they say, has an erect shape and has attractive bark and lilac-blue flowers in the spring.
Japanese maple – this tree has dainty foliage and rich autumn colour. Life is a Garden adds that they’re particularly suitable for inland gardens.

If you’re looking for water-wise trees, the website suggests the wild olive and white karee.
If you want to attract birds, they’re particularly attracted to the nectar-rich fuchsias, which only grow up to 5 metres.

Small shrubs and flowers

f small shrubs or flowers are the only viable option for your garden, there’s plenty of choice for those too.

These, according to gardenandhome.co.za and our own research include:

Tomato tumblers can be grown in anything and will thrive in containers. They do need full sun, but if you look after them properly you can pick their fruit and add them to your salad!

Begonias are best grown in subtropical regions of South Africa, so do be careful if you live in an area that suffers from harsh winters. The Mistral Red can offer some vibrant colour to a small space.

Figurine roses are perfect for small spaces too. They are hardy plants that can also be grown in containers and can offer a good burst of colour when in bloom.

According to gardeninginsouthafrica.co.za, the African aloe is another sturdy plant that is perfect for rock or pebble gardens. This plant also grows well on sloping banks. They also recommend rosemary if you’re in need of a hardy, evergreen perennial herb. You can prune them to ensure they stay within your tiny garden remit. Otherwise, they can grow to around 1 metre tall and 1 metre wide.