Autumn Colour Trees

Cercis siliquastrum 'White Swan' is a captivating cultivar of the Judas tree that offers a unique twist on this beloved ornamental tree species. This cultivar has distinctive characteristics that set it apart, making it a sought-after addition to gardens in the UK.

The most striking feature of 'White Swan' is its spring blossoms. In contrast to the typical magenta-pink flowers of the Judas tree, 'White Swan' surprises with a profusion of pure white blossoms in early to mid-spring. These white flowers create a stunning contrast against the tree's heart-shaped, medium-green leaves, making 'White Swan' an eye-catching focal point in any garden.

The name "Judas tree" is associated with the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a tree of this species, and 'White Swan' adds a touch of intrigue and historical mystique to this tradition.

In terms of size and form, 'White Swan' maintains the characteristic small to medium stature of the Judas tree, typically reaching a height of 3 to 4 meters. Its growth habit is rounded, and its branches often develop a graceful, spreading form, providing an elegant and symmetrical canopy.

Caring for Cercis siliquastrum 'White Swan' in the UK is generally straightforward. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Adequate watering, especially during dry periods and its establishment phase, is crucial for its overall health and vigour. Pruning requirements are typically minimal and primarily focus on shaping the tree or removing any dead or diseased branches.

'White Swan' is known for its resilience and resistance to common pests and diseases, making it a relatively low-maintenance ornamental tree. Its adaptability to various soil types further enhances its versatility in different garden settings.

In conclusion, Cercis siliquastrum 'White Swan' is a captivating and unique cultivar that adds a touch of elegance and purity to British gardens. Its stunning white spring blossoms, heart-shaped leaves, and modest size make it a highly desirable choice for gardeners looking to introduce a distinctive and visually stunning element to their landscapes. Whether used as a centrepiece or to infuse a garden with a sense of wonder, 'White Swan' is sure to captivate and inspire all who encounter its enchanting beauty.

The Acer palmatum 'Garnet', commonly known as the Japanese Maple 'Garnet', is a captivating and popular deciduous tree renowned for its stunning foliage. This small, graceful tree features deeply dissected leaves with a delicate, lacy appearance, emerging as vibrant crimson-red in the spring. Throughout the summer, the foliage maintains its rich garnet hue, providing a striking contrast against the greenery of other plants. In autumn, the leaves transition to a brilliant scarlet, adding a spectacular splash of color to the landscape.

'Garnet' grows slowly, typically reaching a height and spread of 2-3 meters, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a focal point in larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and prefers a sheltered location with partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if given adequate moisture.

This cultivar is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape and health. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases. The Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is highly valued for its year-round interest and ability to provide a touch of elegance and serenity to any garden setting. Its unique foliage and compact form make it a perfect addition to Japanese-style gardens, rockeries, and mixed borders.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a distinct cultivar of Japanese Maple notable for its stunning autumn foliage, which transforms into brilliant shades of fiery red. This deciduous tree has an elegant, rounded form and typically reaches a height and spread of 15-20 feet, making it a spectacular feature in gardens, especially in autumn.

The leaves of 'Osakazuki' are palmate and lobed, displaying a lush green color through spring and summer, before their autumn transformation. These leaves have a uniquely refined texture, enhancing its aesthetic appeal throughout the growing season.

Ideal for small gardens, 'Osakazuki' prefers well-drained, moist soils and sheltered locations to protect its delicate foliage from harsh winds. It can thrive in full sun to partial shade, but for the best autumn color, a location with more sunlight is preferable.

This tree is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from regular watering, especially in dryer periods, and mulching to maintain soil moisture. Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a robust choice for a wide range of landscapes. The vivid, extended display of autumn color, coupled with its graceful growth habit, renders 'Osakazuki' a coveted choice among garden enthusiasts.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

Acer palmatum ‘Inosukaza’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a graceful, fine-textured ornamental tree that brings year-round interest to a variety of landscape styles. Its deeply dissected green leaves and naturally cascading, airy branching structure give it a soft, elegant appearance that works beautifully as a feature plant in small to medium gardens. Although visually delicate, it is generally hardy and adaptable, thriving in temperate climates where it receives protection from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.

This cultivar prefers partial shade, especially in hotter regions, where filtered light helps prevent leaf scorch and maintains vibrant summer color. It also performs well in lightly dappled woodland settings, Japanese-inspired gardens, and courtyard plantings. With its moderate growth rate and compact habit, ‘Inosukaza’ is suitable for planting near patios, water features, or pathways where its intricate leaf shape can be appreciated up close.

In autumn, the foliage transforms into warm tones of yellow, orange, or soft red, adding seasonal drama without overwhelming surrounding plants. It is best grown in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. With consistent watering and gentle shelter, Acer palmatum ‘Inosukaza’ rewards gardeners with refined beauty and reliable performance.

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', commonly known as the Fernleaf Full Moon Maple, is a stunning deciduous tree cherished for its striking foliage and remarkable autumn display. Native to Japan, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves which provide a delicate, lacy texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden.

In spring and summer, the leaves emerge with a soft green hue, creating a serene and refreshing presence. As the seasons transition to autumn, 'Aconitifolium' truly shines. Its foliage transforms into a spectacular array of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it one of the most brilliant autumnal displays among maples. This transformation adds a dynamic and fiery focal point to gardens, capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

'Aconitifolium' typically reaches a height and spread of 3 to 4 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, and container planting.

This maple is not only admired for its foliage but also for its elegant, spreading habit and attractive branching structure, which provide year-round interest. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed border, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' brings a touch of elegance and seasonal drama to any garden setting in the UK.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free. Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', commonly known as the Fernleaf Full Moon Maple, is a stunning deciduous tree cherished for its striking foliage and remarkable autumn display. Native to Japan, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves which provide a delicate, lacy texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden.

In spring and summer, the leaves emerge with a soft green hue, creating a serene and refreshing presence. As the seasons transition to autumn, 'Aconitifolium' truly shines. Its foliage transforms into a spectacular array of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it one of the most brilliant autumnal displays among maples. This transformation adds a dynamic and fiery focal point to gardens, capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

'Aconitifolium' typically reaches a height and spread of 3 to 4 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, and container planting.

This maple is not only admired for its foliage but also for its elegant, spreading habit and attractive branching structure, which provide year-round interest. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed border, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' brings a touch of elegance and seasonal drama to any garden setting in the UK.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free. Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Acer palmatum 'Inaba-Shidare' is a sought-after Japanese Maple variety known for its remarkable, intricate foliage and distinctive growth habit. This particular specimen sports an 80cm clear stem, supporting a weeping head, bringing the overall height of the tree to 110cm. It epitomizes graceful elegance with its cascading branches cloaked in deeply dissected, feather-like leaves. The leaves are a striking purplish-red, intensifying to a brilliant crimson come autumn, offering a vibrant spectacle. It is relatively compact, making it a superb choice for smaller gardens or growing in containers. It’s well-suited to creating focal points within landscapes, providing both visual appeal and architectural structure. Its rugged charm is highlighted when placed against a backdrop of evergreens or contrasting foliage, where its intricate silhouette becomes a living sculpture. A lover of well-drained, fertile soils and partial shade, ‘Inaba-Shidare’ requires protection from harsh winds and excessive sun to maintain the integrity of its delicate foliage. During winter, its dormant, twisted limbs add an additional layer of interest, hinting at its robust nature beneath a seemingly delicate demeanor. This exquisite blend of strength and beauty makes the Acer palmatum 'Inaba-Shidare' a beloved addition to diverse horticultural designs.