Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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small ornamental evergreen trees

Small ornamental evergreen trees are the perfect choice for adding year-round colour, structure, and visual interest to New Zealand gardens, especially where space is at a premium. These compact trees keep their lush foliage throughout the seasons and frequently offer beautiful flowers or unique features that spark interest. Whether you're designing a low-maintenance landscape, creating privacy, or seeking a striking focal point, there's a small ornamental evergreen to suit every style and garden size.

Eugenia uniflora

Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry) is an attractive evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy foliage, colourful new growth, white flowers, and distinctive edible fruit. The ribbed berries ripen through shades of orange to deep red and add strong seasonal interest to warm New Zealand gardens.

Buy Eugenia uniflora

From $50.99

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Culinary, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen, Walls

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf variety provides year round structure and colour while requiring very little maintenance, making it ideal for modern landscapes and smaller gardens.

Buy Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

From $102.84

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 80 cm

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock

Benefits of Small Ornamental Evergreen Trees

Choosing small ornamental evergreen trees offers a host of advantages for homeowners and landscapers. Their manageable size means they’re ideal for urban gardens, courtyards, and containers. Because evergreens retain their leaves all year, they ensure the garden remains lively, even through winter. Many varieties boast glossy, textured, or colourful leaves, along with striking flowers or interesting shapes.

Low-maintenance and hardy, these trees often require less pruning than larger species and are well-suited to a variety of New Zealand climates. Their year-round foliage also makes them excellent for screening, providing privacy without losing light or taking over the garden.

Top Small Ornamental Evergreen Trees for NZ Gardens

Magnolia Jade Emperor (Evergreen Magnolia Jade Emperor)

One standout choice is the Magnolia Jade Emperor (Evergreen Magnolia Jade Emperor). With its compact habit, glossy dark green leaves, and large creamy white flowers, it serves as a beautiful specimen or screening tree. Its slow, controlled growth means it won’t overwhelm small spaces but still offers year-round appeal.

Magnolia Kay Parris (Magnolia grandiflora Kay Parris)

Another excellent variety is the Magnolia Kay Parris (Magnolia grandiflora Kay Parris). With striking evergreen foliage and distinctive russet undersides, this Magnolia provides visual interest throughout the year and produces lightly-scented flowers that attract birds and pollinators.

Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle)

For gardeners seeking something both native-looking and evergreen, Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle) is a versatile option. Its fine, arching foliage brings a soft, weeping effect. This small ornamental evergreen tree thrives in a range of soils and can be pruned to shape or left to form a natural screen.

Other Trees for Ornamental Value

While not strictly evergreen, maples such as Acer palmatum and Acer 'Shidava Gold' bring ornamental value to any garden, with stunning leaf colour and compact forms that blend beautifully among evergreen companions.

Planting and Care Tips

When planting small ornamental evergreen trees, choose a spot with the right balance of sunlight, drainage, and protection from harsh winds. Prepare the soil well, adding compost or mulch, and water regularly while the tree establishes. Prune lightly to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches as needed.

Find the Perfect Evergreen for Your Space

Introducing small ornamental evergreen trees is one of the smartest ways to create year-round structure and beauty, even in limited spaces. Whether you’re drawn to glossy magnolias, the flowing foliage of wattle, or the vibrant colours of maples to complement your evergreens, a thoughtfully chosen tree will enhance your garden for years to come. Explore our range today to find the ideal match for your landscape.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.