A garden should be a private, secure and peaceful place.

In this article, we will examine how you can use fast growing shrubs and bushes for creating privacy.

Successful garden design takes into account how an outside space operates as an ecosystem but also how well it works for human inhabitants.

Creating privacy can be an important consideration, especially in more built-up urban environments. High walls and high fences, however, are not the only option. Choosing the right planting plan is also important.

Sensible, sustainable garden design takes the future into account as well as the present. But there are times when you want to create a mature look and feel as quickly as possible.

Fast growing shrubs and bushes are ideal for this purpose. These plants can create this feel of privacy and maturity far more speedily than slower-growing varieties.

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Sourcing Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes for Privacy

Before we take a closer look at which shrubs and bushes to choose, it will be helpful to consider how and where we can source the new plants.

Grow From Seed or Buy Mature Plants?

One of the first decisions that you will have to take is whether you will grow your plants from seed.

You may also choose to invest in bare root or pot grown plants. These are more common options for growing shrubs and bushes. If time is a consideration, then of course you are likely to choose pot grown, as this is the faster option.

Shrubs and bushes will often mature and increase in size very quickly. However, choosing to purchase bare root plants or pot grown specimens is usually a more expensive option than growing from seed. Larger pot grown plants are, generally speaking, the most costly of all.

Remember that younger, smaller specimens will be cheaper than fully-mature shrubs and bushes. Sometimes, it may be sensible to settle for partial privacy in the short term in order to achieve the best result longer term.

How To Source Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes for Free

If you want to quickly establish a mature garden for privacy, budget is often likely to be a concern. It is worthwhile remembering that it is often possible to source plants for free – especially if you think outside the box.

Sometimes, friends or neighbours with mature gardens will be willing to gift you plants from an overcrowded bed or border.

Cuttings can also often provide a free way to propagate plants without losing the parent.

It is also worth looking out for plants and cuttings online. In the gift economy, you can often find plenty of options to fill out the fringes of your garden.

While you want for cuttings to establish, or for plants to grow and fill in the gaps, you can take interim steps to ensure your privacy.

For example, you can create fences or walls, create garden structures such as arbors for secluded seating areas, or plant single, mature trees to block a seating area from the sight of a neighbour’s windows.

Remember, though, that while speed may seem to be of the essence, thinking long-term is always the best policy.

Layering Different Plants to Create Privacy in the Garden

Privacy might be the primary concern, but it is a good idea to think holistically about your garden.

This involves thinking about how all the elements in the space work together. While you may be tempted to pop in a quick hedge of one variety of plant for privacy, choosing a variety of different fast growing shrubs and bushes is the best option for the long-term health of your garden.

The more biodiversity there is in the space, the more productive, healthy and resilient your backyard can be.

The more plant species you are able to include, the more beneficial wildlife you can attract. What is more, greater biodiversity can also make it easier to make the most of the space – to grow your own food and provide for other needs.

Biodiversity is also attractive – it can help make sure that your backyard looks wonderful all year round.

Layering different plants (stacking plants, with lower-growing varieties below taller ones) on a garden border will ensure a good coverage of foliage to protect you from prying eyes.

It can also help to make sure that you are truly making he most of the space you have available – thinking vertically as well as horizontally.

Tips for Choosing Plants for Privacy

When choosing any plants, it is important to consider:

• The patterns and strength of sunlight on your site throughout each day and throughout the year.
• Levels and patterns of rainfall and moisture retention in your backyard.
• The type, condition and fertility of the soil where you live.
• Whether the site is sheltered or exposed.
• General temperatures and the conditions of climate and microclimate.

Bearing these things in mind will help you in choosing the right plants for the right places.

When choosing fast-growing shrubs and bushes for privacy, other considerations will also come into play. These will include:

• How tall you need your privacy barrier to be. (And how tall the plants you choose will ultimately grow.)
• Your personal preferences with regard to shape, style and colour.
• What other problems the planting scheme should solve.

Remember, in good design, each element in your garden should fulfil as many functions as possible. Privacy might be the foremost thing on your mind, but a privacy hedge, barrier or border might also:

• Serve as a wind break to provide shelter for other parts of the garden.
• Stabilise the soil on a sloping or waterlogged site.
• Create areas of shade for other plants, or to increase the comfort of a seating area.
• Provide biomass, or a source of fuel or timber for a range of projects.
• Enhance the visual appearance of your backyard, year round.
• Generate extra food for you and your family.

The most important functions of your privacy planting will, of course, determine the best plants to grow.

Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs & Bushes For Year-Round Privacy

When considering plants for privacy, it is important to think about the whole year.

Since evergreens keep their foliage all year round, they can keep a garden free from peeping Toms at all times.

For this reason, evergreens are likely to be the bones of your privacy barrier. Fast growing evergreens that can be useful for privacy include:

1. Cypresses

The Leyland cypress,sometimes referred to as Leylandii, is one of the fastest growing and best known conifers.

It is a sterile cross between the Monterrey cypress and the Nootka cypress and is commonly used for privacy.

Be warned, however, it can quickly get out of control!

It may not be the best long-term choice in smaller residential gardens. It can grow up to 40m tall. Natural, native cypresses may be better choices in the right settings.

2. Arborvitae

Abrorvitae ‘Green Giant’ is another popular hedging or border plant for privacy.

This is another hybrid and can grow up to 3 feet per year in the right conditions.

Again, while this plant can be a good choice for privacy in certain situations, it should be used with caution and could easily get out of control in smaller spaces.

3. Pines

Some pines are fast growing while others are considerably slower to grow to maturity. Pines are often a great option for a mixed privacy border or windbreak.

Fast growing pines include the Aleppo pine, the white pine and the loblolly pine.

However, as with the evergreens mentioned above, these fast-growing pines should only be planted in appropriate situations, as they can grow to very large size.

4. Privet

Privet was, in years gone by, a very popular hedging choice. It has somewhat decreased in popularity in recent years, but could still be a good option for privacy.

It is relatively easy to keep in check, and can be a good choice for situations where a neat and orderly hedge is required for privacy.

5. Laurels

The cherry laurel is another popular hedging choice, and is another fast growing option. It can create a hedge 1.5 -5m high.

There are also a number of other laurels that you could consider for hedging. Other fast growing options include Laurel Etna and Laurel Caucasica.

6. Elaeagnus x ebbingei

Elaeagnus x ebbingei, also known as oleaster, or silverberry, is a tough evergreen that can make a great choice for adding privacy to your garden.

It can be left wild for a more natural border, or clipped into a more formal hedging.

In some environments, it can also provide edible fruits, and also has the added benefit that it works with bacteria in its roots to fix nitrogen from the air. Once established, these plants can add up to 75cm of growth each year.

7. Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster also provides excellent options for informal privacy borders or formal hedging.

Dense and good looking, these grow quickly to provide a screen and provide interest with blossom and red berries.

Some varieties work well as hedging or in a mixed planting scheme as stand-alone plants, while others spread over walls or fences to provide additional privacy cover.

8. Holly

There are also a wide range of hollies which work well to provide a greater level of privacy in a backyard.

Some traditional hollies provide spiky leaves which can also enhance garden security, and red berries in winter. However, not all hollies are spiky and some create neater hedging or planting.

It could be worthwhile looking at the range of different holly plants. For example, Nellie Stevens Holly is one popular option for privacy hedging or screens.

9. Mahonia

Japanese mahonia, also sometimes referred to as Oregon grape, is another evergreen option that could be ideal either in mixed hedging or a garden border designed to deliver a good level of privacy cover.

Attractive yellow flowers are followed by clusters of purple berries.

10. Photinia

This is fast growing ornamental, flowering evergreen shrub that can be another great choice for privacy in a range of gardens.

Red Robin is one popular variety for evergreen hedges and privacy screens and when trimmed regularly, can create a dense level of cover.

11. Pyracantha

Pyracantha is another evergreen option to consider.

Like many of the options on this list, it can work well as a stand alone specimen or in hedging or an informal border.

Also known as firethorn, pyracantha is great for wildlife too. Birds will love the red or orange berries that appear in the fall.

12. Berberis

A range of berberis (barberry) varieties are also ideal for a mixed planting scheme to add year-round privacy to your garden.

These plants can vary in size, from 1m-5m tall, and many have attractive spring blooms followed by berries that are also popular with garden wildlife.

13. Bamboo

If you want to create a privacy screen but do not have the space for a wider shrub border, you could consider a bamboo.

Bamboos can be incredibly versatile and fast growing plants.

Be wary, however, as while bamboos can be useful additions to many gardens, some can have a tendency to take over.

Evergreens, however, are not the only options for a privacy hedge or barrier. In addition to picking evergreen options for year round privacy, you should also consider creating a mixed planting scheme which also incorporates a range of deciduous shrubs and bushes.

Let’s take a look at some fast growing deciduous options which can enhance the level of privacy in your garden while also providing interest throughout the year.

Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Spring Interest

First off, here are five options that can add spring interest to your garden:

14. Lilac

Lilac bushes provide one of the most delightful scents in a spring garden.

These fast-growing shrubs are a wonderful choice for a mixed privacy border and since they send out suckers, can easily be propagated to fill out any gaps.

Beautiful purple or white blooms burst forth in the spring, filling your backyard with heavenly scent.

15. Ribes Sanguineum

The flowering currant is grown primarily for its beautiful pink spring flowers, which are an important nectar source for pollinators early in the year.

While it will lose its leaves in winter like the other deciduous species on this list, it can still help to create a feeling of privacy in a mixed border.

16. Forsythia

The woody branches of forsythia can also help to add structure and cover for a privacy border, but it is the sunshine yellow flowers of the spring that truly make this a delightful choice.

These are one of the plants that herald the arrival of the season, and provide another source of nectar for pollinators early in the year.

17. Viburnum

There are a number of viburnum varieties which work well to increase the privacy levels in a garden.

There is viburnum tinus, a well known evergreen variety for hedging. But there are also deciduous options, many of which offer outstanding displays of white or pinkish flowers in the spring.

18. Spirea japonica

This unfussy, deciduous shrub can work well to add structure to a privacy border. It has delicate pink flowers which appear in late spring or early summer.

One variety excellent for spring interest is ‘Firelight’, which has red and bronze tinged leaves in spring, which then turn green in summer and a deep reddish-purple in the fall.

Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Summer Interest

Summer is the time of peak interest for a wide range of fast growing shrubs and bushes.

Here are five options that could be great for adding privacy in your backyard:

19. Rambling Roses

If you have an open fence, growing rambling roses over the structure is one great way to increase privacy levels.

There are a wide range of rambling roses that grow quickly and create a privacy barrier in your backyard.

Of course, in addition to providing privacy, roses also have magnificent summer blooms, which can look lovely and can also often be highly scented.

Plus you can harvest the petals to use in many brilliant ways.

20. Elder

Elder is a resilient and fast-growing tree that can be pruned into a shrub structure or form part of a mixed,wildlife-friendly hedge.

While it could have been included in the section on edible yield below, elder is also valuable for its attractive froth of white blooms in the summer months (as well as for its berries in the fall).

21. Buddleia

Buddleia, also known as butterfly bush, is another great choice for a mixed privacy border.

The plants can grow almost anywhere and grow very tall. In the summer, their long stalks bloom beautifully. As the name suggests, they attract a range of butterflies (as well as other wildlife) to your garden.

22. Ninebark

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) comes in a variety of different forms, leaf types, blooms and berry colours.

Many varieties are ideal for privacy landscaping. This low-maintenance shrub can look good throughout the year, but many varieties look most beautiful in summer, when they bloom abundantly.

23. Crape Myrtle

Crape myrtle can be another excellent choice for summer interest. These shrubs can quickly branch out to become a useful privacy barrier, working well in an informal hedge or as individual specimens in a mixed border.

White, pink or red blooms will appear all over the plants and fill your garden with colour during the summer months.

Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Fall Interest

As the summer sun begins to weaken,and the nights begin to grow longer, these border shrubs and bushes will still have a lot to offer:

24. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas can be evergreen or deciduous, stand alone plants for a privacy border or self-clinging climbers for a wall or fence.

Their showy flowers will bring fall interest to your backyard even as summer begins to fade.

In addition to the showy blooms, some hydrangea, such as ‘Enziandom’ will also have attractive red-brown foliage in the fall.

25. Sea Buckthorn

Some plants can not only provide privacy and seasonal interest but also fulfil additional functions.

Sea buckthorn is a nitrogen fixing plant,and great for wildlife. The beautiful orange-red berries in fall are not only ornamental but also edible too.

26. Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus umbellata, the autumn olive, is another good nitrogen fixing plant for a mixed privacy border.

It is related to the other Elaeagnus mentioned above. The attractive red berries add interest to a fall garden and are also edible for people as well as wildlife.

27. Beautyberry

This sturdy, hardy deciduous shrub may lack in interest for the rest of the year, but in the late autumn and early winter this plant really comes into its own, putting on a display of astonishing purple (or sometimes ivory) berries.

This is another option that can look great and perform well in a mixed privacy border.

28. Serviceberry

These small trees or large shrubs can be great for adding height and structure to a mixed privacy border.

Unobtrusive for much of the year, the serviceberry adds interest in the fall, when they look wonderful with their red, wildlife-friendly berries and orange-red fall foliage.

Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Winter Interest

Evergreens will, of course, provide privacy even during the winter months. But a privacy hedge or barrier could also be enhanced by the addition of these deciduous shrubs and bushes:

29. Willows

A wide range of willows and willow hybrids are wonderful for a privacy screen or border. Almost all are very fast growing.

Most species are deciduous, with a few, rare semi-evergreen varieties.

However, even though they lose their leaves, their attractive stems can still add interest to a privacy border in your winter garden.

30. Dogwood

Dogwood, cornus alba, is known for its red,orange and yellow stems which are wonderful for adding interest to a winter border.

It also looks pleasant and adds structure to a mixed privacy border throughout the year – though it is during the coldest months that it really comes into its own.

31. Wintersweet

The aptly named wintersweet is another great shrub for adding interest to a winter garden.

It has strange but attractive flowers which bloom during the winter months,with a pleasing scent. Its bushy, branching habit means that it could also be a great choice for adding structure and creating a dense cover from prying eyes on an edge of your garden.

32. Edgeworthia

The fragrant, yellow flowers of paperbush also bloom in the late winter or early spring. Year round interest is also provided by the beautiful bark.

This is another branching shrub than add structure as well as winter interest to a mixed privacy border.

33. Witch Hazel

In a mixed privacy border, witch hazel can add structure and height with its vase-shaped, branching form, without the need for pruning.

After the leaves have dropped, the bright yellow blossoms of these shrubs or trees add interest to the winter garden.

Witch hazel is also interesting as it has a range of medicinal and cosmetic uses.

Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Edible Yield

By now, you should have a much clearer picture of how you can build up a mixed hedge or border to provide privacy for your backyard while also having an attractive garden all year round.

Yet before we call it a day, let’s take a look at some other options for your privacy border.

These options show how border bushes can also be used to provide food for you and your family:

34. Hazel

Hazel is a fast growing tree which can grow 45 cm a year, but which can be kept pruned to create mixed hedging or in shrub form.

Hazels produce nuts, and in certain environments, these can be amongst the easiest nuts to grow.

35. Beech

Beech is another tree often used in hedging. What you may not know is that the beech tree also provides a useful food source. The young leaves,in spring, are delicious in a salad.

Other parts of the beech also have a range of uses. This is true of both American and European beeches, though only the youngest leaves are palatable.

36. Hawthorn

Hawthorn is another useful option for a mixed privacy hedge. Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten and are also tender enough to use in salads.

The haws (sometimes called mayhaws in the US) are also edible and can be made into a jelly or home-made wine.

37. Goumi

Related to the other Elaeagnus species mentioned above, goumi or Elaeagnus multiflora provides, perhaps, the tastiest edible berries of all such varieties.

When fully ripe, the berries are delicious eaten raw or cooked. Goumi can also be a great choice for a mixed privacy border because, as a nitrogen fixer, it can help to feed your garden as well as feeding you.

38. Raspberries

Of course, you could also consider making a privacy border using more traditional soft fruits.

Raspberry canes, for example, can make an excellent privacy screen, and are relatively fast growing and tall.

You could also consider growing related or similar plants, such as Tayberries, boysenberries or wineberries.

39. Blackberries

A blackberry, or bramble thicket could also help to create a privacy barrier on the edge of your backyard.

If you want something a little tidier, you could tie-in and train brambles along a fence. To avoid scratches, there are also thornless varieties that you could choose.

40. Gooseberries

Gooseberry bushes, like thorned brambles, could be used to provide a little added security for your premises, as well as privacy as the bushes grow.

Gooseberries can be left to create a thicket, or trained onto a fence or other barrier.

While not as fast growing as many other species on this list, buying mature plants could be a quick way to add extra food (and extra privacy) and fill in gaps in your garden border.

Of course, the list of fast growing shrubs and bushes for creating privacy given above is by no means comprehensive.

There are plenty more plants you could choose. However, the list above should be a good place to begin when thinking about a planting scheme to increase privacy levels in your backyard.

The post 40 Fast Growing Shrubs and Bushes For Creating Privacy appeared first on Natural Living Ideas.

Gardeners can grow their own food, even in the smallest of areas. Dwarf fruit trees offer one wonderful way for gardeners to make the most of the space they have available.

Many small garden owners imagine that it would be completely impossible for them to consider a fruit tree in such a small area. But a fruit tree could be an amazing addition to your small garden, or even simply a patio or balcony. You just have to choose the right one, or ones, for your space. Today, we are fortunate that there are many dwarf fruit tree varieties to choose from.

Why Choose Dwarf Fruit Trees?

If you choose the right dwarf fruit tree for the location and situation where you live, you could be enjoying fresh fruit from your garden for years to come. They can be grown in even the smallest of growing areas. Many can even be grown in large pots or containers.

The fruit can be harvested without ladders or special equipment making it ideal for getting children involved and accessible for older gardeners, too.

Aside from a bountiful harvest of fresh and nutritious fruit, these trees enjoy beautiful blossoms making them an attractive addition to your garden.

Below, dwarf trees are listed according to the climate in which they can be grown. It is worth considering the fact, however, that choosing a tree and growing it in a container could allow you to grow a fruit tree that would not usually thrive in the climate where you live.

It would be possible to grow your fruit trees indoors, or to bring it indoors during the coldest months of the year. It could also allow you to grow your trees in a greenhouse or hoop house, or to move them into an undercover growing area once the weather turns. You might even be able to grow some varieties even if you only have a balcony, or no outside space at all.

Alternatives to Dwarf Fruit Trees

Before you choose a dwarf fruit tree, it is worthwhile considering alternative ways to incorporate fruit trees in small spaces. If you have a small garden, or courtyard space, you could still consider a full-sized fruit tree rather than one on a dwarf rootstock.

Fruit trees do not need to take up a huge amount of space. They can be trained into a fence-like structure or a fan shape, or espaliered and trained to spread out flat against a fence or wall. A full-size espaliered tree could be something to consider.

Dwarf fruit trees can be productive and provide a worthwhile yield, but the yield is likely to be higher from a full-sized specimen trained against a wall. So,this is something to think about before you definitely decide that a dwarf fruit tree is right for you.

Instead of (or in addition to) growing dwarf fruit trees, small space gardeners could also consider growing other fruits. Many other fruits are also ideal for growing in containers, or in small growing areas. Options that you might like to consider include:

• Red currants
• Black currants
• White currants
• Golden currants
• Gooseberries
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Honeyberries
• Strawberries
• Cape Gooseberries

Of course you can also grow vining plants and canes up against a fence or wall, where they will take up little space. You could include, for example:

• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Kiwi
• Grapes

Fruit growing is something that can be done even in the smallest of spaces.

How To Choose Dwarf Fruit Trees

If you have decided that you would like one or more dwarf fruit trees for your garden, it is time to delve a little deeper and decide which ones to buy. Before you start to look at your options, it is important to consider:

• The climate in your area, and microclimate of your particular garden.
• Patterns of sunlight, wind and water in the location where you want to place your dwarf fruit trees.
• The fruits that you, your family and friends will actually want to eat.
• Whether the fruit trees are self fertile and can go it alone, or need to be purchased with another tree with which they can pollinate.

The Best Dwarf Fruit Trees for a Cooler Temperate Climate

First off, let’s take a look at some options for dwarf fruit trees in a temperate climate, where chilly weather and frosts can be expected during the winter months. Within the temperate climate zone, conditions can still vary wildly, and have a huge bearing on which dwarf fruit trees you can grow. However, broadly speaking, these are some of the best options:

1. Apples

Apples are one of the most common garden fruits in temperate climes – and for good reason. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and there are plenty of delicious varieties to choose from. It is always sensible to opt for an apple tree from a local plant nursery, as these are more likely to be suitable for the conditions where you live.

The size of a dwarf apple tree is determined by its rootstock. There are extreme dwarfing rootstocks (such as M27), dwarfing rootstocks (such as M9 and M26) and semi-dwarfing. It is worthwhile looking at which rootstock has been used for your dwarf apple. This will help you determine whether its eventual size will suit you and your backyard.

2. Pears

Pears are another popular choice for some temperate climate gardens, and can also be placed on a dwarfing rootstock in order to ensure that the tree does not get too big. ‘Concorde’ and ‘Conference’ are two popular pear varieties that can be grown as self-fertile, dwarf trees.

Interestingly, in Europe dwarfing pears are often grafted onto quince rootstock and not a pear one – sometimes with an ‘interstem’ of a pear variety that works well with the rootstock from the quince. The most common rootstock used for dwarfing is ‘Quince C’. In the US, the dwarfing rootstock for pears is often ‘Eline Quince’. Quince rootstocks are also used for dwarfing on a number of other fruiting trees. Pyrodwarf is one option that does use Pyrus rootstock.

3. Quince

Dwarf quinces will usually be supplied in a 4 ltr pot and, depending on the size of the container in which they are grown, reach an eventual height of around 1.5-2m.

Quinces have a high level of pectin which makes them ideal for making a range of jams and jellies and other preserves. The fruits will ripen perfectly when grown in a sunny location and though they have a long growing season, can be grown even in northern areas when positioned against a sunny, south facing wall.

4. Plums

While there are no extreme dwarfing rootstocks for plum trees, there are a number of semi dwarfing rootstock options which help to limit the size of these trees for smaller gardens. These include Pixy, Plumina, and VVA-1.

Dwarf plums in a range of varieties can be grown in pots and will reach an eventual height of no more than 2m, often considerably less, depending on the size of the container. You can also find fruits in the same family, such as gages, damsons and Mirabelles grafted onto the same rootstocks to create small-tree options.

5. Cherries

Cherries come in a range of sweet and sour cherry varieties that are suitable for many temperate climate gardens. Sweet cherries are delicious straight from the tree, while sour cherries are best cooked into jellies or other preserves or cooked into sweetened desserts.

Cherries can be made less vigorous through the use of the Gisela 5 rootstock. If grown in the ground, cherries on this rootstock will tend to grow to around 2.4-3m tall. However, their size can be limited through growing in a container, and through judicious pruning.

6. Medlar

Medlars are not usually eaten raw but are excellent for making jellies or for use in a wide range of desserts. Left to soften (blet) on the tree, the fruit mellows and is a traditional, if unusual treat. These trees will do best in sunny, sheltered sites and thrive in deep, fertile and well-drained soil.

When grafted onto the right rootstock, however, medlars can also be a dwarf or patio tree option. Depending on the size of the container in which they are placed, they will reach an eventual height of around 1.5-2m.

7. Mulberry

Mulberries cannot commonly be bought from the shops, so growing your own is likely to be the best way to source these fruits. The trees are not only a source of food. They can also make for interesting architectural features in gardens, with their gnarled shapes.

Mulberries can be grown against walls if space is limited. But since these trees are more bush-like in shape,size and habit, their growth can also be curtailed by growing them in containers. You can prune the trees for size after the fruits are harvested in the fall.

In addition to growing the above, gardeners in this climate type may also be able to grow some or all of the dwarf fruit trees in the next section. Having access to indoors space, or an undercover growing area in which to place tender trees in winter, will dramatically increase the number of dwarf fruit trees that it is possible to grow in a cold or cool climate.

Dwarf Fruit Trees for a Warmer Temperate Climate

In a warmer temperate climate, varietals of all of the above trees are likely to be available to you. However, the warmer weather (and a longer growing season) can also make it easier to also grow all of the following dwarf fruit tree options:

8. Apricots

Apricots blossom early in the year and so can fall prey to late frosts if grown outside in cooler temperate regions. In warmer temperate regions, however, or when grown under cover or in a sunny, sheltered spot, these trees can thrive, even when grown in containers.

Wavit, a plum rootstock, is sometimes used for apricots, and will create a tree up to 3m tall if grown in the ground. Container apricot trees will always be grown on a suitable rootstock. When restricted in size by a large container, and through careful pruning, they can be an ideal choice for smaller spaces.

9. Peaches

Peaches of a medium to small size are also sometimes grown on a Wavit rootstock. The size of peach trees can also be curtailed if they are grown in containers. Peach trees can also easily be trained to fit into a smaller space,and carefully pruned for shaping and size.

Peaches will be ready to pick when they are fully colored and the flesh close to the stalk feels soft. Cup each fruit in the palm of your hand and then lift gently. You will need to harvest over a long period as not all the fruits will develop at once. Do not leave picked fruits uneaten for too long. Peaches are at their best eaten fresh, straight from the tree.

10. Figs

The size of fig trees will often be determined by the variety rather than by a particular rootstock. Fig trees grow large if planted in the ground in optimal conditions, however, they can be kept much smaller and in check when grown in small spaces in containers. In fact, figs will fruit better if grown in containers to curtail non-fruiting growth. ‘Celestial’ is one popular dwarf fig variety.

Fig trees will produce two crops of figs in a year in a warmer temperate climate. The first crop can be harvested in late spring or early summer and the second, the maincrop, in late summer or early fall. (In cooler climes, usually only one crop of figs will come to fruition.)

11. Persimmons

Dwarf persimmons are much smaller than standard persimmon trees. It should be noted, however, that they can still reach around 3-4m in height if grown in the ground, left unchecked and not pruned. Fortunately, like many of the other fruit trees on this list, persimmons can also be grown in containers, which will curtail their growth.

There are astringent and non-astringent varieties of persimmons. Astringent varieties,such as Hachiya and Eureka, need to be perfectly ripe to be edible. Non astringent types such as Fuya and Jiro can be eaten crisp, like an apple, and are sometimes called ‘sweet persimmons’. There are some smaller varieties to choose from, but even standard trees can easily be kept in check.

12. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are another good choice for warmer temperate climate gardens. The fruits have an edible pulp. When grown in containers, dwarf pomegranates can be found which will grow no more than 2-3ft in height.

Punica granata ‘Nana’ is a dwarf pomegranate variety which will produce ornamental orange flowers followed by edible fruit. If you were planning to grow it indoors, however, you would have to hand pollinate, as insects are usually needed for pollination.

13. Citrus Trees

Citrus trees such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit all lend themselves well to container growing. These trees can all easily be grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock and grown in small garden beds or containers. Nearly every worthwhile variety of edible citrus is now available to home gardeners on a dwarfing rootstock.

As long as they get enough warmth, sunshine and water, and a suitable growing medium, dwarf citrus trees will fruit just as well as larger trees of these types. Careful pruning can allow you to shape your trees and keep them within bounds.

Dwarf Fruit Trees for a Subtropical Climate

In a subtropical climate you will have a different range of growing challenges to those who live in a temperate climate. However, you may still be able to grow a number of the dwarf fruit tree options mentioned above. It will likely be easier to grow those more suited to a warmer climate – though varietals of cooler weather trees are sometimes available for subtropical climes.

However, the different weather patterns mean you can consider a range of subtropical and tropical fruit tree options. Some dwarf fruit tree options for subtropical areas are:

14. Mango

While they may be much trickier to grow in cooler climates with shorter growing seasons, mangos can be a staple in a subtropical climate garden. Dwarf mango trees grow around 2-4m tall if grown in the ground and can also be grown in containers.

Irwin and Nam Doc Mai varieties are said to be the best mango trees for container growing. But you could also try other varieties, such as King Thai, Glenn, Cogshal, Palmer and Carrie. Mangos are delicious eaten straight from the tree and dwarf varieties can fruit just as well as their larger counterparts.

15. Avocado

Avocado trees produce a healthy super fruit full of essential fats and nutrients. You could grow your own at home, even if you only have space for a small avocado tree.

Regular avocados can grow up to 80ft tall, but ‘Little Cado’, the ‘Wurtz’ avocado, is a true dwarf variety, typically reaching no more than 10ft in height. Grafted trees will usually start fruiting within two years of planting.

16. Lychees

There are a range of dwarf and semi-dwarf lychee varieties available. These can be grown in pots, though can sometimes be a little temperamental when not grown in the ground. Lychees are tangy, sweet and juicy, with semi-translucent flesh and rough, scaly skins in pinks or reds.

‘Emperor’ and ‘Wai Chee’ dwarf lychee trees are available,and these can produce abundant crops in a subtropical climate. These trees often take little effort to grow in the ground, but many require a bit more care and attention if grown in containers.

17. Pawpaw

A member of the same family as the standard pawpaw, Asimina triloba, dwarf pawpaw, Asimina parviflora is a much smaller tree or shrub. It is a member of the custard apple family. Native to the Southeastern United States, it also produces an edible fruit, though smaller than the standard pawpaw.

Due to its smaller size, the dwarf pawpaw could be a much better choice for small-space subtropical gardens. It can even be grown in containers. Fresh pawpaw are hard to transport and store, and so rarely found in stores – all the more reason to consider growing it in your own garden.

18. Jaboticaba Fruit

Native to Brazil, Jaboticaba fruit is little known outside of its native range. But this member of the Myrtle family could be a good choice for your subtropical garden. These trees are slow growing and the Myrciaria tenella subspecies grows into shrubby plants around 3 1/2- 4 ½ ft high. Other types of jaboticaba tree can grow around 12-15 ft high outside its native range, and perhaps up to 45 ft in ideal growing conditions.

Weirdly, the grape-like fruits of jaboticaba can be produced in clusters, or singly, all up and down the main trunk and branches. Trees can fruit up to five times each year. The fruits taste a little like certain muscadine grapes and can be eaten fresh or turned into jellies, or wine.

19. Cherry Guava

Psidium cattleanum, known as cherry guava or strawberry guava, is another small tree native to Brazil that could be considered for many subtropical gardens as well as for tropical locations. It is another member of the Myrtle family and since it can be considered as a large shrub rather than a tree, can be ideal as a sort of dwarf fruit tree for smaller spaces.

Fruits can be eaten, and are often used to make jelly or other preserves. The skin is often removed to provide a sweeter flavour. Interestingly, although native to the tropics, this plant can be frost hardy. It can also be grown in containers.

Note – in Hawaii, this tree is a biocontrol hazard and threatens native forest.

20. Loquats

Sweet and juicy, loquats are similar in taste to apricot or plum. Rare in many parts, these could be an interesting choice for a subtropical garden. Dwarf loquat fruit trees are rare but available, and these can be grown in the ground or in containers.

‘Advance’ is a Japanese group loquat that is a natural dwarf, growing to around 5ft in height. However, it is self-infertile and will need to be planted with other loquat varieties. Certain varieties can be grown as container trees.

The options mentioned above should show you that there are plenty of dwarf fruit trees to choose from, wherever you live. So don’t make a lack of space an excuse. Start growing your own food right away – including plenty of fresh fruit!

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