To tree or not to tree

[daisyelle]

When we bought our house, the garden was paved and had slate pieces along the fences at the back with 2x established conifers and another established tree (not sure what it is - pic of it when it’s all leafy attached). We got rid of the slate and put in planters made from sleepers and had flowers looking gorgeous last summer, but then squirrels, slugs and frost absolutely decimated it and looking at the shoots coming through, there isn’t much left this spring.

I’ve attached a diagram of the current set up. Where I’ve put the diagonal lines either side of the bench, would a small tree or a large shrub each side work? I’m a total novice so completely open to suggestions! The only thing we cannot have are olive trees as our dog is undergoing immunotherapy and their main allergen is the olive trees.

We do get a good bit of sun as the garden is south facing but I would say the planters are lightly shaded.

Thank you!

Does the tree go lots of beautiful shades of red in the autumn? It looks like it could be a type of sumac tree?

What did you plant before, that got eaten? Were they perrenials? How many hours a day of sun does the border get? Are the planters raised? Is the border south facing or the garden? Are the planters/borders possibly full of tree roots?

No reason why a small shrub or tree wouldn't work - I assume those beds aren't on hard ground but are where the slate was so nothing underneath them except earth (although probably a bit rubbish). Can you post a picture of what you've done the (excellent) diagram of?

How wide is that whole area @daisyelle ? With 3 trees already I think I'd be inclined to go for shrubs unless your garden is huge.
You could have something lovely and fragrant like philadelphus on one side and something dramatically beautiful like ceanothus on the other. Those would be my top choices.
If you can fit a few shrubs in you can plan it so that you have things that flower at different times of the year so that there's nearly always something of colour and interest going on. A small acer (trees in fact but you can get small/slow growing ones) will grow happily in semi-shaded conditions. A mahonia will give winter flowers, colour and fragrance. Tree peonies (not trees in fact!) are special with magnificent flowers. Really there's a lot you could choose from, I'm just naming some of my own favourites!

Get the conifers out which they are small enough or you will regret it.

Fatsia will give you a tropical look and is easy care.

Photinia Red Robin is a fantastic shrub but can also be grown as a tree.