best evergreen trees for small gardens
Looking for the best evergreen trees for small gardens in New Zealand? Evergreens are the perfect choice for year-round greenery, structure, and privacy—even when your outdoor space is limited. The right evergreen tree won’t outgrow its welcome but will provide stunning foliage, flowers, and even fragrance throughout the year. Whether you’re after a lush backdrop, a feature tree, or something to attract native birds, there are excellent small evergreens to suit every space and style.
Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle)
Acacia howittii, commonly known as the Sticky Wattle tree, is a fast-growing, small tree that is grown for its weeping growth habit. The branches hang from a central trunk and host small, green leaves as well as fragrant, yellow flowers in summer. This evergreen grows to about 2.5 m tall and 80 cm wide with a columnar habit. Acacia howittii makes for an impressive specimen and is often planted as a feature tree in a mixed planting.
From $897.86
Castanospermum australe (Moreton Bay Chestnut)
Commonly known as the Moreton Bay Chestnut, this is an evergreen tree commonly grown as an indoor plant or added to subtropical gardens. It produces lush, green foilage off upright stems. Clusters of red, peal-like flowers are borne during late spring which give rise to the chestnut-like seeds in autumn. The seeds themselves should not be eaten as they can induce stomach cramps. It can reach 15 m tall and 7 m wide, but often reaches just 1.5 m tall and 70 cm wide when grown indoors. Best results are achieved when it is grown in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained, sheltered site that is free from frost. Moreton Bay Chestnuts are commonly included in sub-tropical gardens or maintained in a container. They make for a fabulous indoor plant when they are given some space.
