🌳 Awesome Small Trees: ~20 Feet and Under

At the nursery, we’re getting more and more requests for small trees. With home lots shrinking and many HOAs restricting large trees, compact varieties have become increasingly popular. While I personally love big trees, there’s still something special about the charm and versatility of smaller ones.

So, my dad (Everett, Garden Gate owner) and I decided to put together a list of our favorite small trees—ornamental, flowering, and evergreen—that stay under ~20 feet. These are great options if you’re looking to add color, shade, or structure to your yard without overwhelming the space.

🌸 Ornamental and Shade Varieties

Pacific Fire Vine Maple

Scientific name: Acer circinatum ‘Pacific Fire’
A colorful vine maple cultivar with vivid red new stems, bright foliage, and excellent uniformity. Offers year-round interest with winter branch color.
Height: 12–18 ft Spread: 10–15 ft

Flame Amur Maple

Scientific name: Acer ginnala
Compact and versatile, this small maple grows to about 15–20 feet tall and wide. Known for its red-orange fall foliage, it’s cold-hardy and thrives in sunny, dry conditions.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 15–20 ft

Sensation Box Elder

Scientific name: Acer negundo ‘Sensation’
A tough, fast-growing shade tree selected for its improved form and outstanding fall color. Unlike the common box elder, Sensation develops a tidy oval crown and cleaner branching habit. Its green summer foliage turns brilliant red and orange in autumn. Extremely cold-hardy and tolerant of drought and poor soils, making it an excellent choice for urban or open landscape settings where other maples may struggle.
Height: 25–30 ft Spread: 20–25 ft

Autumn Brilliance® Serviceberry

Scientific name: Amelanchier × grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’
Produces white flowers in spring, followed by edible berries about the size of blueberries. It stays green through summer and turns brilliant orange and red in October. Extremely disease- and pest-resistant, and available in both multi-stem and single-trunk forms.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 15–20 ft

Spring Flurry® Serviceberry

Scientific name: Amelanchier laevis ‘JFS-Arb’
Similar to Autumn Brilliance, but with a wider leaf and a slightly more orange-yellow fall color. A very reliable, hardy, and low-maintenance ornamental tree.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 15–20 ft

Carolina Sweetheart® Eastern Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’ PPAF
A striking redbud with tri-colored foliage—new leaves emerge bright pink, then mature to burgundy, green, and white variegation. Rosy-pink flowers appear in early spring before the foliage. Ideal as a small ornamental statement tree.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 20 ft

Flame Thrower® Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘NC2016-2’ PPAF
A standout for its colorful, multi-toned foliage and beautiful pink flowers in the spring. Slow-growing and compact, this variety adds vibrant color all season and stays highly disease- and pest-resistant.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 10–15 ft

Golden Falls® Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘NC2015-12’ PPAF
A compact weeping redbud with cascading golden-yellow foliage that maintains color through summer. Pink spring flowers contrast beautifully with the bright leaves. Excellent for small gardens or containers.
Height: 8–10 ft Spread: 4–6 ft

Lavender Twist™ Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘Lavender Twist’
A smaller, weeping variety of redbud growing to only about 8 feet tall and wide. It has lovely pink spring flowers and bright green summer foliage. Great as an accent tree and highly disease- and pest-resistant.
Height: 8 ft Spread: 8 ft

Royal White Eastern Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘Royal White’
This refined redbud variety displays pure white blooms in early spring followed by rich green heart-shaped leaves. A symmetrical form and strong branching habit make it ideal for front yards or as a feature tree.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 25 ft

Ruby Falls® Redbud

Scientific name: Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’
A weeping redbud similar to Lavender Twist but with deep ruby-red leaves through summer. Pink flowers emerge before foliage in spring. Compact and graceful.
Height: 8 ft Spread: 6 ft

Blue Chiffon® Rose of Sharon

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodthree’
Semi-double lavender-blue flowers with lacy centers cover this elegant, upright shrub from midsummer through fall. Excellent as a small flowering tree or privacy planting.
Height: 8–12 ft Spread: 6–8 ft

Bali™ Rose of Sharon – First Editions®

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Minfren’
Large, pure white blooms with deep red centers cover this upright, well-branched shrub in summer. Works beautifully as a small accent tree or hedge.
Height: 8–10 ft Spread: 5–6 ft

Tahiti™ Rose of Sharon – First Editions®

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Mineru’
A hardy, upright shrub or small tree with semi-double lavender-pink blooms and deep red centers from mid to late summer. Compact, easy to maintain, and tolerant of heat and drought.
Height: 8–10 ft Spread: 5–6 ft

Fiji™ Rose of Sharon – First Editions®

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Minspot’
Produces semi-double pink blooms with deep red throats that last throughout the summer. Compact and heat-tolerant, great for mixed borders or small landscapes.
Height: 8–10 ft Spread: 5–6 ft

Petite Pink Flamingo Rose of Sharon

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘ORSTHIB5X1’
A dwarf Rose of Sharon with an abundance of soft pink blooms and a compact, rounded habit. Ideal for containers, foundation plantings, or small gardens.
Height: 3–4 ft Spread: 3–4 ft

Quick Fire® Hardy Hydrangea (Tree Form)

Scientific name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’ PP#16,812
One of the earliest-blooming panicle hydrangeas, with flowers that open white and mature to pink and deep red by late summer. Compact and hardy with strong stems.
Height: 6–8 ft Spread: 5–6 ft

Show Time™ Crabapple

Scientific name: Malus ‘Showtime’
A smaller flowering crabapple with stunning pink spring blooms and dark green-purple summer leaves.
Height: 15 ft Spread: 15 ft

Akebono Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus × yedoensis ‘Akebono’
A beloved ornamental cherry known for its soft shell-pink blossoms that fade to white as they open in early spring. The canopy is broad and slightly spreading, with glossy green summer leaves and warm yellow fall color. A refined, medium-sized tree for front yards or streetscapes.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 20–25 ft

Big Cis® Plum

Scientific name: Prunus × cistena ‘Schmidtcis’
A small, rounded tree that grows to a height of 14 feet with a 12-foot spread. It has dark-colored foliage throughout the summer and beautiful pink flowers in the spring. Very cold-tolerant and disease-resistant, this variety can sometimes produce small edible fruit if the blooms avoid frost.
Height: 14 ft Spread: 12 ft

Double Weeping Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Plena Rosea’ (syn. Yae-Shidare-Higan)
A stunning weeping cherry covered in double pink blossoms each spring. Branches sweep gracefully downward, forming a fountain-like silhouette. Hardy and long-lived, with bronze new leaves that mature to green and turn golden-yellow in fall. Excellent for front yards or entryways.
Height: 12–15 ft Spread: 12–15 ft

Okame Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus × incam ‘Okame’
Among the earliest-blooming cherries, Okame bursts with deep pink single flowers in late winter to early spring. Upright and rounded in shape, it offers bronze new growth, dark green summer foliage, and brilliant orange-red fall color. Tolerant of heat and humidity.
Height: 20–25 ft Spread: 15–20 ft

Pink Cascade® Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus ‘NCPH1’ PP 27579
A graceful, weeping cherry with cascading branches that reach the ground, covered in soft pink, semi-double blossoms in early spring. The foliage emerges bronze, matures to green, and turns golden-yellow in fall. Excellent as a specimen tree for compact landscapes or near water features.
Height: 10–12 ft Spread: 8–12 ft

Pink Flair® Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus sargentii ‘JFS-KW58’
A compact, columnar cherry with masses of deep pink single blooms in early spring. It maintains a narrow, upright form ideal for street plantings and small spaces. Leaves emerge bronze, mature to dark green, and end the season in fiery red and orange tones.
Height: 20 ft Spread: 12 ft

Pink Myst® Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus sargentii ‘JFS KW21PS’ PP 32619
An elegant, upright cherry with an oval canopy and rich pink single flowers that appear in early spring before the leaves. Glossy dark green foliage follows, turning shades of orange, red, and gold in autumn. Strong branch structure and improved heat tolerance make it a standout urban or residential choice.
Height: 20 ft Spread: 15 ft

Royal Burgundy Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus serrulata ‘Royal Burgundy’
A striking ornamental cherry prized for its deep burgundy-purple foliage that holds color through summer. Double pink flowers appear in abundance before the leaves in spring, creating a vivid contrast. Compact and rounded in form, perfect as a colorful focal-point tree.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 15–20 ft

Snow Fountain® Cherry

Scientific name: Prunus × Snofozam®
A small weeping cherry that erupts in a cascade of pure white single blossoms before leaves appear. Compact and elegant, with arching branches and bright green summer foliage that turns golden in fall. Perfect for patios, courtyards, or small gardens.
Height: 8–12 ft Spread: 8–12 ft

Ivory Silk® Japanese Tree Lilac

Scientific name: Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’
A late-blooming small tree with large white flower clusters in early summer. Best in cooler climates or partial shade; in hot Tri-Cities summers, leaves can scorch.
Height: 20 ft Spread: 15 ft

🌲 Conifer Trees

Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce

Scientific name: Picea abies ‘Sherwood Compact’
A dense, slow-growing form of Norway spruce with rich green needles and a compact, pyramidal shape. Excellent for foundation plantings or as a small evergreen specimen.
Height: 10–12 ft Spread: 6–8 ft

Weeping White Spruce

Scientific name: Picea glauca ‘Pendula’
A distinctive narrow spruce with pendulous branches that drape gracefully downward. Excellent for adding vertical interest in compact spaces.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 6–8 ft

North Star White Spruce

Scientific name: Picea glauca ‘North Star’
A compact, hardy spruce selected for its dense, symmetrical form and excellent cold tolerance. Unlike typical white spruce, North Star grows slowly and maintains a tight, uniform shape. Deep green needles hold color well through winter.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 6–10 ft

Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce

Scientific name: Picea omorika ‘Bruns Pendula’
A beautiful, narrow weeping evergreen with blue-green needles and a dramatic form. Tolerates a wide range of soils and is very cold-hardy.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 4–6 ft

Oregon Green Austrian Pine

Scientific name: Pinus nigra ‘Oregon Green’
A compact, dense pine with glossy dark-green needles and a strong pyramidal form. It’s one of the best dwarf conifers for small landscapes, tolerating wind and drought well.
Height: 18–20 ft Spread: 15 ft

Weeping White Pine

Scientific name: Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’
An elegant, irregularly weeping pine with soft blue-green needles and a graceful form. Ideal as a focal-point tree in small gardens.
Height: 15–20 ft Spread: 10–15 ft