RHS Award of Garden Merit

Acacia bailyana Purpurea

Cootamundra Wattle Tree

Common Name: Cootamundra WattleLatin Name: Acacia bailyana 'Purpurea'Soil: 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: 7m / 4mSpecial features: A striking evergreen with feathery purple foliage.The Acacia bailyana 'Purpurea' is an eye-catching Acacia which boasts purple-tinged foliage; the stems are also purple, sometimes with a red flush, and the feathery leaves later turn to a grey-green colour once they have further developed. The contrast of the old and new foliage makes this a highly attractive ornamental tree. The 'Cootamundra Wattle', as it is commonly called, also offers winter interest with buttery-yellow flowers that appear in late winter and last into spring; the fluffy flowers are spherical in shape and they sit nestled amongst the winter foliage. This is the perfect tree for a sunny spot in the garden and it looks beautiful next to its more verdant relative, the Acacia dealbata, particularly when planted alternately. 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.

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

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree

Common Name: Strawberry TreeLatin Name: Arbutus unedoSoil: Fertile, well-drained soil (tolerates chalky soils)Position: Full sunFlowering period/colour: September to November/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 6m x 5mSpecial features: Strawberry like red fruits in the autumn.Arbutus unedo can either be grown as a shrub, when in bush form, or as a medium sized tree. This tree features attractive shredding brown bark which is highly ornamental. The white flowers are borne in late autumn and since the fruits take 12 months to ripen, the tree bears both mature fruits and flowers at the same time, making it incredibly beautiful. This tree is ideal for any location due to its wind-resistance meaning it can tollerate coastal conditions just as well as any normal garden setting. Trustpilot

Cedrus libani

Cedar of Lebanon

Common Name: Cedar of LebanonLatin Name: Cedrus libani Soil: Moist but well-drained (will tolerate most soil types)Position: Full sun Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 15m+/12m+ Special features: An attractive flat-topped canopy and ovate conesThe Cedrus Libani is an outstanding evergreen conifer which will develop into a hardy specimen. The dark-brown branches are covered in deep-green needles that carry a fresh scent; the branches form flat-topped layers which looks very attractive.  This cedar also has ovate brown cones which look great amongst the green foliage.

Cedrus libani subsp. Atlantica

Atlas Cedar

Common Name: Atlas CedarLatin Name: Cedrus libani subsp. 'Atlantica'Soil: Deep, well-drainedPosition: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height and spread: 25m/ 20m Special features: Dark green needles and a broadly pyramidal shape This beautiful cedar is a native of the atlas mountains in Africa and it thrives in a sunny spot in the garden. It will grow to be broadly pyramidal in shape and its grey-brown stems hold dark green needles that add a healthy dose of colour all year round. The leaves are accompanied by cones that emerge green and grow to hold a dark purple-brown colour come autumn. This is a wonderful choice for parkland planting and it also works well in a medium-large sized garden. We love it alongside the blue-green needles of the Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' as the two trees work as a foil for one another.

Cytisus battandieri

Pineapple Broom Tree

Cytisus battandieri, also known as the Pineapple Broom tree, is a semi-evergreen tree with highly scented yellow flowers. This tree makes a fantastic specimen and it is ideal for a sensory garden. The Pineapple Broom tree gets its unusual common name from the highly-fragranced flowers: they smell like cooked pineapple and carry the most deliciously sweet scent. The flowers are a truly eye-catching feature as they are a vivid golden yellow colour and they really stand out against the foil of the green foliage. The pea-like flowers are held in dense, upright clusters and they are present during June and July. If you want to attract wildlife to your garden, the scent of the flowers is somewhat irresistible to bees and you will find them buzzing around the flowers over summer. The summer flowers are accompanied by a mass of three-lobed silvery green-grey leaves, which can hold all year round in milder winters, making this a semi-evergreen tree. The leaves have the added attraction of a 'velvety' feel to them and they really set those summer flowers off beautifully. This Cytisus has an attractive open, spreading habit and makes an ideal lawn specimen. Equally, the 'Pineapple Broom Tree' is also a great choice for a sensory garden due to its wonderfully scented flowers. You could plant this tree on either side of a walkway or entrance to really benefit from the sweet fragrance of the flowers. In terms of partner planting, we would recommend the Laburnum Vossii as the pendant clusters of the Vossii sit beautifully against the silvery foliage of the Cytisus. Common Name: Pineapple Broom TreeLatin Name: Cytisus battandieriSoil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: June to July/Yellow, erect clusters and are pineapple scented.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m/3mSpecial features: Very large pineapple scented flowers which grow in erect clusters

Eucalyptus gunnii

Cider Gum Tree

Common Name: Cider Gum TreeLatin Name: Eucalyptus gunniiSoil: Neutral to slightly acidic soil that doesn't dry outPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: July to October/White to cream, Hardiness: Fully hardy when matureHeight and spread in 20 years: 12m/5mSpecial features: Silvery blue, rounded, young foliage.Eucalyptus gunnii, commonly known as the Cider Gum Tree, is the perfect addition to any garden or landscape. Its distinctive blue-green juvenile foliage not only provides visual interest but also gives off a wonderful fragrance. Not only is it fast-growing, but it’s also well-suited for various soil types, as long as they are well-drained.Through summer to autumn months, the Cider Gum Tree shows clusters of creamy-white flowers, adding a sparkle to its already striking appearance. With a projected height of 12 metres and a spread of 5 metres in 20 years, this tree will stand tall on its own, or contribute to the formation of a beautiful garden scene.Ideal for full sun exposure, the Cider Gum Tree is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in many climates. Whether planted as a focal point in your garden, part of a windbreak, or even in a container on a sunny patio, the Eucalyptus gunnii is a versatile choice.With its rapid growth and unique features, the Cider Gum Tree resiliently stands tall as a beacon of beauty in any outdoor space. Buy one today and enjoy the sights and scents for years to come.

Photinia Red Robin

Red Robin Tree

Photinia fraseri 'Red Robin' offers year round interest with its vivid red leaves. In spring it has further interest with clusters of white flowers. A fantastic screening tree, hedge or ornamental specimen. If you want unusual foliage, the 'Red Robin' is the perfect choice. The elliptic leaves are finely serrated at their margins and fresh foliage shoots through as a brilliant red colour. The leaves mature to a dark green, but as new foliage continues to emerge red you get a real contrast of colours over the spring period. Mid-spring also sees the arrival of clusters of pretty white flowers, which add further interest. Come autumn, the leaves mature to a bronzed green, which adds great interest over the winter months.   This is a deservedly popular variety and it is largely planted for its versatility. You can plant the 'Red Robin' at the back of a border or you can use it as a screening tree. It can cope with hard pruning, so, when several are planted in a row, you get an informal hedge. You can also clip the 'Red Robin' into a particular shape. In order to get the best leaf colour and the most flowers, ensure you plant this tree in a full sun position with some shelter. Common Name: Red Robin TreeLatin Name: Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'Soil: Fertile well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, Sheltered positionHardiness: Hardy, frost hardy down to -8°CFlowering Period: Mid springFlowering Colour: White flowersEventual Height/Spread: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Evergreen tree with glossy bright red young growth and white flowers in spring.

Polystichum setiferum Congestum

Dwarf Soft Shield Fern

Common name: Dwarf Soft Shield FernLatin Name: Polystichum setiferum CongestumSoil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.3m/0.3mSpecial feature: A dwarf evergreen that is perfect for a compact spaceThis is a delightfully compact fern that looks wonderful at the front of a shady border. The fronds are grey-green in colour and the pinnae overlap. This produces a dense, small mound of feathery foliage and it’s great for adding year-round colour and texture. We love this next to the Doodia media as the two both feature feathery foliage but with contrasting colours.

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)

Taxus baccata Repens Aurea

Ground cover yew

Common Name: Yew Conifer Latin Name: Taxus baccata ‘Repens Aurea’ (AGM)Soil: Will tolerate most soil types. Position: Full sun with partial shadeHardiness: HardyEventual height and spread: 1m - 1.5mSpecial features: Evergreen. Deep green leaves that have yellow margins in spring The ‘Repens Aurea’ is a delightful conifer which eventually forms a spreading mound of deep green foliage. This conifer is 2-3 years old at the moment, and it currently has a ‘Catherine Wheel’ type appearance as its branches are spouting off at different angles and reaching out in different directions. The newer pine-like leaves are bright yellow-green and these contrast beautifully with the more mature darker leaves. This conifer looks great on the edge of a rockery as its pendulous branches will gracefully hang over the border.