Trees For Wildlife

Malus domestica 'Fiesta' is a medium-sized, upright to spreading, heavy-cropping, deciduous, dessert apple tree with ovate, toothed, grey-green leaves, yellow and orange in autumn. Pale pink flowers fade to white, bloom in spring, and are followed by heavy crops of red-flushed, yellow-orange apples ready for harvesting in September. The apples are rich in flavour, juicy, sweet and crisp. Malus domestica 'Fiesta' grows best in moderately fertile, neutral, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It is resistant to frost, but late frosts may damage the flower buds. Partially self-fertile, it requires another pollinator planted near-by. It needs regular pruning and thinning. Apple 'Fiesta' is a popular dessert apple. The tree is ornamental and suitable for informal, cottage, and urban gardens. It’s a reliable and heavy cropper. The apples can be eaten fresh, but are also used for culinary purposes. Since very juicy, they are perfect for making apple juice.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Malus Domestica 'Golden Delicious’ is a heavily-producing, deciduous apple tree, with oval, dark green leaves and lovely, fragrant, white flowers blooming in April. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Flowers are followed by heavy and regular crops of greenish-yellow to golden-yellow, delicious, sweet, crispy, juicy, and aromatic apples. Malus Domestica 'Golden Delicious’ grows best in moderately fertile, neutral, deep, loamy, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun, but can adapt to partial shade. It requires cold winters for good fruit production, but it has to be sheltered from harsh winter winds. It is self-fertile but needs a pollinator of anther variety blooming at the same time for better crops. Regular pruning and fruit thinning are required to improve fruit size and quality. 'Golden Delicious' Apple is a wonderful, ornamental tree, a nice addition to any garden. It is primarily grown for its delicious fruit, perfect for eating fresh and great for cooking. One of the best apple varieties.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Clapp’s Favourite is a classic English dessert apple, valued for its attractive appearance, refreshing flavour and early cropping season. This traditional variety remains a popular choice for gardeners looking to extend the apple harvest into the earlier part of the season.

The fruit is medium to large, with a distinctive greenish-yellow skin flushed and streaked with bright red as it ripens. When cut open, the flesh is juicy, crisp and tender, with a pleasantly sweet flavour balanced by a refreshing acidity. Clapp’s Favourite is particularly enjoyable when eaten straight from the tree, making it an excellent choice for the family fruit garden.

One of its greatest advantages is its early ripening period, with fruit generally ready to harvest from late August into early September, depending on the location and growing conditions. This makes it a useful variety for enjoying home-grown apples before many of the more familiar autumn cultivars are ready.

The tree produces attractive blossom in spring, with delicate white to pale pink flowers providing an important source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects. It also makes an attractive feature tree, combining spring blossom with a crop of colourful fruit later in the year.

For the best results, plant Clapp’s Favourite in a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil. A sunny site will encourage good fruit development and help the apples achieve their best flavour. Regular watering during dry periods, particularly while the tree is becoming established, will also encourage healthy growth and reliable cropping.

Clapp’s Favourite is not generally regarded as a self-fertile variety, so it is best planted alongside a compatible apple variety that flowers at a similar time to ensure good pollination and fruit production.

An excellent choice for traditional and family gardens, Clapp’s Favourite combines spring blossom, attractive fruit and an early summer harvest, making it a rewarding addition to the home orchard.

The Starline Green Finch apple tree is a modern, compact variety well suited to gardens across the UK, particularly where space is limited. Bred for reliability and ease of care, it is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners seeking a productive and attractive fruit tree.

This variety produces medium-sized apples with a fresh green skin, sometimes developing a slight golden hue as they ripen. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and pleasantly firm, offering a well-balanced flavour that combines gentle sweetness with a refreshing sharpness. This makes the fruit ideal for eating fresh, while also being suitable for cooking, juicing, or adding to salads.

The tree itself has a neat, manageable growth habit, often remaining relatively compact without requiring excessive pruning. It is therefore particularly appropriate for smaller gardens, patios, or even container growing when grafted onto a suitable rootstock. In spring, it produces a profusion of delicate white blossoms, which not only enhance its ornamental appeal but also attract pollinators such as bees.

One of the key advantages of the Starline Green Finch is its good disease resistance, helping to reduce the need for chemical treatments and making it a more environmentally friendly option. It is also known for producing consistent and reliable crops year after year, even in typical British weather conditions.

Overall, the Starline Green Finch apple tree offers a combination of practicality, flavour, and visual appeal, making it a rewarding addition to a wide range of UK gardens.

James Grieve Apple is a hardy, deciduous tree suitable for cold climate zones. It is best grown in northerly areas with cold winters, moderate summer temperatures, and medium to high humidity. It’s an old apple variety, raised in 1893. in Edinburgh, Scotland, by James Grieve from pollination of Cox’s Orange Pippin and most likely Pott’s Seedling apple. Generally, a resilient plant, it needs some protection from harsh winds. It’s a good polliniser for other apples. It cannot be found in supermarkets because it is sensitive to pressure and easily bruised and cannot sustain supermarket handling.

James Grieve apples are medium to large, yellow-green, speckled and striped orange-red, with creamy, refreshing and very juicy flesh. At the beginning of season, it is sharp and perfect for cooking, retaining its shape when cooked. After a few weeks, it becomes milder and sweeter, like a firm pear in texture.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Malus domestica ‘Katy’ is a vigorous, early-season, heavy-cropping, deciduous apple tree with ovate, green leaves, orange and red in autumn, and lovely, white, scented flowers blooming in spring. Small to medium, bright red apples have white and juicy flash with sweet and refreshing flavour and are ready for harvesting in early September. Malus domestica ‘Katy’ prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in sunny, sheltered positions. It doesn’t like acidic and shallow chalk soils, as well as shady areas. Resistant to frost and suitable for Northern European climates. Not self-fertile, it needs a pollinator nearby for flower pollination. Requires regular pruning and fruit thinning for better fruit size and quality. Apple 'Katya' is a cross between James Grieve and Worcester Pearmain. It’s a beautiful ornamental tree, a great addition to any informal, cottage, or urban garden. Suitable for wall-side borders and for growing in containers. Apples are perfect for making juices, but also to be eaten fresh.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Red Devil Apple plant is a deciduous, hardy, vigorous tree with a bushy, upright habit, attractive pink-white flowers, and stunning, deep red fruit. Its creamy flesh is white, but stained with red and produces beautiful pink juice. Red Devil apples ripen in mid-September and are harvested till mid-October. The fruit has juicy and moderately sweet and sharp taste with a hint of strawberry flavour. They store well and can be kept till January.

Red Devil Apple was bred by Hugh Ermen, in Faversham, Kent in 1975, and introduced in 1990 as an excellent, modern dessert apple. It is very resilient, generally disease-free, and adaptable to most weather conditions. It grows in almost any type of soil as long as it is moist and well-drained. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. It is self-fertile and doesn’t need a pollination partner.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Malus domestica ‘Red Falstaff’ is a late-season, heavy-cropping dessert apple with lovely, pinkish white flowers blooming in April and May, and abundance of delicious, very balanced, crisp and juicy, orange-red apples, ready for harvesting in October. Apples can be stored throughout the winter. Malus domestica ‘Red Falstaff’ likes deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Very acidic and chalk soils should be avoided. It thrives in full sun. It is very resistant to frost and tolerant of wind, but needs to be sheltered form harsh winter winds. Suitable for colder climates. It is self-fertile and an excellent pollinator for other varieties. It has a good disease resistance. Some pruning and fruit thinning may be required. Apple 'Red Falstaff' is an excellent dessert apple, a reliable and heavy cropper, perfect for informal, cottage, and urban gardens. Suitable for growing in containers. Very tasty when eaten fresh, but also great when used for culinary purposes.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

Malus domestica 'Scrumptious' is an early-fruiting, dessert apple tree with ovate, dark green leaves and pale pink flowers blooming in spring. Flowers are followed by heavy crops of large, sweet, crisp, and aromatic apples with thin, red skin and tasty, white flesh, ready for harvesting in early autumn, usually September. Malus domestica 'Scrumptious' grows best in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun, but can adapt to a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. It can tolerate partial shade but the best cropping occurs if grown in full sun. It can withstand frost and, therefore, suitable for colder areas. Fairly resistant to pests and diseases. It is self-fertile and a good pollinator to other varieties. May require pruning and fruit thinning for better crops. Apple 'Scrumptious' is a modern English dessert apple, a cross between the Golden Delicious and the Discovery. Great option for small informal and cottage gardens and for growing in containers.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

The Apple Spartan tree, when grafted onto M26 rootstock, presents an ideal option for orchardists and home gardeners seeking a blend of manageable size and quality fruit production.

Spartan, a descendant of the McIntosh apple, hails from Canada and is renowned for its striking deep-red, almost glossy skin. Beneath this inviting exterior, the apple provides a crisp, juicy bite, bursting with a sweet flavor subtly accompanied by hints of tartness. This apple variety is not only cherished for fresh eating but also excels in culinary creations due to its rich taste and texture.

M26, as a rootstock, strikes a balance between dwarf and semi-dwarf growth habits. When fully mature, trees on this rootstock typically attain heights of 8-12 feet, making them particularly suited for gardens where space might be at a premium. Additionally, M26 provides a faster onset of fruiting, usually within 2-3 years of planting, which is a boon for those eager to enjoy their homegrown apples sooner. Furthermore, it offers commendable disease resistance and fares well in a diverse range of soil conditions.

Together, the Spartan apple on M26 rootstock promises a compact, yet productive tree, yielding high-quality fruit while fitting seamlessly into smaller orchard spaces or backyard gardens.

Sunset apple is a heavy-cropping garden apple with upright, compact habit and attractive pale pink flowers that bloom in March. They are followed by small, round to ovate, golden-yellow and green fruit with red and orange striping. A white to ivory flesh is crisp, firm and fine-grained, sometimes tinged with green. It has sweet, sharp, aromatic flavour. Sunset Apple was bred in approximately 1918 by G. C. Addy at Ightham, Kent. One of the parent varieties is Cox’s Orange Pippin Apple. Sunset Apple was meant to be similar to it, but easier to grow. It is very resilient, generally disease-free, cold and frost resistant, therefore, suitable for growing even in northern parts of Europe. Doesn’t need a pollinating partner because it is self-fertile. It is not commercially grown because of its small size. Sunset apples are crispy and juicy, great for eating or cooking. When cooked, they retain their shape.

M26 is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (smaller than MM106) used for apple trees, particularly in orchards and home gardens. It produces trees 10-12 feet in height, making them easier to manage and harvest. M26 ensures early fruit production, good anchorage, and medium vigor. However, it requires staking during early years and is moderately susceptible to fire blight.

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.

Arbutus unedo Mercurius 'Bocarm', commonly known as the Strawberry Tree, is a versatile and compact evergreen shrub that brings year-round interest to any garden. This cultivar features glossy, dark green leaves with a slightly serrated edge, offering a lush backdrop to its seasonal displays. In autumn, it produces delicate clusters of white, urn-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. These are followed by vibrant red, strawberry-like fruits that add a splash of color and are edible, often used in jams and preserves. The shrub's rough, cinnamon-colored bark provides additional texture and visual appeal. Tolerant of coastal and urban conditions, 'Bocarm' is ideal for borders, hedging, or as a standalone feature, thriving in well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.