Favorite Small Trees

I'm often asked about my favorite small trees. Here's a list of those that I like the best with a bit of information about each.

For different textures I like to mix deciduous, ornamentals and evergreens.

There are some clumping bamboos, like Bambusa glaucescens 'Fernleaf' which grow to 10x6. They sway in the breeze, the birds love to hang out there, they are evergreen.

Osmanthus fragrans is a wonderful evergreen, fragrant shrub that grows to 25x15.

Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan Sugi' 30x15, has very graceful needles.

You can mix these evergreens in with some ornamentals:

magnolia virginiana: sweetbay magnolia, semi-evergreen, fragrant blossoms in March. Can take wet feet or not. 30x20

Chionanthus retusus: Chinese fringetree, deciduous, fragrant in May/June, well-drained soil. 20x15.

Evodia danellii : Korean Evodia, deciduous, average/fast growth, white flowers in summer, red fruit after. 30x30.

Franklinia alatamaha: Franklin tree, deciduous, fragrant July/August white flowers. 20x15. This one may be best for the experienced gardeners.

hepaticodium miconiodes: seven-son shrub, deciduous, fragrant white flowers. 20x10 \

Vitex (chaste tree); very drought tolerant and great in a butterfly garden

Large buddleia (butterfly bush); very drought tolerant and highly attractive to butterflies.

Betula nigra Fox Valley™ 'Little King' is 10x12.

Cercis canadensis 'Covey' is a weeping form 6x8.

Magnolia x 'Ann' is 10x10

Prunus x 'Snow Fountain' is 10x15.