Contrasts, Texture and Form Foliage colour provides another contrast, the golden leave of Robina pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ have made it a garden cliché. There are other golden-leaved trees such as the golden-leaved elder, Sambucus ‘Aurea’, and Gledistia. Too much gold can be overpowering, so use a light hand. In shady areas, avoid purple leaved trees such as Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ or the purple akeake, Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea', as the foliage will make them area appear even darker.
Leaf shape is a final way to introduce contrast and interest. From feathery fronds to the broad apddles of the puka, spiky cordylines and the smooth outlines of a conifer, there are many way to contrast leaf shape in your planting.
Don’t overdo the contrasts, or you risk a 'restless' scheme that lacks an overall coherence and harmony.
Aspect A tree that thrives in a bright sunny spot will often linger and look miserable in a shady corner. Check that your tree prefers the conditions in your garden – if you can only have one or two trees you want them to be absolutely splendid!
Many New Zealand natives that come from the bush will grow in part or full shade. Choose those with lacy foliage, such as Putaputaweta or marble leaf, Carpodetus serratus, with lovely marbled leaves and an open habit, or those with light coloured leaves, such as the lemonwood, and they will brighten the planting scheme.
Plants for hot, exposed aspects will need to tolerate these conditions. Again there are some wonderful native plants for hot sunny gardens and lots of trees suited to coastal conditions. In warmer areas Mertya sinclairii, the native 'Puka' is great tree for coastal gardens and the paddle-shaped large, glossy leaves lend a very tropical look to a garden.
Multiple Roles As the seasons play out many trees play more than one role in the garden. Classic plantings such as cherry trees have a froth of spring blossom, cast summer shade, then burst into brilliant foliage colour in autumn, and spend winter as an outline of branches against the sky. Other trees that can be used this way include amelanchiers, cornus and the snowbell tree, Styrax japonicus. In warm climates deciduous trees colour less brightly, but the summer shade and welcome increase in light during winter still make them valuable additions to the garden.
Other candidates for seasonal change are the silver pear, Pyrus salicifolia, maples, especially Japanese maples, silver birches (although some can become enormous), the Australian frangipani with masses of yellow flowers, irresistible to tui and bellbirds for warm areas and the rowan family (e.g. Sorbus cashmiriana, S. hupehensis and S. aucuparia) with flowers, bright berries and colourful autumn foliage.
Crape Mrytles, Lagerstromeria indica, flower, colour in autumn and have stunning bark. Silver birches have white trunks that are a feature in winter, but be careful for their ultimate size and extensive root systems may rule them out of most small gardens.
Wildlife Trees are important to the wildlife in our gardens – and we don’t mean the opossums! Birds need trees for nest sites, roosting, for food and for shelter. Many of our most attractive trees are important food sources for birds and most will provide shelter or nest sites.
Fit the Tree to the Plot As most of us have smaller, even courtyard, gardens today, the choice of a tree becomes more challenging as we have to consider the impact of a tree on sunlight, other garden elements and planting, as well as our neighbours and the foundations of our house. Whatever tree you select, you should try to opt for one that can remain in place without too much attention from the tree surgeon or having to be removed after a relatively short period.
Ultimate Size Today most of us have a small garden, or even a courtyard, and the challenge of selecting a tree that is and will remain suitable can seem daunting. Work through the choice and placement issues carefully as any tree should be enjoyed for many years after planting.
Consider the 10-year or 20-year height and width of a tree when selecting that tiny whip-like stem at the plant nursery, it may well bulk out to become a very substantial round-headed tree in your garden. Read the label carefully before you buy, and believe that that tiny tree can indeed become a sizeable tree.
The Good Neighbour Factor Fast growing trees that cast dense shade or extensive greedy root systems do not make for good neighbours. Remember that any branches or roots that intrude into your neighbours’ property can be removed without notice, and this may seriously damage or visually spoil your tree.
Unsafe trees are your responsibility if they are on your property, so avoid planting brittle or potentially dangerous trees. As complicated and expensive legal issues can arise over trees on your boundary or in your garden it is far better to choose a tree which will not outgrow its position, sucker and emerge in your neighbours tomato patch, or become a hazard. (Note: we do not attempt to advise on legal issues and strongly recommend that your consult your lawyer)
A Selection of Trees There are so many wonderful trees suitable for smaller gardens that we are simply spoilt for choice.
A tree will pull your design together and make the garden sing, rather than sulk, but chose well if you have a small garden.
Yellow and gold foliage can lift a scheme, but don't overuse them
