small trees

Hello,
I have recently moved to a house with a small city garden and a very small patch at the front (8'7'' x 5')- and I have never gardened before. Although the front is small, I would like to plant a tree there, if possible.

Please can you tell me whether I have enough space for a tree, eg a cherry tree. Also, the front faces north, so I'm not sure how well a tree will do on that side.

Many thanks
Alison

 

There are problems with large growing cherries in that they do have an extensive and apreading root system.
As the garden is north facing why not have a look at some of the forms of Acer japonicum?

 

If you really fancy a cherry you could have a Morello on dwarfing stock. This will suit a North wall, will not sucker, has very pretty delicate white blossom and will also fruit, which the birds will like if you don't. It has a naturally compact growth, forming a round ball shape. I had a fan trained one planted against a north wall and it thrived. [and never in 25years produced a single sucker!]

 

Thank you all for your helpful and speedy advice! I shall look into both the Acer japonicum and Morello on dwarfing stock. I have looked up Acer japonicum in my new RHS 'plants for places' book and it looks very pretty. The morello doesn't seem to be in the book, but I will find it!

 

Acers are beautiful and appreciate shade. This is one of the many fruit nurseries stocking dwarf morellos:
http://www.victoriana.ws/Product.asp?PID=48
Good Hunting!

 

hi, Acer palmatum "Atropurpureum" is on sale in thompson&morgan cat. for only �£7.99 was �£22.99, supplied as a 3yr old root wrapped plant.
www.thompson-morgan.com
hope this helps Alison.

 

Now that does sound a good price!

 

don't just go for price!! Although it's a pretty good start - there are lots of small ornamental trees around, and very few coist a lot.
look at http://www.jparkers.co.uk/ for a good range of reasonably priced stuff

the acers are on there - but I think you might like the salix hakuro nishiki, a small ornamental willow which doesn't get very tall, and has pretty pink and white on the leaves.

I live near Edinburgh, adn have recently moved into a house with a non-existent gardfen, so feel free to ask me questions, and I'll ask you some too!

 

Japanese Maple 'Dissectum Garnet'

from

http://www.bakker.co.uk/

looks marvelous in the photos and says

"As it grows fairly slowly it is very suitable for small gardens and can even be planted in a spacious pot or tub."

could be an idea - you also get a free bucket of summer bulbs.

Promotions - got to love them eh.

Don't know much about this company but I like their web site - clean / clear / good information and their customer support staff have been quite good to deal with. Still quite nervous about dealing mail order and would rather see the quality first my self.

Another idea might be some winter jasmine - saw some down at B&Q, about 6 foot tall for 24 quid. Could stick a frame on the wall and let it climb up it?

 

acer griseum,paper bark maple adds colour all year round quite cheap as well, won't grow too tall, and will still let light onto the ground underneath