Ornamental Trees

Salix Chrysocoma

Golden Weeping Willow Tree

Salix 'Chrysocoma' or the 'Golden Weeping Willow' as it is also known, is a beautiful, weeping tree which features golden-green leaves and golden bark. The 'Chrysocoma' is a tree that is simply iconic: it is a prominent feature of the British landscape and its gracefully arching branches can be seen draping over rivers up and down the county. This tree features a mass of weeping golden-yellow branches, which form a wonderful dome shape and are covered in swathes of golden-green leaves. The leaves make the most delightful rustling sound when they get hit by a breeze. Yellow catkins appear in April and add further interest to this majestic tree. This highly ornamental tree is also of interest in winter when its rugged golden bark and weeping skeleton are unveiled as the leaves fall. This makes a great structural tree and is also works well as a screening tree. A truly beautiful weeping tree which will become a real asset to your garden.In terms of a planting partner, we think this tree looks great with the striking red colours of the Liquidambar Worplesdon: the vivid autumn colour of the Liquidambar contrasts beautifully with the Salix Chrysocoma. Common Name: Golden Weeping WillowLatin Name: Salix x sepulcralis var. 'Chrysocoma'Soil: Any deep, moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/both male and female flowers on the same slender catkins.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 8m/7mSpecial features: Very attractive with a cascade of yellow slender branches that sweep to the ground.

Quercus ilex

Holm Evergreen Oak Tree

The Holm or Evergreen Oak, Quercus ilex, is a resilient and versatile tree for larger garden spaces. Flourishing in well-drained, loamy soil and adaptable to full sun or partial shade, it features glossy evergreen foliage that retains its beauty year-round.During spring, the Evergreen Oak produces inconspicuous yellow-green flowers, adding subtle charm to your outdoor space. It also bears masses of lush, dark green glossy leaves with striking white wooly shoots and yellow catkins in early summer. Plus, the acorns that it produces attract local wildlife. 

This is a slow-growing, very attractive frost hardy tree that, with age, develops large rounded pendulous branches. As the tree matures it also develops beautiful fissured dark grey bark. It can be an ideal specimen tree or a great windbreak as a clipped hedge in coastal areas. Like other Oak Trees, it has a very long lifespan, with some living over 1000 years!Add a touch of greenery and resilience to your garden with this magnificent tree.Common Name: Holm or Evergreen OakLatin Name: Quercus ilexSoil: Most fertile, well drained soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Early summer/Yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 10m+/6m+Special features: A rounded, tree with lance-shaped, dark green leaves and attractive smooth dark grey bark. (Evergreen)

Salix Erythroflexuosa

Golden Twisted Willow Tree

Common Name: Golden Twisted Willow TreeLatin Name: Salix 'Erythroflexuosa'Soil: Any deep, moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Slender yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m/3mSpecial features: Tortuous reddish stems which stand out while leafless in Winter.A rather unusual plant which has smooth, orange-yellow pendulous branches which are twisted. The branches twirl about amazingly, sometimes seeming to loop the loop. The corkscrew-like branches hold lance-shaped green leaves which fall in the autumn to reveal the contorted skeleton. A great architectural tree which will bring a unique burst of life to your winter garden.

Salix Pendula

Dwarf Kilmarnock Willow Tree

Common Name: Kilmarnock WillowLatin Name: Salix caprea 'Pendula'Soil: Any deep, moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Golden male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 2m/2.5mSpecial features: Umbrella-shaped, deciduous treeA dwarf, weeping tree with dark green leaves with grey-green undersides. In mid- to late spring, the bare branches are covered in golden male catkins, which look superb in cut-flower arrangements. An ideal tree for the small garden or even planted in a pot on the patio.

Betula Tristis

European White Birch Tree

Common Name: European white BirchLatin Name: Betula pendula 'Tristis'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m x 2.5mSpecial features: Diamond-shaped, bright green leaves hang from graceful, pendant branchesBetula pendula 'Tristis' is a particularly beautiful tree which has uplifted branches, pendulous at their ends. The shape of the crown is narrow and symmetrical and there is a single leading shoot. The main bark is silver and the purple-brown twigs shine in the light. 

Betula papyrifera

Paper Birch Tree

Common Name: Paper Birch, Canoe Birch, White Birch. Latin Name: Betula papyriferaSoil: Medium moisture, well-drained. Acid, alkaline or neutral.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: SpringHardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height and spread in 20-50 years: 12m/8mSpecial features: Attractive white bark and delicate green leaves. Catkins in spring. Leaves turn golden yellow autumn colour. Salt/Coastal Tolerant.This handsome birch is a fine specimen tree when sited in a large lawn. It grows to 12m or more in 20-50 years and has a large rounded or oval crown of mid-green delicate papery leaves. The leaves take on a golden yellow autumn colour before falling. The bark of this tree peels to reveal a pale orange underbark, and in maturity it develops black markings. The bark of this tree is traditionally used to make canoes and tepee coverings, as it is naturally waterproof and flexible, with a high oil content. This use gives rise to the name canoe birch.Pruning is generally not required, but can be carried out in the dormant winter season. Separate male and female catkins develop on the same tree in spring. The female catkins develop into dropping cone-like fruits. The Paper Birch is one of the only salt tolerant Birches and so can be grown easily in a coastal garden/environment. This species is native to North America, and has a strong preference for cooler northern climates like those found in Canada and Alaska, and so is ideally suited to growth in the UK. It makes a magnificent specimen tree when positioned in a sunny site and in a position to be viewed from a distance. It can also bring a real touch of elegance to deciduous woodland, where it will grow less rapidly and blend in more, due to the reduced access to sunlight. Betula papyrifera is naturally a pioneer species which spreads its seeds quickly and grows rapidly to maturity when sited in good soil and full sun.

Salix alba Chermesina

Scarlet Willow Tree

Common Name: Scarlet WillowLatin Name: Salix alba 'Chermesina'Soil: Moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/ Yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 17m/10mSpecial features: Scarlet stems that give great winter interest.The 'Chermerina', also known as the 'Britzensis', is a scarlet variety of the popular white willow. This tree features bright red young shoots that hold narrow lanceolate leaves that are mid-green in colour. Further interest is added in spring when the pretty yellow catkins appear. This tree is most valued for its winter appeal as the stems glow with shades of golden orange and red. Plant the Scarlet willow in a medium-large sized garden so that it has the space that it needs to grow and thrive.

Betula ermanii

Swedish Birch Tree

Common Name: Swedish Birch TreeLatin Name: Betula ermaniiSoil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m/2.5mSpecial features: A graceful tree with bright green heart-shaped leaves and beautiful peeling bark.Betula ermanii is a graceful and vigorous birch which often grows as a multi-stemmed tree. The bark is a particularly pretty creamy pink on the trunk with deeper colour on the branches, sometimes attaining brownish red tones. The plump bright green leaves turn to golden brown in autumn.

Salix Curly Locks

Pussy Willow Tree

Common Name: Pussy Willow Tree Latin Name: Salix caprea 'Curly Locks'Soil: Any deep, moist soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Slender white, then yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m/ 1.5mSpecial features: A beautiful structural tree with its twisting branches and weeping habit. The 'Curly Locks' is a visual delight for any garden, but it’s particularly useful for a smaller garden due to its compact height and spread. This unique tree has so much to offer and its most interesting feature is its contorted branches: the branches are red-orange in colour and they twist outwards and downwards in all directions. The branches hold mid-green curly leaves that are serrated at their edges. Just before the leaves arrive, the small catkins, which first emerge white and mature to yellow, hang from the branches: the fluffy catkins give this tree its common name of 'pussy willow'. Come autumn the leaves turn to shades or orange and brown before falling. 'Curly Locks' is a unique tree which is perfect for the smaller garden: it is great for structural planting and its compact size makes it an ideal choice for a sunny border where space is restricted. Plant this alongside another compact, weeping tree, like the Prunus x subhirtella 'Pendula Rubra', as the two weeping trees will sit together beautifully, yet give you a good contrast too.

Betula ermanii Mount Zao Purple

Purple Bark Himilayan Birch

Common Name: Purple Bark Himilayan Birch Latin Name: Betula ermanii 'Mount Zao Purple'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: February-March/ Yellow-brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 10m/ 8mSpecial features: Deep purple-brown bark with creamy banding.This is a really unique variety of birch and a rare find in the U.K. The bark is dark purple-brown with creamy horizontal bands and as it peels it reveals coppery orange patches. This is a wonderful choice for striking winter interest. Aside from the bark, the foliage is also attractive and the mid-green, triangular leaves dangle from their stems. This birch also offers a good autumn colour when the leaves turn to a buttery yellow shade before falling. Eventually this tree will reach a good height and its spreading crown will become a real garden feature, making this a fantastic specimen tree.

Betula Edinburgh

Himilayan Birch

Common Name: Himilayan Birch Edinburgh Latin Name: Betula utilis 'Edinburgh'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March-April/Brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3m Special features: A relatively new birch with an upright habit. The 'Edinburgh' is a hybrid of two popular varieties of birch: 'Betula utilis' and 'Betula albosinensis'. It was first cultivated in the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and is planted for its upright habit and peeling bark. The bark is white with a pink tinge and it peels as it ages, adding interest all year round. In terms of foliage, the leaves are dark green and glossy; they turn yellow in autumn before falling. The upright habit of this tree makes it perfect for structural planting and it looks particularly effective when planted in a trio.

Betula jermyns

Himalayan Birch

Common Name: Himalayan BirchLatin Name: Betula utilis jacquemontii 'Jermyns'Soil: Moist but well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: February-March/ Yellow-brown catkins.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 10m/ 5mSpecial features: Shimmering, peeling white bark.This Himalayan birch will become a real feature of the garden as it grows to be a grand and impressive tree. Its most notable feature is, of course, its glistening white bark which sparkles beautifully in the sun, but its catkins are also noteworthy: they are yellow-brown in colour and are very long - up to 17cm in length. In spring and summer it is covered in large, ovate, dark-green leaves that turn to a buttery yellow in autumn before falling. In terms of Jermyns' habit, when mature it will be broadly conical and it looks fantastic as an ornamental specimen.

Salix fragilis

Crack Willow Tree

Common Name: Crack WillowLatin Name: Salix fragilisSoil: Any deep, moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Male catkins are densely flowered and uniformly yellowHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m/10mSpecial features: Leaves are long and narrow with small teeth along their edges.Salix fragilis is a robust tree that grows to between 10 and 15 m with a short, thick trunk and well spread branches which form a broad, rounded crown. The bark is grey and deeply fissured and the twigs mature to become rather lustrous. They are olive-brown and brittle at the point of attachment to the branch. They break off with a crack, hence the name.