Winter

Hamamelis Diane

Witch Hazel

Common Name: Witch HazelLatin Name: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'Soil: Moist, well drained, Neutral to acid (Lime free)Position: Full sun/partial shadeHardiness: HardyFlowering period: Late winterFlowering colour: Dark red petalsEventual height/spread: 4m/4mSpecial features: Clusters of fragrant striking flowers throughout winter.Hamamelis 'Diane' is an elegant shrub that is grown for its clusters of fragrant dark red flowers. The sweetly scented flowers have slender petals that resemble ribbon, the unusual flowers appear late in winter on bare branches. The leaves are rounded and bright green until autumn when they turn red and yellow. A unique shrub which makes a fantastic specimen plant.

Hamamelis Jelena

Witch Hazel

Common Name: Witch HazelLatin Name: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'Soil: Moist, well drained, neutral to acid (Lime free)Position: Full sun/partial shadeHardiness: HardyFlowering period: January/FebruaryFlowering colour: Green/red petalsEventual height/spread: 4m/4mSpecial features: Clusters of fragrant striking flowers through winter.Hamamelis 'Jelena' is an elegant, highly fragranced deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading habit. Dense clusters of sweetly scented fiery orange/red flowers appear on its bare branches in late winter. In autumn its softly hairy green leaves turn a contrasting yellow before they fall

Hamamelis mollis

Chinese Witch Hazel

Common Name: Chinese Witch HazelLatin Name: Hamamelis mollisSoil: Moist, well drained; acid or neutralPosition: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: January to FebruaryHardiness: Hardy in most places in the UK (down to -10°C to -15°C)Height and spread in 10-20 years: 2.5-4m/2.5m-4mSpecial features: Attractively shaped, fragrant, bright yellow flowers in winter on leafless branches. Hamamelis mollis is a large shrub with striking, fragrant, yellow flowers in January and February. The flowers are borne on bare stems, as the plant is deciduous. In summer the shrub is a shapely addition to a border and with attractive green foliage. The great attraction of this shrub is the architecture of the yellow flowers which have long thin strap like petals in a cluster, almost like a small fire on each flower bud. They are most interesting when seen at close range and so that shrub would do well sited by a path that is often used in winter. Hamamelis mollis can be pruned to shape, and used as a hedge, giving it a wide range of uses in garden design. This shrub requires little work to keep it in good condition, so would be very suitable for a low maintenance garden. It prefers and acid or neutral soil and is hardy in most parts of the UK, down to -10°C to -15°C. It grows to 2.5m-4m tall and wide in about 10 to 20 years, and tolerates full sun or partial shade.

Hamamelis Pallida

Witch Hazel

Common Name: Witch HazelLatin Name: Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida'Soil: Moist, well drained, neutral to acid (Lime free)Position: Full sun/partial shadeHardiness: HardyFlowering period: December-FebruaryFlowering colour: Sulphur yellowEventual height/spread: 3m/3mSpecial features: Clusters of yellow, sweetly flowers in winter winter.Hamamelis 'Pallida' is an elegant, broadly vase shaped deciduous shrub or small tree. Highly fragranced sulphur yellow flowers are freely produced on bare branches in late winter. In the autumn the bright green leaves turn a yellow before falling. This Witch Hazel is ideal in a winter border.

Jasminum nudiflorum

Winter Jasmine Plant

Common Name: Winter JasmineLatin Name: Jasminum nudiflorumSoil: Any moist, fertile, well drained soil, add organic matter before plantingPosition: Full sun or partial Shade, will also tolerate majority shade.Hardiness: Frost hardyFlowering Period: January to MarchFlowering Colour: Lemon yellowEventual Height/Spread: 3m x 3mSpecial features: Yellow flowers burst out in winter right through to spring and sometimes the early summer period.Jasminum nudiflorum is an arching deciduous shrub that is easily trained into a wall climber using any form of frame. Fragrant lemon yellow flowers burst through the cold weather in January right through until March then dark green leaves appear through the rest of the spring and summer period. The Winter Jasmine is great for covering smaller areas such as a small fence or garden shed.

Magnolia grandiflora Goliath

Bullbay Goliath

Common Name: Bullbay Goliath Latin Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Goliath' Soil: Moist, well-drained, tolerates chalkPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: August-September/ Creamy whiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m/12mSpecial features: Very large goblet-shaped creamy white flowers in late summer. As the name suggests, the 'Goliath' grows to be a tall, large and mighty tree that will become a real focal point of your garden. The glossy dark green leaves are extremely large and can be up to 25cm long on a mature specimen. With this being an evergreen variety, the leaves hold on the tree all year round which adds interest to your garden during the winter months. The flowers are arguably the finest feature of this tree as these are up to 30cm wide and are goblet-shaped, sweetly scented and creamy white in colour.

Malus Direktor Moerland

Improved Profusion Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Improved Profusion Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Direktor Moerland'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/ Dark purple-pinkHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Coppery-crimson, shiny foliage. Very good disease resistance.Malus 'Direktor Moerland' is an improved form of the very popular Malus 'Profusion' with an exceptional resistance to scab. This small tree becomes covered in late April and May with wine-red, slightly fragrant flowers which are followed in autumn by small dark red fruits. The young foliage is a coppery-crimson and continues to look healthy throughout the summer.

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 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 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.

Prunus Ivensii

Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree

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

Prunus Maackii

Manchurian Cherry Tree

Common Name: Manchurian Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus 'Maackii'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May/ White Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 6m x 4mSpecial features: Highly attractive cinnamon coloured peeling bark and white flowers The 'Maackii' is a true rival for the highly popular ‘Tibetica’ as it features glowing cinnamon-coloured bark that peels away as the tree matures. The bark is highly recognisable due to its glossy bronzed coating, and as the tree matures the bark becomes fissured and rugged. The flowers are also of great interest and these arrive in spring; the small white flowers are sweetly scented and open in racemes all over the tree in May. The leaves are of the typical prunus shape, with a vivid green colour and slightly serrated edges. The ornamental bark of this tree makes it the perfect choice for winter interest; a great all-rounder.

Tilia Pallida

Kaiser Linden Lime Tree

Common Name: Kaiser Linden Lime TreeLatin Name: Tilia 'Pallida'Soil: Any moist but well drainedPosition: Full sun or light shadeHardiness: HardyFlowering Period: SummerFlowering Colour: YellowEventual Height/Spread after 20 years: 15m/ 15mThe Tilia 'Pallida' is a wonderful variety of lime, it is also known as the 'Kaiser Linden' tree which actually means King's Lime. This tree has an upright growth habit and it forms a broadly pyramidal shape, which can become more rounded with age. The ascending branches hold heart-shaped green leaves that have yellow undersides; they are accompanied in summer by umbels of pale yellow fragrant flowers which are later replaced by small, spherical, furry fruits.  A further interest is added in winter, after leaf fall, when you can see the reddish brown fresh shoots. This tree is a very popular avenue tree worldwide, particularly in Berlin where they planted an avenue of these trees which is famously called this 'Unter den Linden' or 'Under the Linden Trees'. Other uses for this tree include screening and parkland planting.