By Feature - Patio | Planter

Laurus nobilis or Bay Laurel, is a dense, compact, slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree of pyramidal habit, dark grey bark, and aromatic, narrowly ovate, leathery, dark green leaves used in cooking, especially in French and Mediterranean cuisine. Clusters of small, yellowish flowers bloom in spring and are followed by glossy, dark purple, berry-like drupes.

Bay Laurel can grow in a wide range of soils, as long as they are well-drained, but thrives in fertile, moist, and well-drained soils. It prefers full sun, but doesn’t mind partial shade. It is tolerant of salt, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. In colder climates, it needs to be grown in containers and brought inside during the winter.

Laurus nobilis is a wonderful, long-lived shrub, perfect as a specimen plant or planted in groups. Suitable for growing in containers, great as a topiary, and excellent for hedges and screens. Essential for herb garden.

Phoenix canariensis, or Canary Island Date Palm, slow-growing, stunning evergreen palm tree with a massive, thick, columnar, grey-brown trunk with diamond-shaped leaf bases and rounded crown with elegant, arching, feathery, pinnately-divided leaves. Dense clusters of creamy-yellow flowers bloom in summer, and are followed by reddish-yellow, date-like, not very tasteful fruits on female trees.

Canary Island Date Palm thrives in fertile, loamy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It can tolerate light shade. It can withstand some winter cold but prefers warm climates. It is resistant of heat, drought and salt, therefore, perfect for coastal areas. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require regular pruning.

Phoenix canariensis is a majestic and very popular palm tree, perfect as a specimen or accent plant in coastal and Mediterranean gardens. Great as a street tree, planted along streets and in parks. Very adaptable to growing in containers. In colder climates, it has to be brought inside.

Cordyline australis, or Cabbage Palm, is an impressive, vigorous, palm-like, sub-tropical tree with long, arching, narrow, dark burgundy leaves. The panicles of small, fragrant, white flowers bloom only on mature plants, in late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by white or blue-tined berries.

Cordyline australis (cabbage palm) thrives in full sun or partial shade and grows well in any kind of soil, except waterlogged. It prefers fertile, moist and well-drained soils. It is tolerant to salt, wind, and drought which makes it a perfect coastal plant. It can withstand some cold weather, but frost might damage it. Disease-free and low maintenance. Toxic to animals.

Cordyline australis is an incredible specimen tree because of its tropical looks and bold colour. It’s a great addition to any garden, traditional or modern. Perfect for coastal areas. Great for beds and borders, patios and containers.

Eucalyptus cinerea 'Silver Dollar', commonly known as the Silver Dollar Gum, is a striking evergreen tree or large shrub prized for its round, silvery-blue juvenile leaves that grow in opposite pairs along its stems. These aromatic leaves are highly decorative, often used in floral arrangements and valued for their year-round color and texture. In the garden, it brings a soft, silvery contrast to green foliage and is ideal for Mediterranean-style, contemporary, or drought-tolerant landscapes.

'Silver Dollar' grows relatively fast and can reach heights of 4–10 metres if left unpruned, though it can be kept smaller with regular pruning, which also encourages attractive juvenile foliage. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating heat, wind, and some drought once established. Due to its strong vertical growth and distinctive foliage, it makes an excellent specimen plant, screening tree, or background feature. It's best planted in a spacious, open position with plenty of light.

Acer palmatum 'Shishi-gashira', commonly known as the Lion's Head maple, is a beautiful and unique cultivar of the Japanese maple tree. It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub that typically reaches a height of 6-10 feet and a spread of 5-8 feet at maturity.

The foliage of 'Shishi-gashira' is its standout feature. Its leaves are small and crinkled, with a unique, almost spiky appearance that resembles the mane of a lion, hence the name. The leaves emerge in the spring with a reddish-purple color that gradually changes to dark green throughout the summer. In the fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red, making this tree a true standout in the autumn landscape.

In addition to its striking foliage, 'Shishi-gashira' is also a popular choice for its compact, rounded habit, making it an excellent choice for small gardens or as a specimen tree in a larger landscape. Its branching structure is also particularly interesting, with densely packed clusters of twigs that form a dense, layered canopy.

This maple tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it an ideal choice for a woodland garden or a partially shaded spot in a landscape. 'Shishi-gashira' is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring little pruning or fertilization to maintain its beautiful shape and vibrant foliage.

Overall, Acer palmatum 'Shishi-gashira' is an excellent choice for any landscape that values unique foliage, interesting branching structure, and a compact, rounded habit. Its stunning appearance throughout the seasons is sure to delight gardeners and admirers alike.

Vitex agnus-castus, also known as the chasteberry tree, is a species of small deciduous tree belonging to the Verbenaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and can be found in various countries, including Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The tree typically reaches a height of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) and has a spreading, rounded crown.

The leaves of Vitex agnus-castus are palmate, meaning they are divided into multiple lobes that resemble a hand with outstretched fingers. The foliage is aromatic, with a pleasant herbal scent. The tree produces showy, fragrant flowers in dense clusters known as panicles. The flowers are typically lavender, violet, or pale blue in colour, and they bloom during the summer months.

Following the flowers, Vitex agnus-castus develops small, dark berries that are roughly the size of peppercorns. These berries are a prominent feature of the tree and can persist well into the winter months. They are edible but have a bitter taste and are not typically consumed directly.

In addition to its medicinal uses, the chasteberry tree is also valued for its ornamental qualities. It is often planted in gardens and parks for its attractive flowers and foliage. The tree prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure, making it adaptable to various climatic conditions.

Overall, Vitex agnus-castus is a versatile tree that offers both aesthetic appeal and potential health benefits. Its delicate flowers, aromatic leaves, and unique berries make it a noteworthy addition to any landscape, while its historical use in traditional medicine continues to intrigue researchers and practitioners alike.

Malus tschonoskii, known as the Chonosuki crabapple, is a species of deciduous tree native to Japan. It is esteemed for its ornamental value, exhibiting a breathtaking array of color throughout the seasons. In spring, it produces a profusion of delicate white or pale pink flowers that attract various pollinators. The blossoms are a visual spectacle and are highly fragrant, contributing to the sensory experience of the landscape.

The tree's leaves are also notable, starting as a fresh green color in spring and transforming into striking shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing a vibrant fall display. The leaves are simple and alternate with a serrated margin. In addition to its colorful foliage and flowers, the tree bears small, red to yellowish, inedible fruit in the fall, which adds another layer of visual interest.

Malus tschonoskii is a medium-sized tree, typically reaching heights of 6 to 12 meters. It is adaptable to a range of soil types but prefers well-drained, moist soil and a sunny location. It’s known for its upright, columnar growth habit, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces or as a specimen tree in mixed borders. The tree is resilient and relatively low-maintenance, often utilized in urban landscaping projects for its aesthetic appeal and hardiness.

Malus 'Butterball', a highly ornamental crab apple tree, is distinguished by its prolific golden-yellow fruit and its breath taking, fragrant spring blossoms. These blossoms are dense, adding a profusion of white to landscapes. The tree is renowned for its decorative appeal, not only offering visual pleasure but also serving as an attraction for various wildlife, especially birds and pollinators, enriching biodiversity within its vicinity.

The fruits of Malus 'Butterball' are small, with a buttery, yellow hue, persisting into winter, adding vibrant winter interest to gardens and landscapes. The presence of these fruits also serves as a substantial food source for wildlife during the colder months when food is scarce.

This variety of crab apple is celebrated for its compact nature, making it a preferred choice for smaller gardens or spaces where larger trees would be impractical. It is also prized for its resilience, withstanding different environmental conditions, thus making it a versatile choice for different landscapes.

Besides its aesthetic and ecological values, Malus 'Butterball' is also appreciated for its low maintenance requirements. It's relatively disease-resistant compared to other crab apple varieties, making it a durable and long-lasting addition to a range of horticultural settings. The tree’s versatility and beauty make it a popular choice among garden enthusiasts and landscape designers alike.

The Malus 'Aros' crab apple tree is a distinctive variety, revered for its exceptional beauty and compact growth. It's renowned for its almost-black, dark purple leaves, a coloration that acts as a dramatic backdrop to its profuse, spring-blooming, pink-tinged white blossoms. Originating from breeding programs, 'Aros' is cultivated for its aesthetic appeal and manageable size, making it an ideal candidate for gardens with limited space or those seeking a focal point.

The blossoms of 'Aros' emit a soft, pleasing fragrance, attracting pollinators and enhancing biodiversity. Post-bloom, the tree produces small, dark red, almost purple crab apples, maintaining ornamental interest throughout the seasons. These fruits are particularly appealing to birds, contributing to the tree's ecological value in supporting local wildlife.

Beyond its visual and ecological allure, 'Aros' is appreciated for its hardiness. It adapts well to various soil types and environmental conditions, demonstrating resilience to common pests and diseases. This makes 'Aros' a low-maintenance option for both experienced and novice gardeners.

This tree's upright and compact growth habit, reaching heights of approximately 10 feet, allows it to be a versatile addition to landscapes. It can be utilized as an accent, a screening plant, or even in container gardens, offering flexibility in landscape design. The dark foliage of 'Aros' contrasts spectacularly with lighter, variegated, or green-foliaged plants, allowing gardeners to create visually striking compositions.

The Malus 'Aros' crab apple tree embodies a harmonious blend of beauty, adaptability, and ecological benefits, symbolizing a union between aesthetic magnificence and environmental consciousness in contemporary horticulture. Whether planted as a solitary specimen or incorporated into a mixed planting scheme, 'Aros' imparts an air of elegance and drama to the landscape, making it a cherished selection among gardening enthusiasts.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a slow-growing, dense, compact, upright, slightly columnar, deciduous shrub or small tree with globe-shaped habit and beautiful, narrowly lobed, deeply-divided leaves, bright red in spring, ruby red in summer, crimson red in autumn. Small, inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring and are followed by winged seed pods.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' prefers fertile, humus-rich, loamy or sandy, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in partial shade but is adaptable to full sun. Best leaf colour is achieved in partial shade. Excessive exposure to sun or lack of soil moisture can cause leaf scorch. It is resistant to frost, but has to be protected from harsh winds. Low maintenance plant, needs little to no pruning.

Japanese maple 'Shaina' is a gorgeous red-leaved Japanese maple perfect for small informal, cottage, urban, gravel or Japanese-style gardens. Great for beds and borders. Excellent for growing in containers.