The Best Patio Trees & How To Grow Them

Patio trees provide colour, vibrancy and life to what is really just a collection of paving stones. They’re a great way to brighten your outdoor space and are perfect for creating a natural and enjoyable area in your garden. 

Usually potted in large garden containers, there’s a wide variety of patio trees to choose from, depending on your preferences, garden and needs. So whether you want something low-maintenance or a bushy, evergreen patio tree, this guide will certainly provide you with some inspiration.

Different Types of Patio Trees 

From dwarf cherry blossom trees to olive trees and even fruit trees, there’s a great variety of patio trees that look spectacular on patios. Potted and well groomed, these patio trees can add colour and dimension, brightening your space and adding a focal point to your patio. 

The following are a great selection of trees that can be potted and placed on your patio:

Olive Tree 

The classic olive tree is a favourite of gardeners, with its evergreen leaves and exotic Mediterranean look – an olive tree, or two, makes for a beautiful patio display. Most often paired together to sit at either side of a doorway, olive trees help to create a warm and welcoming entranceway. However, if the patio isn’t the right space for your olive tree you could always choose to plant it in the garden. 

If you are keeping an olive tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

  • Olive trees like full sun or partial shade
  • Watering it regularly will help to prevent its soil from drying out
  • Keep trimming the tree often to maintain a well-kept shape
  • The younger varieties of olive trees may need covering in temperatures below 0 degrees.

Bay Tree 

Another gardeners favourite is the hardy bay tree. Able to withstand cold temperatures, even in the depths of winter, a bay tree is a particularly great choice if you want your patio trees to last all year round.

A standard variety of bay tree is incredibly low maintenance, making them easy for gardeners with limited expertise or experience in handling young trees. Plus, as an additional bonus, the bay leaves of a tree can be used in your kitchen, adding flavour to your dishes. 

If you are keeping a bay tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

  • You’ll want to plant in full sun or partial shade
  • Bay trees like well-drained soil 
  • Be cautious when placing in exposed areas, bay trees may need to be protected from strong winds 

Cherry Blossom Tree 

A colourful choice is the ever-beautiful cherry blossom tree is another excellent patio tree choice. Dwarf varieties of the standard blossom tree are also available and are a great option for smaller gardens or by the front door of a home.

You should expect to see the appearance of stunning pink flowers in March and April, adding a contrasting colour to your home.

If you are keeping a cherry blossom tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

Care tips: 

  • Cherry blossom trees are best planted in a space that gets full sun exposure 
  • They need to receive plenty of water, particularly in their first year of growth 
  • You’ll want to ensure the soil for this tree isn’t constantly damp 
  • Cherry blossom’s are extremely hardy and suitable for low temperatures

Weeping Willow 

Producing a waterfall of foliage, hence the name, the weeping willow tree is a unique tree that can be planted in containers and placed on your patio. This type of tree goes through various stages throughout the year, providing a different look depending on the season. With a waterfall of catkins in spring to green foliage in the summer, a willow tree adds colour, vibrancy and variety to your patio. 

If you are keeping a weeping willow tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

Care tips:

  • Weeping Willows need to be planted in full sun or partial shade
  • Be sure to plant in and kept in well-drained soil 
  • Weeping Willows are hardy in winter so won’t require much protection from the elements 

Holly Tree 

Synonymous with the winter season, and of course Christmas – the iconic holly tree. This tree can be planted in containers for presentation on your patio area. Once winter hits the beautiful red berries that this tree is known for will begin to appear, providing a source of food for wildlife.

Throughout the year the dark green leaves will continue to provide a healthy and colourful display in your garden or on your patio.

If you are keeping a holly tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

Care tips:

  • Holly trees should be planted in full sun or partial shade 
  • You’ll want to plant a male variety of holly tree close to any female you plant, to guarantee the growth of red berries in winter 
  • Remember to water regularly while young to ensure healthy growth 

Eucalyptus 

A hardy patio tree, the evergreen eucalyptus can be grown into a standard tree and purchased directly from a garden centre. Offering a low maintenance and fragrance option to place on your patio. With the smell of eucalyptus not only will this tree offer colour and variety but a welcoming scent too. 

If you are keeping a eucalyptus tree there are a few things you should know about them and how to keep them:

Care tips: 

  • Eucalyptus tree should be planted in full or part sun 
  • These plants enjoy moist but well-drained soil 
  • They require regular pruning 
  • You’ll need to protect younger varieties in excessively cold temperatures 

Care Tips 

Excess water, drainage holes, root systems and compost are all things to consider when growing and caring for your patio trees. 

From planting your trees to nurturing them throughout the year for healthy growth, the following pieces of advice provide some general care tips for those who want to know how to grow patio trees: 

  • Drainage: Be sure to provide enough drainage for your patio trees. Most thrive in moist soil but this needs to be well-drained. It’s a good idea to provide drainage holes in your container so that the soil does not become too wet. 
  • Composting: If you want to keep your patio trees healthy in difficult growing seasons, you can add an appropriate amount of compost to your soil – this provides a nutrient-rich soil for them to thrive. 
  • Watering: Watering your patio tree regularly will help to support its root structure and is essential in winter months when the trees are more prone to drying out in the heat. 

For the best displays follow these care tips and place your patio trees in areas where they will be exposed to partial amounts of sunlight throughout the day. By a front or back door, on your patio or even placed into your garden, a variety of patio trees adds provides greenery and vibrancy to any garden or outdoor space.