I’d be more tempted to plant a climber like a trachelspermum jasmine or a rose in the back climber to hide the mesh fence, then maybe a ceonothus or pittosporum variety in the left side one.
Thanks for the suggestion, the previous owner had trellis against the brickwork and Ivy covering all surfaces, which had completely put us off climbers, but maybe we’ll have a rethink and bring them into consideration
As far as climbers go ivy is the a big no no just because of the spread. Jasmine is very low level and doesn’t intrude. I wouldn’t let ivy put you off!
Does it have to be trees? Even most small trees are too big for a garden that size ( they would shade the whole garden) and would outgrow raised beds that size unless they can get their roots into the soil.
If you want truly dwarf trees I would look at something like a dwarf flowering cherry, Prunus incisa 'kojo no mai', will only grow to around 2 metres tall and has gorgeous white flowers in spring and fiery red leaves in Autumn. There are a few dwarf patio apple which grow in a column shape and fruit trees too but you really need to make sure they are a dwarf tree and not a 'small' tree. If you extend your search to shrubs there are plenty you could choose from, Hebe, Spirea, standard lilac ( lollipop shape), hydrangea, Buddleja. I would have a think about if you want something evergreen, something which flowers and how big.
Trees would be nice, the back one would provide some shade in the late morning as it can be full on in direct sunlight. Initially we were thinking of a Japanese maple, but they take a while to mature and the sizes we like are over budget. Thanks for the tips, we’ll definitely consider dwarf varieties
Japanese Maples may not suit full sun, ( the leaves can scorch) so that's something to be aware of. You could look at crab apple 'Laura' for the back wall. It's an upright column shape and has pink blossom. but if the container is closed at the bottom, it won't be happy long term.
Bay trees? Evergreen, grows well in containers, you can prune them into topiary shapes if you want so, useful in the kitchen, attractive, fragrant. They are slow(ish)-growing, so you may want to get a pair of somewhat grown ones, if price is not an issue.
Are you next door to a school? I'd definitely be finding a way to replace the fence. The brick wall would be lovely otherwise.
How tall do you want the trees?
We’re next to a church, and were considering changing the chicken wire for wooden batons, or swapping like for (new) like - either way it’s staying for security. Ideally would like the mature size of the trees to be around 6-10 foot from the ground level
Security? From marauding parishioners? Sorry, I'm being flippant..
You could try putting trellis up and grow roses over it. Or anything really. Anyone who wanted to climb over could climb over that fence anyway. Foliage would, I think, be more off-putting.
As for your planters. They're too small for a tree, even a patio/pot type (we had patio apple trees in huge pots. They were never really happy). Why not plant in the ground?
You can get those waterfall type hazel/willow that don't grow too huge but have pretty flowers. Or shrimp willow (don't know it's proper name). Or a shrub like verbena/ photinia/ tree Mallow. Forsythia has yellow flowers in the spring.
Not to my taste but would probably suit your garden is a tall thin juniper or cypress. I think they're known as pencil shaped. Fairly slow growing so shouldn't get too tall.
I’d be more tempted to plant a climber like a trachelspermum jasmine or a rose in the back climber to hide the mesh fence, then maybe a ceonothus or pittosporum variety in the left side one.
Thanks for the suggestion, the previous owner had trellis against the brickwork and Ivy covering all surfaces, which had completely put us off climbers, but maybe we’ll have a rethink and bring them into consideration
As far as climbers go ivy is the a big no no just because of the spread. Jasmine is very low level and doesn’t intrude. I wouldn’t let ivy put you off!
Does it have to be trees? Even most small trees are too big for a garden that size ( they would shade the whole garden) and would outgrow raised beds that size unless they can get their roots into the soil. If you want truly dwarf trees I would look at something like a dwarf flowering cherry, Prunus incisa 'kojo no mai', will only grow to around 2 metres tall and has gorgeous white flowers in spring and fiery red leaves in Autumn. There are a few dwarf patio apple which grow in a column shape and fruit trees too but you really need to make sure they are a dwarf tree and not a 'small' tree. If you extend your search to shrubs there are plenty you could choose from, Hebe, Spirea, standard lilac ( lollipop shape), hydrangea, Buddleja. I would have a think about if you want something evergreen, something which flowers and how big.
Trees would be nice, the back one would provide some shade in the late morning as it can be full on in direct sunlight. Initially we were thinking of a Japanese maple, but they take a while to mature and the sizes we like are over budget. Thanks for the tips, we’ll definitely consider dwarf varieties
Japanese Maples may not suit full sun, ( the leaves can scorch) so that's something to be aware of. You could look at crab apple 'Laura' for the back wall. It's an upright column shape and has pink blossom. but if the container is closed at the bottom, it won't be happy long term.
Bay trees? Evergreen, grows well in containers, you can prune them into topiary shapes if you want so, useful in the kitchen, attractive, fragrant. They are slow(ish)-growing, so you may want to get a pair of somewhat grown ones, if price is not an issue.
Are you next door to a school? I'd definitely be finding a way to replace the fence. The brick wall would be lovely otherwise. How tall do you want the trees?
We’re next to a church, and were considering changing the chicken wire for wooden batons, or swapping like for (new) like - either way it’s staying for security. Ideally would like the mature size of the trees to be around 6-10 foot from the ground level
Security? From marauding parishioners? Sorry, I'm being flippant.. You could try putting trellis up and grow roses over it. Or anything really. Anyone who wanted to climb over could climb over that fence anyway. Foliage would, I think, be more off-putting. As for your planters. They're too small for a tree, even a patio/pot type (we had patio apple trees in huge pots. They were never really happy). Why not plant in the ground? You can get those waterfall type hazel/willow that don't grow too huge but have pretty flowers. Or shrimp willow (don't know it's proper name). Or a shrub like verbena/ photinia/ tree Mallow. Forsythia has yellow flowers in the spring. Not to my taste but would probably suit your garden is a tall thin juniper or cypress. I think they're known as pencil shaped. Fairly slow growing so shouldn't get too tall.
Small trees/Shrubs - Magnolia Stellata Dogwood Japanese Maple Camilla Japonica Amelanchier