What Trees Would Be Good to Plant Next to House Entranceway?

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

• The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a popular small evergreen that is easy to find at garden centers. It grows in a symmetrical, conical shape. This tidy growth habit makes it ideal for highlighting a focal point or framing a front door.

  An extremely slow-growing plant, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce adds just 2 to 3 inches of new growth per year. Homeowners should purchase plants that are close to their final desired size, since this tree can take more than 50 years to attain its full height of ten feet.

  Because this tree is an evergreen, it adds visual interest in both summer and winter. You can even plant it in containers since it grows so slowly.Dwarf Alberta Spruces do best in full sun or part shade and are moderately drought tolerant. Some may be prone to spider mites, however, these are easily treated with an insecticidal spray.

Boxwood

• Boxwood plants are small trees or shrubs that are often classic elements of formal plantings. They take pruning well, which is helpful in managing their size next to an entryway.

  Boxwoods come in many different varieties and forms. In fact, there are about 30 different species of boxwood available. Be careful to select one that is appropriate to the scale of your house. Mature boxwoods may reach a height of 20 feet but, like the Alberta Spruce, that can take decades. Specimens that are 5 to 10 feet tall are more common.

  Boxwoods excel in well-drained areas that receive filtered shade. Never place them in an excessively moist area, such as next to a downspout. These trees do require shearing to develop the best branch structure in the first few years of growth.

Japanese Maple

• Japanese maples are small ornamental trees developed in Asia for hundreds of years. They are prized for their graceful form and attractive foliage.

  Varieties with delicate foliage are sometimes subject to windburn, so a slightly sheltered location helps to protect these beautiful plants. These trees prefer partial sun. An eastern exposure often produces the most vibrant leaf coloration.

  Japanese maples are available in a wide variety of foliage colors and shapes. Some retain a bronze or reddish cast all year long, while others leaf out in a dramatic purple hue that later turns to a softer green. Variegated varieties are available as well. Leaves may look like a typical maple leaf or be almost fern-like.

  These little trees are typically less that 15 feet tall when fully mature. They have shallow roots and need regular watering to establish them. With a little attention, however, they can provide dramatic interest near a front door.

Serviceberry

• The Serviceberry is a small to medium-sized tree that is interesting in every season. Early spring brings a multitude of delicate white flowers that cover the entire plant. These flowers give way to edible reddish-purple berries that are also popular with songbirds. The oblong leaves turn vibrant shades of red in the fall, and the multi-stemmed varieties provide interest in the winter.

  These members of the rose family grow from 6 to 30 feet tall, depending on the variety. The average serviceberry is 10 to 12 feet tall, making it an ideal small tree for an entryway planting.

  This slow-growing tree is adaptable to a variety of soil and light conditions. Serviceberries are very undemanding and are not typically bothered by pests or disease.