Semi-dwarf
/seh-mee-DWORF/🌱 Growth Habits● Basic
A plant that is notably smaller than the typical species but larger than a true dwarf cultivar. In fruit trees, semi-dwarf rootstocks produce trees 60–80 % of standard size, balancing manageable height with good fruit yield. In ornamental conifers and shrubs, semi-dwarf selections offer compact form without the extremely slow growth of miniature cultivars.
Etymology
Latin semi- (half) + Old English dweorh (small creature)
Example
“This semi-dwarf apple tree reaches 3–4 metres, making it easy to harvest without a ladder.”