By Feature - Small Garden

Pinus densiflora 'Alice Verkade' is a cultivar of Japanese red pine that is prized for its striking appearance and manageable size. It is a slow-growing evergreen tree with a dense, pyramidal form, reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet and a spread of 6 to 10 feet at maturity.

The needles of 'Alice Verkade' are a vibrant green color and grow in bundles of two, measuring around 3 to 5 inches in length. The tree produces small, egg-shaped cones that are about 1 inch in length, which add to its ornamental value.

One of the distinctive features of this cultivar is its bark, which is a rich, reddish-brown color and has a rough, deeply furrowed texture. As the tree matures, the bark becomes more rugged and adds to the tree's character.

' Alice Verkade' is a low-maintenance tree that is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. It is an excellent choice for small gardens or as a focal point in a landscape design. Its compact size also makes it ideal for planting in containers, where it can be used as a decorative accent on patios or balconies.

Overall, Pinus densiflora 'Alice Verkade' is a beautiful and easy-to-grow cultivar that is sure to add interest and texture to any garden or landscape.

Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' is a dwarf, slow-growing cultivar of the Japanese red pine. This evergreen conifer typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) with a spread of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) over a period of 10 years. The plant has a compact, dense, and spreading habit with a flat-topped crown.

The needles of 'Low Glow' are dark green, stiff, and twisted, and grow in bundles of two. They are typically 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and have a somewhat coarse texture. In the fall, the needles take on a rich golden-yellow color before dropping off.

The tree produces cones that are small and round, measuring about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. The cones are typically a reddish-brown color and persist on the tree for several years.

'Low Glow' is an excellent choice for small gardens, rock gardens, or as a specimen plant in a container. It is also suitable for bonsai and other small-scale horticultural applications. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand, and prefers a well-drained site with full sun exposure.

This cultivar is relatively low-maintenance and requires little pruning, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a fuss-free plant. It is also relatively drought-tolerant, although it will benefit from regular watering during periods of extended dryness.

In summary, Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' is a compact, slow-growing evergreen conifer with a spreading habit and dark green, twisted needles. It produces small, round cones and is suitable for small-scale horticultural applications, including container gardening, rock gardens, and bonsai. This cultivar is low-maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of soil types and growing conditions.

Pinus leucodermis 'Irish Bell', also known as dwarf Bosnian pine, is a superb choice for gardeners seeking a slow-growing, structured evergreen with year-round appeal. Its compact, upright, and broadly pyramidal form reaches about 3 to 4 feet in 10 years, making it ideal for small gardens, foundation plantings, or as a standout specimen in conifer collections. The plant features dense tufts of dark green needles with white fascicle sheaths that add a subtle sparkle and visual texture throughout the seasons.

This cultivar thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is hardy. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is fairly drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance and versatile addition to a wide range of garden designs—from rock gardens to formal landscapes.

'Irish Bell' provides strong architectural form and year-round color, contrasting beautifully with flowering perennials, broadleaf evergreens, or deciduous shrubs. Its neat growth habit requires little to no pruning, and it resists most pests and diseases. With its manageable size, unique texture, and striking color, Pinus leu 'Irish Bell' enhances both traditional and modern garden spaces with elegance and resilience.

Pinus parviflora ‘Negishi’ on a clear stem is a striking and elegant addition to any garden, particularly suited for modern, Japanese, or architectural landscapes. Grafted onto a clear stem, this form elevates the tree’s sculptural canopy, allowing the beautiful, layered branching and soft, silvery-blue needles to stand out as a focal point. It creates a visually light yet impactful presence, perfect for framing entrances, accenting patios, or adding height and structure to planting schemes.

‘Negishi’ is a slow-growing Japanese white pine that typically develops a broad, open canopy with graceful form and refined texture. The silvery foliage maintains year-round interest and pairs well with rocks, gravel, ornamental grasses, and minimalist planting designs. Negishi is hardy and prefers full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Its clear-stemmed structure also allows underplanting with low-growing shrubs, groundcovers, or seasonal flowers, enhancing garden layering and visual depth. Low-maintenance and long-lived, this pine requires minimal pruning to maintain shape. Pinus parviflora ‘Negishi’ on a clear stem is ideal for gardeners seeking a refined, architectural tree with year-round beauty and character.

Pinus mugo ‘Winter Gold’ on a clear stem is an excellent addition to gardens seeking year-round structure, vibrant winter color, and compact form. This dwarf mugo pine is trained on a standard stem—often around 40 cm high—producing a neat, globe-shaped crown that stands out beautifully in mixed plantings, raised beds, borders, or containers. During the growing season, its short, dense needles are a fresh green. As temperatures drop in autumn, the foliage shifts dramatically to a rich golden-yellow, creating a stunning focal point in the winter landscape.

This evergreen is extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established, and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its tidy, slow-growing nature makes it ideal for small gardens, urban courtyards, patios, or alpine plantings. The elevated form adds height and visual interest without taking up ground space, making it easy to underplant with low-growing perennials or seasonal color.

‘Winter Gold’ requires minimal pruning and resists most pests and diseases. Whether used as a standalone feature or repeated in a formal layout, this grafted pine brings structure, color, and charm to virtually any garden style all year round.

Pinus densiflora 'Alice Verkade' is a cultivar of Japanese red pine that is prized for its striking appearance and manageable size. It is a slow-growing evergreen tree with a dense, pyramidal form, reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet and a spread of 6 to 10 feet at maturity.

The needles of 'Alice Verkade' are a vibrant green color and grow in bundles of two, measuring around 3 to 5 inches in length. The tree produces small, egg-shaped cones that are about 1 inch in length, which add to its ornamental value.

One of the distinctive features of this cultivar is its bark, which is a rich, reddish-brown color and has a rough, deeply furrowed texture. As the tree matures, the bark becomes more rugged and adds to the tree's character.

' Alice Verkade' is a low-maintenance tree that is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. It is an excellent choice for small gardens or as a focal point in a landscape design. Its compact size also makes it ideal for planting in containers, where it can be used as a decorative accent on patios or balconies.

Overall, Pinus densiflora 'Alice Verkade' is a beautiful and easy-to-grow cultivar that is sure to add interest and texture to any garden or landscape.

Clematis × cartmanii ‘Joe’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a compact, evergreen climber that offers both decorative foliage and charming early-season blooms. This variety is particularly suited to smaller gardens, patios, and courtyards due to its manageable size and tidy growth habit. Its finely divided, glossy green leaves provide year-round interest, while in early spring, it becomes covered in masses of creamy white, star-shaped flowers that brighten any space.

Clematis ‘Joe’ thrives in a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained soil. It is ideal for growing in containers, making it perfect for those with limited planting space. It can be trained to climb trellises, pergolas, or low walls, but also works beautifully when allowed to trail over raised beds or cascading from large pots. Due to its delicate stems and preference for milder conditions, it benefits from some protection from harsh winter winds and heavy frosts.

Overall, Clematis ‘Joe’ brings reliable structure and an elegant floral display to the garden, offering both versatility and beauty for various settings throughout the year.

The Acer ‘Koto no Ito’, a stunning variety of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), is highly prized for its delicate, finely dissected foliage and elegant cascading form. The name Koto no Ito translates from Japanese as “Harp Strings”, aptly describing its thin, thread-like leaves that resemble the delicate strings of a traditional Japanese koto instrument.

This captivating maple is a slow-growing, deciduous tree, reaching approximately 2.5–4 metres (8–13 feet) in height over many years. In spring, its narrow, deeply lobed leaves emerge in a fresh green shade, adding an airy, graceful texture to the garden. As the seasons progress, the foliage matures to a deeper green before undergoing a spectacular autumn transformation, turning vibrant shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

One of the standout features of ‘Koto no Ito’ is the way its fine, almost wispy leaves flutter in the wind, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display. This delicate, feathery appearance gives the tree an ethereal quality, making it a popular choice for Japanese-style gardens, courtyards, and containers.

Unlike some Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ is relatively hardy and can tolerate a range of conditions, though it thrives best in partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Protection from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds helps preserve its delicate foliage.

This tree’s compact size and elegant form make it a perfect choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a striking focal point. Whether planted as a standalone specimen or alongside other Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ brings a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty to any landscape.

Garrya elliptica 'James Roof' is an excellent choice for gardens seeking year-round structure and winter interest. This evergreen shrub is particularly valued for its striking, long, silvery-grey catkins, which appear in late winter to early spring and can reach up to 30 cm in length. These catkins create a dramatic display during the colder months when few other plants are flowering.

Well-suited to a variety of garden settings, 'James Roof' thrives in coastal and sheltered inland locations. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of poor soils, provided they are well-drained. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for low-maintenance and water-wise gardens.

In terms of habit, Garrya 'James Roof' is a bushy, upright shrub, typically reaching 2.5–4 metres in height and spread. It can be grown as a free-standing specimen, used as an informal hedge, or trained against a wall where its catkins can be better displayed. Its tough, leathery leaves and robust nature also make it useful as a windbreak in exposed areas. Overall, it is a reliable and decorative addition to many garden styles.

The Azalea Japonica 'Amoena', an exquisite variety of evergreen Japanese azalea that promises to add a burst of colour and charm to any British garden. Boasting vibrant magenta-pink flowers and glossy, deep-green foliage, this azalea variety is known for its compact growth habit, making it an ideal choice for smaller spaces or as a striking feature in mixed borders. Hardy and versatile, the Azalea Japonica 'Amoena' is perfect for British garden enthusiasts who are keen to create an eye-catching display throughout the spring.

The Azalea Japonica 'Amoena' thrives in acidic, well-draining soil, making it well-suited for planting in peat beds or borders enriched with ericaceous compost. Choose a site with partial shade to full sun, ensuring that the plant receives adequate light while avoiding scorching its delicate blooms. When planting, space the azaleas approximately 60-80cm (24-32 inches) apart to accommodate their mature size.

To maintain optimal health, water your azalea regularly, especially during dry spells. Apply a layer of mulch annually in the spring to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune your azalea lightly after flowering to maintain its compact shape and encourage new growth.

The Azalea Japonica 'Amoena' is a beautiful and versatile addition to any garden, with its vibrant magenta-pink flowers and evergreen foliage providing a stunning display in the spring months. Easy to care for and adaptable to various planting situations.

Abutilon megapotamicum is a charming addition to gardens, valued for its long-lasting, bell-shaped flowers and graceful, trailing growth. It is well-suited for borders, trellises, or container planting, where it can cascade attractively. Best grown in a sheltered, sunny position, it thrives with plenty of light but benefits from some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

Abutilon prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. A mix enriched with organic matter like compost is ideal. While tolerant of a range of soil types, it performs best in slightly acidic to neutral pH. Protection from strong winds is recommended, as the branches are soft and may snap.

In cooler areas, it should be placed in a frost-free spot or overwintered indoors, as it is only hardy down to around -5°C. Regular watering during dry spells and occasional feeding will encourage continuous flowering and healthy growth throughout the season.

Camellia R.L. Wheeler is a bold and beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its large, vibrant rose-red blooms that appear in mid to late season. The flowers are often peony or semi-double in form, with ruffled petals that create a full, lush appearance. Its deep green, glossy foliage provides year-round structure and contrast, enhancing the dramatic effect of the blooms.

This camellia grows into a medium to large-sized shrub with a strong, upright habit, making it an excellent choice for feature planting, screens, or woodland-style gardens. It prefers a sheltered position with dappled or morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon rays and strong winds.

Like all camellias, R.L. Wheeler thrives in slightly acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Mulching and regular watering help maintain optimal conditions. With proper care, it brings vibrant color and elegance to the garden during the cooler months.

Hosta Great Expectations is an excellent choice for shade gardens, offering striking foliage and a bold presence. Its large, variegated leaves—with creamy-white centers edged in blue-green and chartreuse—add dramatic contrast and texture to garden beds, borders, and woodland settings.

This hosta thrives in partial to full shade and prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. It is relatively slow-growing but becomes a stunning focal point once established. The plant is ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet impactful perennials. Its tall flower spikes with pale lavender blooms appear in midsummer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Great Expectations pairs beautifully with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-loving companions. Its bold leaves also help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Overall, this hosta is perfect for adding elegance, texture, and year-round interest to shaded garden areas.

The Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as Portuguese Laurel, is a versatile and elegant evergreen tree well-suited for gardens and landscaped habitats. In its feathered form, it is trained with lateral branches retained along a central trunk, creating a full and balanced structure from top to bottom. This form is especially attractive in formal gardens or for use as a tall screen or hedge.

The tree features glossy, deep green leaves with a leathery texture, providing year-round interest. Its reddish stems and white, fragrant flower clusters in early summer add seasonal contrast and appeal. In autumn, small red fruits ripen to dark purple, offering additional ornamental value and attracting birds.

Prunus lusitanica thrives in well-drained soil and adapts well to sun or partial shade, making it suitable for various garden conditions. It is wind-tolerant and relatively low-maintenance once established. Ideal for urban and suburban environments, this tree’s dense foliage provides excellent privacy, noise reduction, and windbreak benefits. Its structured, feathered shape lends a refined, architectural element to both traditional and contemporary landscapes.

Jasminium nudiflorum, often referred to as winter jasmine, is a deciduous shrub known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in the late winter to early spring, a time when few other plants are in flower. Originating from China, this jasmine species has become popular in gardens worldwide due to its vibrant winter display.

Unlike many other jasmine species, the winter jasmine is not fragrant. Its slender, arching, green stems often give the appearance of being evergreen, but they shed their simple, trifoliate, dark green leaves during the colder months. When left unpruned, the plant can sprawl, making it an excellent choice for ground cover or for cascading down walls and banks. It is especially effective for erosion control on slopes.

Winter jasmine is highly adaptable. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil, although it can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. This hardy shrub can withstand cold temperatures and is often one of the first plants to bloom after the winter chill, heralding the impending arrival of spring.

Regular pruning can keep the plant compact and promote more prolific flowering. Its resilience, paired with its striking winter display, makes Jasminium nudiflorum a cherished plant for gardens desiring year-round interest.