Flowering Trees

Arbutus rubra is an evergreen tree of notable ornamental value, admired for its rich colouring, distinctive bark, and year-round interest. Typically medium-sized, it develops a rounded to spreading crown and a strong architectural presence, making it well suited to gardens, parks, and mild coastal landscapes.

The foliage of Arbutus rubra is one of its most striking features. The leaves are leathery, glossy, and deep green, often flushed with reddish tones when young. Elliptical in shape with finely serrated margins, they are held densely along the branches, contributing to the tree’s lush and robust appearance throughout the year. As an evergreen, it provides consistent structure even in winter months.

Its bark is particularly decorative. Smooth and richly coloured, it peels naturally in thin flakes, revealing layers of warm red, cinnamon, and copper beneath. This exfoliating habit gives the trunk and larger branches a textured, sculptural quality that becomes increasingly attractive with age.

Flowering typically occurs in autumn or early winter. Small, urn-shaped flowers appear in hanging clusters and are usually creamy white to pale pink. These blooms are attractive to pollinating insects and add subtle charm at a time when many plants are dormant. The flowers are followed by rounded fruits that gradually ripen to shades of red, enhancing the tree’s seasonal appeal and providing food for birds.

Arbutus rubra prefers well-drained soil and thrives in sheltered positions with full sun or light shade. Once established, it shows good tolerance to drought and coastal conditions. Its combination of colourful bark, evergreen foliage, delicate flowers, and ornamental fruit makes it a refined and enduring choice in temperate gardens.

The Arbutus unedo clear stem tree, commonly known as the Strawberry Tree, is a beautiful evergreen specimen that brings year-round structure, colour and interest to any garden. Carefully grown at Arundel Arboretum, each tree has been trained into an elegant clear stem form, creating a neat canopy of glossy, dark green foliage that is both attractive and easy to incorporate into a wide range of planting schemes. During autumn, clusters of delicate white, urn-shaped flowers appear alongside the tree's distinctive strawberry-like fruits, which gradually ripen to vibrant shades of orange and red, providing exceptional seasonal appeal.

Our 20-litre Arbutus unedo trees are fully rooted into their containers, meaning they have established a strong, healthy root system rather than being freshly potted. This ensures the tree is ready to thrive once planted, with improved establishment and reliable growth. Exceptionally tolerant of coastal conditions, wind and periods of drought once established, the Strawberry Tree performs well in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, including chalk and sandy soils.

Ideal as a feature tree for gardens, courtyards or Mediterranean-inspired landscapes, Arbutus unedo offers year-round evergreen beauty while providing valuable nectar for pollinators and autumn fruit for wildlife. Its attractive cinnamon-brown bark and naturally rounded habit make it a superb low-maintenance ornamental tree for gardens across the UK.

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen, ornamental, multi-stem, capriciously growing shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery, mid-green foliage. It is very unusual and stunning all year round. Clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers bloom from autumn to mid-winter. Round, yellow fruits appear in winter and slowly become ripe in the next 12 months, gradually turning red. They are still on the tree when new flowers show up in autumn. A grey-brown bark peels, revealing cinnamon-coloured inner bark. It can grow in all kinds of soils and climate conditions, but prefers acidic, moist and well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant to drought, disease-free and pest-free. Very resilient. This unusual, colourful and very attractive plant is perfect as a specimen plant, great for shrub borders, hedges, coastal gardens, and for growing in containers.

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen, ornamental, multi-stem, capriciously growing shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery, mid-green foliage. It is very unusual and stunning all year round. Clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers bloom from autumn to mid-winter. Round, yellow fruits appear in winter and slowly become ripe in the next 12 months, gradually turning red. They are still on the tree when new flowers show up in autumn. A grey-brown bark peels, revealing cinnamon-coloured inner bark. It can grow in all kinds of soils and climate conditions, but prefers acidic, moist and well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant to drought, disease-free and pest-free. Very resilient. This unusual, colourful and very attractive plant is perfect as a specimen plant, great for shrub borders, hedges, coastal gardens, and for growing in containers.

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, can make an excellent large multistem specimen for a garden, provided the conditions suit its needs. This evergreen tree naturally forms multiple stems, creating a sculptural, architectural presence that adds year-round interest. Its attractive cinnamon-peeling bark, glossy dark green leaves, and the unusual combination of flowers and fruit appearing at the same time make it a standout ornamental choice.

A multistem Arbutus unedo thrives best in well-drained soil and a sunny to lightly shaded position. It tolerates poor or slightly alkaline soils, coastal exposure, and urban pollution, making it versatile in many settings. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and generally low-maintenance, requiring only occasional shaping to maintain its form. Its moderate growth rate allows it to develop into a sizeable focal point without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Wildlife benefits are significant: the nectar-rich flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the fruit provides food for birds. Although edible, the fruit is usually considered more ornamental than culinary. Overall, a large multistem strawberry tree offers beauty, resilience, and ecological value, making it a highly suitable choice for many gardens.

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, can make an excellent large multistem specimen for a garden, provided the conditions suit its needs. This evergreen tree naturally forms multiple stems, creating a sculptural, architectural presence that adds year-round interest. Its attractive cinnamon-peeling bark, glossy dark green leaves, and the unusual combination of flowers and fruit appearing at the same time make it a standout ornamental choice.

A multistem Arbutus unedo thrives best in well-drained soil and a sunny to lightly shaded position. It tolerates poor or slightly alkaline soils, coastal exposure, and urban pollution, making it versatile in many settings. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and generally low-maintenance, requiring only occasional shaping to maintain its form. Its moderate growth rate allows it to develop into a sizeable focal point without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Wildlife benefits are significant: the nectar-rich flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the fruit provides food for birds. Although edible, the fruit is usually considered more ornamental than culinary. Overall, a large multistem strawberry tree offers beauty, resilience, and ecological value, making it a highly suitable choice for many gardens.

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.

Camellia Japonica is an evergreen shrub known for its elegant form and glossy dark green foliage. This variety is cultivated on a single stem, reaching approximately 100cm in height, with a total tree height of 190cm. It produces delicate, symmetrical flowers that bloom in cooler seasons, adding seasonal interest to gardens and landscapes. Thriving in partial shade with well-drained, acidic soil, it is a slow-growing plant that requires minimal maintenance. Ideal for ornamental use in gardens, patios, or as a statement plant in containers, Camellia Japonica provides year-round greenery and striking seasonal blooms. Its structured growth and refined appearance make it a popular choice for formal and naturalistic garden settings alike.

Camellia sasanqua ‘Cleopatra’ is a stunning evergreen shrub highly suited to a wide range of garden settings. Reaching around 2–3 metres in height and 1.5–2 metres in width, it forms a dense, upright habit with glossy, deep-green foliage that provides year-round structure and colour. From late autumn through winter, ‘Cleopatra’ produces an abundance of semi-double to double soft pink blooms with golden stamens, adding welcome brightness when few other plants are flowering.

This cultivar thrives in lightly shaded to filtered-sun positions and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soils enriched with organic matter. Once established, it shows good drought tolerance and responds well to light pruning after flowering, which helps maintain its compact form. Ideal as a feature plant, screen, or hedge, it also performs beautifully in large containers or courtyard gardens. ‘Cleopatra’ attracts pollinators and complements companion plants such as azaleas, gardenias, and ferns. Hardy and versatile, it brings elegance and long-lasting beauty to both traditional and contemporary landscapes, particularly where subtle colour and graceful winter interest are desired.

Catalpa bungei, also known as the Chinese catalpa or the Manchurian catalpa, is a deciduous tree that is native to China and Korea. It is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

The tree has a broad, spreading canopy with large, heart-shaped leaves that are up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. The leaves are dark green and glossy on top, and paler underneath. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow before falling off.

Catalpa bungei produces beautiful, fragrant white flowers in the late spring or early summer. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and up to 2 inches wide. They are arranged in large clusters at the ends of the branches and attract bees and other pollinators.

After the flowers fade, the tree produces long, slender seed pods that are up to 20 inches long. The pods are cylindrical and contain numerous small, flat seeds.

Catalpa bungei is a hardy and adaptable tree that can grow in a wide range of soils and conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture. The tree is commonly used in landscaping and as a shade tree in parks and gardens.

Overall, Catalpa bungei is a beautiful and hardy tree that provides year-round interest with its large leaves, fragrant flowers, and interesting seed pods.

Celtis australis, commonly known as the European nettle tree, is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It belongs to the family Cannabaceae, and it is closely related to the hackberry tree.

The Celtis australis tree can grow up to 25 meters tall and has a dense, rounded crown with a spreading habit. The bark is smooth and gray-brown when young, becoming rough and fissured with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper side and paler on the underside, turning yellow in autumn before falling.

The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring or early summer, followed by small, round, edible fruit that resembles a cherry in size and shape. The fruit is initially green, turning yellow or brown when ripe, and is sweet and juicy, with a taste similar to a fig.

The Celtis australis tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils and can tolerate drought, air pollution, and salt spray. It is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens, parks, and urban landscapes due to its attractive foliage and distinctive bark. It also provides food and shelter for wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Additionally, the tree has cultural significance and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for various ailments.

Cercis chinensis 'Shirobana,' commonly referred to as Chinese Redbud 'Shirobana,' is an exceptional and eye-catching ornamental tree that can grace British gardens and landscapes with its unique and captivating features. Originally hailing from China, this cultivar has garnered international acclaim for its remarkable characteristics.

One of the most remarkable attributes of 'Shirobana' is its blossoms. During the spring season, prior to the emergence of its leaves, this tree adorns itself with a profusion of delicate, butterfly-like flowers. What sets it apart is its ability to produce different-colored blossoms on the same tree simultaneously, creating a spectacular display of colour variation that is truly enchanting.

The name 'Shirobana' translates to "white flower," underscoring the tree's ability to produce these stunning pale blooms alongside the usual pink and lavender ones. This unique trait makes 'Shirobana' particularly desirable for garden enthusiasts seeking to introduce an element of whimsy and diversity to their outdoor spaces.

The foliage of 'Shirobana' typically takes on a heart-shaped form and exhibits a medium green hue, serving as a splendid backdrop to the lavish spring blossoms. As the leaves mature, they may acquire a glossy sheen, adding to the tree's visual appeal. This deciduous tree usually reaches a height of around 3 to 4 meters and forms an elegant, gracefully-rounded canopy.

Maintaining Cercis chinensis 'Shirobana' in the UK is relatively straightforward. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a location that receives ample sunlight or partial shade. Ensuring adequate watering during dry spells and regular mulching to conserve moisture are key to its overall health and vitality. Pruning requirements are typically minimal, primarily focused on shaping the tree or removing any dead or overcrowded branches.

One of the advantages of 'Shirobana' is its notable resistance to common pests and diseases, contributing to its low-maintenance nature. Additionally, it exhibits adaptability to various soil types, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of garden settings.

In conclusion, Cercis chinensis 'Shirobana' is an extraordinary ornamental tree that can bring a sense of wonder and diversity to British gardens. Its multi-coloured spring blossoms, heart-shaped leaves, and manageable size make it an enchanting addition to landscapes, providing an opportunity for gardeners to experience the ever-changing palette of nature. Whether used as a focal point or to infuse charm into garden borders, 'Shirobana' is certain to captivate the hearts of those who encounter its mesmerizing beauty.