Flowering Trees

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.

Prunus 'Kursar' is a distinguished variety of ornamental cherry tree, appreciated for its abundant, deep pink blossoms that grace its branches in spring, creating a breathtaking display. This small, deciduous tree exhibits a compact growth habit, typically reaching around 8 meters in height when fully mature, making it a suitable choice for smaller gardens or landscapes.

The leaves of Prunus 'Kursar' emerge with a bronze hue, transitioning to green as they mature, and finally adopting vibrant shades of orange and red in the autumn, adding a secondary layer of aesthetic appeal to the plant. The blossoms are not only a visual delight but also attract various pollinators, benefiting local ecosystems. While it does not bear commercially valuable fruit, its ornamental charm compensates abundantly.

Originating from a hybridization program, Prunus 'Kursar' is celebrated for its resilience and adaptability, thriving in well-drained soils and sunny locations. It is often utilized as a specimen tree in residential and public gardens for its impressive floral display and the scenic ambiance it provides. Regular pruning and care ensure its optimal growth and longevity, allowing it to be a timeless addition to any garden setting, invoking the ethereal beauty of spring year after year.

Cotoneaster x watereri, often referred to as Waterer's Cotoneaster, is a popular and versatile shrub that has become a cherished addition to many gardens and landscapes in the United Kingdom. This deciduous hybrid shrub is renowned for its attractive appearance, hardiness, and adaptability.

One of the standout features of Cotoneaster x watereri is its elegant form and foliage. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters, forming a dense and arching habit. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and glossy green, providing a lush backdrop to its other ornamental features.

One of the most captivating aspects of this shrub is its profusion of flowers and berries. In late spring and early summer, Cotoneaster x watereri bursts into a display of delicate white or pale pink blossoms. These small, star-shaped flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to local biodiversity.

As summer progresses into autumn, the shrub transitions into another phase of beauty. It produces an abundance of small, round, and brightly colored berries, typically red or orange. These berries not only add visual interest but also serve as a valuable food source for birds during the colder months, enhancing its ecological significance.

Cotoneaster x watereri is known for its adaptability to various growing conditions. It thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for different garden settings. It is also remarkably hardy and resistant to many common pests and diseases, reducing the need for intensive maintenance.

Maintenance for this shrub is generally straightforward. Pruning can be done to shape the plant or remove dead or diseased branches, but it is often not required. Regular watering during dry spells, especially during its establishment phase, helps ensure its healthy growth.

In conclusion, Cotoneaster x watereri, or Waterer's Cotoneaster, is a cherished shrub in the UK that offers year-round appeal. Its graceful form, glossy foliage, profuse blossoms, and colourful berries make it a versatile and visually pleasing addition to gardens and landscapes. Whether used as a specimen plant, a hedge, or ground cover, this adaptable shrub adds beauty and ecological value to outdoor spaces in the United Kingdom.

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.

Malus 'Butterball', a highly ornamental crabapple tree, is distinguished by its prolific golden-yellow fruit and its breathtaking, 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 crabapple 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 crabapple 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.

Malus 'Gorgeous' is a well-loved decorative crabapple tree cherished for its abundant and vibrant pink blossoms that appear in spring. This deciduous tree's stunning springtime display is a spectacle, as the blooms densely populate the branches, offering a breathtaking view and attracting various pollinators, enhancing local biodiversity. The lavish blossoms eventually give way to glossy, small, red fruit, which persist well into winter, providing a continuous supply of food for birds and wildlife, thus contributing to the ecological balance of the garden landscape.

This variety of crabapple stands out for its overall robustness and resilience, often proving to be disease-resistant, making it a favorable choice among garden enthusiasts and landscape designers. The lush green foliage that accompanies the flowers and fruit adds a contrasting backdrop, enriching the visual appeal of the tree throughout the various seasons.

Malus 'Gorgeous' generally achieves a moderate height and spread, making it suitable for gardens of various sizes, including smaller urban gardens. Its ability to adapt to different soil types and conditions contributes to its popularity. The striking aesthetic value and ecological benefits of Malus 'Gorgeous' make it a quintessential element for creating a lively and colorful landscape, particularly in regions that experience a prominent change in seasons.

The Malus 'Harry Baker' tree is a highly appreciated crab apple variety, lauded for its ornamental and practical values. Named after the famous English plant breeder, Harry Baker, this deciduous tree is notable for its prolific, deep-pink blossoms that emerge in spring, attracting pollinators and providing a visual spectacle. The blossoms are a vibrant contrast to the dark green foliage, creating a picturesque landscape element.

The tree produces small, crimson to maroon fruits in the autumn. These fruits are not typically consumed fresh due to their tartness but are excellent for making jellies, jams, and crab apple wine due to their high pectin content. They can also serve as a food source for wildlife during the colder months, contributing to local ecosystems.

The 'Harry Baker' crab apple tree is resilient and adaptable to various soil types, although it thrives best in well-drained, moderately moist soils and full sun. It generally reaches a height of around 4 to 8 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens and urban settings. The tree’s compact, rounded canopy makes it a fitting choice for avenues, parks, and mixed borders, offering aesthetics, ecological benefits, and utility. It is a brilliant addition to any garden, owing to its elegant appearance and multifunctional fruits.

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.