28 Best Dwarf Trees for Landscaping

Dwarf trees, which reach a mature height of about 15 feet or less, are perfect for small yards. They fit easily into compact landscapes, require less maintenance than larger trees, and make pruning a straightforward task. Many dwarf varieties can thrive in containers, allowing you to bring them indoors during winter months if needed. With numerous types available, these trees suit various USDA zones and can range from under five to ten feet tall, offering plenty of options for any space.

Warning

Some of the following plants may be toxic to humans or animals, as noted below in the listings.

Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum is a colorful, compact Japanese maple cultivar that often has dark red or purple leaves throughout its growing period, which will turn to a brilliant red in the fall. You can also consider the ‘Lemon Lime Lace’ Japanese maple for a vibrant look. Its leaves emerge a lemon-yellow color, turning to chartreuse in the summer, and ending up a bright orange in the fall. This dwarf tree slowly reaches as much as 25 feet high with a 4- to 5-foot spread. Pruning is not typically needed, but any pruning for shape should be done in the late fall.

Name: Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
Mature Height: 2-25 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Rich, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained

Japanese Cedar

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) includes a non-flowering dwarf tree cultivar that’s just the right size to fit the smallest of spaces. ‘Globosa Nana’ grows only a little over 3 feet high with a pyramidal shape. Its blue-green foliage develops a bit of a reddish-bronze color in the winter. Make sure never to allow its soil to dry out, and plant it in a place sheltered from harsh winter winds.

Name: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
USDA Growing Zones: 5a-9a
Mature Height: 3 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Moist, rich, acidic, well-drained

Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), or crape myrtle, is a native Asian species of small flowering tree iconic in southern U.S. gardens. It produces beautiful flowers in shades of pinkish red, white, or purple for a long bloom period from July to September. Small crepe myrtle cultivars include ‘Enduring Summer White’, a 4 to 5-foot tall dwarf, and ‘Catawba’, a purple-flowered cultivar that grows to a maximum of 15 feet. Crepe myrtle assumes a multi-stemmed growth habit but can be pruned into a single-trunked tree.

Name: Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
USDA Growing Zones: 6b-9a
Mature Height: 4-25 ft., depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained

‘Royal Star’ Magnolia

The ‘Royal Star’ magnolia cultivar is a slow-growing flowering shrub or tree with star-shaped blooms that give it its name. Its white flowers are more delicate appearing than the Southern magnolia, and it thrives in sunny conditions. The compact size makes it popular with those looking for a tree that’s ideal for smaller spaces.

Name: ‘Royal Star’ magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
Mature Height: 15-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Neutral to acidic, loamy, moist, well-drained

Dwarf Flowering Crabapple

Flowering crabapples are a diverse group, with dozens of different species, multiple colors, and hundreds of hybrids and cultivars.1 Most are relatively diminutive trees, though there are also dwarf varieties. Consider ‘Abaria’, a small 10-foot tree with beautiful creamy-white flowers, or ‘Cinderella, an 8-foot-tall tree with yellow fruits. Crabapple trees are toxic to animals.

Name: Crabapple (Malus spp. and cultivars)
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
Mature Height: 6-10 ft. depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained

Dwarf Cherry

Many fruit trees are now available in small dwarf varieties, including the dwarf cultivars of sweet cherry (Prunus avium). These trees are best suited for temperate climates—the places where citrus trees are out of the question. While most cherry trees are small, dwarf cultivars are the smallest varieties. ‘Lapins’ is a 12- to 18-foot tree that produces an especially heavy crop of black fruits, and ‘Stella’ is an 8- to 10-foot tree that produces especially sweet cherries in early summer. These small trees produce white blossoms in spring.

Name: Dwarf cherry (Prunus avium)
USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 (varies by cultivar)
Mature Height: 8-30 ft., depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained

Hinoki Cypress

Several cultivars of cypress are diminutive, making them perfect specimens when a small, slow-growing evergreen landscape tree is needed. C. obtusa is a native of Japan and suitable for zones 5 to 8. It has a spreading growth habit with horizontal branches that dip at the ends. The foliage consists of flattened scale-like leaves rather than needles. Some excellent small cultivars include ‘Confucious’ (4 to 5 feet), ‘Fernspray Gold’ (10 feet with yellow branches), and ‘Tetragona Aurea’ (reaching just 10 feet in height after 10 years of growth).

Name: Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
USDA Growing Zones: 4a–8a
Mature Height: 4-10 ft., depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Acidic, well-drained

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Dwarf Alberta tree on gravel ground in front of other evergreen trees

Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) is a popular cultivar of the white spruce, bred to be a specimen that reaches a mature height of only 10 to 13 feet. Slow-growing (2 to 4 inches per year) and non-flowering, it makes a good potted patio tree and is sometimes used as a living Christmas tree. But this tree is not well suited to warm climates and will struggle in zones 7 and above. The dense needles can be prone to fungal disease unless air circulation is good.

Name: Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)
Mature Height: 10-13 ft.
Color Varieties: Non-flowering
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

‘Covey’ Dwarf Redbud

Even in species form, redbuds (Cercis spp.) are relatively small trees, but for a truly small landscape tree, choose one of the several dwarf varieties available, such as the cultivar ‘Covey’ a weeping form that grows only 5 to 6 feet tall. This North American native does not do well in hot climates but is tolerant of any well-drained soil. Unpruned, it tends toward a multi-stemmed shrubby growth habit, but it is easily trained to be a beautiful small single-trunk tree. It blooms pink to purple blossoms in very early spring before leaves appear.

Name: ‘Covey’ Dwarf redbud (Cercis canadensis)
USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9a
Mature Height: 5-6 ft., depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Wintersweet

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) is usually grown as a shrub, but it can be trained easily to grow as a small tree. It generally reaches around 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide when mature. The yellow blooms with purple-brown center that arrive over the winter are quite fragrant, making this an ideal plant to situate near a deck or patio. Make sure to keep its soil moist but not soggy.

Name: Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
USDA Growing Zones: 7b to 9a
Mature Height: 10-15 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained

Harlequin Gloryblower

The harlequin gloryblower (Clerodendrum trichotomum) brings major wow factor with its ultra-showy summer flowers and purple pearlescent fruits. Its foliage also has a unique trait: When bruised it smells somewhat like peanut butter. It will take a few seasons to train your harlequin gloryblower into tree form with some easy pruning. The mature plant can reach between 10 and 20 feet high. This tree is toxic to humans and animals.

Name: Harlequin gloryblower (Clerodendrum trichotomum)
USDA Growing Zones: 7b-9a
Mature Height: 10-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained

Franklin Tree

The Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) is a dwarf tree that can grow either with a single trunk or as a multi-stemmed shrub. It features five-petal, sweetly fragrant blooms that appear late in the summer. Its average height is around 8 to 10 feet. This plant must have sharp soil drainage, as it is not tolerant of being waterlogged.

Name: Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha)
USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
Mature Height: 8-10 ft.
Color Varieties: White
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained

‘Carnival’ Hedge Maple

Acer campestre ‘Carnival’ is a hedge maple cultivar. This dwarf tree’s foliage appears as a variegated silver and lime green for most of the year, though it is a cotton candy pink in the early spring. It tops out at only around 15 feet, providing a lot of visual interest in a tiny package. It also needs relatively little maintenance besides watching out for common garden pests, such as aphids and scale.

Name: ‘Carnival’ hedge maple (Acer campestre ‘Carnival’)
USDA Growing Zones: 5b-8a
Mature Height: 15 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

Hardy Orange

The hardy orange (Citrus trifoliata) is a member of the citrus family and produces small fruits that ripen in the fall. But unlike typical oranges, they are quite acidic and have more of a lemon flavor. Many gardeners leave them on the tree for aesthetic value rather than consuming them. This plant can grow as a shrub or small tree with white blooms and should be pruned after it’s finished flowering, though be careful of its sharp thorns.

Name: Hardy orange (Citrus trifoliata)
USDA Growing Zones: 5a-9a
Mature Height: 8-15 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

Dawn Redwood

The main dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) species can easily reach 100 feet. However, the cultivar ‘Miss Grace’ is an extremely slow-growing, non-flowering dwarf tree. It will only reach around 8 feet after 10 years. This cultivar has a weeping form that offers flexibility for those with small yards. It can be left to weep in almost a completely prostrate manner or staked to grow upright.

Name: Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
USDA Growing Zones: 4a-8a
Mature Height: 8 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Humusy, moist, well-drained

Yellowhorn

Native to China, yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) is not commonly seen in landscaping. But it is a beautiful flowering tree that’s worth a look. It is a bit taller than a typical dwarf, and it features an abundance of white star-shaped blossoms with a yellow or red center in the springtime followed by small green fruits. Plus, it’s quite hardy and adaptable to various growing conditions. It can tolerate some shade but ideally should be planted in full sun for best flowering.

Name: Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium)
USDA Growing Zones: 4b-7a
Mature Height: 8-25 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

Mountain Witch Alder

Mountain witch alder (Fothergilla latifolia) is a slow-growing shrub that can be trained to grow as a dwarf tree with a single trunk. This plant bears fragrant white flowers in the spring, and in the fall the foliage turns to shades of red, orange, and yellow. In optimal growing conditions, it is prone to spreading via root suckers around the base of the plant. These should be removed if you want to limit its spread.

Name: Mountain witch alder (Fothergilla latifolia)
USDA Growing Zones: 4a-8a
Mature Height: 6-10 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

Dwarf Chestnut Oak

Quercus prinoides at the Arnold Arboretum

Oak trees are one of the most ecologically important species. They host countless moths and butterflies and are a vital source of food for wildlife. The dwarf chestnut oak (Quercus prinoides) allows you to contribute to this even in a small yard. Plus, it will start producing acorns in a few years, benefiting wildlife. Its leaves change from green to yellow and red in the fall and will require some raking of fallen leaves but not nearly as much as a larger oak.

Name: Dwarf chestnut oak (Quercus prinoides)
USDA Growing Zones: 5b-8a
Mature Height: 12-25 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Average, acidic to neutral, medium moisture, well-drained

Dragon Lady Holly

Several holly varieties can work in a small space, but the dragon lady holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Meschick’) is an excellent choice for a few reasons. It is widely available. Its conical form requires little maintenance. However, to get the attractive berries, you need both a female plant and a male pollinator nearby. Fruits can be toxic to humans.

Name: Dragon lady holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Meschick’)
USDA Growing Zones: 6-8
Mature Height: 10-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Acidic, moist, well-drained

Spanish Fir

The Spanish fir’s (Abies pinsapo) main species plant grows between 50 and 75 feet high on average. But the nonflowering dwarf tree cultivar Abies pinsapo ‘Fastigiata’ only reaches around 10 feet tall. The short, rigid, evergreen needles are a blue-green color. And the seed cones are a pinkish-purple color that matures to brown. This fir tree is fairly low-maintenance, but it is important to watch out for insects and pests.

Name: Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo)
USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 7
Mature Height: 10 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Somewhat rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) can be grown as a shrub or dwarf tree. It is a taller dwarf tree in a landscape, though the tree can grow even taller in the wild. In the fall, the plant bears shaggy, citrus-scented, yellow flowers. Overall, witch hazel is low-maintenance. If you need to clean up growth, pruning in the early spring is best.

Name: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
USDA Growing Zones: 3a-9a
Mature Height: 15-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained

Amur Maple

Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) is a fast-growing but relatively small subspecies of tatarian maple (A. tataricum) that grows to only about 20 feet tall and has non-showy yellow-green flowers and brilliant red fall foliage. It is naturally a multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub, but it can be easily pruned to favor a central leader that serves as a trunk. Because it is eager to volunteer, the use of this easy-to-grow tree is discouraged in parts of the Midwest.

Name: Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala)
USDA Growing Zones: 2a–8a
Mature Height: 20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

Dwarf Apple

The many varieties of domestic apples (Malus) are categorized according to size, from “very dwarfing” trees just 4- to 6 feet tall, to “very vigorous” varieties growing to 15 feet or more. Each has white flowers, but the fruit will range from yellow to green, pink and red. Tried-and-true varieties include ‘Honeycrisp’ (good for cooler climates), ‘Granny Smith’ (short chill time, ideal for warmer climates), and ‘Golden Delicious’ (works well in both cool and warm climates).

Name: Dwarf apple (Malus)
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 (varies by cultivar)
Mature Height: 4-15 ft., depending on type
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-draining, slightly acidic

Dwarf Mandarin Orange Tree

Dwarf orange trees are hardy only in zones 9 to 11, but, when overwintered indoors, they can be grown into zone 4. Two recommended types from this group include ’Clementine’ (Citrus reticulata ‘Clementine’), which is the same clementine orange sold in grocery stores. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall with seedless, sweet fruit that ripens in midsummer. ‘Tango’ (Citrus reticulata ‘Tango) is also popular, and it grows 8 to 10 feet tall, producing fruit from January through spring when grown as a landscape tree. The tree may be toxic to animals.

Name: Dwarf Mandarin orange tree (Citrus reticulata)
Mature Height: 8-10 ft.
Color Varieties: White flowers in spring
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained

Dwarf Lemon

This dwarf lemon tree (Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’) is a hybrid creation, a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. Growing to a maximum of 10 feet, it is both beautiful (with glossy green leaves and white flowers) and productive (producing delicious fruit starting when it is about four years old). Its natural growth habit is as a multi-stemmed plant, but it can easily be pruned to take a more classic single-trunk form. It can also make an excellent container tree for a sunny patio. The tree is toxic to animals.

Name: Dwarf lemon (Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’)
USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
Mature Height: 10 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Sandy, well-draining

Weeping Cherry Tree

The charming light pink blooms of cherry trees are some of the first to pop in early spring, and the weeping variety (Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’) is always a favorite of those who love the cotton candy look. These fluffy blossoms cascade down towards the ground in the weeping cultivar, which requires little pruning. The dwarf version of weeping cherry trees rarely gets taller than 10 to 12 feet.

Name: Prunus pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’
USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
Mature Height: 10-12 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile

Hydrangea

While hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are generally grown as flowering shrubs, they can also be trained to grow into a small flowering tree with a single trunk. This is most often done with limelight hydrangeas by pruning them into the shape of an ornamental tree. Generally, they reach just the right size to complement a garden with height and floral interest.

Name: Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
Mature Height: 2-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full, partial sun
Soil Needs: Acidic, neutral, alkaline, moist, well-drained

Chaste Tree

Clusters of small lilac flowers cover the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) in the spring, making it a pretty addition to your garden, It can be grown as a dwarf tree or a shrub, and it thrives in most soil types as long as it has lots of sun and warmth. It’s an easygoing, low maintenance plant that can be pruned with a heavy hand if that’s what you prefer.

Name: Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
USDA Growing Zones: 7-8
Mature Height: 8-20 ft.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Acidic, neutral, alkaline, well-drained