Spring

Magnolia grandiflora Exmouth

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Evergreen Magnolia ExmouthLatin Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Exmouth' Soil: Prefers moist, clay soil and either neutral or acidicPosition: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardy and frost hardy down to -18°CFlowering period: Late summer onwardsFlowering colour: CreamEventual height/spread: 10m/10mSpecial features: Evergreen leaves and large creamy white flowers. The 'Exmouth' is a delightful evergreen variety of magnolia which offers interest all year round. The large, glossy leaves are a rich, dark green colour and are oblong shaped; the leaves make the perfect foil for the outstanding floral display which comes from late summer onwards. The flowers are extremely large and can be around 30cm across and these are bowl-shaped and a creamy white colour. The eye-catching flowers carry a sweet scent and are very popular with pollinating insects like bees.

Magnolia grandiflora Francois Treyve

Magnolia Tree

Latin Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Francois Treyve' Soil: Moist, well-drained, tolerates chalkPosition: Full sun Flowering period/colour: July-August/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 10 years: 5m/3m (can be pruned to be kept smaller)Special features: Large white flowers that are sweetly scented and glossy evergreen leaves. This is an outstanding variety of magnolia which features the most beautiful white flowers that appear in July and August. The flowers open from a tulip shaped bud and then open up to a bowl-like shape of scented white petals. This magnolia is a French native and even though it was propagated over 100 years ago it is still quite a rare find here in the UK. It features thick and glossy dark green leaves that are ovate in shape and large in size, with this magnolia being an evergreen variety it adds a healthy dose of colour to your garden all year round.

Magnolia kobus

Northern Japanese Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Northern Japanese Magnolia Latin Name: Magnolia kobusSoil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 10m/6mSpecial features: Delicate white flowers that appear on bare stems in April. The kobus is a wonderful variety of Magnolia and the large white flowers are a welcome addition to any garden in early spring. When mature, the flowers well and truly smother the tree and create a vision of snowy white. The spring flowers later become fruits and the pink fruits split to reveal vivid scarlet seeds, which are popular with the birds. This deciduous tree holds vivid green leaves in spring and summer and the obovate leaves are delicately aromatic. This tree is a Japanese native and it is well-suited to being planted in a medium-sized garden.

Magnolia Louisa Fete

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia Louisa FeteLatin Name: Magnolia salicifolia 'Louisa Fete'Soil: Appreciates consistent moisture throughout the year, avoid very dry or very wet soil.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: April-May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height in 10 years: 5m Special features: Dainty conical tree, white flowers in early Spring.Magnolia Louisa Fete is a dainty conical Magnolia from van Gimborn Arboretum in Holland. It is deciduous with narrow small leaves, compared to the majority of Magnolias. The petite white flowers are borne in April-May.

Magnolia Merrill

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia TreeLatin Name: Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill'Soil: Chalky, alkaline, clay, heavy, dry, sandy,Position: Enjoys a sheltered spot in full or partial shade.Hardiness: Full hardy, frost hardy down to -12°CFlowering period: SpringFlowering colour: WhiteEventual height/spread: 10m/8mSpecial features: Goblet-shaped, fragranced white flowers open up to a beautiful star shape on this deciduous small tree.Magnolia x loebneri 'Merrill' is a vigorous small tree with large, white and sweetly scented blooms in spring. These flowers, which are goblet-shaped at first, become star-shaped as they open up. The flowers open on to bare branches in spring, contrasting with the delicate brown branches, which creates a lovely effect. This deciduous tree features oblong leaves which retain a green colour throughout spring, summer and autumn. This Magnolia is best placed in an area close to where people can fully appreciate the scented flowers.

Magnolia Sieboldii

Chinese Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Chinese Magnolia, Oyama MagnoliaLatin Name: Magnolia SieboldiiSoil: Average, medium moisture, well-drained soils; preferably acid or neutral.Position: Part shade in warmer climates or full sun elsewhere. Flowering period/colour: Early summer until September.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 4-8m/8mSpecial features: Attractive, fragrant, cup-shaped white pendulous flowers, with rich red stamens. Handsome foliage. Historical species from dinosaur era. Chinese magnolia is a handsome spreading tree with dark green oval leaves and white cup-shaped pendulous flowers with striking floral organs within. The magnolia is a species with a long running history. Floral organs from these plants have been found in the fossil record, so that the plants are known to have been contemporaries of the dinosaurs. This species is native to China, East-Asia, Japan and Korea, but it settles extremely well in the UK and can be grown quite successfully as far north as Finland, where a specimen is grown in the Arboretum Mustila. Most Magnolias flower in the spring, but this species flowers from early summer through to September, providing a long period of interest. The plant is best sited where the flowers can be seen from below as their red stamens are a particularly attractive feature. Chinese magnolia prefers part shade in warm climates but can accommodate full sun elsewhere. It is best pruned late summer or winter to avoid bleeding of sap. Very little pruning is required and the tree’s naturally attractive shape benefits from being left to develop naturally.

Magnolia soulangeana

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia TreeLatin Name: Magnolia x soulangeanaSoil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m/4mSpecial features: Stunning spring blossom. Large, showy flowers. Deciduous foliage. The Magnolia soulangeana is a favourite for garden enthusiasts up and down the UK. This is mainly due to its eye catching seasonal displays!

 Flourishing in well-drained, loamy soil and performing best in full sun or partial shade, it graces your garden with a magnificent array of pink, purple, or white blossoms in spring.Beyond its floral display, this tree offers large, showy flowers and a lush foliage that transitions through the seasons, painting the landscape with vibrant hues of green before adorning itself with the golden shades of autumn.With a commanding height of 4 metres and a generous spread of 4 metres over 20 years, this Magnolia Tree really is a sight to behold.Pick up a Magnolia soulangeana today and watch the impressive spring scenes unfold in your outdoor space.

Magnolia Spectrum

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia SpectrumLatin Name: Magnolia × soulangeana 'Spectrum'Soil: Appreciates consistent moisture throughout the year, avoid very dry or very wet soil.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: April-May/Pinky-purpleHardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height/spread in 10-20 years: 4-8m/4-8m Special features: RHS Award of Garden Merit. Large, goblet-shaped flowers. Pink-purple from base to tip outside and pale pink inside. Deciduous tree with upright form. Magnolia 'Spectrum' is a fine, later flowering example of the Magnolia group, with a upright form and large goblet-shaped flowers in spring. The flowers are pink-purple from base to tips outside and lighter pink on the inside. This variety has an award of garden merit from the RHS indicating that it reliably produces a fine display. It is a sibling hybrid to 'Galaxy', with larger flowers and broader habit. 

Magnolia Yellow Bird

Magnolia Tree

Common Name: Magnolia Yellow BirdLatin Name: Magnolia x brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird'Soil: Appreciates consistent moisture throughout the year, avoid very dry or very wet soil.Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: April, yellowHardiness: Fully hardy in the severest European climates (to below -20°C).Height and spread in 20-50 years: 6 to 12m/3 to 8mSpecial features: Attractive yellow flower and soft oval leaves. Architectural open tree structure, suitable to be a statement tree for a small garden. This is a fine, yellow-flowering Magnolia tree with large cup-shaped yellow flowers borne in April. This is quite a large tree and would suit a larger space, with room for the tree to fill out over time. The yellow flowers are borne on unclothed stems, and so the tree would best be sited against a background that contrasts with the intense yellow colour. This might perhaps be a blue sky viewed from below, or from a distance.

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 Golden Hornet

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Golden Hornet'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: long-lasting, spherical, golden-yellow fruitThe Malus ‘Golden Hornet’ is a wonderfully compact crab apple tree. It features pretty, fragrant white flowers which are flushed pink and appear in May/June. Masses of golden-yellow crab apples emerge in early autumn and attract an array of wildlife to your garden. This tree starts out upright and spreads to an oval-headed shape with age. The densely-packed branches hold deep green leaves which fade to yellow in autumn. The crab apple fruits are one of the best features of this tree as they hold well into winter.

Malus Harry Baker

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple Harry BakerLatin Name: Malus 'Harry Baker'Soil: Chalky, sandy, clay, loamyPosition: Full sun or partial shade    Hardiness: HardyFlowering period: SpringFlowering colour: PinkEventual height/spread after 20 years: 5m/5mThe Malus 'Harry Baker' is a lively, colourful addition to any garden due to its eye-catching large fuchsia-pink flowers which appear in spring. This deciduous crab apple tree holds rich green leaves, which are accompanied by red fruits in autumn. The glossy red fruits bring vivid colour to a winter garden; pick the fruits when ripe to make a tasty crab apple jelly.

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 Laura

Laura Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Laura Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Laura'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/Pink and WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 10 years: 3m x 1.5mSpecial features: Ideal for small gardens due to its naturally dwarf habit.Malus 'Laura' is a naturally dwarf tree with a good upright habit suitable for even the smallest garden. This charming variety of Crab Apple Tree is the perfect combination of seasonal colour and fruit.

 With its profuse spring blossom, decorative fruit, and compact growth habit, it can light up any outdoor space.Thriving in well-drained soil and adaptable to varying light conditions, the Malus ‘Laura’ is a resilient specimen. 

In spring, it showers your garden with an abundance of pale pink to white flowers, which are also fragrant.As the seasons move forwards, the Malus ‘Laura’ continues to deliver. In summer, its foliage provides a lovely backdrop, while in autumn, the leaves change to shades of gold and bronze, which really dial up the autumnal energy.One of the best features of this tree is its fruit. In late summer and early autumn, it offers clusters of large, maroon fruit, which are adored by local wildlife. The fruits are also perfect for making crab apple jelly due to very high pectin content (the natural gelling agent found in ripe fruits).With a projected height of 3 metres and a spread of 1 metre over a 20 year period, the Malus ‘Laura’ is a compact and manageable tree, making it suitable for gardens large or small.

 The Malus ‘Laura’ can work as standalone tree to show off its spring blossom. Alternatively, you can also plant it in mixed planting projects to give contrast and depth to your space.Pick up a Malus ‘Laura’ today and enjoy its colours, flowers and fruits for years on end.

Malus Mokum

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Mokum Crab AppleLatin Name: Malus 'Mokum'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring/ pinkHardiness: Fully hardyHeight in 20 years: 4mSpecial features:  Pink flowers in spring and glossy red crab apples in autumn.The 'Mokum' produces a delightful display of deep-pink flowers in spring, which are lightly scented and add a burst of colour to your garden. The flowers are complimented by the dark red-green leaves and the branches form an oval-shaped crown when the tree is mature. The inedible red crab apples appear in autumn and these are very popular with the birds.

Malus Pink Glow

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Pink Glow' (Dolgo)Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 6m x 5mSpecial features: Big pink fruits in autumn that make good jelly.Malus 'Pink Glow', also known as Dolgo, is an excellent jelly making crab apple. It has beautiful white blossom in spring. The bright crimson fruit is quite large and ripens in early September. It makes an excellent red jelly and the fruits are popular with wildlife too. Pink Glow is disease resistant and a good alternative to John Downie. A fantastic ornamental tree which will add a burst of colour to any garden.

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 Snowcloud

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Snowcloud'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Pale pink buds opening to white semi-double to double flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 7m/5mSpecial features: Yellow fruits in the autumn.Malus 'Snowcloud' is a small tree reaching around 7m high in maturity with an upright habit and branches that arch outwards. It is delightful in flower, when the whole tree is clad in snowy double blossoms in dense clusters that have come from pale pink buds. This foliage is a steady green colour until it fades to a bronzed yellow in autumn. The crab apples are small and are a golden yellow colour- they are too small for culinary uses but are a great source of food for wildlife.

Philadelphus Aureaus

Mock orange

Common Name: Mock OrangeLatin Name: Philadelphus coronarius AureusSoil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April-July / pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m / 1.5mSpecial features: Vibrant golden green foliage and fragrant summer flowers.The ‘Aureus’ is a fantastic shrub which really brightens up a mixed bed or border. The ovate leaves are bright yellow when young, later maturing to golden green. In summer, clusters of pretty white flowers cover the shrub and these have a strong and sweet fragrance. This is great for accent planting, particularly next to one of the darker ‘Mock Orange’ forms like the ‘Lemoinei’. The ‘Aureus’ will also tolerate urban pollution or salt-laden air.

Philadelphus Belle Étoile

Mock Orange

Common Name: Mock OrangeLatin Name: Philadelphus ‘Belle Étoile’Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring-summer/Pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.5m / 2.5mSpecial features: Highly scented single white flowers that appear over summer. This Mock Orange is a hardy little shrub that can tolerate salt-laden air and urban sites; it is the perfect choice for planting in a sunny border. The ovate, mid-green leaves are packed on to the gently arching branches and in summer the leaves are accompanied by pretty white flowers. The single flowers are highly fragrant and are popular with wildlife. This is a great little shrub which requires little up-keep.

Philadelphus Snowbelle

Mock Orange

Common Name: Mock OrangeLatin Name: Philadelphus ‘Snowbelle’Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: June to July / Pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.2m / 1.2mSpecial features: Highly scented single white flowers that appear throughout June and July.

Philadelphus Virginal

Mock Orange

Common Name: Mock OrangeLatin Name: Philadelphus ‘Virginal’Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: June to July / Pure whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2.5m / 3mSpecial features: Highly scented single white flowers that appear throughout June and July. Philadelphus ‘Virginal’ is a medium-sized shrub that produces highly scented single white flowers that appear throughout June and July. This plant is a magnet for Bees and other insects and Philadelphus can also tolerate salt-laden air so it can be planted in coastal areas. 

Pittosporum Garnettii

Pittosporum

Common Name: PittosporumLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Garnettii'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ChocolateHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Grey-green leaves edged in cream, which gets a pink flush during the winter.This has elliptic leaves coloured pale green and with a neat but irregular white margin which take on pink tints in the winter. The leaves are held on chocolate brown stems on a shrub that is softly conical in outline, with gently spreading branches. There are tiny chocolate coloured flowers in April. These carry a sweet, floral fragrance somewhat reminiscent of a lily. It makes a lovely specimen.

Pittosporum Irene Paterson

Pittosporum

Common Name: Pittosporum Irene PatersonLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/honey- scented, purple/black-red flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)Eventual height/spread: 2.2m x 1.8mSpecial features: Slow growing evergreen with prettily marbled leaves.A very attractive, rather subtle variety. The leaves are a shiny green and plentifully patterned with white marbling. This catches the light so the shrub appears to shimmer, looking rather ghostly on occasion. The new leaves are creamy white and the winter leaves have a pink tinge. It is very artificial in its appearance and good in an urban setting where its distinctive qualities suit abstract sculpture and gardens given over to hard landscaping.

Pittosporum tenuifolium

New Zealand Pittosporum

Common Name: New Zealand Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring/black and redHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 2.5mSpecial features: An evergreen shrub with curling mid-green foliage The Pittosporum tenuifolium is a fantastic choice for adding a healthy dose of colour to your garden all year round. The leaves are glossy green in colour and have wavy margins and this shrub forms a bushy and broadly columnar shape when it is mature. The shoots are deep purple in colour and they look really effective against the luscious green leaves. This is the perfect choice for planting in a bed or a border, and it looks great when planted alongside another Pittosporum like the ‘Tom Thumb’.

Pittosporum tenuifolium Beach Ball

Pittosporum

Common Name: Beach Ball Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Beach Ball' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Hardiness: Frost hardy (needs winter protection) Eventual height/spread: 1m/1m Special features: Maintains its rounded habit with very little pruning. The 'Beach Ball' is a neat, rounded evergreen shrub that is the perfect choice for adding colour and structure to your garden all year round. The glossy, mid-green leaves are uniformly elliptic in shape and are held on dark purple stems. The spherical shape makes this a wonderful structural feature and, unlike Buxus, it requires very little pruning to maintain its shape. This pittosporum works well as a hedging plant or you can plant it in a large pot. This evergreen is low-maintenance, not only because of its minimal pruning, but also because it does not require much water once it is established. Make sure you give it some shelter in colder areas. 

Pittosporum tenuifolium Golf Ball

Kohuhu

Common Name: Kohuhu Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April-May/ Honey-scented, purple-brown flowers Hardiness: Frost hardy (needs winter protection) Eventual height/spread: 1.2m/1.2m Special features: A neat, rounded evergreen shrub. The 'Golf Ball' is a wonderfully rounded and compact evergreen shrub which is great for adding structure to your garden. The mint-green leaves are uniformly elliptic in shape and are held on dark purple stems, which adds colour to your garden all year round. In late spring small, dark-purple flowers arrive and these have a sweet, honey-like scent. This delightful evergreen requires very little pruning to keep its neat, spherical shape. Plant this in a sunny bed or border, ideally in a sheltered position, to protect it in colder areas. 

Pittosporum tenuifolium Silver Queen

Tawhiwhi

Common Name: Tawhiwhi Silver Queen Latin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen' Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April-May/ Purple flowers Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 4m/2m Special features: Grey-green leaves with creamy variegated margins. The 'Silver Queen' is a delightful evergreen with wavy, silvery green leaves that have creamy-white variegated edges. The leaves are held on dark purple stems and offer interest all year round. Aside from the attractive foliage, small, purple flowers appear in late spring and these are lightly scented, although they can appear sparsely. This Pittosporum forms a fairly upright shrub with a bushy habit and will eventually have a loosely conical shape. Plant this in a sunny spot, but with some shelter from strong winds. If you want a planting partner then the Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson' is another evergreen shrub with contrasting variegated leaves, so the two work well together. 

Pittosporum tobira

Japanese Pittosporum

Common Name: Japanese Pittosporum Latin Name: Pittosporum tobiraSoil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Spring and Summer/YellowHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3.5m/2.5mSpecial features: Glossy evergreen leaves and umbels of yellow spring and summer flowers.Pittosporum tobira is a hardy and resilient shrub which can tolerate drought, strong winds and hard pruning – making it the perfect choice for hedge planting. The dark, glossy obovate leaves will be sure to add a healthy dose of colour to your garden all year round. Better yet, over spring and summer pretty flowers emerge – at first white in colour, soon turning yellow – and these are sweetly scented.

Pittosporum Tom Thumb

Pittosporum

Common Name: Pittosporum Tom ThumbLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Dark purple flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1m x 0.8mSpecial features: An evergreen shrub with bronze-purple leavesWavy-margined, bronze-purple leaves and dramatic, dark grey or black young stems. This compact, rounded evergreen shrub is perfect for providing all-year foliage interest in a sunny, well-drained mixed border. While it sometimes produces honey-scented, dark-purple flowers in late spring and early summer, it's not a reliable flowerer. Protect from cold, drying winds.

Pittosporum Variegata

Varigated Pittosporum

Common Name: Varigated PittosporumLatin Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium VariegataSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Dark purple flowers (unreliable)Hardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 2mSpecial features: Attractive variegated foliage, useful for flower arranging.Dramatic, dark grey or black young stems clothed with wavy-margined, grey-green leaves edged creamy-white. This large, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree makes a great feature for a sunny, well-drained border. An excellent plant for warm coastal areas, where it can successfully be grown as an attractive, variegated windbreak or hedge.

Platanus orientalis Digitata

Oriental Plane Tree

Common Name: Oriental Plane Tree Latin Name: Platanus orientalis 'Digitata'Soil: Well-draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 20/15mSpecial features: Large, deeply cut finger-like leaves that are densely packed onto the branches.The 'Digitata' grows to be a large tree that will become a true garden focal point. The large leaves are deeply cut and dark green in colour with serrated edges and these are accompanied by the fluffy spherical flowers in spring. Another interesting feature of this tree comes with the clusters of spherical burr-like fruits that appear in autumn. Like the popular London plane tree, the Oriental plane also has the distinctive flaking bark when mature. This tree is great for parkland planting or as an architectural tree in a large garden.

Platanus orientalis Minaret

Eastern Plane Tree

Common Name: Eastern Plane TreeLatin Name: Platanus orientalis 'Minaret'Soil: Well-draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 20/15mSpecial features: Large, deeply cut finger-like leaves that are densely packed onto the braches.The 'Minaret' makes a great feature tree for a large garden or parkland site. This tree grows to have a spreading and broadly columnar habit and when it is established the bark will flake to reveal different shades of cream, brown and grey on the trunk. The large leaves are palmately lobed and dark green in summer, later turning to golden brown come autumn. The small and rather inconspicuous summer flowers turn to brown burr-like fruits in autumn which adds further interest. This is a great choice for planting as a feature tree and also works well when planted near to other plane trees for differing interest.

Platanus x acerifolia

London Plane Tree

Common Name: London Plane TreeLatin Name: Platanus x acerifoliaSoil: Well draining reasonably good soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/ Monoecious, with separate male and female flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 25/15mSpecial features: Beautiful shiny mid green, leathery, maple-like leaves.A fast growing handsome deciduous tree that has majestic open branches which hold large shiny leaves. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. Attractive in winter, when prickly ball-shaped fruits hang like baubles, and the flaking mottled cream and brown bark is particularly noticeable. Trustpilot

Polystichum Dahlem

Soft Shield Fern

Common name: Soft Shield FernLatin Name: Polystichum setiferum Dahlem Soil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.8m/0.6mSpecial feature: Fronds that are more upright than most in the speciesThe ‘Dahlem’ is a great choice for structural planting as the fronds are more upright than most others, making this a majestic garden feature. The fronds are divided into fresh, bright green pinnae that add a real splash of colour. This soft shield fern is an evergreen so it’s perfect for brightening up a shady border all year round. This is a simple, yet very elegant, variety and it works really well as part of a naturalistic planting scheme or a woodland style garden. Plant it alongside a darker fern, like the Dryopteris ‘Lepidota Cristata’, for contrasting colours and textures.

Prunus avium

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus aviumSoil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m/12mSpecial features: Beautiful native treeAn attractive and vigorous tree is one of the most attractive native woodland trees in Britain. It features single white flowers which appear in April and May, followed by glossy cherries which are ideal food for the birds.  The tree has grey bark which turns to mahogany shades as the tree ages and begins to peel. The tree is strong growing and healthy with a conical shape in its youth, more spreading and irregular with age. With this being a wild and native tree it looks good in naturalistic mixed planting as one might expect, yet it is versatile enough for avenue planting.

Prunus avium Plena

Wild Cherry Tree

Common Name: Wild Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus avium 'Plena'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m x 12mSpecial features: small reddish fruit.Masses of long-lasting, double white blossom appear in mid-spring with the new leaves, followed by small reddish fruit. Dark green leaves turn rich, vibrant red in autumn. Pyramid shape becoming rounded with age makes it an ideal plant for a woodland garden or as an avenue tree.

Prunus Beni Yutaka

Flowering Cherry Tree

Common Name: Flowering Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Beni Yutaka'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/Deep pink semi-double flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 10 years: 5m x 3mSpecial features: Good autumn colour and deep pink semi-double flowers. (Deciduous)Prunus 'Beni Yutaka' was first introduced from Japan in the 1980's. This spectacular flowering cherry has large semi double open pink flowers with a distinctive centre eye which darkens as it ages. Another feature of this tree is its stunning autumn colours of deep purple and blistering red. This is an extremely healthy and robust variety suitable for any situation.

Prunus Marbled White

Varigated Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Marbled White'Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Green and grey-green leaves blotched with cream.Dense evergreen with large, green leathery leaves with conspicuous white markings, giving them an unusual and very attractive marbled appearance. The variegation is held well in the shade. Makes an excellent thick hedge, or it can be used as a specimen shrub. In spring it produces spikes of fragrant white flowers.

Prunus Rotundifolia

Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'Soil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Tough evergreen shrub suitable for hedging and windbreaks.Dense, bushy, evergreen shrub with large glossy, dark green leaves. It makes an excellent hedging plant, and can cope with deep shade under trees was well as full sun. Small white flowers are produced on spikes in mid-spring, followed by cherry red berries which are harmful if eaten.

Pyracantha Golden Charmer

Firethorn Golden Charmer

Common Name: Firethorn Golden Charmer Latin Name: Pyracantha 'Golden Charmer’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: Summer/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 3m/3m Special features: Bright orange berries that appear in autumn The 'Golden Charmer' is a delightful evergreen shrub which adds colour to your garden all year round. In summer, pretty white flowers appear in clusters and these contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves. The summer flowers later become glossy berries: these are bright orange in colour and last from autumn through until winter. This spiny firethorn is perfect for planting in a border and it’s a great choice for attracting wildlife.  

Pyracantha Mohave

Firethorn Mohave

Common Name: Firethorn MohaveLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Mohave'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: White/SpringHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/2.5mSpecial features: Clusters of orange-red berries in autumnThe 'Mohave' is a thorny evergreen shrub which makes a fantastic hedge or screen. The glossy leaves are ovate and dark-green all year round; these are accompanied by sprays of white flowers in spring, which are replaced by lustrous red berries in autumn. The spiny branches of this bushy shrub make it a great intruder deterrent.

Pyracantha Orange Glow

Firethorn Orange Glow

Common Name: Firethorn Orange GlowLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Orange Glow'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 1.5m/1.5mSpecial features: Glossy orange berries appear in autumn. The 'Orange Glow' firethorn is an upright evergreen shrub which features sprays of small white flowers that appear in summer. The delicate flowers contrast well with the glossy, dark-green leaves that hold all year round. In autumn, bright orange berries appear and these add a burst of colour to the shrub. This Firethorn makes a fantastic hedge and its thorny branches make it ideal for keeping intruders out.

Pyracantha Red Column

Firethorn Red Column

Common Name: Firethorn Red Column Latin Name: Pyracantha coccinea Red Column Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/4mSpecial features: Bright red autumn berries which appear in clusters all over the shrubThe 'Red Column' is an outstanding shrub which makes a fantastic evergreen hedge or screen. The leaves are ovate and dark green in colour and they are accompanied by small white flowers in spring. Come autumn, the flowers transform into glossy red berries which appear in clusters all over the shrub. This hardy firethorn can tolerate a range of harsh conditions, including shaded and costal positions. The dense, thorny habit of the ‘Red Column’ makes it an ideal hedge for keeping intruders out. 

Pyracantha Saphyr Orange Cadange

Firethorn Sapyhr Orange

Common Name: Firethorn Sapyhr Orange Latin Name: Pyracantha Saphyr Orange ‘Cadange’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: May/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 2.5/ 2.5m Special features: Delicate white flowers followed by glossy orange berries The Saphyr Orange is a bold and hardy shrub that features glossy green leaves, which are held on spiny branches. In late spring, a profusion of single white flowers hang in clusters: the pretty are later followed by bright orange berries, which appear in autumn and last until winter. This firethorn is great for attracting wildlife to your garden. The ‘Saphyr Orange’ is a compact shrub it is perfect for a planting in a mixed border, bed or next to a sunny wall.

Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge Cadrou

Firethorn Saphyr Rouge

Common Name: Firethorn Saphyr Rouge Latin Name: Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge ‘Cadrou’ Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: May/White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 3m/3m Special features: Glossy red berries, perfect for attracting wildlife The 'Cadrou' is a wonderful choice for year-round interest. It features narrow leaves, held on spiny branches, that are dark green in colour with a glossy shine to them. In May, single white flowers appear and these are later followed by attractive berries: glowing red berries appear in clusters in autumn, and these are usually around until winter. The berries are a great bird feeder and the flowers are perfect for the bees, so the 'Cadrou' is an ideal choice for attracting wildlife to your garden.

Pyracantha Soleil d'Or

Firethorn Soleil d'Or

Common Name: Firethorn Soleil d'OrLatin Name: Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 3m/2.5mSpecial features: Buttery-yellow berries that appear in autumnThe 'Soleil d'Or' firethorn is an evergreen shrub which is upright in habit and has a dense, thorny nest of branches - making it the perfect hedge for keeping intruders out. The elliptic, waxy, dark-green leaves add interest all year round and they are accompanied by clusters of small white flowers in early summer. Come autumn, further interest is added when sprays of buttery-yellow berries cover the shrub. This hardy firethorn will tolerate a wide range of conditions.

Pyrus Chanticleer

Ornamental Pear Tree

Common Name: Ornamental PearLatin Name: Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/Pure white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread in 20 years: 7m/3mSpecial features: Dark green leaves turn marvelous shades of purple and scarlet in autumn.Handsome, narrow, conical tree bearing clusters of white flowers during April followed by glossy green summer foliage that that turns red and maroon through autumn. An excellent choice of tree for medium to large urban gardens and parks as it tolerates pollution well.