Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

specimen trees for pots

Introducing stunning specimen trees for pots is a fantastic way to create instant impact in patios, entrances, balconies, and other compact spaces. With careful selection, you can enjoy eye-catching foliage, seasonal interest, and striking form wherever you have room for a container. Specimen trees not only provide height and structure to your garden design but also thrive wonderfully in pots with the right care. Explore our expert tips on choosing the best specimen trees for pots and find inspiration with our favourite varieties suited for New Zealand conditions.

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' tree in a garden.

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' is a standout Japanese maple admired for its glowing apricot and orange toned foliage that brings warmth and vibrancy to New Zealand gardens. New leaves emerge soft yellow and peach before deepening into rich orange with green highlights over summer, then transforming into vivid autumn colours. Its elegant branching and tidy form make it ideal for feature planting, pots, and sheltered courtyards. This variety offers year round appeal and is perfect for gardeners seeking a colourful and refined ornamental tree.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small, overlapping green leaves create a unique, architectural appearance that turns fiery shades of red and orange in autumn. Compact and slow-growing, this variety is perfect for pots, courtyards, and small NZ gardens where a refined and striking feature tree is desired.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
A Laurus nobilis 'Angustifolia' small specimen tree in a garden.
Laurus nobilis angustifolia

Laurus nobilis angustifolia is a variety of Laurel grown for its compact growth habit and elegant foliage. This evergreen tree features lush, dark...

From$430.15
eugenia-uniflora-surinam-cherry-
Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry)

Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as the Surinam or Brazilian Cherry, is a small tree that features new foliage which emerges a bronze colour and ages...

From$50.99
acer-princeton-gold-
Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$349.95
schefflera-actinophylla--1
Schefflera actinophylla

The Schefflera actinophylla plant, commonly known as the Umbrella Tree or Umbrella Plant, is an evergreen tree that originates from rain forests. It...

From$281.05
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1
Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$270.40
podocarpus-henkelii-1
Podocarpus henkelii (Yellowwood)

Podocarpus henkelii (Henkel Yellowwood) is an elegant evergreen tree admired for its graceful weeping foliage, stately form, and year round appeal...

From$270.40
acer-esk-sunset-
Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

From$299.95
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
sorbus-scarlet-king-
Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
magnolia-campbellii-charles-raffill-2
Magnolia Charles Raffill (Magnolia campbellii Charles Raffill)

Magnolia campbellii Charles Raffill is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, pink and white flowers in spring. The lovely blooms are...

From$515.35
magnolia-grandiflora-teddy-bear-4
Magnolia Teddy Bear (Magnolia grandiflora Teddy Bear)

Magnolia grandiflora Teddy Bear, commonly known as the Magnolia Teddy Bear Tree, is a variety of Southern Magnolia, and is an evergreen tree with...

From$270.40
magnolia-deryk-2
Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$387.55
taxodium-cascade-falls-
Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls

Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls is a variety of the commonly known, Swamp Cypress, and is a fabulous weeping tree that will tolerate heavy soils...

From$387.55
Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.
Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

From$323.65
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$387.55
magnolia-margaret-helen-
Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$387.55
magnolia-soulangeana-heaven-scent-2
Magnolia Heaven Scent (Magnolia soulangeana Heaven Scent)

Magnolia soulangeana Heaven Scent is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These...

From$387.55
magnolia-strawberry-fields-1
Magnolia Strawberry Fields (Strawberry Fields Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Strawberry Fields is a stunning deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, semi-double, deep red flowers through late winter and...

From$515.35
Tabebuia rosea tree with masses of pink flowers.
Tabebuia rosea

Tabebuia rosea, commonly known as Pink Poui or Rosy Trumpet Tree, is a large tree grown for its amazing flowers. Showy clusters of pink flowers coat...

From$41.33
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$557.95
robinia-frisia-1
Robinia Frisia

Robinia Frisia, commonly known as the Golden Robinia, features fern-like foliage that emerges light yellow-green in spring, ages to become...

From$387.55
metasequoia-glyptostroboides-3
Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, is a deciduous tree that features fine, needle like, rich-green leaves which turn...

From$387.55
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$313.00
cercis-oklahoma--1
Cercis Oklahoma Redbud

The Cercis Oklahoma Redbud, commonly known as Eastern Redbud, is a small tree grown for its impressive foliage and flowers. Clusters of purple...

From$340.69
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$515.35
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7
Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its striking flushes of vibrant pink foliage that mature through...

From$28.91
half-litre-plant-pots-
0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$23.04
plant-pots-
2.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$37.44
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$27.36
3-litre-plant-pots-
3.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$48.96
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Dacrydium, and Eugenia, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs, Evergreen Trees, and Magnolia Trees.

Search specimen trees for pots

Why Choose Specimen Trees for Pots?

Specimen trees for pots are ideal when you want a focal point or statement piece—without dedicating a large area of the garden to a single plant. Pots allow flexibility, making it easy to reposition your tree for seasonal displays or to highlight its best features. Containerised growing also means you can tailor soil, water, and fertiliser to the needs of your tree, and keep root growth in check for a neater, more controlled appearance.

Top Choices for Specimen Trees in Pots

Not all trees are equal when it comes to container-growing! Here are some top-performing specimen trees for pots popular among New Zealand gardeners:

Tips for Growing Specimen Trees in Pots

Create Statement Gardens with Specimen Trees for Pots

Bringing specimen trees for pots into your outdoor space unlocks endless design possibilities. Whether framing a front door, gracing a deck, or dividing a courtyard, these living sculptures offer instant impact in all seasons. Discover New Zealand’s best compact trees for pots in our collection—your next showstopper is just a pot away.


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.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews