How to choose an ornamental tree for your garden?

First and foremost: plant species suited to your region!

It is pointless to choose trees or bushes that will not thrive in your garden. Plants have specific needs regarding soil and climate. Some tolerate limestone, while others prefer a more acidic soil. A few thrive in clay, whereas most will favour a more draining soil.

Our website can help you choose, thanks to our articles and product sheets, as well as the various tabs that allow you to refine your search. Additionally, Plantfit, our free application, has been developed to help you eliminate trees that would not suit your soil or climate. Do not hesitate to have your soil analysed to be certain of its composition: clay and sand content, pH, minerals, potential pollutants…

Let’s not forget about hardiness! It can sometimes be difficult to predict hardiness (that is, the plant’s ability to withstand negative temperatures for a relatively long period) as it depends on exposure to wind and sun and soil drainage. However, if you know that your winters are long and harsh, it is unthinkable to plant semi-hardy or non-hardy trees. Once again, prioritise plants that are suited to your garden.

Climate and soil will strongly influence your choices. Here, a Rose Laurel, a tender bush, and an Eucalyptus

Consider the adult size and its eventual habit!

The adult size

Remember that a tree grows! And sometimes quite tall! The width of the branches should also be considered when choosing your tree. It would be a shame to have to prune it twenty years after planting because it has become too cumbersome.

Many trees and bushes that grow too large have been declinated into multiple horticultural varieties or cultivars. Among these, there are more compact options. If you don’t have space for “the real thing,” consider one of its cultivars.

Note: be aware of the legislation in force in your area! In most cases, a tree or bush exceeding 2 m in height must be planted at least 2 m from the property line. It is prohibited to plant any vegetation that can grow up to 6 m high within 5 m of an electricity pole.

Consider the adult size, as well as the spread of the tree: here a majestic weeping willow

The habit of the tree

The habit of the tree is also very important: if you have space and want a beautiful tree with a layered and wide habit, you might choose a Lebanon Cedar or a Pagoda Dogwood. However, if you want a tall but narrow tree, you will need to opt for a species or cultivar with a columnar habit. Again, the choice is vast.

→ If you want to learn more about the different tree habits, read Trees and bushes: the different habits.

On the left, the typical species of Cupressus arizonica, on the right, the fastigiate version

Don't forget the exposure!

You do not plant the same species in full sun, partial shade, or total shade. Therefore, be sure to choose according to sun exposure. This can sometimes vary depending on the geographical area: a tree that can be planted in full sun in the north may need to be planted in partial shade in the south.

→ To help you navigate between sun, partial shade, or shade, read Gwenaëlle’s advice sheet on light in the garden.

Many species like Hamamelis can thrive in full sun in the north, but in partial shade further south.

What will be the destination of this tree?

The choice of a tree can also relate to its “use”.

Is it a tree that will shade a bench or a dining area? Should it serve as a windbreak or a privacy screen? Will it proudly stand in the centre of the lawn or accompany its companions in a grove or a large free hedge? Does it also need to produce edible fruits or simply be beautiful where it is?

→ Jean-Christophe offers his advice on choosing the best shade trees.

→ You might also consider planting trees to create a windbreak hedge. Here’s a small selection: 7 trees for a windbreak hedge.

Magnolia standing alone in this small garden, enclosed by bush windbreaks

Evergreen or deciduous?

Another dilemma! Should your tree have a deciduous foliage that falls in winter, or an evergreen foliage that renews itself continuously?

The second choice, an evergreen tree or bush, is interesting, as the tree will look beautiful all year round. However, it is the deciduous species that showcase the most stunning autumn colours and sometimes even spring colours during the bud burst period. Moreover, deciduous foliage will reveal the trunk and silhouette of the tree in winter, which can be very ornamental in certain species.

It was once considered that a garden should contain at least 1/3 of evergreen plants. However, there is an increasing interest in the silhouettes of trees and their bark, which can be very colourful in winter. So much so that this proportion has slightly decreased in recent times.

On the left, the stunning winter bark of the cinnamon maple, on the right, the bright autumn foliage of a Cercidiphyllum transforms the garden

Young tree or more mature specimen?

It’s human! We all want our garden to look beautiful very (too) quickly. Consequently, the choice of woody plants sometimes leans towards older specimens that already have a nice volume and presence. However, there are drawbacks. The price of these trees is higher, transport and planting are very difficult, and ultimately, you won’t save time compared to planting a young plant. Indeed, an adult tree uprooted from its nursery to come to your garden will undergo tremendous stress. Moreover, it will need to recreate a complete root system before it can truly start to grow again. It will therefore be more susceptible to drought, diseases, deficiencies… Additionally, it will need to be properly staked, or you risk seeing it topple in the two or three years following transplantation.

In short, planting older trees is not always the right solution. Instead, opt for young trees and bushes (only a few years of cultivation) that will ultimately develop quickly and catch up in a few years, without the aforementioned troubles, to their older planted cousins.

Planting large specimens is not necessarily an advantage

An ornamental choice above all

Do you desire a tree that is beautiful all year round, or the star of the garden only at a certain time? Flowers, attractive foliage, colourful fruiting, stunning bark, a unique habit, or all of these at once?

It can be difficult to navigate the vast array of plants available in the market in recent years. And sometimes, it’s even harder to know exactly which tree we want… Fortunately, nurserymen are good advisors and can guide you in making the most suitable choice.

Also note that our site Promesse de Fleurs features tabs that allow you to filter by flower colour, foliage persistence, size, ornamental interest, type of use, and of course, the plant’s needs (exposure, hardiness, soil, moisture…).

To find out more

Read also our article: “Gardening for beginners: choosing a tree suitable for your garden in 6 simple steps”.