Ornamental Trees A-C

Acacia dealbata

Mimosa Tree

Acacia dealbata provides a vibrant burst of sunshine during the winter months as its highly distinctive flowers appear in January. The flowers resemble small, fluffy spheres and they are golden yellow in colour; they are highly fragrant and their sweet scent can be a real treat for the senses over the winter months. In fact, the essence of the flowers, called ‘cassie’, is used in perfumes and fragrances around the world. Aside from human uses, bees and insects love the Mimosa flowers too, and it’s a valuable source of late winter fuel for the bees in particular. Aside from the floral interest, the foliage offers a healthy dose of year-round colour. The pinnate leaves are large with feathery leaflets: the foliage colour is a glaucous blue-green, but can sometimes be silvery green. The leaves make the perfect foil for the vibrant winter flowers. In terms of its habit, the Acacia dealbata will grow to have widely spaced branches and it will become a small-medium sized tree. This Australian native is half-hardy, so it will need some protection in exposed sites. An ideal situation would be to plant it in a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall for optimum protection. If you want a planting partner, we would recommend the Eucalyptus Gunnii as it also has glaucous blue foliage. Equally, the Cytisus Battandieri works really well due to its vivid floral summer display, as you get bright yellow flowers in winter from the Acacia and vibrant yellow flowers in summer from the Cytisus. Common Name: Mimosa or Silver WattleLatin Name: Acacia dealbataSoil: Any free draining soil.Position: Full sunHardiness: Half hardy. May need protection in very cold winters.Flowering Period: Late winter into springFlowering Colour: Small, yellow , fluffy ballsEventual Height/Spread: 8m (26ft) / 4m (14ft)Special features: An interesting small evergreen tree with small, yellow , fluffy balls

Acer Armstrong

Armstrong Maple Tree

Common Name: Armstrong Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer freemanii 'Armstrong' The Acer freemanii 'Armstrong' is a red maple hybrid which is a cross between the red and silver maple trees. This small to medium sized tree makes a striking specimen in the autumn with its beautiful orange and yellow coloured leaves.

Acer Autumn Blaze

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Autumn Blaze MapleLatin Name: Acer freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' Soil: Chalky, clay, sandy- will tolerate most soil types. Position: Full sun or partial shade. Height/spread in 20 years: 20m x 12m The Acer freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' has spectacularly bold red and orange leaves in the autumn and it also boasts a dense oval head. This variety is particularly low-maintenance as it does not benefit from regular pruning and in-fact thrives without it. The leaves are dark-green in summer and turn bright-red in autumn. This tree is deciduous.

Acer Brandywine

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Red Maple 'Brandywine'Latin Name: Acer rubrum 'Brandywine' Soil: Any good, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April-May/ redHardiness: HardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 15m x 10m The Acer rubrum 'Brandywine' is known for its reliably intense autumn colours of red and purple. The bright and distinctive colours of the leaves start to turn early and stay for a long time, making this an ideal lawn specimen. Although this tree is fairly large, it is suitable for medium sized gardens due to its upright oval-headed shape.

Acer campestre

Field Maple Tree

Common Name: Field Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer campestreSoil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 9/7mSpecial features: A broad-crowned tree with small, neatly lobed leaves. British native. (Deciduous)Acer campestre is a moderately-sized deciduous tree with rounded, five-lobed deep green leaves. The leaves are often tinted reddish-purple when young and erect umbels of green flowers also form, followed by red winged fruits. The Acer campestre is of particular interest in the autumn when the foliage turns red. This tree can be commonly found as a component in hedgerows where it is kept compact by pruning regularly or grown as a single specimen tree.

Acer campestre Elsrijk

Field Maple Tree

Common Name: Field Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Partial shadeHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 7m x 6mSpecial features: Star-shaped green leaves that turn orange-red in summer (Deciduous) Acer 'Elsrijk' is an upright tree which grows to have a conical to broadly ovate crown. The leaves are of the typical Acer shape, and shoot through pale green with deep red margins; the leaves mature to a healthy mid-green colour by late spring. Like most Acer trees, this tree is at its best in autumn when the leaves turn to glowing shades of yellow and orange before falling. This is an excellent choice for a landscape tree as its attractive shape will add structure to the back of a border.

Acer campestre Queen Elizabeth

Evelyn

Common Name: EvelynLatin Name: Acer campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 8m/5mSpecial features: Grows to have a compact ovate crown that is densely packed with luscious dark green leaves.The ‘Queen Elizabeth’ grows with ascending branches which makes it more compact than its parent, Acer campestre. This tree is perfect for planting in groups or for bordering a garden due to its growing habit. The leaves of the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ are of the classic campestre shape and they are a luscious dark green colour in spring and summer, later turning to a crisp shade of yellow in autumn.

Acer capillipes

Snake

Common Name: Snake-bark MapleLatin Name: Acer capillipesSoil: Moist but well drained.Position: Fertile/Partial shade    Hardiness: Fully hardyFlowering period: SummerFlowering colour: YellowEventual height/spread after 20 years: 5m/4mThe Acer capillipes is a handsome tree which is known for its distinctive striated bark, which gave it the common name of ‘Snake bark’. Three-lobed, vivid green leaves appear in spring which later change into a fiery red-orange colour in autumn. Small yellow flowers also appear in spring, which then ripen into yellow and pink fruits in summer. The structure of this majestic tree is also noteworthy; the branches gently arch over as it matures and the tree itself has a lovely spreading habit.

Acer cappadocicim Aureum

Golden Caucasian Maple

Common Name: Golden Caucasian MapleLatin Name: Acer cappadocicim ‘Aureum’ Soil: Any moist but well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Insignificant yellow flowers in spring Hardiness: HardyHeight/spread after 20 years: 5m/4mSpecial features: Attractive palmate leaves that turn from golden yellow to green.The ‘Aureum’ is a strong and bold Acer which grows to have a broad crown full of its distinctive 5-lobed leaves. The leaves appear yellow in spring, and then turn to a vivid green colour by summer, before a final burst of yellow in autumn. This acer has been given an RHS award of garden merit for its beautiful leaf colour and its delightful form. This tree is particularly well-suited to being planted next to the Acer cappadocicum ‘Rubrum’ as the yellow-green leaves of the ‘Aureum’ are really brought to life when set against the contrasting red leaves.

Acer cappadocicum Rubrum

Red Cappadocian Maple

Common Name: Red Cappadocian MapleLatin Name: Acer cappadocicim ‘Rubrum’Soil: Any moist but well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Dark red leaves, which turn green in summerHardiness: HardyHeight/spread after 20 years: 5m/4mSpecial features: Attractive palmate leaves that emerge red and fade to green. The Red Cappadocian Maple is a beautiful variety, particularly in spring when new glossy foliage shoots out a vivid red colour. As spring turns to summer, the red leaves fade to green and the new shoots continue to push out which creates a delightful progression of colour as you follow the shoot from base to tip. This tree eventually forms a rounded crown and it look fantastic when planted alongside the ‘Golden Caucasion Maple’ as the contrasting leaf colours really work well together.

Acer davidii

Snakebark Maple Tree

Common Name: Snakebark MapleLatin Name: Acer davidiiSoil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 15m x 10mSpecial features: Striking bark which develops serpentine stripes The Acer davidii is one of the best varieties of ‘snakebark’ maples; it features highly unique bark that starts out red then matures to green with fissured white stripes. Aside from the striking bark, the leaves are also of good interest as they are large leaves that emerge mid-green and turn to lively shades of orange and pink in autumn. Come spring, pretty yellow flowers appear and these are soon followed by clusters of winged seeds. This is a fantastic tree for adding colour to your garden and it will make an ideal screening or specimen tree.

Acer davidii George Forrest

Davids Maple Tree

Common Name: David’s Maple  Latin Name: Acer davidii ‘George Forrest’ Soil: Moist but well drained soil. Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: May / Yellow Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height and spread: 10m/6m Special features: Green and white striped bark (Deciduous). The ‘George Forrest’ is an outstanding variety of maple, which is perfect for adding year-round interest to your garden. In spring, small yellow flowers appear in racemes on the tree. Spring also brings the rich green leaves out, and these are ovate in shape and held on scarlet coloured stalks. Come autumn, pinkish fruits appear and the leaves fade to deep shades of yellow and orange before falling. Winter interest is offered with the distinctive bark: the ‘snakebark’ is green with white stripes. This tree grows to have a broadly upright habit and it makes a lovely specimen.

Acer Dissectum

Japanese Maple Tree

Common Name: Japanese MapleLatin Name: Acer palmatum var. dissectumSoil: Moist, well drained, fertile soilPosition: Full sun or partial Shade, Needs a position sheltered from cold winds and late frostsHardiness: Frost hardy down to -15°CEventual Height/Spread: 1.5m x 1.5mSpecial features: A slow grower, with a rather elegant, finely textured appearance.Acer palamatum 'Disectum' is a slow-growing shrub which, with age, forms a rounded mushroom shape. It has very finely divided green leaves that turn golden yellow before dropping in the autumn. This Japanese maple makes a beautiful specimen plant in small gardens and can be successfully grown in large containers. This low-maintenance variety does not benefit from regular pruning as it prefers to be left alone.

Acer Fairview Flame

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Acer Fairview FlameLatin Name: Acer rubrum 'Fairview Flame'Soil: Moist yet well-drained soilPosition: Full sun Flowering period/colour: Spring/ RedHardiness: HardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 10m/ 7mSpecial features: A stunning display of scarlet leaves in autumn. The 'Fairview Flame' is an outstanding tree for autumn colour; the five-lobed leaves turn from dark green to a blistering shade of scarlet red. The structure of this deciduous tree is also notable, as it holds a flame-like ovate shape which looks beautiful when in leaf. Further interest is added in spring, when small red flowers appear on the bare branches, and the new branches also emerge as a vivid red colour. This maple is highly recommended for adding unique colour and structure to your garden and it will make an ideal lawn specimen.

Acer Green Column

Field Maple

Common Name: Field Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer campestre 'Green Column'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May/ Small yellow panicles of flowersHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 8m x 4mThe Green Column is a wonderful variety of field maple, and it features three-to-five lobed deep green leaves that have lighter green undersides. New leaves shoot through with a pretty pink flush to them, which contrasts beautifully with the more mature leaves. The leaves produce one final display before falling in autumn when they turn to lively shades or orange and red, which really brings your garden to life. Aside from the foliage, the tree itself has an outstanding stature; it is columnar when young, turning more conical as it matures, and it has a dense and bushy head of branches. The tree does produce small yellow flowers in May, which adds further interest, but this tree is prized for its foliage rather than its flowers. The Green Column is a great choice for adding architectural structure to your garden.

Acer griseum

Paperbark Maple Tree

Common Name: Paperbark Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer griseumSoil: Moist but well drained soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / YellowHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m/5mSpecial features: Orange-brown old bark which peels off to reveal cinnamon coloured new bark. (Deciduous)Acer griseum is a small, broadly columnar tree, with orange-brown old bark which peels off to reveal cinnamon coloured new bark. The smallish lobed leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn. Yellow flowers appear in spring followed by relatively large- winged seeds in the autumn. This tree makes a good border or lawn specimen.

Acer Leopoldii

Sycamore Tree

Common Name: Sycamore TreeLatin Name: Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Yellow-green.Hardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 14 x 10mSpecial features: Leaves yellowish-pink at first, later green, speckled and splashed yellow and pink.The Acer 'Leopoldii' is a vigorous sycamore with interesting foliage; the large confident maple leaves are a pretty yellowish pink in spring. In summer they turn greenish gold with irregularly blotched and spotted yellow. This tree is deciduous. ACLE12, BRACLEM

Acer negundo

Ash Leaved Maple Tree

Common Name: Ash Leafed Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer negundoSoil: Moist but well drained soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring/Greenish-yellowHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 13m x 9mSpecial features: Medium-sized tree with good resistance to pollution and drought. Acer negundo is a fast-growing, bushy-headed tree with bright green young shoots. The leaves look somewhat like those of an ash: pinnate, slightly pendulous and turn a clear-yellow in autumn. The fruits of this tree, popularly called spinning jennies because of their acrobatics whilst falling, are long-lasting and retained after the leaves have fallen. This is a useful tree with its tolerance of poor soils and both wet and dry habitats.

Acer Norwegian Sunset

Norway Maple Tree

Common Name: Norwegian Sunset MapleLatin Name: Acer truncatum ‘Norwegian Sunset’Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 10 x 7mSpecial features: Dark, glossy green foliage which turns to sunset reds and gold through autumn.Acer ‘Norwegian Sunset’ is a beautifully structured, very hardy tree. The tree features dark glossy green leaves and a spectacular display of autumn colour. This upright, oval-shaped tree does exceptionally well in urban areas and is very resistant to a range of diseases and variations in soil types.

Acer October Glory

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Red Canadian Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer rubrum 'October Glory'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/RedHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 6m x 4m (Eventual height 15m)Special features: A reliable American specimen with spectacular autumn colours. Acer rubrum 'October Glory' is a dense round-headed tree with glossy green summer leaves which turn brilliant red in early autumn and are held for several weeks. This tree is best planted in neutral to acid soil and sheltered from strong winds to ensure the most vibrant autumn colours are produced. The 'October Glory' is a deciduous tree.

Acer Osakazuki

Japanese Maple Tree

Common Name: Japanese MapleLatin Name: Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'Soil: Moist, well drained, fertile soilPosition: Full sun or partial Shade,Hardiness: Frost hardy down to -15cEventual height/spread: 6m/6mSpecial features: A reliable Japanese maple for bold beautiful autumn colours.Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a robust grower making a small spreading tree with a broad, rounded canopy. The large seven-lobed, palmate soft green leaves turn a bold and fiery scarlet colour in autumn. This Japanese maple is ideal where plenty of space is available for this beautiful tree to flourish.

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple Tree

Common Name: Japanese MapleLatin Name: Acer palmatumSoil: Moist, well drained, fertile soilPosition: A sheltered spot with partial shadeHardiness: Frost hardy down to -15cFlowering Period: April to MayFlowering Colour: Small purple-red clustersHeight/spread in 20 years: 4m(13ft) / 3m(10ft)Special features: Dazzling autumn display varying in colour from year to yearAcer palmatum is a multi-stemmed small tree that bears pendant clusters of tiny purple-red flowers in spring followed by red-winged seeds in late summer. Its delicate leaves emerge bright green then changes in autumn to give a dazzling display varying in colour from year to year.

Acer platanoides

Norway Maple Tree

Common Name: Norway Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer platanoidesSoil: Any good soil, including chalk soil.Hardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 8mSpecial Features: Large, fast growing native tree with great autumn colour. The Acer platanoides is a fast growing tree with a spreading habit. It features large green glossy oval leaves whose lobes are tipped with fine points. Bright, small green-yellow flowers appear before the leaves in spring. The 'Norway Maple' is native to Europe and this deciduous tree has a height and spread in 20 years of 12m/8m.

Acer Red Shine

Field Maple Tree

Common Name: Red Shine Field Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer campestre 'Red Shine'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Very hardyEventual height/spread: 8m x 6mSpecial features: Dark red juvenile foliage and attractive corky bark. Acer campestre 'Red Shine' is a small to medium sized deciduous tree with a narrow pyramidal habit. Its new leaves first appear crimson in spring slowly fading to mauve/green in summer before turning yellow in autumn. The yellow-green flowers in May later develop into pairs of winged seeds. This robust tree will thrive in just about any soil and will withstand drought and air pollution. 

Acer Red Sunset

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Red rubrum 'Franksred'Latin Name: Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset'Soil: Medium to wet, well-drained soil. Slight preference for acid soil.Position: Full sun/partial shade.Flowering period/colour: March-April/ red Hardiness: Very hardy (even in severe winters)Eventual height/spread: 15m/ 10mSpecial features: A dramatic show of autumn leaf colour The 'Franksred', an American native, is one of the most desirable acer trees around and it truly deserves its name of 'red sunset' as it offers a plethora of red shades: its red stems, red flowers, red fruits, red-tinged new foliage and, of course, its stunning autumnal red leaves make for a sensational scarlet show. The 3 or 5 lobed leaves, which, once mature, are mid-green in colour, are finely serrated at their edges. New foliage has a red blush and in spring the leaves are accompanied by red flowers, which later become red fruits. The autumn colour is spectacular, with the leaves turning to blistering shades of red: the leaf colour is more prominent in more acidic soils.Eventually the 'Franksred' will grow to have a rounded-oval crown with densely-packed branches, making it a fantastic garden feature. This makes a wonderful specimen tree, but it also works well when planted alongside another strong specimen, like the Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii', as the habit of the two trees is similar, but the leaf colour is different and the two would contrast perfectly. 

Acer rubrum Sun Valley

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Red mapleLatin Name: Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley'Soil: Medium to wet, well-drained soil. Slight preference for acid soil.Position: Full sun/partial shade. Flowering period/colour: March/redHardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height and spread in 20-50 years: 6m-10m/4.5m-7.5mSpecial features: Bright red autumn colour. Tolerates wet soil. Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' is a fine, medium-sized maple tree that produces a blaze of red colour in autumn. No fruit is produced, which can be an advantage in areas where the usual winged maple fruit would spread around, and have to be cleared up. The species name ‘rubrum’ means red, and this tree does indeed produce a very striking show of red colour to brighten up any garden. The genus name ‘Acer’ indicates that this tree is a maple, and maple trees are well known as fine specimen trees. They have a leaf with a characteristic shape, as seen on the Canadian flag, and a statuestque figure. Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' is a medium-sized variety, which is useful for locations of more restricted size. Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' is a male tree resulting from a cross between Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset' and Acer rubrum 'Autum Flame'. It has a particulary symmetrical ovate crown. Average growth in good conditions takes it to 6.4m height in the first ten years, finally maturing to 10m.

Acer Rufinerve

Snake

Common Name: Grey snake bark maple Latin Name: Acer Rufinerve Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/ yellowHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/ spread in 20 years: 7m x 5mSpecial features: Distinctive snake bark and bold autumn colour In spring the three-lobed leaves of this handsome tree have a glaucous tint to them and they mature to a healthy, bright green by summer. Summer also sees the arrival of erect racemes of small yellow flowers and these turn to winged seed pods by autumn. In autumn this tree really puts on a show: the leaves turn to glowing shades of deep red and crisp yellow before falling. Even in winter this tree still has interest as the white-striped branches can be admired fully in a sleeping winter garden. This Acer will become a real feature of a medium-large sized garden and we love it as an ornamental specimen.

Acer Sango

Kaku

Common Name: Coral Bark MapleLatin Name: Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'Soil: Moist, well drained, fertile soilPosition: A sheltered spot with partial Shade,Hardiness: Frost hardy down to -15°CEventual height/spread: 6m x 3mSpecial features: Soft green leaves in summer turning yellow in autumn and red shoots sprouting in late winter.The Acer palmatum 'Sango- kaku' is a beautiful Japanese Maple tree that has an all year round interest. In the autumn its foliage turns from a soft green colour then to a golden-yellow colour.  As the common name suggests, in the winter this tree has stunning vibrant coral red bark which really stands out in a winter garden.

Acer Scanlon

Red Maple Tree

Common Name: Red maple 'Scanlon'Latin Name: Acer rubrum 'Scanlon' Soil: Moist but well drained.Position: Full sun/ partial shade    Hardiness: Fully hardyFlowering Period: SpringFlowering Colour: RedEventual Height/Spread after 20 years: 13m/7mThe Acer rubrum 'Scanlon' is a deciduous tree with pretty red flowers which appear before the leaves in spring. The leaves are glossy green with faded blue undersides in the summer; the foliage later turns crimson in the autumn. This Acer rubrum is an ideal avenue tree or park tree; it is also suitable for medium- larger sized gardens. 

Acer Worley

Golden Leaved Sycamore Tree

Common Name: Golden Leaved Sycamore TreeLatin Name: Acer pseudoplatanus 'Worley'Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained. Position: Partial shade, full sunHardiness: HardyEventual height/spread in 20 years: 8m x 8m This Acer pseudoplatanus 'Worley' is a particularly robust form of sycamore which features pale yellow leaves in spring that turn green in summer. This low-maintenance tree is an ideal lawn specimen and thrives in either full sun or partial shade.

Betula Snow Queen

Snow Queen Birch Tree

Common Name: Snow Queen Birch Tree, Himalayan BirchLatin Name: Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos')Soil: Moist but well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3mSpecial features: Brilliant white bark which develops earlier than other white stem varieties. Very reliable, hardy and attractive specimen Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with dazzling, white, peeling bark which appears pale orange when freshly exposed. As with all Birch trees, this tree will be a year round asset to your garden. In spring, vibrant yellow catkins appear amongst the fresh green foliage: the leaves are serrated at the edges and they make the perfect foil for the golden catkins. Come autumn, the leaves turn to deep shades of yellow and buttery bronze before falling. In winter, the true beauty of the bark can be appreciated, and the graceful skeleton of the tree can be fully admired.This tree will become a real feature of your garden and it works well as a garden specimen. Equally, the 'Snow Queen' looks effective when planted in a close group of three. If you want to have contrasting colours in your garden, we would recommend planting the ‘Snow Queen’ alongside ‘Betula Purpurea’, as the rich purple foliage would contrast beautifully with the greens and golds of the 'Snow Queen'.As this tree grows, it will form a narrowly pyramidal shape. The branches maintain their upright habit, meaning that this tree is suitable for the smaller garden. Another key benefit of this birch is the fact that the stunning bark develops on trees that are only three years old, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the highly ornamental bark. Whilst this tree is somewhat delicate in its appearance, it is a highly robust and hardy tree that is well-suited to a range of locations and conditions.