Ornamental Potted Trees

If your home has a small yard or you only have patio or deck space, you do not have to limit your plant selection to small flower beds or containers. Ornamental potted trees that grow about 20 feet tall are ideal for small outdoor spaces. Many of these trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through10.


Stately, ornamental maples trees come in many sizes. Smaller species with the same characteristics and distinct multiple-lobed palmate leaves as their larger relatives look elegant in containers and have vibrant seasonal foliage. Vine maples (Acer circinatum) and the red-leaved Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) are smaller species that can grow in containers. Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis) trees have attractive pink flowers and heart-shaped leaves. Some smaller magnolia trees have colorful, fragrant blossoms. The magnolia stellata “Royal Star” and “Water Lily” produce fragrant white flowers. The flowers of the “Water Lily” come from pink buds.


Shorter species of cypress trees that maintain most of their foliage throughout the year include Swane's golden Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens “Swane's Golden”), a cultivar with a columnar shape and bright yellow leaves that make the tree stand out as an attractive specimen. The Japanese plume cedar (Cryptomeria japonica “Elegans”) grows into a pyramidal shape. The blue-green foliage that turns red in fall gives the small tree its striking appearance. The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a flowering shrub that you can prune as a tree. The flowers of the plant are pink funnel-shaped blossoms. Cultivars include the “Blushing Bride,” which has double flowers, and the “Diana,” with large white flowers.

Bonsai and Topiary

The Tiny Tower Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens “Monshel” P.P. #12,933 Tiny Tower) is a short evergreen tree with easily sculpted blue-green foliage that's well suited for topiaries. The Hollywood juniper is a low-maintenance conifer with dark green foliage that adapts to topiary shapes. The juniper cultivar also works well as a short windscreen. Dwarf and semidwarf species of boxwood, maple, oak and pine trees have characteristics that make them ideal as bonsai specimens. Japanese maple is an outdoor bonsai that has the same brilliant foliage as its normal-size counterpart.


Many small fruit trees produce lovely flowers in addition to their edible fruit. Citrus blossoms smell and look great. Orange, grapefruit and lemon trees all have sweet-smelling flowers and fruit. Species of fig trees (Moraceae) are good for partial shade areas. Dwarf nectarine peach trees have showy flowers and produce sweet fruit. Ideal peach cultivars include “El Dorado” and “Honey Babe.” Good choices for nectarine dwarf trees include “Nectar Babe” and “Necta Zee.” Horticulturists created “all-in-one” apple trees with several varieties of species grafted onto a single tree. If you want to grow apples in a pot for a small space, you can purchase “all-in-one” trees and enjoy the harvest of a few varieties.



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