Plants to Train as Standards
Shrubs and Small Trees to Grow as Container or Garden Standard Forms
These ornamental trees and flowering shrubs are all excellent options for growing and training in a more formal, standard shape.
Many gardeners enjoy the challenge of training plants to a standard form but might be unsure which plants are suitable for this type of pruning and growth habit. Here are several trees, shrubs and other plants that do well when grown as standards, either planted directly into the garden or in large containers.
Small Trees to Grow in Standard Form
Dwarf Orange Tree (Citrus spp.) - These citrus trees make great choices for ornamental standards with large glossy leaves and attractive fruit. Oranges are not winter hardy in many areas so these small trees are good choices for growing in large pots or containers. The leaves are often evergreen and when oranges are grown in a standard form gardeners should pinch off some of the fruiting buds to help the tree maintain a rounded shape.
Ornamental Cherry Tree (Prunus stellata or Prunus avium) - Zones 5-8. A small, ornamental cherry tree will provide three seasons of interest and give an attractive, formal feel to a garden space when trained in a standard form. Most dwarf cherry trees can grow between 10-15' so plan to do some light pruning each year to help maintain the form you want. Weeping cherries are available which would add another layer of interest to your standard form tree with a winter weeping silhouette.
Shrubs and Other Plants to Grow in Standard Form
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) - Zones 5-10. Wisteria vines can make an unusual choice for growing as a standard as they are generally considered a large, woody vine rather than a shrub. Staked and tied properly, with lots of careful pruning, Wisteria will arch down from the top of the standard in a loose, trailing curtain of leaves and flowers.
Roses (Rosa spp.) - Zones vary. Many rose bushes and types of roses can be trained to grow in a standard form and work well in both informal and formal garden areas. Gardeners will be most pleased with their standard form roses if they select a reblooming or everblooming variety instead of a species rose that blooms only once. Deadhead spent blooms and prune your standard in early spring to keep the garden accent looking its best throughout the growing season.
Hibiscus Shrubs - Hardiness zones vary with some varieties surviving winter to zone 5 and others tender in zone 9. These large, woody shrubs make a great choice for training into a standard form because of the wide range of flower colors available. Many hibiscus shrubs have very large flowers that last for weeks throughout the growing season and large glossy foliage is attractive. Hibiscus shrubs are not always winter hardy so be sure to check labels and grow tender plants in a container so you can bring your standard into a sheltered location for the winter.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus spp.) - Hardy to zone 7. This aromatic herb make a wonderful dwarf standard, often no taller than 2' high but still with that formal, stately appearance of a standard-trained plant. The green and silver foliage is semi-evergreen, aromatic and highly attractive. Rosemary is a woody herb that produces small blue flowers in the summer. When you prune the rosemary plant to maintain form and growth use the trimmings in the kitchen to flavor meat, sauces and soups.
