Last Updated on May 9, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Do you have a small garden? Are you looking for plants that will thrive in a small space? If so, then dwarf flowering trees are the perfect choice for you! These plants are perfect for gardens with limited space, and they can add beauty and color to your landscape.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best dwarf flowering trees for small gardens. We will also provide tips on how to care for these plants.
Related: 42+ Types Of Trees With Names, Facts, and Pictures (Tree Species A-Z)
Best Dwarf Flowering Trees for Small Gardens
1. Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree (Wisteria sinensis).
This is a beautiful flowering tree that produces stunning blue flowers. The Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree is a great addition to any garden or landscape.
The Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree is a deciduous tree that can grow to be 20 feet tall. The flowers of the Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree are very fragrant and bloom in the springtime.
The Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree is a great tree for gardeners who are looking for a beautiful and fragrant flowering tree.
2. Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon).
A native to Australia, the bottlebrush tree is an evergreen that can grow up to 20 feet tall. It has long, narrow leaves and clusters of red, yellow, or white flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.
Bottlebrush trees are drought-tolerant and do well in full sun or partial shade. They are often used as ornamental plants or as street trees.
3. Butterfly Magnolia (Magnolia ‘Butterflies’).
This is one of the most beautiful dwarf flowering trees that I have ever seen. The flowers are a deep pink color and they are shaped like butterflies.
This tree grows to be about four feet tall and three feet wide. It is a deciduous tree, so it will lose its leaves in the fall. This tree is hardy in zones five through nine.
4. Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus).
The Chaste Tree is a flowering tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and has blue or lavender flowers. The leaves of the tree are used to make tea, which is said to have many health benefits.
The Chaste Tree is also known as the Monk’s Pepper Tree because it was once used by monks to reduce sexual desire. Today, the tree is grown in many gardens and is a popular choice for landscaping.
5. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia).
This tough little tree tolerates just about any soil type, including heavy clay and poor drainage. It is also drought tolerant once established.
Crape myrtles come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to purple, and some have variegated leaves.
They can be grown as shrubs or small trees and are often used as hedges or specimen plants. Most varieties bloom from late spring to fall.
Crape myrtles are relatively disease and pest resistant, but can be susceptible to powdery mildew, scale, and aphids. These trees are also generally deer resistant. Crape myrtles can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
When planting, be sure to choose a location that has well-drained soil and full sun. Crape myrtles need room to spread out, so plant them at least 15 feet away from other trees or buildings.
These trees are fast growers and can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. Prune crape myrtles in late winter or early spring to shape them and encourage new growth.
6. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata).
The tree is native to the island of Madagascar and can grow up to 40 feet tall. The leaves are long and narrow with a red margin, and the flowers are small and white.
Dragon trees are low-maintenance plants that can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. They prefer bright light but can also tolerate lower light levels. Dragon trees are drought-tolerant and can survive in both dry and moist conditions.
7. Firebird Crabapple (Malus sargentii ‘Select A’).
A cross between M. sargentii and M. hupehensis, this deciduous tree grows to only 12-15’ tall and wide. It is covered in beautiful deep pink flowers in early spring, followed by dark purple fruits that persist into fall.
The strong horizontal branching habit of this crabapple makes it an excellent choice for use as a specimen tree or in mass plantings. It is also useful as a flowering hedge or screen.
This tough little tree is adaptable to a wide range of climates and soil conditions, and it is resistant to fireblight, scab, and rust diseases.
Related: A Comprehensive Guide to All Things Crabapple Trees
8. Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha).
The Franklin tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that typically grows to 15-20’ tall with a rounded crown and long, spreading branches. It is noted for its attractive flowers which appear in late summer when most other trees have finished blooming.
The fragrant, white flowers have distinctive, deep red stamens and typically bloom in clusters of three. Each flower measures about an inch across and has five petals that are fused at the base.
The flowers are followed by small, hard fruits which ripen in fall and persist on the tree into winter.
9. Hinoki Dwarf Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa).
This little evergreen tree is native to Japan and has a very slow growth rate, making it an excellent choice for bonsai. The Hinoki Cypress is one of the most popular dwarf trees due to its beautiful, dense foliage that turns a golden-brown in winter.
It can be difficult to find this tree in nurseries, so if you have your heart set on one, it’s worth checking out specialty growers.
The Hinoki Cypress is a beautiful little evergreen tree that is native to Japan. It has a very slow growth rate, making it an excellent choice for bonsai.
The Hinoki Cypress is one of the most popular dwarf trees due to its beautiful, dense foliage that turns a golden-brown in winter. It can be difficult to find this tree in nurseries, so if you have your heart set on one, it’s worth checking out specialty growers.
Related: 22+ Different Types Of Cypress Trees With Pictures: Identification, Symbolism
10. Hydrangea ‘Grandiflora’ (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’).
This is a deciduous shrub that blooms on new wood, so it’s best to prune it in late winter or early spring. It reaches a height of six to eight feet and a spread of four to six feet.
The flowers are white, but they can fade to pink or purple in alkaline soils. Hydrangea ‘Grandiflora’ is a good choice for hedges, foundation plantings, and mass plantings. It’s also a good cut flower.
11. Jack Dwarf Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Jaczam’).
The Jaczam is a cultivar of the Callery Pear tree. It was developed in Australia and is popular for its small size, dense foliage, and white flowers.
The Jaczam grows to a height of about 15 feet and has a spread of 12 feet. The leaves are dark green and glossy, with a serrated margin. The white flowers appear in spring and are followed by small, dark-colored fruits.
The Jaczam is an excellent choice for use as a specimen tree or in a shrub border. It is tolerant of urban pollution and drought conditions. This tree requires little pruning and is resistant to most pests and diseases.
12. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum).
A deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to around 15-20 feet tall, Japanese Maple is a popular choice for gardens and landscapes.
The leaves are palmate, meaning they have five or seven lobes, and the edges of the leaves are serrated.
The leaf color can range from green to red, purple, or orange, depending on the variety. Japanese Maple also produces small, red flowers in the springtime.
The tree is native to Japan, Korea, and China, but it has been introduced to many other countries as well. In North America, Japanese Maple is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. The tree grows best in moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
13. Kousa Dogwood Heart Throb (Cornus kousa).
This is a dwarf flowering tree that reaches a height of only six to eight feet. It has a spreading habit and produces white flowers in late spring.
The Kousa Dogwood is hardy in zones five through eight and does best in full sun to partial shade.
This little tree is perfect for small gardens or as an accent plant in larger ones. It is also a good choice for planting under power lines or in other areas where space is limited.
Kousa Dogwoods are relatively pest and disease free. The only thing to watch out for is leaf spot, which can be controlled with fungicide if necessary.
14. Lavender Twist Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’).
This weeping, deciduous tree is covered in lavender-pink flowers in early spring, just as the leaves are beginning to emerge. The deeply lobed leaves are rich green in summer, before turning yellow and orange in fall.
Lavender Twist Redbud grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is a relatively low-maintenance tree and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. This tree typically matures to 15-20 feet tall and wide.
Lavender Twist Redbud is a beautiful addition to any landscape, adding year-round interest with its weeping form, colorful flowers, and fall foliage.
Related: 17+ Types Of RedBud Trees With Their Leaves and Flowers
15. Plumeria (Plumeria rubra).
A tropical tree with beautiful flowers that come in many colors. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The trees can grow up to 30 feet tall, but most varieties only reach about 15 feet.
Plumeria flowers have a strong fragrance and are very popular in leis. The trees do well in full sun and require little water. They are easy to grow and make a great addition to any garden.
16. Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala).
A beautiful dwarf flowering tree that produces large, bright red flowers. The leaves are a deep green and the branches are covered in small, dark green leaves.
It grows to a height of about 15 feet and has a spread of about 20 feet. It is native to tropical America and is hardy in zones nine through 11.
This powder puff tree is an excellent choice for a specimen tree, border, or accent. It can be used in mass plantings and as an understory tree.
The powder puff tree prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and does not require much water once established. Powder puff trees are relatively low maintenance and do not require much pruning. They are also relatively pest and disease free.
17. Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena).
This deciduous, dwarf flowering tree is a hybrid of the American sand cherry (Prunus pumila) and the European chokecherry (Prunus cerasus). It grows to a height of only six to eight feet and has a spreading, rounded crown.
The dark green leaves are two to four inches long and turn reddish-purple in the fall. The tree’s small, white flowers appear in early spring, followed by dark purple fruit.
The Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is an excellent choice for use as a specimen plant or hedge. It is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade, and adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. This tough little tree is also resistant to drought and salt.
Related: 13+ Different Types Of Cherry Trees (Flowering, Fruit) With Pictures and Growing Guide
18. Red Dogwood (Cornus florida var. rubra).
Hardy in zones five through nine, this deciduous tree grows to about 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It has dark green leaves that turn red in fall, small white flowers in spring, and bright red berries in fall and winter.
The bark is also a beautiful reddish color. Red Dogwood is a great choice for a small yard or garden because it is both ornamental and easy to care for.
Related: 17+ Different Types Of Dogwood Trees
19. Redbud (Cercis canadensis).
A small tree with a big impact, the redbud is perfect for small yards and gardens. Growing to only 20 feet tall, this understory tree is covered in beautiful magenta flowers in early spring, before the leaves emerge.
The heart-shaped leaves are dark green and turn yellow in fall. Redbuds grow best in full sun to partial shade and are adaptable to most soil types. They are also drought tolerant once established.
20. Sargent Crabapple (Malus sargentii).
A deciduous, flowering tree that typically matures to 15-25’ tall with a rounded crown. It is native to China and Korea where it grows in open woodlands, forest margins and along streambanks.
In the St. Louis area, it is best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay. Best flowering and fruit production generally occur in full sun.
The Sargent crabapple is noted for its showy flowers which appear in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges. They are borne singly or in small clusters on last year’s branchlets, and each flower has five white petals surrounding a center of numerous yellow stamens.
The flowers are followed by small (to ½” diameter), glossy red fruits which mature in late summer and persist into winter if not consumed by birds. Fruits may cause stomach upset if eaten in large quantities.
21. Sasanquas (Camellia sasanqua).
Sasanquas are the first to bloom in late fall and their flowers are often used in holiday arrangements. They are one of the easiest camellias to grow and make a good choice for beginners.
They are also one of the most cold-hardy camellias, making them a good choice for gardens in colder climates.
Sasanquas come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to red. The flowers are small, but they are borne in large clusters that make a big impact. The leaves are dark green and glossy.
Sasanquas are one of the best choices for a flowering tree in a small garden. They can be grown as shrubs or trained into trees.
22. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana).
This is one of the most popular dwarf trees, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fast grower, reaching only 15 feet tall at maturity with a spread of 20 feet. The saucer magnolia has large, fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring, often before the leaves appear.
They can be white, pink, or purple, and the flowers are up to eight inches across. This tree is also one of the hardiest magnolias, able to withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
23. Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides).
With its exfoliating bark and beautiful flowers, the Seven-Son Flower is a popular choice for gardens in USDA hardiness zones five through eight. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Seven-Son Flowers are deciduous shrubs that can grow up to fifteen feet tall and wide. In late summer and early fall, they produce small white flowers that are borne in clusters of seven. The flowers are followed by bright red fruits that ripen in September and October.
24. Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria).
Also called the smoketree, this is a favorite for its showy flowers and colorful leaves. It’s a great addition to any garden, and it’s easy to care for. The smoketree is native to China and Korea, and it was introduced to North America in the early 1800s.
The smoketree is a small tree that grows to about 15 feet tall. It has a round, dense canopy of leaves that are dark green in color.
The flowers of the smoketree are small and inconspicuous, but they’re borne in large, showy clusters. The flowers are followed by spherical, woody fruits that ripen in the fall and are covered in a downy fuzz.
The smoketree is easy to grow and is tolerant of most soil types. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. The smoketree is drought-tolerant once it’s established, and it’s also resistant to deer and rabbits.
25. Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata).
This low-growing, slow-to-mature tree is perfect for small yards. It flowers very early in the season and its flowers are incredibly fragrant. The star magnolia is quite adaptable and can be grown in sun or shade.
26. Stewartia.
The Stewartia is a small to medium sized deciduous tree that is native to North America and Asia. It has beautiful white flowers that bloom in the summer, and its leaves turn a stunning red in the fall.
The Stewartia is an excellent choice for small yards or gardens, as it only grows to be about 15-25 feet tall. It is also a great tree for planting under power lines, as it has a very compact growth habit.
27. Utah Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis Koehne).
This lovely little tree is perfect for the front yard. It only gets about 15 feet tall, and has a beautiful display of white flowers in the spring.
The leaves turn a bright red in the fall, and the berries are edible (though not very tasty). Utah Serviceberry is a great choice for those who want a small tree with year-round interest.
28. Weeping Cherry (Prunus pendula).
A beautiful, small weeping tree. The leaves are a mid-green and the flowers are a deep pink. It’s one of the first trees to flower in spring and the flowers last for several weeks.
The Weeping Cherry is native to Japan and was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. It’s a popular tree for gardens because it’s relatively small and has pretty flowers.
Weeping Cherry trees are popular as ornamental trees and can be found in many parks and gardens. They can be grown in most climates, but do best in cooler climates. In warm climates, they may not flower as well or the leaves may scorch.
Related:
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- 27 Magnificent Trees with Pink Flowers Blooming All Around (With Photos)
- 26 Magnificent Trees With Purple Flowers: A Guide to the Best Ones
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FAQs
What is the smallest flowering tree?
The smallest flowering tree is the dwarf willow. It grows to a height of only six inches. The leaves are very small and the flowers are white or pink. The dwarf willow is found in North America and Europe.
Another small flowering tree is the Japanese maple. It grows to a height of only 15 feet. The leaves are very small and the flowers are red or orange. The Japanese maple is found in Asia.
Both of these trees are very small compared to other trees. They both have very small leaves and flowers.
What is the prettiest dwarf tree?
The prettiest dwarf tree is the one that is the most well-groomed and has the fullest, healthiest leaves. Dwarf trees are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks because of their small size and beautiful foliage. While there are many different types of dwarf trees, some of the most popular varieties include bonsai trees, Japanese maples, and crepe myrtles.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – our top picks for the best dwarf flowering trees for small gardens! We hope you found this guide helpful and that you now have a better idea of which tree is right for your space.
Do you have a favorite dwarf flowering tree? Let us know in the comments below!