Best Summer Outdoor Trees of 2025

Toby Butcher Avatar
Toby Butcher
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025

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Summer Outdoor Trees are a great addition to any garden or outdoor space. These trees come in a variety of sizes and species, adding beauty and character to your landscape. They provide shade during hot summer days, creating a comfortable environment for outdoor activities. Some species even produce delicious fruit or flowers, adding a touch of flavour and fragrance to your space. With proper care and maintenance, these trees can last for many years, stabilising the soil and improving air quality. Whether you are looking for a decorative or functional tree, Summer Outdoor Trees are a great choice for any outdoor space.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

GrowOn Shrubs Cordyline 'Australis' Cabbage Palm Cover #TOP 1
GrowOn Shrubs Cordyline 'Australis' Cabbage Palm
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Hardy Indian Bean Tree with Large Flowers Cover #TOP 2
Hardy Indian Bean Tree with Large Flowers
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Acer palmatum Summer Gold Japanese Maple Tree Cover #TOP 3
Acer palmatum Summer Gold Japanese Maple Tree
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Summer Outdoor Trees

GrowOn Shrubs Cordyline 'Australis' Cabbage Palm

GO101088
deep green
9cm Pot
GrowOn Shrubs Cordyline 'Australis' Cabbage Palm Cover
GrowOn Shrubs [x2] Cordyline 'Australis' Cabbage Palm Tree | Multi-Pack | Evergreen Perennials | Outdoor Garden Ready Plants | Summer Flowering | Cream Flowers

The GrowOn Cordyline 'Australis' is an impressive evergreen perennial that boasts a striking upright habit, making it perfect for adding height and structure to your garden. With its sword-like, dark green leaves, this plant serves as a stunning centrepiece in mixed containers, enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor space. As a hardy plant, it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, providing you with peace of mind during colder months. Over time, you can enjoy a mature cabbage palm tree that brings a tropical vibe to your garden.

What We Like
Striking architectural presence
Hardy for various winter conditions
Suitable for mixed containers
Year-round colour and structure
#TOP 2

Hardy Indian Bean Tree with Large Flowers

Hardy Indian Bean Tree with Large Flowers Cover
Summer Flowering, Hardy Tree, Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa BIGNONIOIDES, Large Flowers and Leaves, Architectural Plant, 20-25cm Tall, can be Planted Out from September

The Indian Bean Tree is a fast-growing outdoor tree that boasts striking large leaves and stunning white flower panicles with orange-purple dots. You can enjoy its architectural effect in your garden, providing a unique focal point. Additionally, this tree produces long, bean-like fruits that remain on the plant until the following spring, adding further visual interest. With a height of 20-25cm, it is perfect for planting out from September or Spring 2024, making it an excellent choice for enhancing your outdoor space.

What We Like
Fast-growing tree
Large architectural leaves
Stunning white flowers
Interesting bean-like fruits
Hardy and easy to plant
#TOP 3

Acer palmatum Summer Gold Japanese Maple Tree

ACESGO-3L
50-70cm (Incl. Pot)
Acer palmatum Summer Gold Japanese Maple Tree Cover
Acer palmatum Summer Gold - Japanese Maple Tree | Large Outdoor Garden Ready Plant in Pot (50-70cm Incl. Pot)

The Summer Gold Maple Tree is a stunning addition to any outdoor space. Its slow-growing nature means you can enjoy its beauty without overwhelming maintenance. You will appreciate its unique foliage, which changes from pink in Spring to vibrant yellow and red in Summer, creating a striking visual throughout the seasons. The tree also produces small green flowers in Spring and red fruit in Autumn, enhancing its charm. With a maximum height of 2.5m, it fits well into various garden designs.

What We Like
Beautiful seasonal foliage
Slow-growing and low maintenance
Attracts flowers and fruit
Suitable for various soil types
Ideal for partial shade
#TOP 4

YouGarden Large Citrus Orange Tree in 4L Pot

3_680019
Orange
YouGarden Large Citrus Orange Tree in 4L Pot Cover
YouGarden Large Citrus Orange Tree Supplied in 4L Pot, Established Plant Around 70-90cm Tall, Exotic Fruit Tree for Garden, Citrus Tree for Patio and Plant Pot, Outdoor Plants

The YouGarden Orange Tree allows you to grow your own fresh oranges within just 12 months, bringing a delightful touch of the Mediterranean to your home or garden. Enjoy fragrant blossoms that fill the air with a sweet scent from late spring, followed by delicious seedless fruits from November to January. This tree can be easily relocated, making it perfect for your garden, patio, or balcony during the summer months. To ensure its health, simply water it freely in summer and reduce watering in winter, while keeping it in a cool spot indoors.

What We Like
Grow fresh oranges in 12 months
Fragrant blossoms enhance outdoor space
Easy to move and reposition
Ideal for pots and small spaces
Simple care routine for beginners

3 x Acer Trees - Japanese Maple Shrubs

PLANTS-ACERMIX-9CM-3
Orange
3 x Acer Trees - Japanese Maple Shrubs Cover
3 x Acer Trees | Japanese Maple Tree | Potted Outdoor Hardy Garden Ready Shrubs (20-30cm Incl. Pot)

The Acer Trees by GardenersDream offer an impressive selection of Japanese Maple varieties. These trees provide stunning colour from spring to autumn, enhancing the beauty of your garden throughout the seasons. You can easily spruce up your outdoor space by placing these delightful trees in strategic locations to create a captivating display. They thrive in sun or partial shade, requiring minimal care while needing well-drained, moist soil. This makes them a convenient choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

What We Like
Impressive variety of trees
Vibrant colours year-round
Easy to care for
Perfect for garden enhancement

YouGarden Hardy Phoenix Palm Trees for Gardens

3_680006
2 x 60-80cm Tall
YouGarden Hardy Phoenix Palm Trees for Gardens Cover
YouGarden Pair of Hardy Phoenix Palm Trees, 60-80cm Tall in 15cm Pots, Exotic Patio Plants Perfect for Gardens or Patios, Tropical Hardy Outdoor Plants, Garden Ready Mediterranean Palm Trees

The YouGarden Palm Trees bring a tropical look to your outdoor space, creating a holiday feel that lasts for years. Their dramatic fan-shaped foliage adds a striking element to any garden, while you can enjoy creamy-yellow flowers during hot summers. Despite their exotic origins, these palms are winter hardy down to -6C, making them suitable for the UK climate. Placing them in a sunny position ensures they thrive, providing you with a vibrant addition to your patio or garden.

What We Like
Tropical aesthetic for gardens
Winter hardy to -6C
Produces creamy-yellow flowers
Ideal for sunny positions
Established plants ready to plant

You Garden Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream'

Green,Orange,Pink
3L Pot
You Garden Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' Cover
You Garden - Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' in a 3L Pot - Outdoor Garden Ready Trees for Oriental Style Gardens - Oriental Maple Tree for UK Gardens in Pots

The You Garden Orange Dream Maple is a stunning acer that transforms your garden with its vibrant colours throughout the year. You will appreciate its fully hardy nature, ensuring it thrives even in the coldest winters. In spring, you can enjoy bright orange new growth that adds a delightful touch to your outdoor space. This Japanese maple features slow-growing, easy-to-maintain foliage that makes it perfect for small gardens or large pots, allowing you to create a beautiful focal point in any setting.

What We Like
Stunning colour year-round
Fully hardy in cold winters
Slow-growing and easy to maintain
Ideal for small gardens
RHS Award of Garden Merit
#TOP 8

Acer palmatum Katsura Japanese Maple Tree

ACEKAT-9C
Green,Red
20-30cm (Incl. Pot)
Acer palmatum Katsura Japanese Maple Tree Cover
Acer palmatum Katsura - Japanese Maple Tree | Large Outdoor Garden Ready Plant in Pot (20-30cm Incl. Pot)

The Acer palmatum Katsura is a beautiful slow-growing shrub that can also be shaped into a small tree, perfect for adding character to your garden. Its leaves transition from a pale green in Spring to a stunning red in Autumn, offering visual interest throughout the year. With an expected height of 2.5 - 4 metres over 10-20 years, it makes a lovely addition without overpowering your space. This tree thrives in partial shade and adapts well to various soil types, ensuring you can cultivate it with ease.

What We Like
Stunning seasonal foliage
Slow-growing, manageable size
Adaptable to various soils
Partial shade preference

Holly Tree 'Argentea Marginata' with Variegated Foliage

Green,Red
Holly Tree 'Argentea Marginata' with Variegated Foliage Cover
Holly Tree 'Argentea Marginata' Ilex Aquifolium Hardy Tree Garden Plant Variegated Foliage Winter Berries Summer Flowering, 1 x 2 Litre Pots Holly 'Argentea Marginata' by Thompson and Morgan

The Holly 'Argentea Marginata' is an evergreen tree that offers year-round beauty. Its foliage starts as a striking purple-pink and matures into deep green with lovely silvery edges, adding visual interest to your garden. In summer, it produces creamy blooms, while in winter, you'll enjoy vivid red berries that not only enhance the landscape but also provide a food source for wildlife. This tree is perfect for introducing height and character to woodland settings, making your outdoor space more inviting.

What We Like
Eye-catching variegated foliage
Summer flowers and winter berries
Supports local wildlife
Great for woodland gardens

YouGarden Eucalyptus Tree 'gunnii' Standard 60-100cm

Green,grey
Standard Form
YouGarden Eucalyptus Tree 'gunnii' Standard 60-100cm Cover
YouGarden Eucalyptus Tree 'gunnii' Standard 60-100cm Tall in a 2L Pot, Outdoor Garden Trees for Pots and Patios, Supplied as an Established Plant

The YouGarden Eucalyptus Standard Tree is a stunning evergreen that brings a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Its attractive foliage starts as grey-green leaves, which transform to a beautiful blue shade in spring and summer. Ideal for container planting, this tree thrives in a large pot, making it a perfect addition to your patio. Furthermore, it is a hardy plant that can withstand harsh weather, preferring full sun with some shelter from strong winds when young, ensuring you can enjoy its beauty with minimal worry.

What We Like
Beautiful evergreen foliage
Ideal for patios and pots
Hardy and weather-resistant
Easy to maintain and prune
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What tree looks good all year round?

Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round, as opposed to deciduous trees which lose their leaves in autumn.

2. What is the best tree for a patio?

Crape Myrtle Large clusters of delicate, long-lasting blossoms fill yards with bursts of pink, red or purple all summer. For purple flowers, the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Tree is a good option. It reaches a mature height of ten feet, making it the perfect size patio tree for shade.

3. What trees are good in pots?

Best trees to plant in pots. Apple (Malus domestica)Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida f. rubra)Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)Snowy mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii)Olive (Olea europaea)Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)Starry magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

Editor's Notes

During our summer outdoor tree research, we found 57 summer outdoor tree products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 20,563 customer reviews through our big data system to write the summer outdoor trees list. We found that most customers choose summer outdoor trees with an average price of £21.48.

The summer outdoor trees are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of summer outdoor trees, including GrowOn Shrubs, Tree Online Nursery, GardenersDream, YouGarden, Thompson & Morgan. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,063 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Toby Butcher Avatar

Toby Butcher is a Horticulturist, and he earned his title as a Master Gardener in 2016. Toby has acquired a 25-year experience as a home gardener planting, designing, grooming vegetables and flowers. He is the leader of a plant group in Durham. Toby owns a blog where he publishes articles on growing and growing your flowers at home, in a vase, or in a garden.