Designing with Trees

You can plant small ornamental and dwarf varieties as close as 6 feet to a home or patio without worrying about spreading roots. Still, small trees, such as this cherry in a San Francisco courtyard, need pruning to keep branches from brushing up against the house, which could cause mildew and other damage. Typical plantings include dogwood, crabapple, and—for brilliant accent color—exotics such as the Japanese red maple. "But if you're looking for low maintenance," says Geiger, "native species are the best because they're naturally adapted to a particular climate."