Slow growing trees
Browse our range of the best slow growing trees, well suited for smaller gardens or container growing. Japanese Maples are a popular choice of slow growing, deciduous trees, renowned for their graceful habit, autumn colour and beautiful, pointed leaf shapes. Many varieties have the species name palmatum after the hand-like shape of the leaves, while dissected varieties have fine, deeply-cut foliage that has an almost feathery appearance. Native to Japan and China, many Japanese acers have a beautiful dome-like habit when mature and work well in pots, courtyard gardens or as an under-storey to larger shrubs and trees. Many topiary lollipops are also grafted onto a rootstock in a way such that the stem will always stay the same height, allowing the upper grafted variety (called “scion”) to bush out without the total height changing very much – we sell a range of varieties as lollipops including euonymus, holly and Portuguese laurel. For a tropical appearance, the ever-popular Chusan palm tree is an excellent choice with a sturdy trunk and an array of fan-shaped leaves, while certain slow-growing sorbus trees are the best pick for lots of colourful, glossy berries.