Shrubs

Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' is a popular evergreen shrub known for its vibrant red young leaves that emerge in spring and after pruning. This striking color transformation sets it apart in any landscape. Mature leaves gradually turn to a glossy, deep green, providing a beautiful contrast throughout the seasons. 'Red Robin' typically reaches a height of up to 3 meters (10 feet) and spreads around 2.5 meters (8 feet), making it an excellent choice for hedges or privacy screens.

The plant blooms in late spring, producing small, white flowers that add a subtle charm, though it's primarily grown for its foliage. It thrives best in well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Regular pruning not only encourages the striking red foliage but also helps maintain its dense, bushy shape. Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin' is relatively low maintenance, making it a favored choice for both residential and commercial landscaping. Its resilience and adaptability to various environments also contribute to its popularity.

Rhus typhina, commonly known as Staghorn sumac, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. This plant is named for its distinctive, velvety young branches that resemble the antlers of a stag, particularly when they are in velvet.

Staghorn sumac typically grows to a height of 4 to 8 metres, with a spread of 6 metres, forming a rounded, open crown. Its leaves are compound and pinnate, with 11 to 31 serrated leaflets, giving it a graceful, fern-like appearance. In autumn, these leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, making Rhus typhina a striking ornamental plant.

One of the most notable features of the staghorn sumac is its clusters of dense, cone-shaped panicles of small, greenish-yellow flowers, which bloom in early summer. These flowers give way to clusters of hairy, red fruits that persist through winter, providing a food source for birds and wildlife. The fruit, rich in vitamin C, has traditionally been used by Native Americans to make a tart drink similar to lemonade.

Rhus typhina is highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, including poor, rocky, and dry soils. It is also tolerant of drought and urban pollution, making it a popular choice for landscaping in challenging environments.

The Callistemon Clear Stem, commonly known as the Bottlebrush tree, is an excellent choice for adding structure and vibrant color to a garden. This unique variety features a single, clean trunk topped with a canopy of lush green foliage, making it ideal for formal landscapes, feature planting, or as a striking focal point in smaller spaces. Its brilliant red, brush-like flowers bloom in spring and summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds, adding life and movement to the garden. The plant is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, making it suitable for a wide range of climates, including coastal areas. Its low-maintenance nature and tolerance to light pruning make it easy to shape and maintain. Whether used to create a visual statement, line a pathway, or soften hardscape features, the Callistemon brings both beauty and resilience to any garden setting.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' is a small evergreen shrub with a unique, rounded growth habit that resembles a perfectly formed 30cm ball. The dense foliage of this cultivar is a striking silvery-grey color that contrasts beautifully with other plants in the garden.

The leaves of 'Silver Ball' are narrow and elongated, giving the shrub a delicate and graceful appearance. In late spring to early summer, small, inconspicuous brown flowers appear on the plant, which are followed by small, ornamental purple berries in autumn.

This variety is ideal for planting as a low hedge, in a container, or as a specimen plant. Its compact, ball-shaped form makes it an excellent choice for small gardens or for adding structure and texture to mixed borders. With its unique appearance and low maintenance requirements, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' is a great addition to any garden.

The Pyracantha 'Saphyr Orange' is a popular variety of the Pyracantha genus, commonly known as firethorn. This evergreen shrub is admired for its vibrant orange berries and attractive, glossy foliage. 'Saphyr Orange' is particularly well-suited for use as a hedge or wall shrub due to its dense and thorny growth, which offers both ornamental beauty and a protective barrier.

Reaching a height of around 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) and a spread of 2 to 2.5 metres (6 to 8 feet), this shrub is moderately fast-growing and can be pruned to maintain its desired shape. Its dark green, leathery leaves provide year-round interest, while the thorny branches make it an excellent choice for security purposes, deterring intruders and animals alike.

In spring, Pyracantha 'Saphyr Orange' produces small clusters of white flowers that attract pollinators such as bees. However, it is the autumn display that truly sets this shrub apart. By late summer to early autumn, the flowers give way to abundant, bright orange berries, which persist well into winter. These berries are not only visually striking but also provide an important food source for birds during the colder months.

Pyracantha 'Saphyr Orange' is a hardy and versatile plant, thriving in a variety of soil types as long as they are well-drained. It is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade, though it will produce more flowers and berries in sunnier positions. Additionally, this variety is resistant to fireblight, a disease that can affect other Pyracantha species, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens.

Overall, Pyracantha 'Saphyr Orange' is an excellent option for gardeners looking to add year-round interest, security, and wildlife benefits to their outdoor space.

The Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge, commonly known as the Firethorn, is a striking ornamental shrub prized for its vibrant display of berries and robust nature. This evergreen plant belongs to the Rosaceae family and is well-suited for hedges, walls, and garden borders. With its dense, thorny branches, it offers excellent security features, creating an impenetrable barrier that can deter unwanted intrusions.

The Saphyr Rouge variety is particularly celebrated for its stunning clusters of bright red berries, which appear in late autumn and persist well into winter. These berries are a key attraction, providing a vital food source for birds during the colder months. The foliage is dark green and glossy, remaining on the plant year-round, contributing to its overall appeal as an evergreen specimen.

In spring, the Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge produces small white flowers, which are both delicate and abundant. These flowers give way to the vivid berries that make the plant so popular. The shrub can grow up to 2.5 metres in height and spread, making it an excellent choice for larger garden spaces or as a standout feature.

This plant is highly adaptable, tolerating a range of soil types, from clay to sandy conditions, and it thrives in both full sun and partial shade. It is also drought-resistant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for many gardeners. However, care should be taken when pruning due to its sharp thorns.

The Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge is valued for its year-round visual interest, its wildlife-friendly nature, and its practicality in forming protective garden boundaries. With its vibrant berries and hardy disposition, it adds a splash of colour and structure to gardens across the UK.