Very hardy

Physocarpus opulifolius Dart’s Gold

Ninebark Dart’s Gold

Common Name: Ninebark ‘Dart’s Gold’Latin Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/ White-pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m/2.5mSpecial features: Glowing golden green foliage and corymbs of white-pink flowers.The ‘Dart’s Gold’ is a delightfully compact shrub which features vivid glowing golden green leaves that mature to a rich green colour. The lobed leaves have a red flush when young and they are accompanied by heads of white-pink flowers in summer. The flowers later become red fruits which can be popular with wildlife. On mature plants, the bark peels which adds winter interest. This is a great choice for planting in a flower or shrub bed.

Physocarpus opulifolius Diabolo

Ninebark Diabolo

Common Name: Ninebark 'Diabolo'Latin Name: Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun, partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Summer/ White-pinkHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m/2mSpecial features: Striking dark purple foliage and clusters of white-pink flowers.The 'Diabolo' is a shrub that certainly packs a visual punch: it features dark purple three-lobed leaves that add a rich burst of colour to your garden. In summer, delicate white flowers are packed onto corymbs and the flowers open from pink buds and have a hint of pink in the petals when young. This is a great choice for planting in a mixed shrub border and looks particularly effective when planted alongside a brighter variety like the physocarpus ‘Dart’s Gold’.

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

Polypodium vulgare

Common Polypody Fern

Common name: Common Polypody FernLatin Name: Polypodium vulgareSoil: Well-drained or dry Position: Full sun or partial shade Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.4/0.9Special feature: A fantastic choice for evergreen ground cover This is a really unusual fern, both due to its habit and its optimum growing conditions: the Polypodium vulgare is a low-growing, spreading fern and it prefers to be in dryer soil, rather than moist. If you want attractive, evergreen ground cover then this is a brilliant choice. The deep green fronds are divided into ladder-like pinnae and they are leathery to the touch. This is a British native and is a hardy plant that will add a verdant splash of colour all year round. Try planting it underneath a deciduous tree in a border, particularly if you are creating a woodland style garden.

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.

Polystichum polyblepharum

Japanese Tassel Fern

Common name: Japanese Tassel FernLatin Name: Polystichum polyblepharum Soil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 0.8m/0.9mSpecial feature: New fronds are covered in golden hairs in spring This is a really unique fern that offers interest all year round. In spring new fronds emerge covered in golden hairs, giving this a tassel-like effect. The fronds are wonderfully lustrous and hold a mid-dark green colour in all seasons, making this a highly ornamental fern. The pinnae overlap and are arranged in a shuttlecock-like structure so this a fantastic architectural plant, too. Make sure that you plant this fern in a shady spot and put it alongside another structural fern, like the Matteuccia struthiopteris, if you want to achieve a variety of colours and shapes.

Polystichum setiferum proliferum

Soft Shield Fern

Common name: Soft Shield Fern Latin Name: Polystichum setiferum proliferumSoil: Any moist but well-drained Position: Full shade or partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Eventual height/spread: 1m/0.7mSpecial feature: Mid-green fronds that are tinged with purple This is a soft, light and feathery fern that is a wonderful choice for textural planting. The fronds are mid-green in colour, with a purple tinge on new growth, and are doubly pinnate. In terms of habit this soft shield fern grows upright and becomes tufted as it matures; the soft and feathery fronds overlap and form a mound, which is structurally beneficial. With this being an evergreen it will provide interest all year round. We love this next to an accent fern, like the much lighter Matteuccia struthiopteris, and it is perfect for a shady bed or border with a woodland planting scheme.

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 Etna

Laurel

Common Name: LaurelLatin Name: Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna'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: 2.5m x 2mSpecial features: Coppery coloured young shoots, deep violet berries.A variety of laurel with the additional attraction that all the young foliage is bronzy-orange contrasting well with the glossy dark green mature leaves. Many spikes of scented white flowers in spring. More compact than Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' and thrives in sun or shade. Very dense habit.

Prunus lusitanica

Portugal Laurel

Common Name: Portugal LaurelLatin Name: Prunus lusitanicaSoil: moist but well-drained soil, except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/white flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 10m x 8mSpecial features: Dark green, lustrous elegant leaves.A handsome plant that has presence and dignity. It is conical in shape with dark green, lustrous elegant leaves. There are white flowers in slender upright racemes in early summer but it is primarily grown for its strong shape. There are dark purple-black fruits in autumn. This can be grown as a specimen shrub or used to create an attractive formal hedge.

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.

Quercus palustris

Pin Oak Tree

Common Name: Pin Oak TreeLatin Name: Quercus palustrisSoil: Any deep, well-drained, lime-free soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Male catkins and insignificant female flowers in springHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 9m/5mSpecial features: Unusual deeply lobed, bright green, summer leaves which turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Quercus palustris is a medium sized, deciduous tree first introduced to the UK from North America in the early 1800's. It forms a dense crown with elegant slender branches with unusual deeply lobed, bright green, summer leaves which turn shades of orange and red in autumn. The acorns are held on the tree for 2 years while they mature and are more than half covered by their cups. Although this tree prefers free draining soils it will tolerate heavy clay and once established will also tolerate moderate drought conditions.

Quercus palustris Green Pillar

Pin Oak Tree

Common Name: Pin OakLatin Name: Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar'Soil: Well drained, moist or dry. Acidic or neutral.Position: Full sunFlowering period/colour: April, green, insignificant.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 15m/4mSpecial features: Columnal form, deep green leaves, vibrant red autumn colour.Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' has a tall columnar or fastigiate shape brought about by vertical growth of its branches. This is a great architectural asset in certain garden design situations, particularly as a screen or visual barrier, or as a single specimen plant.This variety thrives in full sun and dry soil, and so makes an ideal shade tree. It can be particularly useful as a street tree providing a visually attractive avenue, as well as shade for pedestrians. The tree is tall and very slim in its youth and spreads a little more in later years, with a slightly different visual effect.The leaves of this species are dark green in summer, and bright, vibrant red in autumn. This ensures lasting appeal though the seasons. The tree is deciduous, and so drops its leaves in winter. The liberated winter structure allows bright light through the canopy, which is a huge advantage for pedestrians or garden users. This tree has a tendency to retain just a few leaves in winter, creating a specific visual effect, which is particularly valued by some. This should be considered when making a choice of variety.Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' is moderately fast growing, reaching about 15m tall and 4 metres wide, and prefers acid or neutral soils. Chlorosis occurs in the leaves in alkaline soil due to iron deficiency. This species is fully hardy in the UK.

Ribes Ben Connan

Ben Connan Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben ConnanLatin Name: Ribes nigram 'Ben Connan'Soil: Well drained, light soilPosition: Full sunFruit picking time: Mid JulyFruit size/colour: Large dark berriesThis is a very early fruiting blackcurrant with large yields. It produces tidy bushes with the berries being born onto very short twigs making them easy to pick. The fruits have a wonderfully rich flavour and make a great healthy summer snack. This variety is known for having excellent pest, disease and frost resistance making it an excellent choice for any garden.

Ribes Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben LomondLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Lomond'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Medium/LargeThis is the first of the 'Ben' varieties which have bought late flowering, good mildew resistance and very heavy yields to blackcurrants. Growth is upright and reasonably compact- the strigs (flower stalks) are short and plump berries have an acid flavour.

Ribes Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben NevisLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Nevis'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Medium/Medium-largeThis blackcurrant is similar to 'Ben Lomond', it flowers and fruits at the same time. The well flavoured berries are borne on short strigs and have pretty good mildew and frost resistance. The growth habit is where the main difference occurs; it is taller, and more vigorous than 'Ben Lomond'.

Ribes Ben Sarek

Ben Sarek Blackcurrant Plant

Common Name: Blackcurrant Ben SarekLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek'Soil: Any well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFruit picking time: Late JulyBush size/fruit size: Small/LargeThe 'Ben Sarek' is a wonderful variety of blackcurrant; it features a heavy crop of large fruits which are bursting with flavour. Another great feature of this blackcurrant bush is it's dwarf nature, growing little over 1m tall. There are in-bred frost resistance properties and this bush also boasts fairly good mildew resistance. Prompt picking before the fruit falls is advised on this variety, this can be done by shaking the bush and catching the falling fruits. 

Ribes Captivator

Gooseberry Captivata

Common Name: Gooseberry CaptivataLatin Name: Ribes uva-crispa 'Captivator'Soil: Slightly acidic, moist soilPosition: Open sunny or slightly shaded spotFruit picking time: Late May onwardsFruit size/colour: Medium to large purple berriesThis plant produces very heavy crops of medium to large purplish pink berries. This is a thornless variety which produces an almost spineless bush. The plants have excellent resistant to mildew and leaf spot

Ribes Titania

Blackcurrant Titania

Common Name: Blackcurrant TitaniaLatin Name: Ribes nigrum 'Titania' Soil: Well drained, light soilPosition: Full sunFruit picking time: JulyFruit size/colour: Large/Purple-blackThe 'Titania' is a new Swedish variety and we predict that this blackcurrant will become very popular in the years to come. As the name suggests, ‘Titania’ produces large blackcurrants and these have a high juice content and an exquisite flavour- making them ideal for juicing. The bush is a heavy cropper and the berries freeze well so they can keep you going over winter. This bush also boasts a good disease resistance, particularly to powdery mildew. A great all-rounder.

Ribes Wellington XXX

Blackcurrant Wellington XXX

Common Name: Blackcurrant Wellington XXXLatin Name: Ribes nigram 'Wellington XXX'Soil: Any soilPosition: Full sunFruit picking time: Mid JulyFruit size/colour: Large dark berriesThis is regarded as one of the most popular species of blackcurrant. It is renowned for its excellent sweet and juicy tasting fruits. The plants will grow vigorously and spread with high crop yields, however can be vulnerable to winter frosts.

Robinia Casque Rouge

Pink Cascade

Common Name: Pink Cascade/ Pink Robinia TreeLatin Name: Robinia x margareta 'Casque Rouge' (aka Pink Cascade)Soil: Best in moist, well drained fertile soil, but tolerates poor soils and drought.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Large Purplish pink flowersHardiness: HardyEventual height/spread: 7m/4mSpecial features: Long drooping clusters of large deep pink flowers in late spring.Robinia x slavinii 'Casque Rouge' is an open, rounded deciduous tree with spiny branches and pinnate leaves made up of many mid green leaflets. Long drooping clusters of large deep pink flowers in late spring are followed by long brown seed pods in the Autumn.

Salix Tortuosa

Corkscrew

Common Name: Corkscrew WillowLatin Name: Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'Soil: Moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/CatkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m/3mSpecial features: Contorted branching, most easily observed in winterSalix 'Tortuosa' also known as dragon's claw willow, has a short trunk and slender, upright stems that soon begin to curl into gentle arcs. The twigs are more noticeably twisted, some of them weeping, and the bright green leaves are slightly curled as well. A weird and wonderful sight in winter when its bare branches form a contorted skeleton.

Solanum Album

White Solanum

Common Name: White SolanumLatin Name: Solanum laxum 'Album'Soil: Any most, fertile, well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial Shade, will also tolerate majority shade.Hardiness: Hardy down to -5c may need frost protectionFlowering Period: July to NovemberFlowering Colour: pure whiteEventual Height/Spread: 6m x 6mSpecial features: White star shaped flowers with yellow centres followed by tiny black berries.Solanum laxum 'Album' is a rapid growing, evergreen, scrambling climber that flowers from summer to the first frosts giving a prolonged period of interest. Striking white star shaped flowers with yellow centres are followed by small black berries. This white Solanum will need some support from planting as it has a very rapid growth habit.

Sorbus cashmiriana

Kashmir Rowan Tree

Common Name: Kashmir RowanLatin Name: Sorbus cashmirianaSoil: Tolerates all soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/Soft pink -whiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 4mSpecial features: large persistent white fruits in autumn.Sorbus cashmiriana is a striking small tree with fine leaflets that give orange or yellow autumn colour. Pink-tinged white flowers in spring are followed by bunches of very large white berries in autumn which are retained well after the leaves have fallen. The tree has an open, spreading habit and a relatively small eventual size, it is the perfect choice for the smaller garden.

Sorbus Chinese Lace

Mountain Ash Tree

Common Name: Mountain Ash, RowanLatin Name: Sorbus 'Chinese Lace'Soil: Moist but well-drainedPosition: Full sunFlowering period/ colour: June/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 3mSpecial features: Dense bunches of dark red autumn fruits.A mountain ash with unusual foliage. The leaflets are long and have deeply incised edges. The young leaf stalks are plum coloured. There are domed heads of white flowers in May and red autumn fruits. The foliage, which can look almost artificial, suits urban settings. It is also attractive at the back of herbaceous borders and other ornamental plantings.

Sorbus commixta

Mountain Ash Tree

Common Name: Mountain Ash TreeLatin Name: Sorbus commixtaSoil: Most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 3mSpecial features: covered in a mass of orange-red berries in autumnSorbus commixta is a small tree with upright growing branches when young, spreading with age. Long pointed, sticky, shiny red leaf buds appear in winter which adds a  great seasonal interest. Glossy green pinnate leaves turn a beautiful red in the autumn. White flowers in spring are followed by large bunches of red berries.

Sorbus discolor

Mountain Ash Tree

Common Name: Mountain Ash TreeLatin Name: Sorbus discolorSoil: Most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 6m x 4mSpecial features: White flowers in late spring followed by red berries in the autumn.Compact and broad, conical tree with upright branches. Leaves are pinnate and made up of lance-shaped, tapered, dark green leaflets that turn yellow to reddish purple in autumn. White flowers bloom in convex clusters and are later followed by red berries which have a creamy-yellow tinge to them.

Sorbus Ravensbill

Ravensbill Rowan Tree

Common Name: Ravensbill Rowan Tree Latin Name: Sorbus commixta 'Ravensbill' Soil: Most soils Position: Full sun or partial shade Flowering period/colour: April to May/ White Hardiness: Fully hardy Eventual height/spread: 6m/5m Special features: Blue-black winter buds that resemble a raven’s bill This distinctive tree gets its name from its winter interest: the winter buds are dark blue-black, with a slight curve, and resemble a raven’s bill. Come spring, pinnate dark green leaves appear and these are soon accompanied by the delicate white flowers. The flowers mature to clusters of small red berries by autumn and the leaves turn to blistering shades of yellow, orange and red before falling. This is a great choice for year-round interest and it is prefect for attracting wildlife to your garden.  

Sorbus vilmorinii

Vilmorins Rowan Tree

The Sorbus vilmorinii, known as the Vilmorins Rowan Tree, is a great addition to any gardener’s dream space.

 The Vilmorins Rowan Tree flourishes in well-drained, fertile soil under full sun or partial shade. In spring, flat-headed corymbs of small creamy-white flowers emerge and are later replaced by attractive berries. 

 The berries are one of the best attributes of this tree; they initially have a crimson-pink colour and the colour slowly drains to a near-white colour. Plus, they’re an inviting treat for local wildlife. Before you know it, your garden will be full of the sounds of chirping and buzzing. As autumn rolls around, the foliage transitions from feathery greens to rich reddish hues and purple tones, which add warmth to any landscape.The delicate, fern-like leaves hang gracefully on the arching branches and contrast beautifully with the summer flowers and the autumn berries. 

With an eventual height of 5 metres and a similar spread of 5 metres, the Sorbus vilmorinii invites you to make it a centrepiece of your outdoor haven. With its compact growth habit, it’s a great choice for smaller gardens.

 Enrich the landscape of your outdoor space with the Vilmorins Rowan Tree today! Common Name: Vilmorins Rowan TreeLatin Name: Sorbus vilmoriniiSoil: Most soils except shallow chalkPosition: Full sun or light shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 5m x 5mSpecial features: Small, undemanding tree with great autumnal colours.