Featured Trees | Popular Garden Trees

How to choose featured trees

Our guide to growing ornamental trees covers planting, establishment and aftercare if you need practical guidance before buying. The FAQs below address the questions most commonly asked at this stage such as which trees make the best focal points, how to choose between bare root and pot grown, the best trees for small gardens and what to expect in the first season.

What makes a good focal point tree for a garden?

A good focal point tree combines strong year-round structure with at least one season of exceptional interest: spring blossom, summer form, autumn colour or distinctive bark in winter. Japanese acers, ornamental cherries and Amelanchier all deliver multiple seasons of appeal and suit gardens of most sizes.

Which featured trees are best for small spaces?

The best featured trees for small spaces are compact or slow-growing varieties. Japanese acer cultivars, columnar cherries and dwarf ornamental forms all stay manageable without heavy pruning and deliver strong seasonal colour in a modest footprint. Many also grow well in large pots on a patio.

Should I buy a bare root or pot grown featured tree?

Buy bare root trees between November and March for the best value, particularly if you’re planting multiple specimens. Choose pot grown trees if you are planting outside the bare root season or need the tree to establish quickly: pot grown stock is available all year round, and roots in readily at any time outside a frosting season.

How quickly do featured ornamental trees grow?

Growth rate depends on species. Fast-growing ornamental trees such as Betula and Amelanchier can add 30 to 60cm annually in good conditions. Slower varieties such as Japanese acer typically gain 10 to 20cm per year but require minimal maintenance and develop with exceptional form over time.