10 Best Trees For Patios

Written By Carli Holas

Patios are great spots for sitting outside to read, eat, or simply catch a breeze of fresh air. Being some some of the most beautiful spaces in our homes, it is nice to always add some sparkle to them with some greenery. A few potted trees will add the much needed color and value to your patio, bringing it to life and giving it a friendlier and a more welcoming feel. But what should you plant as patio trees, you may ask? We’ve got some ideas to get you started!

TIPS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT PATIO GARDEN
  • Select a good location. For instance, know where the sun sits in the garden at the time you are likely to use it the most or where you are mostly likely to exploit any views you have.
  • Know what trees to grow and what atmospheric conditions are favorable for their growth.
  • Get rid of unwanted trees and plants by cutting them down or digging them up. You can do it yourself or involve a professional tree removal service provider. We, at Tree Service Removal (https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/) handle any tree removal needs and would be happy to help you clear out any unwanted greenery from your property.
  • Gardening tools and plant pots can be surprisingly expensive. Cut costs by buying secondhand gardening tools and reusing old containers.
BEST PATIO TREES TO GRACE YOUR YARD

Trees come in many species and sizes, and can suit different needs. If you are looking for something just perfect for your garden, these 10 species offer the best in regard to beauty, color, shade, and privacy.

Note: All of these trees do well in different parts of the Southwest US, but check your local hardiness zones against each species to ensure the best chance for success.

1. KOUSA DOGWOOD

Dogwoods make lovely yard plants. They grow to a maximum height of 15 feet, which is the perfect size for patio trees. These small, deciduous trees produce brilliant white flower-like bracts in spring and red berries in autumn. They have excellent disease resistance, notable winter hardness, and good drought tolerance.

2. JAPANESE STEWARTIA

If you are looking for something shorter, then Japanese Stewartia will be an excellent option. This camellia species offers an amazing canopy coverage of up to 12 feet tall. In mid-summer, the plant produces beautiful white flowers and healthy green foliage that lasts the entire season.

3. ROYAL STAR MAGNOLIA

Royal Stars grow up to 15 feet high and 15 feet wide, making them ideal for patio shade trees. Unlike other magnolia species, the Royals have been found to be quite tolerant to heat and cold, meaning, they will keep your patio spruced up all year long. Look forward to huge, bright white flowers in late winter and rich foliage in spring. This will be followed by a gorgeous leafy green backdrop. Absolutely spectacular!

4. ZUNI CRAPE MYRTLE

Cover those dry, unattractive shrubs with this splendid yard tree that grows up to 12 feet. The tree produces rich pink flowers toward the end of summer, but your eyes can still feast on the beautiful multicolored bark and foliage during its growing months. Zuni loves sunshine and can grow up to 12 feet wide in full sun. Plant a couple of them together for an even bigger canopy.

5. PRAIRIFIRE CRABAPPLE

One of the best trees for people who want to enjoy a year-round show has to be the prairifire crabapple. Maxing at 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide in full sun, this deciduous tree is perfect for shade, beauty, and color. In the spring, the tree produces deep pink flowers and in autumn and winter, it develops small, purplish fruits, keeping your garden alive season by season.

6. JAPANESE MAPLE

Japanese maples are beautiful. They will revamp your yard with colorful leaves in autumn and spring and graceful bare trunks come winter. Some maples even have colored trunks. There are many maple varieties that could be used as patio trees but this specific species has been found to be more heat and sun resistant. It can grow up to 20 feet high and 20 feet wide. In full sun, the tree’s canopy can extend up to 25 feet wide, which makes Japanese maple one of the best patio shade trees.

7. SWEET BAY

The tree that supplies us with bay leaves for cooking can also make for a great plant for patio. Left unattended, sweet bay can grow up to 40 feet tall, but trimming and pruning enforces the appropriate size for patio. A spot near the kitchen or grill will be perfect for sweet bay; you will have enough supply of cooking leaves. In summer, the plant will produce creamy white flowers, followed by a healthy greenery as fall approaches.

8. CITRUS TREES

Oranges, lemons, tangerines, lines, and any other kind of citrus can be planted in a large pot and make gorgeous accents on patios. But these plants will not do so well in the cold, so during winter, consider bringing the pot to a greenhouse or inside near a sunny window. If the tree’s leaves begin to turn yellow or fall, chances are the plant is not getting enough nitrogen. Make sure you are watering it sufficiently and if possible, feed it with dilute organic fertilizer at least twice a month.

9. AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY

The Autumn Brilliance grows up to 25 feet tall and is a popular patio tree for people looking for shade, beauty, and privacy. The pretty white flowers that the tree produces in summer coupled with the tasty purplish fruits that follow in fall make Autumn brilliance an excellent choice for patios. The fruits taste like blueberries and can be used in pies, smoothing, jellies, and jams.

10. CHASTE TREE

The Asian and Mediterranean native, chaste tree, has been used as a yard plant for years. The tree has multiple trunks, with aromatic leaves and produces small, fragrant flowers during summer and autumn. Varieties Rosea and Latifolia produce pink flowers while Alba and Silver Spire produce white blossoms. Though the chaste tree can grow up to 30 feet tall, it can be pruned into a nice shrub, to fit into the patio. Annual pruning is recommended to maintain the tree’s shape.

Carli Holas