Image - Wikimedia / Ethel Aardvark
When you have a small garden, and it is also very sunny, it is important to look for species that can give us some shade without suffering damage. Although most trees are quite large, there are others that will be very useful to you; So if you want to know which are the most recommended, in this article you will be able to find out.
Because you don't necessarily have to put a 20-meter or taller plant to enjoy the gardens, no matter how big or small it may be. These small sun-resistant trees are a sample.
Brachychiton Bidwillii.
Image - Wikimedia / Michael Wolf
El Brachychiton bidwilli, known as Bidwill's brachique, is a deciduous species native to eastern Australia. It grows as a shrub or small tree from 2 to 4 meters, with ovate-cordate leaves 6 to 17 centimeters long. It blooms in spring, producing very striking red flowers.
It is a plant that grows in almost any type of soil, in sunny areas or with very light shade, and that also resists up to -7ºC.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Image - Flickr / mauro halpern
La Caesalpinia pulcherrima it is an evergreen shrub or tree endemic to the tropics of America. It is popularly known as mustache or false flamboyant, since it is very reminiscent of Delonix direction. Reaches a height of 3-4 meters, and its leaves are bipinnate, 20 to 40 centimeters long, green in color. Its flowers appear in clusters of 20 centimeters long, and are yellow, orange or red.
It is a beautiful species that likes the sun and fertile soils. But unfortunately it can only be grown in climates where there is no frost.
Callistemon viminalis
Image - Wikimedia / Chris English
El Callistemon viminalis is an evergreen tree known as weeping calistemon native to Australia, specifically New South Wales and Queensland. Reaches a height of 8 meters, with a branched trunk from low ground. Its branches are hanging, and from them sprout leaves up to 7 centimeters long by 3 to 7 millimeters wide. In spring and summer red flowers appear grouped in inflorescences reminiscent of pipe cleaners.
It lives well in fertile soils, which are able to drain water quickly, and in sunny areas. It resists frosts down to -7ºC.
Eriobotrya japonica
Image - Wikimedia / JMK
La Eriobotrya japonica, much better known as medlar or Japanese medlar, is an evergreen tree native to Asia that reaches a height of 4 to 6 meters, with a thin trunk of about 30 centimeters. Its leaves are large, about 20 centimeters long, of a glossy dark green color. It produces edible fruits towards autumn-winter, orange in color.
It is a very grateful plant that resists the sun and requires much less watering than a citrus fruit. Withstands frosts down to -7ºC.
Lagerstroemia indica
La Lagerstroemia indica, known as the Jupiter tree, is a deciduous tree native to China. Reaches a height of 2 to 5 meters, with a trunk tends to branch from very low. The leaves are oblong-elliptical to rounded, green in color except in autumn when it turns reddish. During the spring it produces pink flowers in great numbers.
It grows in fertile and well-drained soils, with a somewhat acidic pH (4 to 6), and in full sun. Resists up to -18ºC.
malus floribunda
Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
El malus floribunda, known as blossom apple or Japanese apple tree, is a deciduous tree native to Japan. Reaches a height of 3 to 4 meters, and its leaves are oval, dull green. At the end of winter, its branches sprout pink flowers, before the leaves.
It grows in the sun or in semi-shade, as long as the soil is rich in organic matter. It prefers that the climate is temperate with long winters, but yes, you have to protect it a little from the winds if they are strong. Resists up to -18ºC.
Pitosporum tobira
Image - Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
El Pitosporum tobira, known as the Chinese orange blossom, is an evergreen shrub or tree native to East Asia. Grows up to 7 meters, and its leaves are oblong-spatulate, dark green on the upper side and lighter on the underside. It produces aromatic white flowers in spring.
It is widely grown as a shrub for low to medium hedges, since it tolerates pruning very well, which is why despite its height we have thought it interesting to include it in the list. It resists up to -12ºC, as well as drought, and grows in sunny places.
Prunus cerasifera
Image - Wikimedia / Drow male
El Prunus cerasifera It is a deciduous tree known as the garden plum, or myrobolan plum, native to central and eastern Europe, and central and southwest Asia. Grows to a height of 6 to 15 meters, and its leaves are green, or purple, depending on the cultivar. It blooms very early, at the end of winter, and its flowers are white or pink. It produces edible, yellow or red fruits.
Although it is the largest in our list, it is a tree that can be pruned as it grows to make its crown wide and rounded, without growing so much vertically. It likes soils rich in organic matter, and it tolerates limestone without problem (I know this from experience). Resists up to -18ºC.
Which of these small, sun-resistant trees did you like the most?