How to Create a Relaxing Garden Oasis with Trees

Five trees that anchor a calm garden. Sculptural form, dappled shade, fragrance and seasonal interest.

AcerBayCercisCourtyardsGarden OasisMagnoliaOlea

A garden oasis is one you sit in. Layered structure, soft shade, fragrance and a sense of stillness do the work. The right trees give you all of that with minimal upkeep.

What makes a garden feel restful

Soft layered planting, dappled shade rather than blunt sun, a fragrance source nearby, and at least one sculptural form to rest your eye on.

Japanese Maple oasis

Acer palmatum, Japanese Maple

The tree to sit under. Layered branches, dappled shade, brilliant autumn colour.

Magnolia x soulangeana, Saucer Magnolia

Spring spectacle on the bare wood. Sets the tone for the whole garden when it flowers.

Saucer Magnolia oasis

Olea europaea Manzanillo

Mediterranean calm. Silver foliage and sculptural form bring stillness to a courtyard.

Laurus nobilis, Bay Tree

Aromatic evergreen backdrop. Slow steady growth lets you maintain a precise composition.

Forest Pansy quiet colour

Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy

Quiet purple foliage and pink spring blossom. Adds depth without noise.

Designing the oasis

Place the feature tree where your eye rests when seated. Build the shade so the seat is comfortable through midday. Add fragrance close to where you sit.

FAQ

Which gives the most fragrance? Bay Tree gives constant background aroma. Magnolia x soulangeana adds spring perfume.

How big does the oasis need to be? A 4 by 4 metre courtyard fits all five at different scales.

1. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple sets the tone for a calm garden. Layered branches, dappled shade, brilliant autumn colour. The kind of tree you sit under.

Type: Deciduous oasis feature tree
Height: 3 to 5 metres
Width: 2 to 4 metres
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Palmate
Form: Layered horizontal
Conditions: Part shade, moist well drained soils
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Quiet courtyards, meditation gardens, water features

Why choose it

Calm sculptural form that anchors a restful garden.

Perfect pair

Pair with a clipped Bay Tree base layer for contrast.

Tips for planting

Mulch well, water through dry spells.

The tree to sit under.

Shop Acer palmatum

2. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Saucer Magnolia delivers one of the spring spectacles in any cool to temperate garden. Large goblet shaped pink and white flowers cover the bare wood before the leaves come.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 5 to 7 metres
Width: 3 to 5 metres
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Mid green
Flowers: Large goblet shaped pink and white in spring
Form: Spreading multi stemmed
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, moist well drained soils
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Spring feature, courtyard gardens

Why choose it

Spring flowering spectacle on the bare wood.

Perfect pair

Pair with an Acer palmatum for layered seasonal interest.

Tips for planting

Protect from late frost. Mulch and water through dry spells.

Spring spectacle in tree form.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana

3. Olea europaea Manzanillo (Manzanillo Olive)

Olive trees bring Mediterranean calm to a garden oasis. Silver foliage, sculptural form, the unmistakable feel of a restful courtyard.

Type: Evergreen Mediterranean feature tree
Height: 4 to 6 metres
Width: 3 to 5 metres
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Silver grey green
Form: Rounded crown
Conditions: Full sun, well drained soils
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Mediterranean oasis gardens, courtyards, poolside

Why choose it

Silver foliage and sculptural form bring Mediterranean stillness.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Bay Tree hedge for a complete Mediterranean composition.

Tips for planting

Plant in free draining ground.

Mediterranean calm in one tree.

Shop Olea europaea Manzanillo

4. Laurus nobilis (Bay Tree)

Bay Tree as a feature or hedge gives a calm aromatic backdrop to a garden oasis. Slow growth and steady form let you maintain a precise composition.

Type: Evergreen Mediterranean hedge or feature
Height: 2 to 4 metres, can be pruned to desired height
Width: 1 to 2 metres
Growth rate: Slow
Foliage: Aromatic dark green leathery
Form: Upright dense
Conditions: Full sun, well drained soils
Maintenance: Trim twice a year
Best for: Mediterranean oasis backdrops, courtyards

Why choose it

Aromatic backdrop that holds composition over years.

Perfect pair

Pair with an Olea Manzanillo feature within the planting.

Tips for planting

Plant in free draining ground.

A calm aromatic evergreen backdrop.

Shop Laurus nobilis

5. Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy (Forest Pansy)

Forest Pansy gives a calm small garden feature with purple foliage, pink spring blossom and dappled summer shade. Adds depth to a quiet planting.

Type: Deciduous oasis feature tree
Height: 4 to 6 metres
Width: 3 to 4 metres
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Heart shaped purple summer
Flowers: Pink pea flowers in spring
Form: Vase shape
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, moist well drained soils
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Designer oasis gardens, courtyards

Why choose it

Calm colour at small scale that holds a quiet composition.

Perfect pair

Pair with a clipped Bay Tree as a quiet evergreen base.

Tips for planting

Protect from hot afternoon sun.

Quiet colour for a calm composition.

Shop Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Acer palmatum Japanese Maple	3 to 5 metres	2 to 4 metres	Layered horizontal	Palmate	Quiet courtyards, meditation gardens, water features
Magnolia x soulangeana Saucer Magnolia	5 to 7 metres	3 to 5 metres	Spreading multi stemmed	Mid green	Spring feature, courtyard gardens
Olea europaea Manzanillo Manzanillo Olive	4 to 6 metres	3 to 5 metres	Rounded crown	Silver grey green	Mediterranean oasis gardens, courtyards, poolside
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree	2 to 4 metres, can be pruned to desired height	1 to 2 metres	Upright dense	Aromatic dark green leathery	Mediterranean oasis backdrops, courtyards
Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy Forest Pansy	4 to 6 metres	3 to 4 metres	Vase shape	Heart shaped purple summer	Designer oasis gardens, courtyards