We are frequently asked "what are the best indigenous trees for a small garden?" This is a valid question, because you don't want to plant trees that will become a nuisance when they grow to mature size. They may, for example, damage your roof and foundations, lift paving or block your winter sun.
This is the second post in of a series of posts with the theme "Trees for very small gardens". In post-2 I recommend 5 more trees indigenous to South Africa that can be planted in a very small garden (or tiny garden) and not cause any problems in the future. The topic is covered as follows:
- Trees recommended in the first post of the series.
- Summary of concepts discussed in the first post
- 5 more trees for very small gardens
1) Trees recommended in the first post of the series
In the first post I discussed and recommended the following indigenous trees (English name, Afrikaans name, scientific name):
a) Bushveld gardenia, Bosveldkatjiepiering, Gardenia volkensii
b) Bladder-nut, Swartbas, Diospyros whyteana
c) Big num-Num, Grootnoemoem, Carissa macrocarpa
d) Transvaal milkplum, Stamvrug, Englerophytum magalismontanum
e) Small-leaved dragon tree, Kleinblaardrakeboom, Dracaena mannii
Please visit Series Post-1 for details.
2) Summary of concepts discussed in the first post
I defined a very small garden (or tiny garden) to measure about 25 square meter. This is the typical garden size of a two bedroom unit in a retirement village or townhouse complex, maybe in front of the lounge and main bedroom - about 8m across and 3 m deep.
In respect of the terms "tree" and "shrub" it was concluded that:
These two terms play no role in a species' botanical classification.
Shrubs can be pruned into trees and visa versa.
Henceforth I will only talk about trees, but will indicate when a tree has a tendency to grow multi-stem. I will also indicate the tree's likely response to pruning.
3) The second 5 candidates (English name, Afrikaans name, Scientific name) are:
a) Lavender-tree, Laventelboom, Heteropyxis natalensis
b) Cork-bush, Kurkbos, Mundulea sericea
c) Dwarf coral-tree, Kleinkoraalboom, Erythrina humeana
d) September-bells, Klokkiesvalskatjiepiering, Rothmannia globosa
e) Blue currant, Bloutaaibos, Searsia zeyheri
I summarize below key characteristics of the above species, bullet point style, and provide a link to a Treeshop web page where you will find more information:
3.1) Lavender-tree, Heteropyxis natalensis
Heteropyxis natalensis key attributes:
Mature size in a garden setting, 4m
Growth form is compact upright
Growth rate medium
Quite frost hardy but temperatures should not fall below -2 degrees Celsius
Non-aggressive roots
Well-drained, compost rich soil
Deciduous and slightly messy
Requires modest water in summer. Water wise in winter.
Responds well to pruning.
Dense flower heads attracts many insects including bees
Striking autumn colors. Fresh green look when budding in spring
Striking grey-white patches on its trunk where old bark peeled off
Characteristic fragrant leaves when crushed
3.2) Cork-bush (Mundulea sericea)
Image: With permission from TreeBook
Mundulea sericea key features:
Mature size in a garden setting, 3m
Growth form is upright, low branching
Growth rate slow to medium
Quite frost hardy. temperatures should not fall below -2 degrees Celsius
Non-aggressive roots
Well-drained, sandy soil
Semi-deciduous and not too messy
Requires modest water in summer, water wise during winter
Does not like to be pruned
Striking, mauve to purple, pea shaped flowers. Appear more than once per season, usually after good rain.
Characteristic light-grey corky bark
Characteristic grey-green leaves
3.3) Dwarf coral-tree (Erythrina humeana)
Image: With permission from TreeBook
Erythrina humeana key attributes:
Mature size in a garden setting, 2m
Growth form is bushy
Growth rate is medium
Slightly frost hardy, tolerates temperatures up to -2 degrees Celsius
Swollen tuberous roots require some precautions
Well-drained, compost rich soil
Deciduous but not messy
Requires modest water in summer, water wise during winter
Responds well to pruning
Very beautiful, large, bright red flowers, summer to autumn while leaves are present, sometimes more than once per season
Striking red seeds are visible when its pods split open
White, fragrant flowers attracts insects
3.4) September-bells Rothmannia globosa
Rothmannia globosa key attibutes:
Mature size in a garden setting, 2m
Growth form is compact upright
Growth rate is medium
Slightly frost sensitive, tolerates temperatures to -0.5 degrees Celsius
Non-aggressive roots
Well-drained, compost rich soil
Semi-deciduous or evergreen
Requires modest water year round
Responds well to pruning
White flowers and striking large fruit which remains on the tree for a long time
3.5) Blue currant (Searsia zeyheri)
Image: With permission from TreeBook
Searsia zeyheri key attributes:
Mature size in a garden setting, 2.5m
Growth form is multi-stem, upright. It can be pruned to single stem. Pruning stimulates vigorous growth
Growth rate is medium
Very frost hardy. Tolerates temperatures as low as -6 degrees Celsius
Non-aggressive roots
Well-drained, sandy soil
Semi-deciduous and not messy
Requires modest water year round
inconspicuous flowers, followed by red, berry-like fruit.
Attracts fruit-eating birds
Large (for the genus) grey-green leaves makes for an attractive appearance. A good candidate to create a color contrast
Joyful Gardening!
Piet Stoker
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