Ever wondered how to pick the perfect small trees for your small garden? Well, you're in for a treat! We help a listener, Susie, navigate the complexities of choosing the best plants for her cottage garden. Touching on two potential picks - the beautiful John Downey crab apple tree and the unique Cornus Controversa variagata (the wedding cake tree), we explore how to gauge their potential growth sizes and manage their development effectively. If you've ever been in Susie's shoes, struggling with conflicting information, then this episode is your guide to creating a thriving, small garden, filled with the most fitting plants. We don't stop there! The conversation continues as we delve into the art of creating a stunning cottage garden. We discuss various tree options and the ideal timing for pruning, to ensure your garden is always at its best. We also touch on the creation of raised beds, a fantastic way to showcase your blooms, and how to plan your garden around the sun's path. The size and density of trees are also crucial considerations - we'll guide you in preventing any loss of precious light to your home. Join us to learn how to create a garden that not only flourishes but harmonises with your living space. Whether you're a gardening novice or an expert with a green thumb, we're sure you'll glean something valuable from this episode. If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email:  [email protected]    Check out Master My Garden on the following channels    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/  Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/  Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG     Until next week   Happy gardening   John  Support the show