Small trees and hedges provide privacy and act as sound barriers, making them a great alternative to fences. They can also add aesthetic value to your home by lining driveways and sidewalks with colorful flowers. There are different types of small trees, ranging from 5 to 10 feet in height, that can fit most yards.
Cherry Dazzle is a stunning dwarf crepe myrtle plant that thrives in zones 6-9. It blooms with vibrant cherry-red flowers in the summer, making it a popular choice for home gardens. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and partial sun, and grows up to 5 feet with minimal pruning. Ideal for front lawns and window borders.
Dwarf lemon trees are low maintenance, grow in zones 9 and 10, and are native to China. They thrive in moist loam soil and do well in full sun and partial shade. They can be pruned to stay under 10 feet and even grown in containers. They bloom year-round and bear fruit in about 3 to 4 years.
Calif. lilac trees have beautiful white, dark blue, pink, and lavender flowers resembling lilacs. They grow up to 10 ft, are available at local nurseries, and emit an attractive fragrance. They thrive in growing zones 8-10 with full sun and well-draining soil, preferably mixed with organic humus. Their lifespan is about 20 years.
The American Snowbell tree, native to zones 8-10 in Texas, grows up to 8-10 ft tall, with glossy foliage and fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. It prefers moist, slightly acidic, sandy soil and partial shade, and needs weekly watering at mild temperatures around 70°F.
Rose of Sharon, or hibiscus syriacus, thrives in warm climates with full sun and partial shade. It grows to 6-10 feet wide and 8-10 feet tall, with pink, white, blue or violet flowers in summer. It prefers moist, well-draining, acidic soil, and mulch can help keep it hydrated. Easy to grow at home and native to China.
The strawberry tree is a small, attractive tree with glossy green leaves and red stems that produces strawberry-like fruit in the fall. It grows up to 10 feet but usually averages 6-8 feet. It thrives in full or partial sun and can tolerate various soil types, but needs well-draining soil and weekly watering, particularly in warmer months.