Evergreen Trees

Ilex castaneifolia, commonly known as the chestnut-leaved holly, is an excellent choice for gardens where year-round structure and refined foliage are desired. As a standard tree, it forms a neat, rounded crown on a clear stem, making it ideal for formal layouts, entrance features, patios, or as a focal point within borders. Its large, glossy, dark green leaves resemble those of sweet chestnut and provide a bold, elegant texture that contrasts beautifully with finer-leaved plants.

Being evergreen, it maintains interest throughout all seasons and offers shelter for birds and beneficial wildlife. In winter, female plants may carry bright red berries if a suitable male pollinator is nearby, adding valuable seasonal colour. Ilex castaneifolia prefers a sheltered position in well-drained, fertile soil and performs best in full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of urban conditions and light pollution, making it suitable for town gardens as well as rural settings. With minimal pruning required, it is a low-maintenance, long-lived tree that brings lasting form, colour, and character to both traditional and contemporary garden designs.

Eucalyptus gunnii Azura is a new French selection of Eucalyptus tree. It’s an evergreen shrub or small tree with naturally compact and bushy habit and flaking bark. The juvenile foliage is rounded and silvery blue, while the adult leaves are long, lanceolate, azure blue-green with silvery hues and intense fragrance. Small, fluffy, white flowers bloom in summer and autumn, and are followed by rounded, olive-green fruit.

Eucalyptus gunnii Azura is extremely hardy and very suitable for British gardens. It thrives in any type of garden soil, as long as it is well-drained, but prefers average to moderately fertile, slightly acidic, dry to moist soils. It requires full sun and needs to be sheltered form harsh winds.

Eucalyptus gunnii Azura, with its mesmerizing, aromatic, silvery, azure blue-green leaves, is a perfect plant for small cottage and urban gardens. Great for shrub and wall-side borders, mixed beds and borders, or hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers.

Elaeagnus ebbingei, or Ebbing's Silverberry, is a cross between Elaeagnus macrophylla × Elaeagnus pungens. It’s a large, bushy, dense, rounded shrub, evergreen in warm winter climates, semi-evergreen in colder. Leathery, oval leaves are green with silver scales. As the plant matures, leaves turn dark green with silvery undersides. The clusters of creamy white, intensely fragrant, flowers bloom in late autumn, and are followed by edible, reddish-brown fruits in winter and early spring.

Elaeagnus ebbingei can grow in wide varieties of soils, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Once established, it can withstand drought, wind, and salt spray. Coastal winds may cause chlorosis when planted on shallow chalky soils. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Elaeagnus ebbingei has a beautiful silvery-green foliage that creates nice shimmering effect. It is perfect as a background plant, for hedges and screens, in shrub borders, or along highways.

A Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) trained into an umbrella shape is an elegant and highly suitable feature for a garden, combining structure, shade, and ornamental interest. In this form, the plant is pruned with a clear single or multi-stem trunk and a broad, spreading canopy that creates a graceful, rounded “parasol” effect. The dense evergreen foliage, dark green above and silvery beneath, provides year-round texture and light dappled shade beneath the canopy, making it ideal for seating areas, pathways, or as a focal point in courtyards.

The umbrella shape highlights the plant’s natural branching habit while allowing good air circulation and light penetration, which encourages healthy growth and fruit production. In spring, striking red and white flowers appear across the canopy, followed by fragrant, oval fruits in autumn. Feijoa is tolerant of wind, coastal conditions, drought once established, and moderate frost, making it adaptable to many climates. This trained form suits both formal and contemporary garden designs, offering a refined architectural presence with the added benefit of edible harvests.

Chamaerops compacta, a compact form of the Mediterranean fan palm, is an excellent choice for gardens where space is limited but a bold, architectural plant is desired. Its compact, clumping growth habit makes it particularly suitable for small gardens, courtyards, patios, and container planting. With its dense arrangement of fan-shaped, leathery green leaves, it adds texture and structure to planting schemes and pairs well with both modern and Mediterranean-style garden designs.

This palm is extremely hardy for a palm species, tolerating temperatures down to -10°C (14°F), making it suitable for temperate climates. It prefers full sun but can adapt to part shade, and thrives in well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance choice for water-wise gardens.

Chamaerops compacta’s naturally tidy, clump-forming habit means it rarely needs pruning, and it remains relatively low in height, typically reaching 1–1.5 meters. It also resists wind and salt, making it a good option for coastal gardens. Whether used as a focal point, a textural accent, or part of a mixed border, this palm brings year-round interest and resilience to the garden.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Galissonniere' is an exotic evergreen tree of conical to spreading pyramidal habit, with thick, leathery, glossy green leaves, velvety haired and rusty-brown beneath. Very large, saucer-shaped, creamy-white flowers with purple stamens bloom in summer and early autumn. Their fragrance is strong and pleasant.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Galissonniere' is easily grown in a wide range of soils, but prefers hummus-rich, slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soils. Once established, it can withstand some drought. It thrives in full sun and partial shade. It has very good cold tolerance, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, dry winds. Low maintenance, it doesn’t require much pruning. Magnolia grandiflora 'Galissonniere' is a French variety of Southern Magnolia cultivated 150 years ago. It’s an excellent ornamental tree, often grown against the wall, rarely free-standing. Great for informal, cottage, woodland, and urban gardens. Excellent for beds and borders, informal hedges and screens, and for growing in containers.

A Ligustrum texanum shaped as a ball is a beautifully refined ornamental shrub that brings structure, symmetry, and elegance to any garden design. Carefully trained and pruned, it develops into a perfectly rounded sphere of dense, glossy green foliage. Each leaf is small, oval, and leathery, creating a smooth, uniform surface that enhances the plant’s sculpted appearance. When maintained regularly, the spherical shape remains crisp and tidy, offering a polished, contemporary look suitable for both formal landscapes and modern outdoor spaces.

In spring and early summer, the shrub may produce small clusters of creamy white flowers, adding a gentle fragrance and a touch of seasonal interest. Though subtle, these blooms contrast attractively with the deep green leaves, giving the ball shape an added dimension. Its evergreen nature ensures the structure remains intact throughout the year, providing year-round colour and architectural stability even in winter.

Because of its compact habit and adaptability, a Ligustrum texanum ball works beautifully in pairs flanking entrances, in rows along pathways, or as a single specimen in a pot. With consistent pruning and occasional feeding, it becomes a long-lasting, elegant feature that enhances both classic and contemporary garden styles.

The Camellia Japonica 'Pearl Maxwell' is a stunning ornamental shrub, renowned for its striking flowers and lush foliage. It stands at an impressive height of 180 cm, with a single, robust stem reaching up to 1 meter, providing a strong vertical accent in the garden. The plant's crown is adorned with large, peony-like blooms that exhibit a mesmerizing blend of soft pinks and creamy whites, creating a delicate and romantic appearance. Each petal is elegantly ruffled, adding depth and texture to the flower's overall aesthetic.

The leaves of 'Pearl Maxwell' are a deep, glossy green, offering a vivid backdrop that makes the flowers truly stand out. This Camellia variety is known for its resilience and ease of care, thriving in partially shaded areas with well-draining, acidic soil. Blooming primarily in late winter to early spring, it provides a much-needed burst of color during the colder months. Ideal for garden borders, specimen planting, or as a focal point in landscape designs, 'Pearl Maxwell' is a captivating choice for any garden enthusiast seeking beauty and elegance.

Photinia fraseri 'Compacta', when espaliered on a metal frame, presents a striking and structured display of horticultural artistry. This particular variety of Photinia, known for its compact growth habit, reaches a height of 150cm and spans 100cm in width, making it an ideal choice for espalier training. The metal frame, robust and unobtrusive, provides the necessary support for this method of cultivation, guiding the plant's growth in a controlled, two-dimensional form.

The leaves of Photinia fraseri 'Compacta' are its most notable feature: vibrant and glossy, they emerge as bright red shoots, offering a vivid contrast against the greenery. As the leaves mature, they transition to a deep, rich green, maintaining their luster throughout the seasons. The espalier technique emphasizes the plant's natural beauty, showcasing its dense foliage in a symmetrical pattern.

This living art form, a blend of nature and craftsmanship, not only serves as an ornamental feature in gardens but also as a practical solution for space-limited areas. The plant's ability to thrive with minimal lateral space, combined with regular pruning and training, results in a visually appealing, living wall of lush foliage, perfectly complemented by the understated elegance of the metal frame.

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ trained as a frame or espalier (150 × 100 cm) is a brilliant choice for adding structured, evergreen interest to a garden. Its striking young foliage emerges bright red before maturing to glossy dark green, providing continuous seasonal contrast and visual appeal.

This trained form is particularly well suited to formal gardens, courtyards, and contemporary outdoor spaces where clean lines and defined shapes are desired. It works beautifully against walls or fences, making it ideal for screening, dividing spaces, or creating a decorative feature without taking up excessive ground space.

Thriving in full sun or partial shade, Photinia prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position, protected from harsh winds which can damage young growth. Once established, it is relatively hardy and tolerant of urban pollution, making it suitable for town gardens.

Reaching its trained dimensions with regular maintenance, it responds well to pruning, which also encourages vibrant red regrowth. Low maintenance and versatile, this espalier form is perfect for adding height, structure, and year-round colour to both modern and traditional garden designs.

Photinia fraseri 'Pink Marble', when espaliered on a metal frame, presents a captivating display of botanical artistry. This living structure, standing at 150 cm in height and 100 cm in width, forms a compact yet eye-catching feature in any garden. The metal frame, typically of a simple grid design, provides sturdy support and guides the plant's growth in a flat, two-dimensional form. This espalier technique not only showcases the plant's architectural qualities but also maximizes space, making it ideal for smaller gardens or as a decorative wall feature.

The 'Pink Marble' variety of Photinia is particularly striking. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, with new leaves emerging in vibrant shades of pink and red, before maturing to a variegated pattern of green and cream. This color transition adds a dynamic visual element throughout the seasons. The plant's compact, bushy habit responds well to pruning, essential in maintaining the espalier's shape and promoting dense, lush growth. The result is a living tapestry, rich in color and form, that brings structure and beauty to any outdoor space.

The Ligustrum Japonicum clear stem standard tree is a versatile evergreen prized for its year-round foliage and neat, structured form. Trained with a straight, clean trunk and a rounded crown, this ornamental tree adds elegance and order to gardens, courtyards, and patios. Its glossy, deep green leaves remain vibrant throughout the seasons, providing a strong architectural presence even in winter. In summer, clusters of small white flowers appear, attracting bees and butterflies, followed by dark berries that bring additional seasonal interest. Hardy and low-maintenance, Ligustrum japonicum thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, making it an excellent choice for urban settings or formal landscapes. Ideal for container planting, avenue displays, or as a focal point in borders, the Ligustrum japonicum Clear Stem Standard combines beauty with practicality, delivering structure, privacy, and year-round greenery with minimal care.