Prolific flowerer

Cotoneaster Hybridus Pendulus

Cotoneaster Tree

Common Name: Cotoneaster TreeLatin Name: Cotoneaster 'Hybridus Pendulus'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: June/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 2.5m/2.5mSpecial features: Laden with bright red fruits in autumn/winterThis superb Cotoneaster has weeping branches that are swamped with white flowers in summer and brilliant and plentiful clusters of red fruits in autumn. The foliage is a rich mid-green colour and makes a fantastic foil for the summer fruits and autumn berries.The Hybridus Pendulus is a semi-evergreen tree; it generally holds its leaves but can lose some of them, in particularly severe winters. Please be aware the seeds of the fruit may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.

Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle

Sevenbark

Common Name: Sevenbark Latin Name: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'Soil: well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July-September/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m/2.5mSpecial features: Very large, spherical heads of white flowers in spring. This is a very special hydrangea as the flowers are long-lasting and make a real statement: the spherical heads of creamy white flowers appear from July to September and cover the shrub. The leaves of the 'Annabelle' are broadly ovate in shape and are mid-green in colour: these make the perfect foil for the flowers. You can plant this shrub at the back of a border alongside other hydrangeas for a showy flower display.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Hercules'

Hydrangea

Common Name: Hydrangea ‘Hercules’ Latin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Hercules’ Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July- October/ creamy white Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m/ 2mSpecial features: Extremely large blooms up to 40cm in length If you want showstopping flowers that will make a real statement then the ‘Hercules’ is the perfect choice. The extremely large flower heads emerge creamy white with a green hue and later develop a rosy blush. In terms of foliage, the sizeable leaves are dark green and serrated at their edges, adding further interest. This hydrangea is also exceptionally hardy, down to around -30, making it suitable for a range of sites and conditions. We love this as part of a mixed border and it looks beautiful when planted alongside the rich ruby flowers of the Hydrangea 'Wims Red’.  

Hydrangea paniculata 'Polar Bear’

Hydrangea

  Common Name: Hydrangea ‘Polar Bear’Latin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Polar Bear’ Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July- October/ white Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.5m/ 1.5mSpecial features: Conical blooms that emerge with a lime green hue and mature to a creamy white. The ‘Polar Bear’ is a fantastic shrub that boasts large, conical flower heads that start with a lime green tint and develop over summer to have a creamy white shade; their final show of colour comes in autumn when they take on a pink blush. These prominent flower heads are great for adding to cut flower displays and they also make the ‘Polar Bear’ an ideal specimen plant. The dark green, toothed leaves make the perfect foil for the changing flowers. We love this in a cottage style garden towards the back of a border.

Hydrangea paniculata Fraise Melba

Hydrangea

Common Name: HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Fraise Melba'Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: July to September/ White to deep pinkHardiness: Hardy but newer foliage in Spring will need to be protectedEventual height/spread: 1.2m x 1.2mSpecial features: Large flowerheads of tiny flowers that emerge white, then fade to deep pink. Hydrangea paniculata 'Fraise Melba' produces large flower heads that are made up of 100's of smaller flowers, in July these flowers emerge an ivory white colour and fade to a lovely deep pink as time goes by before expiring in September. These Hydrangea are extremely hardy and although they produce large flower heads they are supported by strong stems, these stems will stand up to most wet weather conditions but should not be planted in exposed positions where strong winds could potentially damage the stems. 

Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu

Hydrangea

Common Name: HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’Soil: well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: August to September/ creamy whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m x 1.5mSpecial features: Large heads of creamy white flowers and finely serrated green foliage The ‘Kyushu’ is a delightful shrub which features conical flowerheads of tiny single white flowers that appear from midsummer to autumn. The rich green leaves are finely serrated and have attractive pointed tips. The flowers are a popular choice for using in a cut flower arrangement, and if you cut them in autumn they will have a pretty pink blush to them. This hydrangea is great for planting in a border and it works particularly well when it goes alongside a more colourful shrub like a ceanothus or a buddlija.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight

Hydrangea

Common Name: Limelight HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: August to September/Lime green then creamHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m x 2.5mSpecial features: Large flowerheads of tiny flowers that emerge lime green, then turn creamy, then pinkThis is a fantastic hydrangea which features the most beautiful display of flowers from midsummer to autumn. The flowers open up from lime green buds and start life with a green-cream colour; they then mature to cream and then finally have a creamy pink blush in early autumn. Aside from the flowers, the leaves are also of great interest; they are lime green in colour and finely serrated at their edges and they make the perfect foil for the large flower heads. This deciduous shrub looks great at the back of a mixed border and it also works well as an informal flowering hedge.

Hydrangea paniculata Phantom

Hydrangea

Common Name: HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom'Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July to September/white to light pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m x 2mSpecial features: Large flowerheads of tiny flowers that emerge white, then fade to a light pink Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' is best known for its stunning displays of large unique flowers that emerge white and fade to a light pink later in the season. This plant will grow well in most soil conditions providing the soil is fertile and does not tend to dry out easily as Hydrangea does not like dry conditions. It will also need a partial shade spot with some protection from strong winds as it can be damaged easily by wind. 

Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond

Interhydia Hydrangea

Common Name: Interhydia HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond'Soil: well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: August to September/ White-pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m/2.5mSpecial features: Panicles of creamy white flowers that mature to vivid pink with age.The 'Pink Diamond' is a shrub which gives great floral interest from summer through to autumn. The small white flowers are held in conical panicles: the flowers are pure white when young and develop a rich pink blush as they age. The leaves are bright green with serrated edges and they come from pink shoots. This is the perfect choice for planting in a flower bed or border and the pretty flowers are also popular for flower arranging.

Hydrangea paniculata Silver Dollar

Hydrangea

Common Name: HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar'Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July to September/white to light pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.5m x 1.5mSpecial features: Large flowerheads of tiny flowers that emerge white, then fade to a light pink Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar' is best known for its stunning displays of large unique flowers that emerge creamy-white and fade to a light pink later in the year. The serrated leaves are mid-dark green and make an attractive foil for the flowers. We love this hydrangea in a mixed shrub border, especially alongside a contrasting hydrangea like the ‘Vanille Fraise’. It is also more compact than other varieties, making it an excellent choice for planting in a pot on a sunny patio. 

Hydrangea paniculata Sundae fraise

Hydrangea

Common Name: HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Sundae fraise'Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July to October/Green and white to pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m x 2mSpecial features: Large flowerheads of tiny flowers that emerge green and white, then turn pink. Hydrangea paniculata 'Sunday fraise' is a more compact version of the commonly known Vanilla fraise variant, and is the perfect addition to any small garden and can also be grown in a pot.

Hydrangea petiolaris

Climbing Hydrangea

Common Name: Climbing HydrangeaLatin Name: Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolarisSoil: Any not too dry, but well-drained soil.Position: Partial or full Shade.Hardiness: AverageEventual height/spread: 10m x 7mSpecial features: Dark green oval leaved climbing plant which develops bold heads of white flowers.Hydrangea Petiolaris a native to north eastern Asia is a strong climbing plant which can be used to cover large walls or objects. Its medium growth habit and hardiness to various conditions make it excellent choice for any garden. This climbing plant provides attractive green foliage with clusters of strong white heads of flowers.

Lonicera Halliana

Japanese Honeysuckle

Common Name: Japanese HoneysuckleLatin Name: Lonicera japonica 'Halliana'Soil: Any fertile, humus rich, moist, well drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shade, will also tolerate full shade. Exposed or sheltered.Hardiness: Full hardy down to -15°C needs no frost protectionFlowering Period: April to AugustFlowering Colour: Pure white turning dark yellow with ageEventual Height/Spread: 10m x 3mSpecial features: Highly fragrant white flowers followed by shiny black berries in Autumn.Lonicera japonica 'Halliana' is a vigorous' evergreen honeysuckle which becomes smothered with highly fragrant pure white tubular flowers from April to August. The leaves are dark green and produce shiny black berries in autumn. This Japanese Honeysuckle will cover just about anything you want it too and is particularly useful in coastal. Very attractive to wildlife.

Lonicera Mint Crisp

Honeysuckle

Common Name: HoneysuckleLatin Name: Lonicera japonica 'Mint Crisp'Soil: Any fertile, Humus Rich, moist, well drainedPosition: Full sun or partial ShadeHardiness: Hardy down to -15°CFlowering Period: April to AugustFlowering Colour: White, changing to creamy gold with age.Eventual Height/Spread: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Semi-evergreen honeysuckle with bright green and white mottled leaves.Lonicera 'Mint Crisp' is a vigorous climber, usually evergreen or semi-evergreen in colder areas. This honeysuckle has attractive bright green and white mottled foliage. Clusters of very sweetly scented flowers appear in summer, white at first and then turning creamy gold with age.

Magnolia stellata

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia TreeLatin Name: Magnolia stellataSoil: Prefers moist, clay soil and either neutral or acidic (Will tolerate lime)Position: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardy and frost hardy down to -18°CFlowering period: SpringFlowering colour: White opening from grey-hairy buds.Eventual height/spread: 3mSpecial features: One of the best magnolias for small gardens.Magnolia stellata is a slow-growing, deciduous and dense shrub that will flower in its first season unlike many other Magnolias. It becomes covered in star-shaped, slightly fragranced, white flowers in spring. This Magnolia is ideal for a small garden due to its slow growth habit. It is also suitable if to be kept it in a container perhaps on a patio.

Magnolia stellata Rosea

Star Magnolia

Common Name: Star Magnolia Latin Name: Magnolia stellata 'Rosea' Soil: Prefers moist, clay soil and either neutral or acidic (Will tolerate lime) Position: Full sun Hardiness: Fully hardy and frost hardy down to -18°C Flowering period: Spring Flowering colour: Pale pink-white Eventual height/spread: 3m/3m Special features: Masses of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. The 'Rosea' is a beautifully compact deciduous shrub which has so much to offer. The flowers are, of course, its best feature and these usually appear in abundance in March. The star-shaped flowers appear on the branches before the leaves and make the most beautiful floral display: they open as a rosy pink colour, then fade to pale pink and then to white. The leaves are mid-green with a glossy sheen and some leaves have a bronzed tint in late summer. This magnolia is a slow grower, so it’s perfect for smaller spaces. It will eventually have a bushy, yet compact, habit. Make sure you plant this in a sunny spot, but with some shelter so that it is not too exposed to the elements.

Magnolia stellata Royal Star

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia Royal StarLatin Name: Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'Soil: Moist soil all year round, avoid very dry or very wet soil.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: March/white (fragrant)Hardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height/spread in 10 years: 2.5m-4m/2.5m-4mSpecial features: RHS Award of Garden Merit. Pale pink buds open in early spring to fragrant white flowers with attractive, narrow strap-like tepals. Deciduous habit. This is an especially fine variety of Magnolia, deservedly carrying an RHS Award of Garden Merit. The compact habit makes it very suitable for smaller gardens. Magnolia 'Royal Star' rarely reaches 5m tall, and can be little wider than it is tall. The flowers are of particular note in this variety as they appear as large white star-burst shapes against the unclothed branches. They would show particularly well, planted against a dark evergreen background. Being a statement tree of the colder months, this variety would be best planted in a location that can be easily viewed from indoors, or in a front garden.The flowers of this tree are really very striking and so it would work particularly well if planted as the highlight or dominant feature of a small garden. This is perhaps the earliest flowering of the Magnolias, and so it location should be chosen with care in areas prone to hard frost. The early flowering, however, means that this tree can provide succession flowering if planted alongside apple and pear trees, as the time of blooming is likely to precede that of the fruit tree blossom.

Malus Admiration

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Admiration'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/Clusters of large white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 3mSpecial features: Red bronze fruitsThe Malus 'Admiration' is fantastic tree for a restricted space as it has an upright growing habit and is naturally dwarf. The intricate branches become heavily clad with masses of waxy white flowers in spring; these are later followed by a plentiful supply of fruits. The crab apples are fairly small and hold a glowing bronzed-red colour which really brings life to a winter garden. This tree has a high resistance to disease and is also the ideal candidate for patio planting.

Malus Evereste

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Evereste'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Soft pink once opened.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m/4mSpecial features: Yellow/orange-red fruits in autumn.The Malus 'Evereste', a stunning variety of Crab Apple Tree, is a delightful addition to any garden or landscape. With its abundant spring blossom, ornamental fruit, and vibrant autumn foliage, it adds beauty and colour to outdoor spaces throughout the year.Thriving in well-drained soil and adaptable to varying light conditions, the Malus 'Evereste' offers versatility and resilience. In spring, it displays a profusion of pink buds that open to reveal delicate white flowers, creating a breathtaking scene.As the seasons progress, the Malus 'Evereste' keeps things interesting. In summer, its foliage provides a lush backdrop, while in autumn, the leaves transition to shades of gold and bronze, offering a stunning display of seasonal colour.One of the standout features of this tree is its ornamental fruit. In late summer and early autumn, it bears clusters of small, red or orange fruit, which add a pop of colour and attract wildlife to the garden. With a projected height of 5 metres and a spread of 4 metres in 20 years, the Malus 'Evereste' is a compact and manageable tree, making it suitable for gardens of various sizes. 

You can plant it as a standalone specimen to showcase its spring blossom or use it in mixed planting schemes. Add a Malus ‘Evereste' to your space today and enjoy rich colours throughout the seasons.

Malus Golden Gem

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Golden Gem'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Pale pink and whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m/4mSpecial features: Persistent small yellow fruit.Malus 'Golden Gem' is a compact, neat grower which is excellent for the small garden or patio. In spring an abundance of fragranced, pale pink and white flowers appear. The best feature of the 'Golden Gem' is the glossy clusters of bright yellow fruits which last and last. A hardy tree with little disease.

Malus Gorgeous

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Gorgeous'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Soft pink once opened.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Large, glossy red fruitMalus 'Gorgeous' is a small tree with arching branches that hold quite large, dark green, shiny leaves. The foliage develops to a yellow/bronze colour which contrasts beautifully with the attractive fruits.There are large flowers, around 3cm across, which are soft pink when they open and whiten with age. The tree fruits profusely, producing bright red coloured crab apples which make a fantastic crab apple jelly. It is certainly is a very appropriately named tree.

Malus hupehensis

Chinese Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Chinese Crab Apple, Hupeh Crab or Tea Crab Apple Latin Name: Malus hupehensis or Malus theifera or Pyrus malus theifera.Soil: Moist or well drained; acid, alkali or neutral soil. Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: Spring/White Hardiness: Fully hardy (to below -20°C).Height and spread in 10-20 years: 4-8m/4-8mSpecial features: Pink buds in spring, followed by white fragrant flowers. Red crab apple fruits 1cm width in autumn. RHS Award of Garden Merit. The Queen Elizabeth Maple is an attractive medium sized crab apple tree. It is a deciduous tree, dropping its leaves in autumn. In spring, pink buds appear and they open to fragrant white flowers, about 3cm across. The flowers give rise to crab apple fruits, about 1cm across, providing a pleasing display in the autumn months. This tree carries an RHS Award of Garden Merit, indicating that it is a reliable performer in the garden. This species is best suited to a medium sized garden, being a little too large for a compact space. However, it makes a striking statement in a space that will accommodate its form. For smaller gardens it is worth considering Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel', Malus tschonoskii, and Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet'.

Malus Indian Magic

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Indian Magic Crab Apple Tree Latin Name: Malus 'Indian Magic’ Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April/Pink Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height and spread: 6m/3m Special features: Bright fuchsia pink flowers and bronzed leaves The ‘Indian Magic’ is a delightful tree which offers varying interest throughout the seasons. In spring, bronze-green leaves appear and these are soon accompanied by fuchsia pink flowers. The flowers are sweetly scented and are popular with wildlife. Over summer, the bronzed leaves hold their colour, before falling in autumn. From October onwards, red-orange fruits appear and these last for several months: a great natural bird feeder over winter.

Malus Jelly King

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Jelly King Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Jelly King'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features:  Large, orange-pink fruits ideal for making jelly. Malus 'Jelly King' is a vigorous but compact tree recently introduced to the UK from New Zealand. Large pink buds open in spring to cover the tree with masses of white blossoms. The clusters of large, orange-pink fruits that follow remain on the tree until late winter- unless the birds get to them first. There are many culinary uses for the fruit and it will make an excellent pink jelly.

Malus Red Sentinel

Crab Apple Tree

Malus Red Sentinel is a broadly upright deciduous tree, which gardeners love for its ever-changing year round interest. The Crab Apple Red Sentinel jumps into gear in early spring. The bright green leaves emerge and remain green throughout summer before turning golden-yellow in autumn. Spring also brings a scatter of pretty pink-white flowers which cover the tree and contrast beautifully with the green leaves. In autumn the flowers are replaced by small, cherry-like fruits that have a glossy coating. The deep red colours give your garden a real autumnal feel and the fruit also attracts local wildlife. Plus, the ruby-red fruits last through much of winter, making the Malus Red Sentinel a true spectacle all year long. 

The Crab Apple Red Sentinel flourishes in well-drained, fertile soil and is adaptable to full sun or partial shade. It will reach a height of around 5 metres with a spread of about 4 metres over 20 years, making it a great addition to gardens large or small.

 What gardeners also love about the Red Sentinel is that it’s pollution tolerant.Grow a Malus Red Sentinel today and enjoy its year-round show of colour. Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Large clusters of red fruits which persist all winter.

Malus Sun Rival

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Sun Rival'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Pink opening white.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 10 years: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Bright red fruits in autumn. Disease resistant.This is an unusual semi-weeping (umbrella) crab apple tree which is ideal for the smaller garden. The 'Sun Rival'  features delicately arching branches that are studded with white flowers that open from pink buds. Bright red fruits appear in Summer and hang from the branches in a 'cherry-like' manner. Completely disease free.

Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’

Japanese pachysandra

Common Name: Japanese pachysandra Latin Name: Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Carpet’ Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 20cm/ 90cmSpecial features: A verdant, spreading plant that is perfect for ground cover If you want to add a year-round carpet of green to a bed then this pachysandra is an excellent choice. This mat-forming plant will give good, low-maintenance ground coverage as the rich green leaves form in loose rosettes and make a textured, verdant carpet. In summer you also get the added interest of white, tubular flowers that sit neatly amongst the foliage. This attractive plant has the added bonus of deterring weeds and it works particularly well when planted underneath the light shade of a tree or shrub.

Pieris Purity

Variegated Lily

Common Name: Variegated Lily-of-the-valleyLatin Name: Pieris 'Purity'Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained acid soil or a good ericaceous compost.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/ colour: April and May/snow white bell like flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1m x 1mSpecial features: Compact habit with abundant white bell like flowers in springPieris 'Purity' is a spectacular sight in spring with its semi erect clusters of snow white flowers against the rich green foliage. The bronzy new growth following on to rich green will highlight any border or large container.

Prunus Ivensii

Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree

Common Name: Yoshino Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus x yedoensis 'Ivensii'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: March to April/Pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/4mSpecial features: Pure white spring flowers that cover the weeping branches in a cloud of floral snowThe 'Ivensii' is a highly desirable weeping tree which features a pendulous framework that is covered in pure white flowers in early spring. The delicate flowers open from pale pink buds and they carry the most delightfully sweet almond scent. The foliage is vibrant green and the ovate leaves have finely serrated edges; the leaves turn to a crisp yellow-orange colour before falling in autumn. Even after all the leaves have fallen, the delicate weeping framework can still be appreciated in winter - particularly when its hanging branches are topped with snow. This tree is a great asset to the smaller garden. 

Prunus Snow Showers

Weeping Cherry Tree

Common Name: Weeping Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus incise 'Snow Showers'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: March /Pure WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 2.5m/2mSpecial features: A small narrow weeping cherry which gives a cascade of pure white blossom. Prunus 'Snow Showers' is a compact weeping tree, which is perfect for restricted spaces. It boasts luscious green leaves, delicate white flower and a strong autumn colour. In spring, when the flowers arrive, the ‘Snow Showers’ is a sight to behold: the pendulous branches are awash with the most beautiful display of pure white flowers. The weeping branches cascade downwards and are covered in the single, pure-white flowers. The flowers are popular with the first of the spring bees and the flowers have a light and fresh scent. The spring leaves appear with the last of the flowers and the mid-green leaves are ovate and serrated. The leaves really come to life in autumn when they produce a final burst of colour: they turn to scorching shades of deep reds and oranges before falling. The weeping frame adds interest in winter and it looks particularly beautiful when topped with snow. This is a great choice for wreathing with lights during the Christmas period as the pendulous branches look wonderfully elegant when lit up. Maintaining a wonderfully compact habit, the 'Snow Showers' is the ideal choice for planting in a small space. Even when mature, this delightful tree has a compact form, making it suitable for planting in a large pot on a sunny patio. Equally, planting two 'Snow Showers' trees either side of a pathway makes a beautiful entrance to the garden. This versatile tree is well-suited to a range of situations and is certainly worthy of planting in any garden. If you want to plant this in a pair or a group, it works really well with Prunus 'Kiki Shidare Zakura' or Prunus 'Pendula Rubra' as the contrasting flowers from both of these trees looks stunning next to the white flowers of the ‘Snow Showers’.

Vinca minor alba

Small White Periwinkle

Common Name: Small White PeriwinkleLatin Name: Vinca minor f. albaSoil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, partial shade and full shade.Flowering period/colour: April to September/ Violet blueHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 0.4m/1.2mSpecial features: Pretty white flowers that are long-lasting from April to September. This periwinkle stands out from most periwinkle varieties as the flowers are not the usual purple, but are a soft white colour instead. The single, star-shaped leaves flower from April to September and the dark green leaves cover the shrub all year round. This is the perfect shrub for groundcover and the creeping shoots will naturally work their way over a wall for a cascading floral and foliage waterfall effect.

Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll

Lesser Periwinkle

Common Name: Lesser periwinkleLatin Name: Vinca minor ‘Gertrude Jekyll’Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, partial shade, full shade.Flowering period/colour: April to September/pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 0.2m x 0.5mSpecial features: A creeping evergreen with pure white flowers which appear from April to September  This periwinkle features a luscious display of glossy green lance-shaped leaves that hold on this creeping plant all year round. From April to September pure white flowers appear and these look beautiful against the dark green foliage. The ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ is a creeping plant and so it will provide excellent groundcover in a border. You can plant this next to another Vinca, like the ‘Ralph Shugart, to get evergreen foliage and different coloured blossom during the growing season.

Weigela x hybrida ‘Towers of Flowers’ Apple Blossom

  Common Name: Weigela ‘Towers of Flowers’ Apple Blossom Latin Name: Weigela x hybrida ‘Towers of Flowers’ Apple Blossom Soil: Well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/ pink and white Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.2m/ 0.9mSpecial features: An upright, flowering shrub that creates a pillar of colour If you want to add colour, structure and height to a bed or border then this Weigela is a fantastic choice. The habit of this hardy shrub is its most notable feature: it is columnar and maintains an upright form, making it ideal for adding structure to your garden. In terms of foliage, the ovate leaves emerge a bronzed green in spring and mature to a darker green by summer; in May, the handsome foliage is accompanied by clusters of pale pink- white flowers that resemble apple blossom. You can plant this low-maintenance shrub in a sunny border or in a good-sized patio pot. Trustpilot