The beauty that trees offer is invaluable. However, some people run into the problem of not having enough room for large trees or shrubs. Below you will find some varieties we carry that are appropriate for small spaces. These varieties are actually shrubs that are pruned to resemble trees. Dwarf trees typically do not thrive in Colorado’s fluctuating climate. Pruning shrubs is one option to create a tree form for a small space. That being said, all of the plants below will need to be pruned regularly to keep their shape and appearance!
Tinkerbelle® Lilac
Syringa x bailbelle ‘Tinkerbelle’
Tree form with a rounded upright growth habit
Blooms in late spring
Great for foundation or hedge planting
Height/Width: 4 x 6 ft.
Bloom: May (wine red/pink blooms)
Zone: 3
Full sun
Requires moderate watering
Fragrant and makes lovely cut flowers
Pollinator friendly
May be planted up to 7,500 feet in elevation
European Snowball Viburnum
Viburnum opulus ’Roseum’
Masses of pure white, snowball-like flower clusters make a showy display.
Bright green leaves have a purplish-red fall coloring.
Spectacular landscape specimen
Deciduous
Grows 10-12 feet tall
Full sun to partial shade
Zone 3-8
Mohican Wayfaring Tree
Viburnum lantana ‘Mohican’
Dense globe growing habit
Large leathery leaves look dark blue/green into winter.
Flowers sets fruit
Height/Width: 6 x 6 feet
Bloom: May (creamy white)
Fruit: Crimson/black berries
Fall color: Purple to bronze
Zone 3
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate water
Attracts butterflies and birds
Deer resistant
May be planted up to 8,000 feet in elevation
Diabalo Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monolo’
Tree form of Ninebark shrub
Dark purple, lobed foliage
Trunk with peeling bark
Height/Width: 10 x 10 feet
Bloom: June
Zone: 3
Full sun to partial shade
Beautiful fall colors,
May be planted up to 7,000 feet in elevation
Ivory Halo Dogwood
Cornus alba ’Bailhalo’
Boasts variegated leaves that tend to turn purplish-red during the fall
Height/Width: 4-6 feet
Bloom: May-June (yellow-white, inconspicuous)
Fruit: Showy berries
Zone: 3
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate water
Attracts butterflies and birds
Summer Wine Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’
Tree form of popular shrub
Deeply cut, wine-red foliage
Flakey brown bark on trunk
Height/Width: 6 x 6 feet
Bloom: June (pink-white)
Zone: 3
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate water
Can be planted up to 6,500 feet in elevation
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli inermis
Thornless hawthorn with dark green glossy leaves
Nice globe form
Good fire blight resistance
Height/Width: 15-25 x 25-20 feet
Bloom: Late May
Fruit: August
Zone: 3
Full sun
Attracts birds
Produces berries
May be planted up to 8,000 feet in elevation
Purple-leaf Sand Cherry
Prunus x cistena
Blooms in late spring
Vibrant purple-red foliage throughout the season
Height/Width: 6-10 x 4-6 feet
Bloom: April-May
Zone: 3
Columnar Apple and Crabapple trees
Upright, compact, narrow growth habit
Ideal tree for containers or small landscape spaces
Blooms in the spring
Vibrant fall colors
Plant multiple in a row to create a living fence
Height/Width: 8-10 feet tall, 1.5-2 feet wide