Small tree 10-20 ft - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Arbutus andrachne is a small tree native to the Mediterranean, typically growing to a height of between 10-20 feet. It prefers full sun but is tolerant of semi-shade and moderate watering. In spring, it produces off-white and white flowers. These flowers are then followed by small, strawberry-like fruit which are a red/yellow color when ripe. Though they are edible, they are not particularly palatable, so are generally not consumed, however they are known to have many health benefits. Native to USDA Zone 7-10, it is relatively hardy to temperatures below freezing, however it should have some protection in its first winter outdoors.

This tree is a slow-grower which is why it's important to be sure you've found the right spot for it before planting, as it doesn't do well if transplanted. It requires a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and will happily reward you with beautiful flowers in the spring and plenty of fruit in the summer. Though Arbutus andrachne hails from warm climates, it can still be grown successfully in colder regions, in pots and containers as long as you take extra care to protect it from cold weather with mulch and insulation.

Once established, the Grecian strawberry tree is drought tolerant and can produce an abundance of fruit in the peak of summer. The fruit itself can be used to make jams, jellies and syrups, as it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eating the fruit can help ward off infections, boost the immune system, improve digestion and even help protect against heart disease.

Eugenia foetida (Spanish Stopper) is native to Florida and the West Indies and can be used for bonsai. This small tree can reach a height of 10-20 feet and requires full sun or semi-shade to thrive. Moderate water is all that is needed to keep it healthy. It produces white, off-white flowers that are also quite fragrant and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It is also an ethnomedical plant because its fruit was used as a treatment for diarrhea. As a bonus, it is also quite tolerant to salt, so it can thrive in seaside locations. It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, so it will be perfect for those who live in colder regions.

When it comes to growing and maintaining this plant, it prefers moist, well-draining, soils and full sun or part shade. Prune it lightly in winter to encourage flower production. This evergreen plant looks best when kept slightly dry and should not be over-watered. During the winter, mulch will help keep the plant warm and can be used to help it tolerate the cold. To keep it in excellent condition, it will need regular fertilization with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. If necessary, prune it in summer to remove dead or damaged branches.

Very fragrant exotic plant from Annona family, similar to Desmos and Ylang-Ylang. Yellow perfumed flowers from spring to fall.

See Article about fragrant plants of Annonaceae.

A small to medium deciduous tree with bright red flowers. This Tree blooms while small.

The Chitalpa is a cross between Catalpa bignonioides and Chilopsis linearis. The Chilopsis is a desert tree, sometimes called a Desert Willow. From the Chilopsis, the Chitalpa inherits long 3 to 5 inch dark green leaves and the ability to withstand some dry heat. However, unlike its desert parent, the Chitalpa can withstand low temperatures of around minus 15 degrees. Flowers are orchidlike and produced in July or August at the ends of new growth. At several feet a year the Chitalpa reaches its 25 to 30 foot height and breadth quickly and makes shady spots fast. It is a drought-resistant plant, a trait inherited from the desert willow, and it is fairly hardy, having withstood temperatures as low as 9F. It has been noted that it will freeze back to the ground in Zone 6. Although many fast-growing trees are intolerant of windy situations, chitalpa can withstand even strong winds without breakage. Unlike either of its parents, chitalpa is sterile and produces no messy seed pods. Propagation: Cuttings. The initial hybrids between Catalpa and Chilopsis were created in Uzbekistan in 1964 and introduced to the United States by Robert Hebb of the New York Botanic Garden in 1977. (Chitalpa is a combination of the scientific name of the two parents, while the specific name identifies the city in Uzbekistan where the hybrids were created.) Although in cultivation in the United States during the 1980s, the hybrid remained unnamed until 1991 when Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden assigned the name x Chitalpa tashkentensis.

Palm-like plant. Succulent. The greatly swollen trunk base and the recurving, narrow leaves are certain identification. With age, the trunk eventually develops a few branches. Ponytail can get up to 30' tall, and the base up to 12' across, but houseplants generally remain less than 6 or 8' tall. The plant looks a little like a palm, and a little like a big onion sitting on the ground with a single stalk growing up and sporting a parasol of drooping, strap-like leaves.Plants are dioecious, meaning only female plants will produce seed.

Ponytail makes a large and handsome houseplant, doing well even in rooms with air conditioning as long as it has bright light. It's a good specimen plant for a rock garden in a dry, warm climate.

Closely related species - Beaucarnea guatemalensis.

The Dwarf Geometry tree, scientifically known as Bucida sp. variegata, is a rare and exotic small tree that is highly valued as an unusual bonsai subject or specimen plant. This delicate tree grows into a bonsai almost by itself and can be used as a potted indoor tree. It is very salt-tolerant, making it a great choice for bonsai enthusiasts who live near the sea.

This evergreen tree is native to the Bahamas, where it grows in full sun and moderate water conditions. It is hardy in USDA Zone 9-11. In colder regions, it must be grown in a pot and placed in a sheltered location to protect it from frost.

The Dwarf Geometry tree is prized for its ornamental foliage, which consists of shiny, dark green leaves and crooked, thorned stems. The foliage is unique and creates an interesting bonsai shape, with small leaves and thorns that grow out erratically in all directions, forming a diamond-like lace. Its dark, olive-green foliage also creates attractive contrast with other plants, making it a great choice for your houseplant collection.

In addition to its ornamental value, Bucida sp. variegata has ethnomedical uses, including wound healing, fever reduction, and other medicinal purposes. For centuries, the leaves, stem, and bark of the tree have been used in traditional medicine.

In its natural habitat, the Black Olive tree can grow as a 50 ft tall evergreen tree with a smooth trunk holding up strong, wind-resistant branches, forming a pyramidal shape when young, but developing a very dense, full, oval to rounded crown with age. Sometimes, the top of the crown will flatten with age, and the tree grows horizontally.

The Dwarf Geometry tree is an excellent choice if you are looking for a smaller, rare tree for your bonsai collection. It provides interesting foliage, ornamental contrasts, and a host of ethnomedical uses. With proper care, this rare tree can be enjoyed for many years.

Grewia occidentalis (Lavender Star Flower) is a large shrub or small tree, native to South Africa, which can be used for bonsai. It will grow to a height of 5 to 10 feet tall in ideal conditions, while in cooler regions it will usually remain a small tree, reaching a maximum height of 10 to 20 feet. It thrives in full sun or semi-shade and regular watering is necessary for optimum growth. In the spring and summer, the airy foliage is accented with 1.5 inch wide pink, blue, lavender, or purple flowers that attract many butterflies and hummingbirds.

Grewia occidentalis is a surprisingly hardy plant, tolerating temperatures as low as 30°F for a short period of time, making it suitable for USDA zones 9-11. This plant is best grown in a container in cooler regions, and with regular cutting back after flowering it can be kept in a desired shape. The plant should also be kept moist and be fertilized three times a year with an acid-loving fertilizer, with an iron supplement once a year to supplement its chlorotic tendencies.

Of the entire genus, only Uvariodendron connivens has edible fruits.