Winter

Acer capillipes

Snake

Common Name: Snake-bark MapleLatin Name: Acer capillipesSoil: Moist but well drained.Position: Fertile/Partial shade    Hardiness: Fully hardyFlowering period: SummerFlowering colour: YellowEventual height/spread after 20 years: 5m/4mThe Acer capillipes is a handsome tree which is known for its distinctive striated bark, which gave it the common name of ‘Snake bark’. Three-lobed, vivid green leaves appear in spring which later change into a fiery red-orange colour in autumn. Small yellow flowers also appear in spring, which then ripen into yellow and pink fruits in summer. The structure of this majestic tree is also noteworthy; the branches gently arch over as it matures and the tree itself has a lovely spreading habit.

Acer griseum

Paperbark Maple Tree

Common Name: Paperbark Maple TreeLatin Name: Acer griseumSoil: Moist but well drained soil.Position: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / YellowHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m/5mSpecial features: Orange-brown old bark which peels off to reveal cinnamon coloured new bark. (Deciduous)Acer griseum is a small, broadly columnar tree, with orange-brown old bark which peels off to reveal cinnamon coloured new bark. The smallish lobed leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn. Yellow flowers appear in spring followed by relatively large- winged seeds in the autumn. This tree makes a good border or lawn specimen.

Acer Rufinerve

Snake

Common Name: Grey snake bark maple Latin Name: Acer Rufinerve Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April/ yellowHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/ spread in 20 years: 7m x 5mSpecial features: Distinctive snake bark and bold autumn colour In spring the three-lobed leaves of this handsome tree have a glaucous tint to them and they mature to a healthy, bright green by summer. Summer also sees the arrival of erect racemes of small yellow flowers and these turn to winged seed pods by autumn. In autumn this tree really puts on a show: the leaves turn to glowing shades of deep red and crisp yellow before falling. Even in winter this tree still has interest as the white-striped branches can be admired fully in a sleeping winter garden. This Acer will become a real feature of a medium-large sized garden and we love it as an ornamental specimen.

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry Tree

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

Betula albo

sinensis

Common Name: Chinese Paper BirchLatin Name: Betula albo-sinensisSoil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/6cm long male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m/5mSpecial features: Medium sized tree with finely flaking pinkish-brown bark.Betula albo-sinensis is a pretty and graceful birch that has smooth peeling bark that carries attractive pinkish brown tones. The bark peels to reveal creamy young growth. The leaves are rather conical, with a lightly toothed edge, a bright and glossy yellow green, turning yellow in autumn.  Trustpilot

Betula albo

sinensis Kansu

Common Name: Chinese Red Birch Latin Name: Betula albo-sinensis 'Kansu'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/ Yellow- brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 13m/ 11mSpecial features: Coppery pink and brown peeling bark This is an outstanding tree for winter interest; the attractive bark peels to reveal multiple layers of bark which show different colours simultaneously. On the same tree you will get coppery pink, burnt orange and russet brown. In spring yellow-brown catkins appear at the same time as the ovate, tapered, dark-green leaves. The leaves are lustrous and add a healthy splash of colour throughout spring and summer, before turning golden yellow in autumn and falling. This Chinese native makes a fantastic addition to a medium-large sized garden and it will become a good-sized tree; it makes a wonderful specimen but also works well when planted with other birch trees, particularly next to ones with accent colours like the Betula utilis 'Snow Queen'.

Betula albo

sinensis Pink Champagne

Common Name: Chinese Red BirchLatin Name: Betula albo-sinensis 'Pink Champagne'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/ 6cm long yellow-brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 11m/ 7mSpecial features: Pale pink peeling barkThis is a majestic birch that will bring interest to your garden all year round. Birch trees are renowned for their ornamental bark and this one is no different: the ‘pink champagne’ coloured bark peels in sheets once the tree is established, which gives wonderful winter interest. The foliage is ovate in shape and dark green on the top, pale green underneath. The leaves turn to buttery yellow before falling in autumn. This is a majestic tree that has a spreading crown when mature, so do give it room to grow. Plant it as a specimen or, if you have room, in a trio with other contrasting birch trees like the Betula utiis var. 'Jacquemontii' and the Betula nigra.

Betula albo

sinensis septentrionalis

Common Name: Chinese Red Birch Latin Name: Betula albosinensis septentrionalisSoil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/ Brown catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 11m/ 7mSpecial features: Peeling bark that varies in colour.This birch is a fantastic choice for winter interest as the bark is eye-catching and distinctive; the top layer of bark is a rich, deep red-brown but as it peels in sheets a lighter coppery-pink shade is revealed. Aside from the ornamental bark, brown catkins appear in spring and these are closely followed by mid-green leaves. The leaves are much larger than most in the species as they can grow to 10cm in length and provide further interest in autumn when they turn golden yellow before falling. This birch will eventually have a pyramidal habit and it makes a fantastic specimen tree; if you've got the room then plant this alternately with a lighter birch, like the Betula utilis 'Snow Queen', so that you get contrasting bark in the winter months.

Betula pendula

Silver Birch Tree

Common Name: Silver Birch TreeLatin Name: Betula pendulaSoil: Will grow in most soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3mSpecial features: White peeling bark. (Deciduous)Betula pendula is a graceful native tree, upright growing, the smaller branches becoming pendulous with age. The deciduous leaves are a diamond shape and hold a mid-green colour before turning yellow in autumn. Yellowy brown male catkins in appear in spring. White peeling bark which with age becomes ruggedly fissured and dark-grey, almost black, at the base. These trees are most effective when planted as a close group of 3 and they also make a good windbreak.The silver birch is an extremely popular tree which is widely planted for its highly ornamental white peeling bark. The ornamental bark gives this tree interest all year round, and it looks particularly effective in winter when the rest of the garden is dormant. In spring, diamond-shaped mid-green leaves appear on the upright branches, and at the same time yellow-brown male catkins hang from the tree. Autumn sees the leaves fade to yellow before falling, when they again reveal the beautiful bark. As this tree matures, the branches become more pendulous and the bark develops a real character and becomes deeply fissured and dark grey in colour.

Betula Snow Queen

Snow Queen Birch Tree

Common Name: Snow Queen Birch Tree, Himalayan BirchLatin Name: Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos')Soil: Moist but well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 8m/3mSpecial features: Brilliant white bark which develops earlier than other white stem varieties. Very reliable, hardy and attractive specimen Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with dazzling, white, peeling bark which appears pale orange when freshly exposed. As with all Birch trees, this tree will be a year round asset to your garden. In spring, vibrant yellow catkins appear amongst the fresh green foliage: the leaves are serrated at the edges and they make the perfect foil for the golden catkins. Come autumn, the leaves turn to deep shades of yellow and buttery bronze before falling. In winter, the true beauty of the bark can be appreciated, and the graceful skeleton of the tree can be fully admired.This tree will become a real feature of your garden and it works well as a garden specimen. Equally, the 'Snow Queen' looks effective when planted in a close group of three. If you want to have contrasting colours in your garden, we would recommend planting the ‘Snow Queen’ alongside ‘Betula Purpurea’, as the rich purple foliage would contrast beautifully with the greens and golds of the 'Snow Queen'.As this tree grows, it will form a narrowly pyramidal shape. The branches maintain their upright habit, meaning that this tree is suitable for the smaller garden. Another key benefit of this birch is the fact that the stunning bark develops on trees that are only three years old, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the highly ornamental bark. Whilst this tree is somewhat delicate in its appearance, it is a highly robust and hardy tree that is well-suited to a range of locations and conditions.

Betula Tristis

European White Birch Tree

Common Name: European white BirchLatin Name: Betula pendula 'Tristis'Soil: Any good garden soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: March/Yellowy-brown male catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m x 2.5mSpecial features: Diamond-shaped, bright green leaves hang from graceful, pendant branchesBetula pendula 'Tristis' is a particularly beautiful tree which has uplifted branches, pendulous at their ends. The shape of the crown is narrow and symmetrical and there is a single leading shoot. The main bark is silver and the purple-brown twigs shine in the light. 

Cotoneaster Cornubia

Cotoneaster Tree

Common Name: Cotoneaster TreeLatin Name: Cotoneaster x watereri 'Cornubia'Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drainedPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: Late spring to early summer/WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 6m/5mSpecial features: Showy red berries in autumn.Cotoneaster Cornubia - a standout piece in any garden. With its cascading branches, versatile features, and year-round beauty, this could just be the addition that your outdoor space is yearning for.Thriving in well-drained soil and adaptable to both full sun and partial shade, Cotoneaster Cornubia is a hardy and resilient tree. In late spring to early summer, it showers your garden with an abundant display of white flowers, creating quite a scene!As the seasons progress, this tree transforms. In autumn, the Cotoneaster Tree grows vibrant red berries, adding a splash of colour to the changing landscape. Its evergreen foliage gives you a consistent and attractive backdrop, making it a standout feature in your garden, no matter the season.With a projected height of 6 metres and a spread of 5 metres in 20 years, Cotoneaster Cornubia is well-suited for many different garden sizes. Due to its versatility, it will work well as a standalone piece, in a row for a natural screen, or in mixed plantings. Cotoneaster Cornubia gives you visual appeal for you to enjoy throughout the year! 

Buy the Cotoneaster Tree and watch it deliver, season after season.

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.

Malus Evereste

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Evereste'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/ Soft pink once opened.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m/4mSpecial features: Yellow/orange-red fruits in autumn.The Malus 'Evereste', a stunning variety of Crab Apple Tree, is a delightful addition to any garden or landscape. With its abundant spring blossom, ornamental fruit, and vibrant autumn foliage, it adds beauty and colour to outdoor spaces throughout the year.Thriving in well-drained soil and adaptable to varying light conditions, the Malus 'Evereste' offers versatility and resilience. In spring, it displays a profusion of pink buds that open to reveal delicate white flowers, creating a breathtaking scene.As the seasons progress, the Malus 'Evereste' keeps things interesting. In summer, its foliage provides a lush backdrop, while in autumn, the leaves transition to shades of gold and bronze, offering a stunning display of seasonal colour.One of the standout features of this tree is its ornamental fruit. In late summer and early autumn, it bears clusters of small, red or orange fruit, which add a pop of colour and attract wildlife to the garden. With a projected height of 5 metres and a spread of 4 metres in 20 years, the Malus 'Evereste' is a compact and manageable tree, making it suitable for gardens of various sizes. 

You can plant it as a standalone specimen to showcase its spring blossom or use it in mixed planting schemes. Add a Malus ‘Evereste' to your space today and enjoy rich colours throughout the seasons.

Malus floribunda

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus floribundaSoil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April to May/Pale pinkHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 4m x 5mSpecial features: Red fruits in autumn. Coppery, unusual cut leaf.Malus floribunda has glorious, pale pink flowers in mid- late spring which immerse the tree in a pink cloud. The flowers are replaced by small, pea-like, golden-yellow fruit which persists well into winter. The long-lasting fruit is a good source of food for birds and other wildlife. The leaves are mid-green in summer, but they really shine when they put on a dazzling autumn display of coppery red and bronzed yellow. This Japanese crab apple is an excellent ornamental tree for a sunny, urban site. Dense and spreading in habit with gracefully arching branches.

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 John Downie

Crab Apple Tree

Latin Name: Malus 'John Downie'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 3mSpecial features: Orange and red edible fruit and a fantastic display of autumn leaf colourThe Malus 'John Downie', a distinguished variety of Crab Apple Tree, adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. 

Flourishing in fertile, well-drained soil and adaptable to full sun or partial shade, this Crab Apple Tree is resilient and hardy.In spring, the Malus 'John Downie' showers your space with delicate white blossoms, creating a show-stopping floral scene. 

 Shifting gears to later seasons, this tree provides ornamental fruit, attracting all kinds of wonderful wildlife. The attractive crab apples are a glossy scarlet colour and are almost 'pear shaped’. Plus, the apples make the most fantastic crab apple jelly!The leaves are a fresh green colour when young and mature to deep yellow and burnt orange come autumn. 

With a projected height of 5 metres and a spread of 3 metres in 20 years, the Malus 'John Downie' is a moderate-sized tree that fits well in small gardens and large spaces too.

The Malus ‘John Downie’ delights from spring to autumn! Add it to your outdoor sanctuary today.

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 Royal Beauty

Weeping Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Weeping Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Royal Beauty'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May/ Deep pinkHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 2.5m x 2.5mSpecial features: Dark red fruits in the autumn. Good for small gardens.The Malus 'Royal Beauty' is the perfect choice for a tree that has an ever-changing, year round interest. The leaves emerge as a bronzed red colour and turn purple-red in summer before a final burst of bronzed yellow in the autumn. A further interest is added in spring with the masses of deep pink flowers that bloom in April/ May. The final anual display comes in autumn with the dark red crab apples; these hold well into winter and are great for attracting birds. This tree has a weeping habit and is ideal for smaller gardens.

Malus transitoria

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Transitoria Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus transitoriaSoil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April / Small white star shaped flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 10 years: 4m x 3mSpecial features: Small white star shaped flowers followed by small yellow fruits.Malus transitoria is a slender and elegant tree with small and delicate, narrowly lobed leaves. Small white star shaped flowers appear as a white cloud in April. The abundant fruits are bright yellow and persist well after then yellow-gold tinted foliage has fallen.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Dawn Redwood Tree

Common Name: Dawn RedwoodLatin Name: Metasequoia glyptostroboidesSoil: Deep rich moist soil that is well drained.Position: Sunny sheltered siteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 35m/10mSpecial features: Rich brown and gold autumnal tints. (Deciduous)Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a superb deciduous conifer, one of only a very small number of conifers that shed their leaves annually. They hold a wonderful conical shape and produce little competitive shade for smaller plants as they are tall and slim with sparse branches. The leaves are pretty and rather feathery looking and are composed of innumerable linear leaflets. The leaf colour is bright green until autumn when it fades to rich brown and gold autumnal tints. The trunk is coloured orange-brown which adds an interest in winter when the branches are bare.

Parrotia persica

Persian Ironwood Tree

Common Name: Persian IronwoodLatin Name: Parrotia persicaSoil: Any fertile, moist but well drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeHardiness: Fully hardyFlowering period: Spring & WinterFlowering colour: RedEventual height/spread after 20 years: 8m/10mOne of the best features of the Parrotia persica is the unique grey flaking bark, which sheds more with age. It often has multiple stems which hold long, ovate green leaves. The leaves of this deciduous tree transform in stages throughout the autumn months; first vivid yellow, then burning orange, and finally to an intense red. In late winter, insignificant red flowers bring life to the stark branches, the flowers are followed in spring by the newly emerging leaves. The Persian ironwood tree has a wide spreading habit and is therefore suitable for a larger garden, particularly as a border tree. For the best autumn leaf colour, grow this tree in acid soil.

Picea pungens Fat Albert

Colorado Spruce Fat Albert

Common Name: Colorado Spruce Fat AlbertLatin Name: Picea pungens 'Fat Albert'Soil: Prefers rich moist soil. Acid or neutralPosition: Full sun. Flowering period/colour: Non-floweringHardiness: Fully hardy (to below -20°C). Height and spread in 10 years: 3m x 2mSpecial features: Blue conical evergreen conifer, winter interest. RHS Award of Garden Merit.Picea pungens 'Fat Albert' is a handsome conical (Christmas tree) shaped conifer, with a beautifully subtle steel-blue colour to its needles. It grows about thirty centimetres in height per year to reach about three metres in ten years, and finally matures at three to five metres. This tree produces cones and they are five  to ten centrimetres, and are greenish when young. The cones are a light brown colour at maturity.

Picea pungens Koster

Colorado Spruce

Common Name: Colorado Spruce Koster Latin Name: Picea pungens 'Koster'Soil: Prefers rich moist soil. Acid or neutralPosition: Full sun. Flowering period/colour: Non-floweringHardiness: Fully hardy (to below -20°C). Height and spread in 10 years: 4m x 3mSpecial features: Blue conical evergreen conifer, winter interest. Picea pungens 'Koster' is a handsome conical (Christmas tree) shaped conifer, with a beautifully subtle steel-blue colour to its needles. It is very hardy and can survive in temperatures down to -40°C.

Picea pungens Schovenhorst

Barb Spruce

Common Name: Barb SpruceLatin Name: Picea pungens 'Schovenhorst'Soil: Prefers rich moist soil. Acid or neutralPosition: Full sun. Flowering period/colour: Non-floweringHardiness: Fully hardy (to below -20°C). Height and spread in 10 years: 3m x 1.5mSpecial features: The branches are mostly horizontalAlso known as the barb spruce is a medium sized, upright evergreen tree. The branches are mostly horizontal. It has light gray-blue to gray-green foilage throughout winter. Light brown elongated fruits cones which are 6-10 cm in length, appear during Winter when mature. It is well tolerated in the urban environment and drought resistant and very cold resistant.

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

Prunus Autumnalis

Autumn Cherry Tree

Prunus Autumnalis, or the 'Autumn Cherry Tree', offers year-round interest with its winter flowers, fresh green foliage and strong autumn colour. A fantastic tree for the smaller garden. This flowering cherry tree is valued for its bell-shaped, semi-double white flowers which appear in bursts from late autumn through to early spring: the flowers appear on bare stems and look truly stunning in a winter garden. The flowers open from pink buds and some of the petals have a pink tint to them. The simple flowers are delicate and truly charming: they add a much-needed dose of floral beauty over the colder months. In spring, the leaves appear and are at first a bronzed green, later maturing to a rich, deeper green. By summer, the winter flowers have become small fruits, which are often enjoyed by the birds. This tree also boasts a good autumn leaf colour, with the ovate and sharply-toothed leaves turning to blistering shades of orange and russet red before falling. This is a hardy tree that is suitable for planting in a range of situations: it has an attractive, spreading habit and it works really well as an ornamental specimen. With a fairly small eventual height and spread, the 'Autumnalis' can be planted in a smaller garden. One obvious choice for a planting partner is the simply stunning 'Prunus Autumnalis Rosea', but if you want something a little different then we would recommend the 'Prunus Royal Burgundy' as the wine-red foliage of the Royal Burgundy makes the perfect foil for the deep green leaves. Common Name: Autumn Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: From late autumn, through winter until spring /Bell-shaped, semi-double pale pink flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 4m x 4mSpecial features: White flowers from late autumn, through winter until spring. (Deciduous)

Prunus Autumnalis Rosea

Autumn Cherry Tree

Prunus 'Autumnalis Rosea' is a small deciduous tree that features pale-pink, semi-double flowers that appear in autumn and last over winter. This ornamental specimen also boasts ovate, dark-green leaves and glossy fruits in spring. This tree is a true delight and is worthy of planting in any garden: a tree that gives you year-round interest and that remains relatively small, making is perfect for a range of gardens. Each autumn, usually in November, a profusion of bell-shaped, pink, semi-double flowers appear all over the tree. The pale pink flowers open from dark pink buds and they add a real burst of colour as the dark nights draw in. From November to March, the blooms appear intermittently and they look stunning in a snow-covered garden. The flowers later become small and glossy fruits, which make a great natural bird feeder, but the fruits are soon overshadowed by the spring foliage. The leaves, which are ovate in shape and dark-green in colour, cover the spreading branches and make a great foil for lighter-leaved varieties. One of our favourite trees for planting alongside the ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is the stunning Prunus Okame Harlequin, as the vivid pink flowers and variegated leaves of the Harlequin contrast beautifully with the strong green foliage of the ‘Autumnalis Rosea’. Come autumn, just before the flowers appear, the leaves produce a final show of colour: they turn to shades of rich red, orange and yellow before falling. Plant this tree in a sunny position for it to fully thrive: it makes a great lawn specimen for smaller gardens that need an injection of winter colour.  Common Name: Autumn Cherry TreeLatin Name: Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea'Soil: Tolerates most soil typesPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: From late autumn, through winter until spring /Bell-shaped, semi-double pale pink flowers.Hardiness: Fully hardyHeight/spread in 20 years: 4m x 4mSpecial features: Flowers from late autumn, through winter until spring. (Deciduous)

Salix alba Chermesina

Scarlet Willow Tree

Common Name: Scarlet WillowLatin Name: Salix alba 'Chermesina'Soil: Moist but well-drained soilPosition: Full sunFlowering period/colour: Spring/ Yellow catkinsHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 17m/10mSpecial features: Scarlet stems that give great winter interest.The 'Chermerina', also known as the 'Britzensis', is a scarlet variety of the popular white willow. This tree features bright red young shoots that hold narrow lanceolate leaves that are mid-green in colour. Further interest is added in spring when the pretty yellow catkins appear. This tree is most valued for its winter appeal as the stems glow with shades of golden orange and red. Plant the Scarlet willow in a medium-large sized garden so that it has the space that it needs to grow and thrive.