Spring

Prunus sargentii

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Sargent's Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus sargentiiSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Single bowl-shaped, pale pink flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Brilliant orange and red foliage in early autumn (Deciduous)Prunus sargentii is a beautiful flowering cherry tree which features chestnut brown bark and single, pale pink flowers in mid spring. The young foliage is bronze-red which really complients the pretty pink blossom. By summer, the leaves are mid-green and come autumn they fade to a crisp yellow and burnt orange. The tree has a spreading habit and a fairly rounded crown.

Prunus Schubert

Chokecherry Tree

Common Name: Choke Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus virginiana 'Schubert'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/light pink flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 8m x 6mSpecial features: Young green foliage quickly changes to deep reddish-purple.Prunus virginiana 'Schubert' is a medium sized tree with with a conical habit. The Young green leaves quickly change to a deep reddish-purple colour. Light pink flowers in spring are later followed by short-lived dark red-purple fruit. 'Schubert' has a pyramidal habit and makes a fantastic specimen tree. An ideal choice for adding a splash of colour to your garden.

Prunus serrula Tibetica

Birch Bark Cherry Tree

Prunus serrula 'Tibetica', or Birch Bark Cherry as it is commonly known, is a tree that is prized for its ornamental red-brown bark. This tree also boasts willow-like leaves and small, cherry-like fruits. This really is a fantastic tree for year-round interest, as the deep mahogany-coloured bark glistens throughout all seasons. The bark, which peels away in bands with age, makes a really attractive feature in winter as the deep coppery-brown colour stands out in a sleeping winter garden. This is, of course, a flowering cherry tree, so it does have a blossom is spring: the flowers are small, white in colour and are present in April. The bark is by far the most notable feature of this tree, so this is not the choice if you’re after a profusely flowering tree. The deep green leaves are willow-like and cover the tree in spring, summer, before turning yellow in autumn. Autumn also sees the arrival of the small, cherry-like fruits, which are a great natural bird feeder.   This handsome tree was the worthy winner of the RHS' Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 2002, but it was first introduced to the UK back in 1908 by Ernest Wilson. Wilson brought the Tibetan cherry tree over from China and it has been a popular choice since its arrival. This tree needs a sunny spot in the garden for it to really thrive. We would strongly recommend planting it alongside the stunning Betula ‘Snow Queen’, so that the glistening white bark of the ‘Snow Queen’ can contrast beautifully with the deep mahogany sheen of the ‘Tibetica’. This tree also works well when planted as a lawn specimen and, to really set it off in winter, you could add lights to the tree and enjoy the glossy bark being highlighted by the twinkle of the lights. Common Name: Birch Bark Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus serrula 'Tibetica'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Beautiful polished mahogany-like bark.

Prunus Shirofugen

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shirofugen'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 7m x 7mSpecial features: Flowers change colour as the season goes on.Prunus 'Shirofugen' is a late-flowering cherry, often the last to bloom, occasionally lasting into early June. Double white flowers open from pink buds and become purplish-pink as they fade. The young leaves are copper coloured, becoming green with age and turning orange-red in autumn. A great choice for medium sized gardens, this attractive flowering cherry has a spreading habit and an 'umbrella-like' crown.

Prunus Shirotae

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shirotae' (aka Prunus 'Mount Fuji')Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Semi-double snowy white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 3.5m x 5mSpecial features: Fragrant flowers in mid-springLight green new foliage darkens as it matures before turning fiery shades of orange and red in autumn. This tree has slightly curved branches that are shrouded with cup-shaped, scented white flowers in mid-spring. This tree has a uniquely beautiful shape as its spreading branches reach out to form an almost 'flat topped' crown. The 'Shirotae' is a good tree for a small to medium sized garden and will become a real focal feature of your garden.

Prunus Shogetsu

Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Shogetsu' (Prunus 'Longpipes')Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/Pink in bud, pure white flowerHardiness: Fully hardyEventual Height/spread: 4m x 6mSpecial features: Semi-double flowers, pink tinged in bud, later opening pure white.Prunus Shogetsu, the Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree, is a spectacle in any garden space. This captivating specimen is best known for its late spring display - abundant soft pink blossoms that vibrantly light up landscapes.The Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry boasts a graceful weeping habit, adding charm to your garden. Its small, dark green leaves provide a subtle backdrop to the profusion of blossoms, creating a balanced contrast.Thriving in well-drained soil under full sun, Prunus Shogetsu is a hardy tree that shows beauty throughout the seasons. With a projected height of 4 metres and a spread of 6 metres in 20 years, it’s a perfect choice for gardens of many different sizes.Whether planted as a standalone spectacle to steal the spotlight or integrated into a mixed planting project, the Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree adds texture and charm to any garden. Prunus Shogetsu promises not just a seasonal display, but a year-round source of colour. 

Add one to your garden today and enjoy its soft pink hues for years to come.

Prunus Tai Haku

Hill Cherry Tree

Common Name: Great White Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Large WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 7m x 8mSpecial features: Copper coloured young foliage.Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku' is a large, robust cherry with clusters of long-stalked, single white flowers in mid-spring. The leaves open deep purple-bronze, becoming green in summer. The tree has a vigourus, spreading habit and is best suited to a medium sized garden. It makes a great garden specimen and is equally suited as a parkland tree.

Prunus x Yedoensis

Tokyo Cherry Tree

Common Name: Tokyo Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus X YedoensisSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: March to April/Blush-white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 8mSpecial features: Almond scented flowers on slightly weeping branches.Prunus X Yedoensis is a highly attractive tree with elegant, spreading branches which become covered with almond scented, blush-white flowers in March and April. New leaves emerge green and fade to shades of orange and red come autumn. The tree is beautiful when grown as a lawn specimen, and is also lovely when planted in large groups, or as an avenue tree.

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.   

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black Locust Tree

Common Name: Black Locust Tree or False acaciaLatin Name: Robinia pseudoacaciaSoil: Fertile moist, well drained soilsPosition: Full sun, tolerant of drought and pollutionFlowering period/colour: May and June/Pea-like, fragrant white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 9m/5mSpecial features: Large, majestic tree with fragrant flowers.Robinia pseudoacacia, a native only to North America, is an adaptable and tough tree which is tolerant of both drought and atmospheric pollution. Spiny shoots are covered by lush, pale green foliage which turns to a good yellow colour in autumn. Once mature, the bark becomes very rugged and deeply fissured. Fragrant, white pea-like flowers are produced in late spring. This tree is the perfect choice for large gardens.

Salix alba vitellina

Golden Willow

Common Name: Golden Willow Latin Name: Salix alba var. vitelliana Soil: Moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/ Yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 18m/12mSpecial features: Glowing golden stems which give great winter interest.This is an outstanding variety of willow which features highly distinctive golden stems that really stand out in a sleeping winter garden. Slender yellow catkins appear in spring with the new foliage; the leaves are narrowly lanceolate in shape and mid-green over summer, later turning to yellow before falling. When mature, the 'Golden Willow' will have a spreading and bushy habit and can become a real garden focal point. This tree can grow to be fairly large in the right conditions so do ensure that you plant it in a position where it can thrive.

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.

Sambucus Black Beauty

Purple Elder

Common Name: Purple ElderLatin Name: Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Fragrant pink flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Black berriesA very dark foliaged elder. The leaves appear near black, especially in spring. It makes a striking contribution to the border. This will reach 3m in 10 years but you may prefer to keep it hard pruned to maximize the foliage effect. (Harmful if eaten)

Sambucus Black Lace

Black Elder

Common Name: Black Lace ElderLatin Name: Sambucus nigra porphyrophylla 'Black Lace'Soil: Will tolerate most soil typesPosition: Full sunHardiness: HardyFlowering Period: SummerFlowering Colour: Pale PinkThe Sambucus 'Black Lace' is known for its distinctive foliage which is near black in colour, the foliage later develops to a wine-red colour come autumn. The flowers appear in small pink clusters and are followed in autumn by blackish-red berries. The fruits are good for attracting wildlife to your garden- they also make a fantastic cordial or jelly. The 'Black Lace' can be grown as a small tree or large shrub and benefits from a good pruning in early spring.

Sambucus Black Tower

Upright Purple Elder

Common Name: Black Tower Elder / Eiffel 1Latin Name: Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla Black TowerSoil: Will tolerate most soil typesPosition: Full sunHardiness: HardyEventual height/ spread: 2.5m / 1.2mFlowering period/colour: Summer/ Pink- whiteSpecial feature: Tower-like structure and dark purple-black leaves. The 'Black Tower' is aptly named due to its upright and slender habit and unusual trait of its leaves forming right from the base of the plant. The leaves are large, finely serrated at the edges and dark purple-black in colour when mature. This plant needs a sunny position to ensure that the fresh green leaves can develop their darker colouring. In summer, flattened heads of pink scented flowers appear and these are attractive to wildlife. The flowers later become small black berries which are popular with the birds. This is a great choice for planting at the back of a mixed border and it will be sure to add colour and structure to your garden.

Sambucus nigra Golden Spark

Elder

Common Name: Elder ‘Golden Spark’Latin Name: Sambucus nigra 'Golden Spark'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/ white Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 3m/ 1m Special features: Creamy white and green variegated leaves The ‘Golden Spark’ is a hardy shrub with so much to offer. It features ovate green leaves that have golden variegation at the tips of the leaves; these later mature to a creamy white shade and the decorative foliage adds interest from spring until autumn. The summer flowers are borne in large umbels and are yellow-white in colour; the flowers are highly fragranced, making this an excellent choice for a sensory space, and they can also be used to make elderflower syrup. If left, the flowers will become small, black fruits.

Sambucus Sutherland Gold

Golden Elder

Common Name: ElderLatin Name: Sambucus racemosa Sutherland GoldSoil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/Creamy yellowHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Spherical, glossy red berriesConical clusters of creamy yellow flowers in mid spring, followed by glossy, red fruits and deeply cut, bronze young leaves, turning golden yellow. This bushy, deciduous shrub with arching shoots makes a stunning specimen plant for a moist, well-drained border. The delicate foliage is less susceptible to sun-scorch than other golden, cut leaved varieties

Viburnum Summer Snowflake

Japanese Snowball Bush

Common Name: Japanese Snowball BushLatin Name: Viburnum plicatum 'Summer Snowflake'Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Black fruits follow flowers.This attractive shrub is useful for its lengthy flowering season which starts in May or June and can continue for two or more months. In its early years it is a broadly oval shrub, but as it matures the branches develop into tiers, and, when these are covered with snowy domed shaped flower clusters, the effect is dramatic. The leaves are dark green, plump, elongated with a pointed tip, and somewhat leathery.