Trees for a courtyard garden

[accidentalmillionaire]

We’re in Cornwall. We have a new courtyard garden. It’s small but not tiny. We think we have room for two or three small trees which we’d like to underplant with grasses. I have some ideas but wonder what suggestions others might have

Depends how much sunlight the courtyard will get, and how exposed it is. Ferns do well in the shade.

If your garden is sheltered from the wind, the weather is mild enough in Cornwall to plant trees which wouldn’t survive elsewhere in the UK. I’d check online to see what is available at Burncoose Nurseries, and visit Trebah and a few other fantastic local gardens to see what’s possible… Lucky you!

I planted one of these when we moved a year ago and it's grown well and is looking gorgeous. Bit unusual and the leaf shape and colour are lovely. Looking forward to it flowering in the spring. Recommended for small gardens.
https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/cercis-canadencis-forest-pansy?ff=20&fp=14618&irclickid=WaeV2FXI1xyKTJDRqNwSeWvlUkr1Ic3JE3yAQc0&irgwc=1&afsrc=1&Source=Im&utm_source=Impact&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=1812968

Dwarf maples/ acers are colourful, slow growing and great for a sheltered garden.
Dwarf silver birch ( like Trinity College) are very attractive, don't grow as big as the normal birch and have a dappled shade that you can underplant.

Guelder rose ( viburnum family) is a manageable shrub, and has a long interest reason, pretty shaped leaves and white blossom in late spring, red berries in the summer and fabulous autumn coverage. Rather than grasses I would plant hellebore and spring flowering bulbs to take advantage of the better light in early spring. As it grows raise the canopy by trimming off lower branches which will improve light levels.

Thank you.
it is sun and part shade, and as sheltered as anywhere in west cornwall can be 😂
some fresh suggestions there. I had Acer Griseum, Betuna Nigra, amalanchier (which is becoming quite ubiquitous), crab apple and Heptocodium Seven Sons on my list.
I will add the new suggestions and have a hard think!

Never heard of the Seven Sons so I looked it up. It's on my list now! Would be gorgeous next to my cercis.

We planted a cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud) in our small courtyard. It needed to be in a pot for various reasons but that’s not essential. They can be multi-stemmed or a small tree.
In spring the bare branches are smothered in incredible bright pink blossom, then the leaves develop after and stay on till autumn. It’s lovely.