April 20, 2023

Growing Small Trees Perfect for the Patio

Growing Small Ornamental Varieties

Perfect Patio Trees

Planting ornamental trees and durable evergreens in and around the patio is a great way to define the area, add layers of height, and provide privacy. These trees have a smaller stature, which allows you to enjoy growing them in closer proximity to seating areas without overwhelming the space. Added bonus? They’re also relatively easy to maintain over time!

What to Look for

Selecting your Patio Tree

When it comes to selecting the perfect tree for your space, Angelo recommends planting varieties with attributes like extreme cold hardiness and a slow growth rate. If the plan is to put them in a container year-round, it’s best to look for a variety that’s rated for a USDA Hardiness Zone lower than the one you’re planting in. Because in-ground soil temperatures stay warmer than average air temperatures through the winter months, leaving a plant in a container over the winter exposes the sensitive root system to much colder temperatures than they would prefer.

To put it more simply, the in-ground soil acts as a protective barrier that insulates a plant’s roots. We’re a Zone 6 here in Northeast Ohio, so look for a variety hardy to Zone 3, 4, or 5. Picking a tree that can tolerate colder temperatures than what we typically experience means these woody plants will do well when planted in the ground or in containers, and can also withstand the elements if left outside in containers year-round.

Learn More about USDA Hardiness Zones

 

Patio Trees

Planting in Containers

1. If planning to grow your patio tree in a container, choose a container with drainage holes that’s made of weather-resistant material, and make sure it’s at least two inches wider and deeper than the root ball of the tree or shrub.

2. Fill the container with Petitti Planting Mix, so the top of the root ball is resting about two inches below the lip of the pot. If you’re planning to install annuals or groundcovers around the base of the woody plant, have the root ball rest a little deeper, about four inches.

3. Position the tree or shrub in the center of the pot, after loosening the root ball.

4. Backfill with more Petitti Planting Mix, and apply a slow-release fertilizer. Additional annuals can be installed on the root ball at this time, if desired.

5. Water thoroughly, watching the container drain. Once it stops draining, water thoroughly again.

6. Maintain irrigation and feeding, scout for issues, and deadhead or trim, as necessary.

Recommendations from Petitti's

Angelo's Favorite Patio Trees

With so many sizes, shapes, and habits of ornamental trees to choose from, picking the perfect one for your patio can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a list of some of Angelo’s favorite trees to help get you started!

Perfect Patio Trees

Panicle Hydrangea Tree

Beloved for their gorgeous, large, showy blooms all summer long, Panicle Hydrangeas are fantastic trees to place in and around the patio. From the creamy white to chartreuse blooms of ‘Limelight’ to the striking, pink fall color of Quick Fire®, any variety will work well, so select the bloom color that works best for your space!
Cold Hardy to -40ºF | Grows 10-18′ Tall

Pro Tip: Pruning per Angelo’s recommendations each spring will help maintain a more compact habit. Watch our Video on Hydrangea Tree Pruning

Perfect Patio Trees

Rose of Sharon Tree

A great option for pollinators and mid-to-late summer color, Hibiscus Rose of Sharon trees are another great option to keep near the patio. With both single and double flowering options available in various shades of blue, pink, purple, and white, there’s no shortage of color with these beauties.
Cold Hardy to -20ºF | Grows 12-18′ Tall

Perfect Patio Trees

Doublefile Viburnum

Also known as Japanese Snowball tree, Doublefile Viburnums produce showy, white clusters of blooms in spring. Their textured, dark green foliage turns a deep burgundy in the fall, adding fantastic 3-season interest to the landscape.
Hardy to -20ºF | Grows 12-18′ tall

Perfect Patio Trees

Dwarf Lilac

Lilac trees offer fantastic fragrance and beautiful blooms each spring. Some varieties can grow quite large, so be sure to find dwarf varieties when planting close to the home or patio. Angelo’s favorite dwarf varieties to grow are ‘Miss Kim’ and ‘Palibin’.
Cold Hardy to -30ºF | Grows 8-12′ Tall

Perfect Patio Trees

Juniper 'Moonglow'

Junipers are durable, pyramidal evergreens that add year-round color and texture to the landscape. These versatile, deer-resistant plants are great for creating natural privacy screens, or they can be pruned into topiary forms for a more formal look.
Cold Hardy to -30ºF | Grows 10-15′ Tall

Perfect Patio Trees

Rose Trees

Rose trees add big impact despite their small stature, making them fantastic for patios of all sizes. These beauties offer the same compact habit and repeat bloom power of some of our favorite shrub rose varieties in tree form! Look for Petite Knock Out® and Sunblaze® varieties available this season.
Cold Hardy to -30ºF | Grows 3-5′ Tall

Pro Tip: We recommend moving these into a garage, or against a protected side of the house for winter.

Perfect Patio Trees

Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'

Their smaller stature and incredibly slow growth rate in Northeast Ohio make Japanese Maple trees an excellent option in the landscape or in containers. They provide fantastic foliage color and texture all season long. It’s best to plant these closer to the house, or in an area where they’re protected from strong winds.
Cold Hardy to -20°F | Grows 15-20’ tall

Pro Tip: We recommend moving these into a garage, or against a protected side of the house for winter.

Perfect Patio Trees

Weeping Cherries

Weeping Cherry Trees are one of our favorite, spring-blooming, ornamental trees. Their unique structure and habit provide a nice focal point in the landscape. Though they are slow growing, we recommend starting with a small size when planting close to the home or patio.
Cold Hardy to -20°F | Grows 15-20’ tall

Perfect Patio Trees

Crabapple Sweet Sugar Tyme®

This gorgeous, dwarf crabapple tree produces an abundance of blooms each spring that results in bright red berries later in the season. The year-round interest of Sweet Sugar Tyme® is a true delight for gardeners and their feathered friends alike!
Cold Hardy to -30°F | Grows 10’ tall

Off-Season Info

A Word on Winter Care

Provided you’ve chosen cold-hardy varieties and durable, weather-resistant containers, pots planted with trees and shrubs can be left out on porches, patios, and decks all year long. During winter, containers should be raised up, 1-2 inches off the surface, to provide drainage.

Time Flies When You’re

Growing Beautifully

After 2-3 years of growing in the same pot, these plants will need to be root pruned and re-potted in the spring with fresh soil. Root pruning may sound intimidating, but it’s actually fairly simple, and it can greatly improve the health of your plant!

First, remove the tree from the container and start loosening the root ball. If roots are tightly bound, it’s okay to use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut about 2″ off the bottom of the root system. Angelo also recommends loosening the sides of the root ball, about 1″ inward, all the way around. Be sure to also remove any roots that look like they’re damaged or rotting. When finished trimming, add fresh soil to the container along with Espoma Bio-tone® to promote healthy root growth, then re-pot the tree and they’re ready to grow another 2-3 years!

 

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