Tall plants for tight spaces

Fitting a tree or tall shrub into a small garden, or narrow space is challenging. Often spaces that need taller specimens planted are also narrow, like between the house and a boundary fence.

 A garden that is planted with shrubs all the same height can sometimes lack interest. A tall narrow shrub will not block your view or sun, will introduce the height your garden may lack. If you have room, plant in threes for a gorgeous accent.

 The best planting time for deciduous trees and shrubs is coming up, it’s a good time now to look at some options.

 Shrubs that like a clip are ideal for adding height in a narrow space.  Grafted standards work well for this purpose: Port Wine Magnolia (Michelia figo), Portugal Laurels (prunus lusitanica), or Liquidamber ‘Gumball’ for stunning autumn colour.  If you choose to hedge, select a small-leafed shrub which grows over 2mh such as NZ natives Corokia ‘Geenty’s Green’ or Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa)

 Fastigiate plants are taller than they are wide, and there are some wonderful specimans. If you have a larger garden, take a look at the Upright Tulip Trees along Vogel Street and a stunning row of Upright Hornbeams along Mercy Hospital’s driveway in Maori Hill.

 For a smaller garden, a unique variety of apple is the Ballerina range. With a main trunk and very short branches, this columnar apple has pretty spring flowers and grows edible apples. Great for a centre piece in a vegetable garden or plant a row to separate areas of your garden. Others include the popular Emerald Cedar (Thuja smargd), Italian Cypress (Cupressus stricta), Upright Holly (Illex crenata ‘Skypencil) and Upright Box (Buxus ‘Graham Blandy’)

There are many more ‘fastigiate’ shrubs and trees. Carefully consider the growing requirements of the plant you choose. Always check for drains in the ground or overhead wires before planting, and consider your window views and that of your neighbor’s.

If you would like to know more, or need help with ideas for a difficult area on your property to landscape, I can help. Just call me on 0274156555 or fill out the Contacts page on this website.