Choosing a tree for a smaller space can be a tricky task. You’ll need to consider how tall and wide the tree will grow, and, most importantly, you need to keep the root system in mind. The last thing you want is a tree that lifts boundary walls or your
paving.

These attractive trees work well in small gardens:

• For the birdlife: cheesewood (Pittosporum viridiflorum) has pretty pale bark with distinctive white dots. This indigenous tree bears greenish-white, sweetly scented flowers in spring and summer. Birds love to feed on the orange-red seeds that appear after the flowering season.
• For a non-invasive root system: false olive (Buddleja saligna) produces tiny creamy white flowers with a honey-like scent in spring and summer, and grows quickly (up to 0.8m per year).
• For the indigenous lover: the lavender tree (Heteropyxis natalensis) is indigenous to KwaZulu-Natal. It has glossy green leaves that release a lavender-like scent when crushed. It bears yellow to green flowers that attract bees and butterflies to the garden.
• For flowers throughout the year: wild laburnum (Calpurnia aurea) bears grape-like bunches of bright yellow flowers. It blooms irregularly but throughout the year, especially if it is planted in full sunlight.
• For the impatient gardener: the pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia) bears masses of pink flowers in pompom-like clusters in early summer. It grows quickly, reaching its full height in 4 to 5 years and producing flowers from the second year.
• For the acacia lover: look out for smaller varieties, such as the cork thorn tree (Acacia davyi), scented-pod acacia (Acacia nilotica) and candle thorn (Acacia hebeclada).

Once you’ve selected your tree from your local Stodels, follow these tips to planting and caring for your sapling.