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.
Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)
Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features feathery, dark green foliage which is held on broad branches emerging off a central trunk as it grows to about 60 m tall and 20 m wide over several hundred years. The Giant Redwood is commonly grown as a specimen, planted to provide shelter, or used for timber production.
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.
