Small Trees With Orange Berries – A Burst of Color for Your Landscape

Bright orange berries peeking out from green foliage add a pop of color to any outdoor space. Luckily, there are several small tree varieties that produce eye-catching orange fruits. When planted in the landscape, these small trees with vibrant berries can transform your yard into an exciting display.

This article will explore small orange berry trees perfect for gardens of any size. We’ll look at identification features growth habits, ideal planting conditions and best uses for small landscape trees with orange berries. Read on to discover these visually appealing plants!

Why Choose a Small Tree with Orange Berries?

Small ornamental trees that fruit orange berries offer numerous benefits for gardens and landscapes. Unlike large shade trees, compact orange-berried trees fit easily into small yards or gardens. The modest size and multi-season interest make them ideal choices.

Here are some top reasons to plant small orange berry trees

• Year-Round Color – Orange berries persist from fall through winter, brightening dreary months when most plants are dormant. The colorful fruits contrast beautifully with bare branches.

• Wildlife Appeal – Birds relish the orange berries. The fruits also attract butterflies bees and other pollinators during flowering.

• Ornamental Features – Many varieties have showy spring blooms, attractive foliage, and excellent fall color. Interest extends over three seasons.

• Easy Care – Most tolerate a wide range of conditions, including drought, poor soil, pollution, heat, and coastal exposure. They are low maintenance once established.

Let’s look at popular options for small landscape trees that bear vibrant orange berries.

American Mountain Ash

The American mountain ash is a lovely small ornamental tree that produces abundant clusters of orange-red berries. Growing 15 to 20 feet tall, this compact, oval-shaped tree has a naturally sculpted look with gracefully arching branches.

The deciduous mountain ash displays soft, feathery green leaves that turn vibrant shades of orange and red in fall. Flat-topped clusters of showy white flowers bloom in late spring, followed by bunches of bright berries in early fall. The orange fruits persist into winter, creating a striking display against winter’s bleak backdrop.

Growing in full sun or partial shade, the American mountain ash thrives in moist, well-drained soil and will tolerate clay or rocky ground. It’s an easy care tree once established. Its modest size makes it ideal for small yards or used as an accent plant. Birds flock to the winter berries, so plant where viewing is possible.

Himalayan Firethorn

For evergreen vibrancy combined with orange berries, consider the Himalayan firethorn. This small, spiny shrub tree typically reaches 8 to 10 feet tall at maturity. Its fine-textured green leaves remain evergreen in mild winter regions.

Showy spring blooms of white flowers contrast beautifully with the glossy green foliage. In early fall, abundant clusters of bright orange-red berries adorn the dense branches, persisting into winter. The brightly colored fruits measure 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 inch across.

Plant the Himalayan firethorn in full sun or light shade and well-drained soil. It tolerates heat, humidity, coastal conditions, and resists deer. Use as a specimen plant, informal hedge or near patios where its lush greenery and colorful berries can be admired.

Orange Firethorn

For a bold splash of color, plant the orange firethorn. This compact, spiny evergreen shrub tree explodes with vibrant orange berries in fall, decorating its branches all winter long. The bright fruits contrast beautifully with the deep green, oval leaves.

Growing 6 to 10 feet tall, the orange firethorn works well as a standalone specimen or planted in groups. Showy springtime flowers, evergreen foliage, and the winter berries extend seasonal interest. The dense, spiny growth helps deter trespassers, making it ideal for boundaries and security barriers.

Give orange firethorn full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It tolerates coastal sites, drought, heat, and resists damage from deer. Plant near patios, decks, and outdoor living areas where its lush greenery and brilliant berries can shine.

European Mountain Ash

Also called the rowan tree, the European mountain ash is a lovely small ornamental tree that bears enormous clusters of orange-red berries. This upright, oval-shaped tree reaches about 20 feet tall at maturity.

The deciduous European mountain ash displays attractive grayish-green divided leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow and red in autumn. Abundant flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in late spring. Huge bunches of bright orange-red fruits adorn the branches in early fall, lasting into winter.

For best results, plant the European mountain ash in full sun and moist, fertile soil. However, it adapts to various conditions including pollution, coastal sites and soils of varying pH. Its modest size, multi-season appeal, and hardy nature make it ideal for homeowners. Plant where its graceful form and decorative berries can be admired.

Orange Cotoneaster

For brightly colored berries coupled with fantastic fall foliage, consider planting the orange cotoneaster. This spreading deciduous shrub grows 6 to 10 feet tall and can be trained as a small tree.

The oval, dark green leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in fall before dropping. Clusters of petite pink and white flowers bloom in late spring, followed by abundant decorative berries. The orange fruits adorn the gracefully arching branches from late summer through winter.

Grow orange cotoneaster in full sun or partial shade. It adapts to various soil types and withstands pollution, salt spray, heat and drought. Use as a specimen plant or informal hedge to display its graceful shape, fall foliage and winter berries. Site where its ornamental qualities can shine.

Whitebeam ‘Lutescens’

For silvery foliage and orange berries, whitebeam ‘Lutescens’ is a top choice. This small ornamental tree displays distinctive grayish green leaves edged in white. The oval leaves emerge green in spring then mature to eye-catching two-tone colors.

Masses of small white flowers bloom in springtime followed by tiny orange fruits in early fall. The decorative orange berries adorn the horizontally tiered branches into winter. Yellow to russet fall leaf colors add further interest.

At maturity, whitebeam ‘Lutescens’ reaches about 25 feet tall with a 25 foot spread. It adapts well to various soil types and conditions. Its neat oval habit, colorful berries and attractive foliage make it a stellar choice for small residential landscapes. Use as a specimen plant or plant in groupings to create an eye-catching display.

Orange-Fruited Whitebeam

Another fantastic whitebeam variety is the orange-fruited whitebeam. This small ornamental tree displays oval dark green leaves that turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn.

Abundant tiny white flowers bloom on the horizontally tiered branches in spring. Bright orange fruits, about 1⁄4 inch across, appear in late summer, decorating the tree into winter. The oval-shaped tree grows 20 to 30 feet high at maturity.

Grow the orange-fruited whitebeam in full sun to partial shade and moist, fertile soil. It tolerates air pollution, salt spray, drought and exposed sites once established. Its manageable size, attractive foliage, hardy nature and winter berries make it an exceptional choice for small residential gardens.

Sea Buckthorn

For orange berry color coupled with silver foliage, sea buckthorn is a great choice. This medium-sized shrub grows into a small tree form, reaching 10 to 15 feet tall at maturity. It displays narrow silvery-green willow-like leaves that shimmer in the breeze.

The oval sea buckthorn produces tiny greenish flowers in spring followed by vibrant orange berries in fall. The colorful fruits adorn the gracefully arching branches, creating a festive display that lasts into winter. Yellow leaf colors in autumn provide added seasonal interest.

Grow sea buckthorn in full sun and various soil types, including sandy or gravelly soils. It tolerates salt spray, drought, heat, humidity, and pollution once established. Use as a specimen plant, informal hedge or near patios and decks where its silver foliage and winter berries can shine.

Summary – Small Trees with Orange Berries

Small ornamental trees with orange berries inject vibrant color into gardens and landscapes. They provide year-round appeal with multi-season interest. Their modest size makes them suitable choices for compact gardens and residential yards.

Some top options include the American mountain ash, Himalayan firethorn, orange firethorn, European mountain ash, orange cotoneaster, whitebeam varieties, and sea buckthorn. Give them full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Plant small orange berry trees where their graceful forms, attractive foliage, and decorative fruits can be admired. Let them infuse your outdoor space with beauty and vibrancy!