Tree recommendations

[Laurasanford111]

Hi all

I have a long garden that I am slowly transforming into a cottage style garden, so far I have one cherry blossom tree and two apple trees, the apple ones are in pots still, however I am looking for the end of my garden a tree that I can have a meandering path around that will be a kind of feature tree. Something preferably evergreen.. but no Biggie if it can't be, something that won't grow to tall easy to maintain, I have a south facing garden if that's any help. I did look at a birch tree but I read they grow quick and very tall

Any ideas appreciated

How about something like a yew tree? They do grow big, but take a long time to do so. I always thing they have an old fashioned feel about them. They can be clipped into shape too.

Bumping

Hello @WeAreTheHeroes that's a good shout! Thank you

A holly? They are quite old-fashioned / cottage-y.
You need to do research, though. I have a holly that was planted years ago so it's not some modern marvel. Its dropped leaves are spikey as anything and never rot down so they carry on being spikey. Ouch! I think some modern ones aren't as vicious.
You also need to consider what sex it is - only the female has berries, but you need a male nearby for pollination.
There is quite a variation in ultimate heights, too.

Rowans are pretty, my favourite is Sorbus Pink Pagoda. Not evergreen but holds its beautiful pink berries for months into the winter. It's also quite small and has white blossom in spring and lovely bluey green foliage which turns orange/red in the Autumn.

If you want something as a feature then I would look at leaf colour. Dwarf maples might be a good start. Otherwise I second the Sorbus Pink Pagoda, it is a lovely tree and doesn't grow too big or throw too much shade.

Hoheria Snow White. Very pretty white flowers and evergreen. Or a mimosa with yellow flowers, also evergreen. I love a long garden. Mine is rectangular. Enjoy creating your garden.

My choice would be Acer Sango Kaku. It has beautiful leaves which Change with every season, the scarlet bark through winter.

Acer Griseum is snake bark Acer also lovely in winter

A dwarf Prunus Seralia.

A good place to research trees is Barcham trees. Their web site is encyclopaedic and they are really helpful if you email

Sorbus or acer would be great feature trees

Olive if you want evergreen? Or a magnolia grandiflora could be stunning.

Not evergreen but very pretty

https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants//prunus-pendula-pendula-rosea/classid.2000047742/sku.TR30000767/?gbraid=0AAAAADohxrwapwk-ZGpbkNLM0rZiw5XAG&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8emBhDrARIsANNJjS6VgP3TfAuefqq_eY98s8AHOXGgDjyOYV-Rv4vPYPmTw6hqIiu1RxR0aAiGEEALw_wcB

Strawberry tree?

www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1473/arbutus-unedo/details

What about a corkscrew hazel. Not evergreen but the twisted stems make it a feature in winter.

… and it looks like a pile of green dishrags in summer

There’s a contorted willow which looks a bit better in summer

Acer griseum is Paperbark Maple. There are several maples with “snake bark” - green and white irregular stripey markings.

Prunus serrula (not seralia) has shiny mahogany bark, very strokeable

Hawthorn trees have lovely blossoms- crataegus Paul's scarlet is beautiful

I've got a cornus contraversa variegata that I love. Also a rowan tree - Josheph rock = the birds love it and it glows in autumn.

Or a handkerchief tree - a friend has one and it's stunning.

I'm not overly keen on evergreen trees so no suggestions from me I'm afraid...