Trees for Urban Gardens

Our Favourite Six Trees for Urban Garden Design.

Choosing the right trees for an urban garden does more than add greenery — the right tree can define a space, soften architecture, and bring year-round beauty to even the smallest plot. Whether you’re after seasonal colour, sculptural form, or subtle fragrance, we’ve rounded up six of our favourite trees that we love to use in our urban garden designs.

1: Phillyrea angustifolia

Or more commonly known as Narrow-Leaf Mock Privet, is a fantastic pick for urban gardens. It’s super tough, evergreen, and drought-tolerant—perfect if you’re after something low-maintenance. It loves sunny, dry spots and handles coastal or city conditions with ease. Growing up to around 4 metres, it stays neat and compact, and its dark green leaves bring a lovely Mediterranean feel to any space.

2: Cornus Kousa ‘Chinensis’

Cornus kousa ‘Chinensis’, or Chinese Dogwood, is a beautiful addition to any urban garden. In early summer, it puts on a show with stunning star-shaped white flowers, followed by quirky strawberry-like fruit (visually, more similar to a persimmon in taste). It’s happiest in sheltered spots with dappled sun or light shade, and although it can grow to 5–7 metres, it does so slowly—making it easy to manage. Come autumn, its leaves turn amazing shades of red and gold, adding a final burst of colour to the year.

3: Prunus Serrula

Or more commonly known as Tibetan Cherry, is a real showstopper for urban gardens. Its glossy, coppery bark shines all year round, making it a standout feature even in winter. It grows best in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade and reaches about 6–8 metres tall. In spring, it adds delicate white flowers to the mix, giving you beauty in every season thanks to its unique bark and elegant form.

4: Betula Nigra

Betula nigra (River Birch) is another great choice if you love trees with standout bark like Tibetan Cherry. Its beautiful peeling bark creates year-round interest, especially in winter. Unlike many trees, it thrives in wetter or compacted soils, making it perfect for rain gardens or challenging urban spots. While it can grow up to 10–15 metres, it also works really well when pollarded or grown as a multi-stem, giving you flexibility in design. It’s a brilliant way to add texture and character to your garden all year round.

5: Osmanthus × Burkwoodii

If you’re after a plant that combines beauty with fragrance, Osmanthus × burkwoodii is a lovely option. This evergreen shrub (or small tree) fills the garden with sweetly scented white flowers in spring, adding a gentle touch of elegance. It does best in partial shade and sheltered spots, and grows to a manageable 3–4 metres. Whether clipped into shape or left to grow naturally, it makes a fantastic feature—bringing structure, scent, and year-round greenery to any garden.

6: Amelanchier Lamarckii

Amelanchier lamarckii, also known as Juneberry or Snowy Mespilus, is a true all-rounder for urban gardens. In spring, it’s covered in delicate white blossoms, followed by edible berries in early summer and vibrant fiery foliage in autumn. It’s happy in most soils and thrives in sun or part shade, growing to around 4–6 metres. You can grow it as a graceful multi-stem or a single-stem tree, depending on your style. Plus, it’s a hit with pollinators and birds—so it brings wildlife as well as year-round beauty.