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Pinus sylvestris

Scots Pine

Common Name: Scots PineLatin Name: Pinus sylvestrisSoil: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)Position: Full sunHardiness: HardyEventual height/spread: Up to 25m/8mSpecial features: Pine needles that grow in pairs and hold a blue-green colour all year round.Pinus sylvestris is a native to Scotland and it is therefore the only pine native to Britain; it is a slow-growing evergreen conifer that is widely planted as a parkland tree. The Scots Pine features glaucous blue-green needles that are borne in pairs and curl slightly at their tips. As this conifer slowly grows into a tall tree, its main trunk becomes deeply fissured and holds an unusual orange-red colour. In autumn, further interest is added when little green pine cones appear, and these gradually grow over two years and become brown after several months. Eventually, this tree will become very tall and it will have a long clear stem with the main branches starting from the top third of the tree. This is a great choice for parkland planting or for a large woodland type garden. Make sure that you give this mighty tree the space it needs to thrive and grow.

Pinus sylvestris Chantry blue

Description coming soon........

Pinus sylvestris Doone Valley

Description coming soon........

Pinus thunbergii Banshoho

Description coming soon........

Pittosporum Garnettii

Pittosporum

Common Name: PittosporumLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Garnettii'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ChocolateHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Grey-green leaves edged in cream, which gets a pink flush during the winter.This has elliptic leaves coloured pale green and with a neat but irregular white margin which take on pink tints in the winter. The leaves are held on chocolate brown stems on a shrub that is softly conical in outline, with gently spreading branches. There are tiny chocolate coloured flowers in April. These carry a sweet, floral fragrance somewhat reminiscent of a lily. It makes a lovely specimen.

Pittosporum Irene Paterson

Pittosporum

Common Name: Pittosporum Irene PatersonLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/honey- scented, purple/black-red flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)Eventual height/spread: 2.2m x 1.8mSpecial features: Slow growing evergreen with prettily marbled leaves.A very attractive, rather subtle variety. The leaves are a shiny green and plentifully patterned with white marbling. This catches the light so the shrub appears to shimmer, looking rather ghostly on occasion. The new leaves are creamy white and the winter leaves have a pink tinge. It is very artificial in its appearance and good in an urban setting where its distinctive qualities suit abstract sculpture and gardens given over to hard landscaping.

Pittosporum tenuifolium

New Zealand Pittosporum

Common Name: New Zealand Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring/black and redHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 2.5mSpecial features: An evergreen shrub with curling mid-green foliage The Pittosporum tenuifolium is a fantastic choice for adding a healthy dose of colour to your garden all year round. The leaves are glossy green in colour and have wavy margins and this shrub forms a bushy and broadly columnar shape when it is mature. The shoots are deep purple in colour and they look really effective against the luscious green leaves. This is the perfect choice for planting in a bed or a border, and it looks great when planted alongside another Pittosporum like the ‘Tom Thumb’.

Pittosporum tenuifolium Beach Ball

Pittosporum

Common Name: Beach Ball Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Beach Ball' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Hardiness: Frost hardy (needs winter protection) Eventual height/spread: 1m/1m Special features: Maintains its rounded habit with very little pruning. The 'Beach Ball' is a neat, rounded evergreen shrub that is the perfect choice for adding colour and structure to your garden all year round. The glossy, mid-green leaves are uniformly elliptic in shape and are held on dark purple stems. The spherical shape makes this a wonderful structural feature and, unlike Buxus, it requires very little pruning to maintain its shape. This pittosporum works well as a hedging plant or you can plant it in a large pot. This evergreen is low-maintenance, not only because of its minimal pruning, but also because it does not require much water once it is established. Make sure you give it some shelter in colder areas. 

Pittosporum tenuifolium Golf Ball

Kohuhu

Common Name: Kohuhu Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April-May/ Honey-scented, purple-brown flowers Hardiness: Frost hardy (needs winter protection) Eventual height/spread: 1.2m/1.2m Special features: A neat, rounded evergreen shrub. The 'Golf Ball' is a wonderfully rounded and compact evergreen shrub which is great for adding structure to your garden. The mint-green leaves are uniformly elliptic in shape and are held on dark purple stems, which adds colour to your garden all year round. In late spring small, dark-purple flowers arrive and these have a sweet, honey-like scent. This delightful evergreen requires very little pruning to keep its neat, spherical shape. Plant this in a sunny bed or border, ideally in a sheltered position, to protect it in colder areas. 

Pittosporum tenuifolium Silver Queen

Tawhiwhi

Common Name: Tawhiwhi Silver Queen Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April-May/ Purple flowers Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 4m/2m Special features: Grey-green leaves with creamy variegated margins. The 'Silver Queen' is a delightful evergreen with wavy, silvery green leaves that have creamy-white variegated edges. The leaves are held on dark purple stems and offer interest all year round. Aside from the attractive foliage, small, purple flowers appear in late spring and these are lightly scented, although they can appear sparsely. This Pittosporum forms a fairly upright shrub with a bushy habit and will eventually have a loosely conical shape. Plant this in a sunny spot, but with some shelter from strong winds. If you want a planting partner then the Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson' is another evergreen shrub with contrasting variegated leaves, so the two work well together. 

Pittosporum tobira

Japanese Pittosporum

Common Name: Japanese Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tobiraSoil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring and Summer/YellowHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3.5m/2.5mSpecial features: Glossy evergreen leaves and umbels of yellow spring and summer flowers.Pittosporum tobira is a hardy and resilient shrub which can tolerate drought, strong winds and hard pruning – making it the perfect choice for hedge planting. The dark, glossy obovate leaves will be sure to add a healthy dose of colour to your garden all year round. Better yet, over spring and summer pretty flowers emerge – at first white in colour, soon turning yellow – and these are sweetly scented.

Pittosporum Tom Thumb

Pittosporum

Common Name: Pittosporum Tom ThumbLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Dark purple flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1m x 0.8mSpecial features: An evergreen shrub with bronze-purple leavesWavy-margined, bronze-purple leaves and dramatic, dark grey or black young stems. This compact, rounded evergreen shrub is perfect for providing all-year foliage interest in a sunny, well-drained mixed border. While it sometimes produces honey-scented, dark-purple flowers in late spring and early summer, it's not a reliable flowerer. Protect from cold, drying winds.

Pittosporum Variegata

Varigated Pittosporum

Common Name: Varigated PittosporumLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium VariegataSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Dark purple flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 2mSpecial features: Attractive variegated foliage, useful for flower arranging.Dramatic, dark grey or black young stems clothed with wavy-margined, grey-green leaves edged creamy-white. This large, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree makes a great feature for a sunny, well-drained border. An excellent plant for warm coastal areas, where it can successfully be grown as an attractive, variegated windbreak or hedge.

Platanus orientalis Digitata

Oriental Plane Tree

Common Name: Oriental Plane Tree Latin Name: Platanus orientalis 'Digitata'Soil: Well-draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 20/15mSpecial features: Large, deeply cut finger-like leaves that are densely packed onto the branches.The 'Digitata' grows to be a large tree that will become a true garden focal point. The large leaves are deeply cut and dark green in colour with serrated edges and these are accompanied by the fluffy spherical flowers in spring. Another interesting feature of this tree comes with the clusters of spherical burr-like fruits that appear in autumn. Like the popular London plane tree, the Oriental plane also has the distinctive flaking bark when mature. This tree is great for parkland planting or as an architectural tree in a large garden.

Platanus orientalis Minaret

Eastern Plane Tree

Common Name: Eastern Plane TreeLatin Name: Platanus orientalis 'Minaret'Soil: Well-draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 20/15mSpecial features: Large, deeply cut finger-like leaves that are densely packed onto the braches.The 'Minaret' makes a great feature tree for a large garden or parkland site. This tree grows to have a spreading and broadly columnar habit and when it is established the bark will flake to reveal different shades of cream, brown and grey on the trunk. The large leaves are palmately lobed and dark green in summer, later turning to golden brown come autumn. The small and rather inconspicuous summer flowers turn to brown burr-like fruits in autumn which adds further interest. This is a great choice for planting as a feature tree and also works well when planted near to other plane trees for differing interest.

Platanus x acerifolia

London Plane Tree

Common Name: London Plane TreeLatin Name: Platanus x acerifoliaSoil: Well draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/ Monoecious, with separate male and female flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 25/15mSpecial features: Beautiful shiny mid green, leathery, maple-like leaves.A fast growing handsome deciduous tree that has majestic open branches which hold large shiny leaves. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. Attractive in winter, when prickly ball-shaped fruits hang like baubles, and the flaking mottled cream and brown bark is particularly noticeable. Trustpilot

Polypodium vulgare

Common Polypody Fern

Common name: Common Polypody FernLatin Name: Polypodium vulgareSoil: Well-drained or dry Position: Full sun or partial shade Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.4/0.9Special feature: A fantastic choice for evergreen ground cover This is a really unusual fern, both due to its habit and its optimum growing conditions: the Polypodium vulgare is a low-growing, spreading fern and it prefers to be in dryer soil, rather than moist. If you want attractive, evergreen ground cover then this is a brilliant choice. The deep green fronds are divided into ladder-like pinnae and they are leathery to the touch. This is a British native and is a hardy plant that will add a verdant splash of colour all year round. Try planting it underneath a deciduous tree in a border, particularly if you are creating a woodland style garden.

Polystichum Dahlem

Soft Shield Fern

Common name: Soft Shield FernLatin Name: Polystichum setiferum Dahlem Soil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.8m/0.6mSpecial feature: Fronds that are more upright than most in the speciesThe ‘Dahlem’ is a great choice for structural planting as the fronds are more upright than most others, making this a majestic garden feature. The fronds are divided into fresh, bright green pinnae that add a real splash of colour. This soft shield fern is an evergreen so it’s perfect for brightening up a shady border all year round. This is a simple, yet very elegant, variety and it works really well as part of a naturalistic planting scheme or a woodland style garden. Plant it alongside a darker fern, like the Dryopteris ‘Lepidota Cristata’, for contrasting colours and textures.

Polystichum polyblepharum

Japanese Tassel Fern

Common name: Japanese Tassel FernLatin Name: Polystichum polyblepharum Soil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.8m/0.9mSpecial feature: New fronds are covered in golden hairs in spring This is a really unique fern that offers interest all year round. In spring new fronds emerge covered in golden hairs, giving this a tassel-like effect. The fronds are wonderfully lustrous and hold a mid-dark green colour in all seasons, making this a highly ornamental fern. The pinnae overlap and are arranged in a shuttlecock-like structure so this a fantastic architectural plant, too. Make sure that you plant this fern in a shady spot and put it alongside another structural fern, like the Matteuccia struthiopteris, if you want to achieve a variety of colours and shapes.

Polystichum setiferum proliferum

Soft Shield Fern

Common name: Soft Shield Fern Latin Name: Polystichum setiferum proliferumSoil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 1m/0.7mSpecial feature: Mid-green fronds that are tinged with purple This is a soft, light and feathery fern that is a wonderful choice for textural planting. The fronds are mid-green in colour, with a purple tinge on new growth, and are doubly pinnate. In terms of habit this soft shield fern grows upright and becomes tufted as it matures; the soft and feathery fronds overlap and form a mound, which is structurally beneficial. With this being an evergreen it will provide interest all year round. We love this next to an accent fern, like the much lighter Matteuccia struthiopteris, and it is perfect for a shady bed or border with a woodland planting scheme.

Populus deltoides Purple Tower

Cottonwood Poplar

Common Name: Cottonwood Poplar Latin Name: Populus deltoides 'Purple Tower' Soil: Any free-draining soil type Position: Full sun Flowering period/colour: Spring/ Red male or green female catkins  Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 14m/5m Special features: A tall and narrow tree which is great for architectural planting. If you want a striking tree that will quickly give structure and colour to your garden then the 'Purple Tower' is the perfect choice. With its glossy, ovate-triangular leaves and its dangling spring catkins, this tree offers varying interest. The leathery leaves are dark purple-green in colour and are held on attractive purple-red stems. Come autumn the foliage turns to golden orange and crisp purple colours, which adds further interest before the leaves fall. This fast-growing tree is highly recommended for architectural planting, or as a windbreak, as it will soon become a strong and sturdy specimen; you can however prune it annually to keep it smaller. The 'Purple Tower' has a broadly columnar habit and you should ensure you don't plant it too close to buildings as it will eventually grow to have strong roots. This Cottonwood will thrive in any soil but do ensure that it is free-draining as it does not tolerate waterlogged sites. You can plant this Populus alongside another fast-growing, handsome specimen: we would recommend the Populus alba as the silvery leaves of the alba look great against the violaceous tones of the 'Purple tower'.    

Potentilla Goldfinger

Shrubby Cinquefoil Goldfinger

Common Name: Shrubby cinquefoil 'Goldfinger'Latin Name: Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldfinger'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May-October/yellow Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 0.8m x 1mSpecial features: Dazzling bright yellow flowers and pinnate grey-green leaves (Deciduous) The ‘Goldfinger’ will add a long-lasting splash of colour to your garden as the flowers are a vivid buttery yellow colour and appear from May to October. This hardy plant is great for costal locations and its dense and bushy habit makes it the perfect choice for a border. The foliage is pinnate in shape and has a lovely dark grey green colour to it. Plant this shrub alongside other potentillas like the ‘Red Lady’ to enjoy contrasting flowering colours.

Prunus avium

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus aviumSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m/12mSpecial features: Beautiful native treeAn attractive and vigorous tree is one of the most attractive native woodland trees in Britain. It features single white flowers which appear in April and May, followed by glossy cherries which are ideal food for the birds.  The tree has grey bark which turns to mahogany shades as the tree ages and begins to peel. The tree is strong growing and healthy with a conical shape in its youth, more spreading and irregular with age. With this being a wild and native tree it looks good in naturalistic mixed planting as one might expect, yet it is versatile enough for avenue planting.

Prunus avium Plena

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus avium 'Plena'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 12mSpecial features: small reddish fruit.Masses of long-lasting, double white blossom appear in mid-spring with the new leaves, followed by small reddish fruit. Dark green leaves turn rich, vibrant red in autumn. Pyramid shape becoming rounded with age makes it an ideal plant for a woodland garden or as an avenue tree.

Prunus Beni Yutaka

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Beni Yutaka'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Deep pink semi-double flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 5m x 3mSpecial features: Good autumn colour and deep pink semi-double flowers. (Deciduous)Prunus 'Beni Yutaka' was first introduced from Japan in the 1980's. This spectacular flowering cherry has large semi double open pink flowers with a distinctive centre eye which darkens as it ages. Another feature of this tree is its stunning autumn colours of deep purple and blistering red. This is an extremely healthy and robust variety suitable for any situation.

Prunus Etna

Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna'Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m x 2mSpecial features: Coppery coloured young shoots, deep violet berries.A variety of laurel with the additional attraction that all the young foliage is bronzy-orange contrasting well with the glossy dark green mature leaves. Many spikes of scented white flowers in spring. More compact than Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' and thrives in sun or shade. Very dense habit.

Prunus lusitanica

Portugal Laurel

Common Name: Portugal LaurelLatin Name: Prunus lusitanicaSoil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 10m x 8mSpecial features: Dark green, lustrous elegant leaves.A handsome plant that has presence and dignity. It is conical in shape with dark green, lustrous elegant leaves. There are white flowers in slender upright racemes in early summer but it is primarily grown for its strong shape. There are dark purple-black fruits in autumn. This can be grown as a specimen shrub or used to create an attractive formal hedge.

Prunus Marbled White

Varigated Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Marbled White'Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Green and grey-green leaves blotched with cream.Dense evergreen with large, green leathery leaves with conspicuous white markings, giving them an unusual and very attractive marbled appearance. The variegation is held well in the shade. Makes an excellent thick hedge, or it can be used as a specimen shrub. In spring it produces spikes of fragrant white flowers.

Prunus Rotundifolia

Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Tough evergreen shrub suitable for hedging and windbreaks.Dense, bushy, evergreen shrub with large glossy, dark green leaves. It makes an excellent hedging plant, and can cope with deep shade under trees was well as full sun. Small white flowers are produced on spikes in mid-spring, followed by cherry red berries which are harmful if eaten.

Pyracantha Golden Charmer

Firethorn Golden Charmer

Common Name: Firethorn Golden Charmer Latin Name: Pyracantha 'Golden Charmer’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: Summer/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 3m/3m Special features: Bright orange berries that appear in autumn The 'Golden Charmer' is a delightful evergreen shrub which adds colour to your garden all year round. In summer, pretty white flowers appear in clusters and these contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves. The summer flowers later become glossy berries: these are bright orange in colour and last from autumn through until winter. This spiny firethorn is perfect for planting in a border and it’s a great choice for attracting wildlife.  

Pyracantha Mohave

Firethorn Mohave

Common Name: Firethorn MohaveLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Mohave'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: White/SpringHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/2.5mSpecial features: Clusters of orange-red berries in autumnThe 'Mohave' is a thorny evergreen shrub which makes a fantastic hedge or screen. The glossy leaves are ovate and dark-green all year round; these are accompanied by sprays of white flowers in spring, which are replaced by lustrous red berries in autumn. The spiny branches of this bushy shrub make it a great intruder deterrent.

Pyracantha Orange Glow

Firethorn Orange Glow

Common Name: Firethorn Orange GlowLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Orange Glow'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.5m/1.5mSpecial features: Glossy orange berries appear in autumn. The 'Orange Glow' firethorn is an upright evergreen shrub which features sprays of small white flowers that appear in summer. The delicate flowers contrast well with the glossy, dark-green leaves that hold all year round. In autumn, bright orange berries appear and these add a burst of colour to the shrub. This Firethorn makes a fantastic hedge and its thorny branches make it ideal for keeping intruders out.

Pyracantha Red Column

Firethorn Red Column

Common Name: Firethorn Red Column Latin Name: Pyracantha coccinea Red Column Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/4mSpecial features: Bright red autumn berries which appear in clusters all over the shrubThe 'Red Column' is an outstanding shrub which makes a fantastic evergreen hedge or screen. The leaves are ovate and dark green in colour and they are accompanied by small white flowers in spring. Come autumn, the flowers transform into glossy red berries which appear in clusters all over the shrub. This hardy firethorn can tolerate a range of harsh conditions, including shaded and costal positions. The dense, thorny habit of the ‘Red Column’ makes it an ideal hedge for keeping intruders out. 

Pyracantha Saphyr Orange Cadange

Firethorn Sapyhr Orange

Common Name: Firethorn Sapyhr Orange Latin Name: Pyracantha Saphyr Orange ‘Cadange’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: May/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 2.5/ 2.5m Special features: Delicate white flowers followed by glossy orange berries The Saphyr Orange is a bold and hardy shrub that features glossy green leaves, which are held on spiny branches. In late spring, a profusion of single white flowers hang in clusters: the pretty are later followed by bright orange berries, which appear in autumn and last until winter. This firethorn is great for attracting wildlife to your garden. The ‘Saphyr Orange’ is a compact shrub it is perfect for a planting in a mixed border, bed or next to a sunny wall.

Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge Cadrou

Firethorn Saphyr Rouge

Common Name: Firethorn Saphyr Rouge Latin Name: Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge ‘Cadrou’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: May/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 3m/3m Special features: Glossy red berries, perfect for attracting wildlife The 'Cadrou' is a wonderful choice for year-round interest. It features narrow leaves, held on spiny branches, that are dark green in colour with a glossy shine to them. In May, single white flowers appear and these are later followed by attractive berries: glowing red berries appear in clusters in autumn, and these are usually around until winter. The berries are a great bird feeder and the flowers are perfect for the bees, so the 'Cadrou' is an ideal choice for attracting wildlife to your garden.

Pyracantha Soleil d'Or

Firethorn Soleil d'Or

Common Name: Firethorn Soleil d'OrLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/2.5mSpecial features: Buttery-yellow berries that appear in autumnThe 'Soleil d'Or' firethorn is an evergreen shrub which is upright in habit and has a dense, thorny nest of branches - making it the perfect hedge for keeping intruders out. The elliptic, waxy, dark-green leaves add interest all year round and they are accompanied by clusters of small white flowers in early summer. Come autumn, further interest is added when sprays of buttery-yellow berries cover the shrub. This hardy firethorn will tolerate a wide range of conditions.

Pyrus Chanticleer

Ornamental Pear Tree

Common Name: Ornamental PearLatin Name: Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/Pure white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread in 20 years: 7m/3mSpecial features: Dark green leaves turn marvelous shades of purple and scarlet in autumn.Handsome, narrow, conical tree bearing clusters of white flowers during April followed by glossy green summer foliage that that turns red and maroon through autumn. An excellent choice of tree for medium to large urban gardens and parks as it tolerates pollution well.

Quercus coccinea

Scarlet Oak Tree

Common Name: Scarlet OakLatin Name: Quercus coccineaSoil: Most fertile, well-drained soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread in 20 years: 15m/11mSpecial features: A strong and majestic tree which grows to have a pyramidal habit. The Quercus coccinea is a US native and this mighty tree is the perfect choice for adding structure and colour to a large garden. This tree offers lustrous green leaves which turn to glowing shades of scarlet in autumn and cover the broad crown from spring until late autumn. The acorns of the Scarlet Oak are also of interest; they are carried in shallow cups and are highly unusual. This hardy Oak will grow strong and tall so make sure you give it the space that it needs to thrive.

Quercus myrsinifolia

Bamboo

Common Name: Bamboo-Leaved Oak Latin Name: Quercus myrsinifolia Soil: Any deep, well-drained, lime-free soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 15m+/8m+ Special features: Bamboo-like leaves with a purple blush to new foliage (evergreen). If you want a tree that will add structure to your garden, as well as a healthy dose of year-round colour, then the Quercus myrsinifolia is a fantastic choice. Although it still grows to be a mighty tree, this Chinese native is smaller than the British native, Quercus robur, and it maintains a fairly compact habit. The foliage adds ornamental value as new leaves shoot through with a purple, sometimes red, blush. Once mature, the lanceolate leaves turn to a rich mid-green colour. In autumn, ovoid acorns appear and these make a great source of food for wildlife. This hardy evergreen enjoys a sunny spot in the garden, but it can tolerate some shade. Plant it alongside another bold evergreen, like the Eucalyptus gunnii, as the differing foliage colours will give you a verdant show all year round.   

Quercus palustris

Pin Oak Tree

Common Name: Pin Oak TreeLatin Name: Quercus palustrisSoil: Any deep, well-drained, lime-free soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Male catkins and insignificant female flowers in springHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 9m/5mSpecial features: Unusual deeply lobed, bright green, summer leaves which turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Quercus palustris is a medium sized, deciduous tree first introduced to the UK from North America in the early 1800's. It forms a dense crown with elegant slender branches with unusual deeply lobed, bright green, summer leaves which turn shades of orange and red in autumn. The acorns are held on the tree for 2 years while they mature and are more than half covered by their cups. Although this tree prefers free draining soils it will tolerate heavy clay and once established will also tolerate moderate drought conditions.

Quercus palustris Green Pillar

Pin Oak Tree

Common Name: Pin OakLatin Name: Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar'Soil: Well drained, moist or dry. Acidic or neutral.Position: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April, green, insignificant.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 15m/4mSpecial features: Columnal form, deep green leaves, vibrant red autumn colour.Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' has a tall columnar or fastigiate shape brought about by vertical growth of its branches. This is a great architectural asset in certain garden design situations, particularly as a screen or visual barrier, or as a single specimen plant.This variety thrives in full sun and dry soil, and so makes an ideal shade tree. It can be particularly useful as a street tree providing a visually attractive avenue, as well as shade for pedestrians. The tree is tall and very slim in its youth and spreads a little more in later years, with a slightly different visual effect.The leaves of this species are dark green in summer, and bright, vibrant red in autumn. This ensures lasting appeal though the seasons. The tree is deciduous, and so drops its leaves in winter. The liberated winter structure allows bright light through the canopy, which is a huge advantage for pedestrians or garden users. This tree has a tendency to retain just a few leaves in winter, creating a specific visual effect, which is particularly valued by some. This should be considered when making a choice of variety.Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' is moderately fast growing, reaching about 15m tall and 4 metres wide, and prefers acid or neutral soils. Chlorosis occurs in the leaves in alkaline soil due to iron deficiency. This species is fully hardy in the UK.

Rhus glabra Laciniata

Stag's Horn Sumach/Fire Fern

Common Name: Stag's Horn Sumach/Fire Fern Latin Name: Rhus glabra 'Laciniata' Soil: Moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun Flowering period/colour: Summer/ Yellow-green  Hardiness: Very hardy Eventual height/spread: 3m/4m Special features: Bold autumn colours of vivid red and bright orange. Sometimes known as the 'Fire Fern', this eye-catching tree gets its common name from its fern-like foliage which turns to fiery shades of red and orange in autumn. The long, feathery, fern-like leaves are held on spreading branches and are a solid green colour in spring and summer: the stems are deep red and contrast beautifully with the leaves, which adds further interest. In summer, yellow-green conical flowers appear and these turn to bright red fruits in autumn. This deciduous tree is very hardy and will thrive in any sunny spot in the garden. We would recommend planting it alongside the Cytisus battandieri as the silvery-green leaves of the Cytisus make the perfect foil for the fiery foliage of the Rhus Laciniata.

Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes'

Stag's Horn Sumach

Common Name: Stag’s horn sumach/ Balitiger Latin Name: Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes’Soil: fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun Flowering period/colour: summer/ green-yellow (insignificant) Hardiness: HardyEventual height/spread: 2m/3mSpecial features: A colourful, dwarf variety that maintains a compact form The ‘Tiger Eyes’ is a truly striking plant with so much to offer. The large, fern-like leaves are bright yellow-green in colour with attractive pink stems. Autumn is when the finely-divided foliage really bursts to life as it turns to a fiery mound of deep orange and red. This ‘stag’s horn sumach’ maintains a fairly compact habit, making this an excellent choice for adding structure and colour to a border. It is a wonderful architectural plant and it will certainly become a focal point of any display. To get the best out of this shrub, plant it in full sunlight.

Rhus typhina

Stag's Horn Sumach

Common Name: Stag's horn sumachLatin Name: Rhus typhinaSoil: Moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Large, erect green clusters of male flowers and smaller, female clusters borne of separate plants.Hardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 6/6mSpecial features: Dense conical clusters of crimson hairy fruits which are most decorative at the end of the year.A wide-spreading suckering tree which loses its lower leaves with age, revealing an attractive skeleton below and leaving a bushy canopy at the top. It has large leaflets on long stems and these take on exceptionally fine autumnal tints of deep red and firey orange. There are separate male and female plants and the female has red, wooly columnar fruits at the end of the summer which are picturesque.

Ribes Ben Connan

Ben Connan Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben ConnanLatin Name: Ribes nigram 'Ben Connan'Soil: Well drained, light soilPosition: Full sunFruit picking time: Mid JulyFruit size/colour: Large dark berriesThis is a very early fruiting blackcurrant with large yields. It produces tidy bushes with the berries being born onto very short twigs making them easy to pick. The fruits have a wonderfully rich flavour and make a great healthy summer snack. This variety is known for having excellent pest, disease and frost resistance making it an excellent choice for any garden.

Ribes Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben LomondLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Lomond'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Medium/LargeThis is the first of the 'Ben' varieties which have bought late flowering, good mildew resistance and very heavy yields to blackcurrants. Growth is upright and reasonably compact- the strigs (flower stalks) are short and plump berries have an acid flavour.

Ribes Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben NevisLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Nevis'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Medium/Medium-largeThis blackcurrant is similar to 'Ben Lomond', it flowers and fruits at the same time. The well flavoured berries are borne on short strigs and have pretty good mildew and frost resistance. The growth habit is where the main difference occurs; it is taller, and more vigorous than 'Ben Lomond'.

Ribes Ben Sarek

Ben Sarek Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben SarekLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Small/LargeThe 'Ben Sarek' is a wonderful variety of blackcurrant; it features a heavy crop of large fruits which are bursting with flavour. Another great feature of this blackcurrant bush is it's dwarf nature, growing little over 1m tall. There are in-bred frost resistance properties and this bush also boasts fairly good mildew resistance. Prompt picking before the fruit falls is advised on this variety, this can be done by shaking the bush and catching the falling fruits.