Native plants are the most environmentally friendly option for so many reasons. They’re great for wildlife, well adapted to their environment, and don’t need as much time or resources as a lot of non-native plants.
Native trees are incredibly effective at supporting wildlife. They have loads of room for habitats, produce a lot of flowers for nectar and pollen, and their seeds are a great food source for lots of animals.
If you don’t have loads of outdoor space, here are some native trees for small gardens for you to consider:
1. Birch
Birch trees are incredibly adaptable and do well in both rural or urban places. They will be happy with pretty much any care that you give them. You can also grow them in big containers, making it easier to move them around and control how big they get.
2. Cherry
Cherry trees will give you a mix of foliage, flowers, and fruit across the seasons. They can be grown in pots, making a nice addition to small gardens, patios, or balconies. Keep in mind that cherry trees grown in pots will need more regular watering than those growing in the ground, but they’re definitely worth a bit of extra effort.
3. Blackthorn
Blackthorn is a classic hedging plant that can also be grown as a small tree or shrub. It produces pretty white flowers in the spring and sloes throughout the autumn, which can be used to make things like gin and jams.
4. Crabapple
Crabapple trees are excellent for small spaces and come in loads of different varieties. They provide spring flowers as well as autumn fruit that’s great for cooking with. These trees are incredible for wildlife, look beautiful, and are also small enough for almost any outdoor space.
5. Juniper
Junipers are native to the UK and come in a lot of different varieties. They can be grown as ground cover or small trees, which can be perfect for smaller outdoor spaces. Junipers are also excellent shelter for wildlife and the berries are eaten by birds and other small animals.
6. Field maple
The field maple – or Acer campestre – is the UK’s only native maple tree. It’s excellent for wildlife and is also pollution resistant. It can grow well under most conditions and makes for a great potted patio tree. Potted Acers also tend to need more water than those growing in the ground.
Conclusion
Native plants are a crucial part of environmentally friendly gardening, and trees are among the most impactful of them. Hopefully you now have a good starting point for choosing native trees for small gardens, especially if you’re trying to make your small outdoor space more eco-friendly.
Click here for more articles about gardening for the environment!
