Looking for a dwarf tree to complement your rain garden? The dwarf river birch (Betula nigra) is an excellent option for most soil types and is ideal for shade and rain gardens.
If you're thinking of growing a fruit tree, consider a dwarf fig tree (Ficus carica). Sten recommends the 'Chicago Hardy' variety, which thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Magnolia trees (Magnolia) can be much smaller than you might think. "While most gardeners think of native magnolias as large majestic trees, there are several dwarf selections that fit well in a small space garden," says Nardozzi.
Another fruit-bearing dwarf tree to consider in your garden is the everbearing mulberry (Morus nigra). "Dwarf mulberries are fast-growing trees that produce a long, dark fruit that tastes like a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry," says Tucker Taylor
If you love citrus but don't have space for a large citrus tree, try finger limes (Citrus australasica), also known as citrus caviar. They produce finger-shaped round, tart fruit.
With beautiful flowers in the summer and peeling bark in the winter, the seven-son tree (Heptacodium miconioides) is striking year-round.
The cultivar Thuja Fluffy is a North American native tree and is resistant to windburn, making it an excellent choice for borders, says Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins, a full-service nursery