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Cercidiphyllum japonicum is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with ovate to round, densely branched crown, smooth bark that becomes grooved as it matures, and oval, sometimes heart-shaped, blue-green leaves, bronze when young, yellow, orange and red in autumn. The fallen autumn leaves smell like cinnamon, burnt sugar or ripe apples. Tiny, inconspicuous, fragrant, reddish flowers bloom in spring before the foliage. Cercidiphyllum japonicum grows best in rich, loose, fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in partial shade, but tolerates full sun. Doesn’t tolerate drought. It is resistant to frost and wind, but prefers locations sheltered from harsh winds and hot afternoon sun. The leaves may be damaged by late frosts. Tolerant of urban conditions. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Japanese Katsura Tree is an elegant, architectural tree, perfect as a specimen plant in large, informal, cottage, woodland, and urban gardens. Excellent for avenues and broad streets.

The Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Magic' is an elegant, evergreen shrub prized for its striking variegated foliage and compact growth habit. This cultivar is a popular choice in British gardens for hedging, borders, and specimen planting due to its year-round visual appeal and low maintenance requirements.

'Silver Magic' is characterised by its small, wavy-edged leaves, which display a delightful blend of silvery-green centres with creamy-white margins, sometimes tinged with soft pink hues in cooler weather. These delicate leaves are borne on slender, dark purple to black stems, creating an attractive contrast that enhances the plant’s ornamental value. Over time, it forms a dense, bushy habit making it an excellent choice for compact spaces.

During late spring to early summer, 'Silver Magic' produces inconspicuous, honey-scented dark purple flowers, which attract pollinators such as bees. Though small, these blooms contribute to the plant’s overall charm.

This Pittosporum thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a sunny or partially shaded position. It is relatively hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -5°C, though it benefits from some shelter in exposed or particularly frosty locations. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages denser foliage growth, especially when used as a hedge.

With its elegant variegation, year-round interest, and versatility in the landscape, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Magic' is a superb addition to contemporary and traditional gardens alike. It works beautifully as a specimen plant in pots, in mixed shrub borders, or clipped into formal shapes for structured garden designs. Its subtle yet sophisticated colouration ensures it complements a wide range of other plants, providing contrast and texture throughout the seasons.

Betula jacquemontii, or Himalayan Birch, is one of the most popular birch trees. It is a medium-sized, vigorous, deciduous tree with upright, pyramidal habit. It is famous for its beautiful snow-white peeling bark, the whitest that can be found among birch varieties. Its leaves are ovate, dark green and turn bright yellow in autumn. Male flowers are yellowish-brown and appear in dropping catkins, while female flowers are greenish and appear in upright catkins. Himalayan Birch can grow in any type of soil, even sand or clay, as long as it is moist and well-drained. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It is extremely hardy and does best in cool northern climates. Does not tolerate heat and humidity. Betula jacquemontii is a very attractive tree, perfect as a specimen plant or in beds and borders. Great for cottage and urban gardens, avenues and broad streets. Suitable for roof gardens and growing in containers.

A deciduous, early-flowering large shrub or small tree with a dome-shaped crown. In spring, before the leaves emerge, clusters of mildly fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers appear. They are followed by small, edible, red to dark red, berry-like fruits in summer. The leaves are oval, toothed, dark green in summer and yellow, orange and red in autumn. Elegant growth habit makes it attractive even in winter. Amelanchier Canadensis is easily grown. It prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils, but it tolerates most soil types and both wet and dry locations. For best autumn colours and berry production, it should be planted in full sun. Very resilient, usually pest-free and disease-free. This attractive tree is perfect as a specimen plant, suitable for hedges, great for banks and slopes. It is especially nice when planted around ponds, lakes, and streams. It doesn’t mind marshy ground. It can also be used for erosion control.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' is wonderful, vigorous, deciduous climber that climbs by anti-clockwise twining. It has soft, silky, pinnate, fresh green leaves, and fragrant, lilac-pink flowers abundantly growing in hanging sprays and blooming in late spring to early summer. Flowers are followed by velvety, bean-like seed pods, ripening in late summer and persisting on branches throughout the winter. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' grows best in moderately fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soils. It likes full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Best flowering is achieved in full sun. It can withstand frost and drought. Needs regular pruning to maintain its shape and size and to encourage flowering.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' is an exotic-looking and fast-growing climber perfect for growing against a house wall, on pergolas, trellises, arbours, and fences. Great for cottage and urban gardens. It can also grow as a tree on a strong support.

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.

Magnolia grandiflora is an exotic-looking, fast-growing, long-lived, evergreen shrub or tree of pyramidal to rounded habit, with attractive, oblong, glossy, dark-green leaves, copper-brown underneath. Beautiful, fragrant, goblet-shaped, creamy-white flowers bloom from June to September and are followed by red, cone-like seedpods. Magnolia grandiflora, or Sothern Magnolia, is easily grown in a wide range of soils, except too dry or too wet, but prefers fertile, 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, generally, pest-free and disease-free. Not very tolerant of urban pollution. Magnolia grandiflora is an American variety of Magnolia. It’s an excellent ornamental tree, perfect as a specimen plant or a shade tree. Great for informal, cottage, and woodland gardens. Excellent for beds and borders, informal hedges and screens, and for growing in containers.

Euonymus japonicus 'White Spire' is a small, compact, narrow, variegated, evergreen shrub with upright branches, densely covered with lance-shaped, leathery, glossy, oval, grey-green leaves with irregular creamy-white margins. Small, inconspicuous, greenish flowers bloom in spring and are followed by dark berries in autumn.

Euonymus japonicus 'White Spire' is tolerant of a wide range of soils and soil conditions, but prefers slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils. It can grow in any location, from full sun to deep shade. Once established, drought-tolerant. Very resistant to frost, but still needs to be protected from harsh, winter winds. Not suitable for outdoor pots in colder areas. Relatively, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Spindle 'White Spire', with its variegated evergreen leaves, is a wonderful, resilient and adaptive shrub, perfect for informal, cottage, coastal, and urban gardens. Excellent for hedges and screens, shrub and wall-side borders, and garden edging. Suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Prunus avium 'Stella' is a medium-sized, pyramidal cherry tree with oval, serrated, dark green leaves, and abundance of fragrant, white flowers blooming in spring. A large crop of tasty, heart-shaped, dark red cherries, is ready for harvesting in summer. Self-fertile tree that can be a good pollinator for other cherry varieties. The cherries have sweet and rich flavour. Cherry ‘Stella’ grows best in average, moderately fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil and thrives in full sun. Doesn’t tolerate too wet or waterlogged soils. It is resistant to frost but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Late frosts may damage the flower buds. A self-pollinating variety that can be a good pollinator for other cherry varieties. Prunus avium 'Stella' is primarily grown for the fruit crop, not for ornamental value, but is a beautiful, small tree, perfect for any small garden. Great for beds and borders and wall-side borders. Needs occasional spraying with fungicides and pesticides.

Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' is a captivating variety of Japanese Maple renowned for its eye-catching color transitions through the seasons. It typically exhibits vibrant orange-yellow foliage in spring, subtly transforming to a soft, light green as summer approaches. This stunning foliage coloration is accentuated with a contrasting network of delicate, dark red veins running through the leaves, contributing to its ornamental value.

In autumn, ‘Orange Dream’ puts on a spectacular display as the leaves transmute to a brilliant gold, sometimes with shades of red, providing a lasting impression before they fall. It's a compact, bushy, deciduous tree, making it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or for growing in containers. Additionally, it’s relatively slow-growing, reaching a height of approximately 3-4 meters over a 10-year period, ensuring manageability.

This variety prefers a sheltered location, avoiding the harshest midday sun, and appreciates well-draining, acidic to neutral soil. Providing adequate protection from strong winds and extreme temperatures will help in maintaining its vibrant leaf color and overall health. Regular watering, particularly in drier periods, is crucial, although it is important to avoid waterlogged conditions.

The aesthetic appeal and manageable size of 'Orange Dream' make it a popular choice among gardeners seeking to add a touch of drama and sophistication to their landscapes.

Pinus parviflora ‘Linda’ is a highly ornamental, slow-growing dwarf Japanese white pine, ideal for adding year-round structure, texture, and subtle color to garden landscapes. Its compact, rounded form reaches about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide over many years, making it particularly well-suited to small gardens, rock gardens, container plantings, and bonsai displays. The shrub’s soft, blue-green needles grow in short tufts, creating a dense, finely-textured appearance that contrasts beautifully with broadleaf plants and flowering perennials.

‘Linda’ thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is hardy and has good tolerance to cold, wind, and light drought once established. Minimal maintenance is needed, with only occasional shaping to preserve its form. Its slow growth makes it a long-lasting structural plant that won’t outgrow its space quickly, reducing the need for frequent pruning.

This cultivar is particularly attractive in Japanese-style or minimalist gardens, where its refined appearance and compact stature are highly valued. Pinus parviflora ‘Linda’ adds elegance, visual interest, and dependable evergreen presence, making it a valuable choice for discerning gardeners.

Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Snow White’ is an attractive, evergreen shrub or small tree of pyramidal shape, with attractive, peeling bark, and ovate, sharply toothed, glossy green leaves. Masses of beautiful and delicate, fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers, resemble cherry blossom and bloom throughout summer. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Snow White’ prefers fertile, neutral to alkaline, moist, well-drained soils but can adopt to any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It needs to be sheltered from cold, dry winds and roots should be protected in winter with mulch. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. This beautiful evergreen shrub with lovely summer flowers is a great addition to any informal, cottage, urban or coastal garden. If heavily pruned, it can be turned into an attractive evergreen hedge and provide privacy and some wind protection. Perfect for shrub borders, wall-side borders, hedges and screens.

Salix x sepulcralis var. chrysocoma is a vigorous, fast-growing, wide-spreading, deciduous tree of weeping habit, with elegant, arching branches, golden-yellow when young, and narrow, lance-shaped, bright green leaves. Yellow male and green female catkins emerge in spring along the leaves. Weeping branches grow to the ground forming an attractive golden-green curtain. Salix x sepulcralis var. chrysocoma is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but prefers deep, moderately fertile soil, in full sun. Ideal for wet and damp sites. Resistant to frost and air pollution. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Easy to grow and maintain. Golden Weeping Willow is a stunning, elegant, decorative, architectural tree, perfect as a specimen plant or focal point in large gardens. Looks beautiful when planted near streams and ponds. Great for large urban areas and suitable for wildlife gardens as well.

Alnus cordata, commonly known as the Italian alder, is a medium to large deciduous tree native to southern Italy and parts of Corsica. It belongs to the Betulaceae family and is highly valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils and challenging environmental conditions. This species is often planted for ornamental purposes, soil improvement, and as a windbreak due to its robust growth and adaptability.

The tree can reach heights of up to 25-30 metres (82-98 feet) with a trunk diameter of about 1 metre (3.3 feet). It has a relatively narrow, conical crown, which makes it an attractive choice for landscaping in urban and rural environments. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown when young, developing shallow fissures with age.

Alnus cordata is noted for its distinctive heart-shaped (cordate) leaves, which are bright green and glossy, measuring 7-12 cm in length. Unlike some other alders, the leaves of A. cordata remain on the tree until late autumn, giving it an extended season of greenery. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous catkins, with male catkins being pendulous and yellowish, and female catkins more compact and upright. These develop into small, woody cones that persist on the tree through winter.

One of the key characteristics of Alnus cordata is its nitrogen-fixing ability. Like other alders, it forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Frankia, which allows it to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. This quality makes it an excellent species for improving soil fertility, particularly in degraded or nutrient-poor areas.

Overall, the Italian alder is a resilient and versatile tree, well-suited to a variety of landscapes, including wet or compacted soils, and is an important species for ecological restoration projects.

Morus alba, or White Mulberry, is a fast-growing, rounded, spreading, deciduous tree with simple, heart-shaped, veined, glossy dark green leaves, yellow in autumn. It is usually dioecious, but sometimes monoecious. Small, yellowish, inconspicuous flowers grow in dropping catkins and bloom in spring. Female flowers are followed by sweet, edible, blackberry-like fruits, white to dark-red or purple-black when ripe. White Mulberry can adapt to a wide range of soils but grows best in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat and drought. It is resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, dry winter winds. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. White Mulberry has been used in China for thousands of years as a primary food for silkworms that produce silk. It is suitable for growing in cottage gardens, fields and roadsides. Its fruit and bird droppings are very messy for urban areas.

Trachycarpus fortune, or Chinese Windmill Palm, is a dioecious, evergreen palm tree with a stout trunk covered with hairy, black fibres from old leaf sheaths, and deeply divided, fan-shaped, dark green leaves. Large, dropping panicles of small, light yellow flowers bloom in summer and are followed by dark blue fruits on female plants. Chinese Windmill Palm grows best in rich, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers partial shade to full sun and locations sheltered from cold, drying winds and winter frosts. Plant crown may need protection. Of all the trunked palms, this one has the best winter hardiness. Drought tolerant. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Very easy to grow. Trachycarpus fortune is an excellent palm tree, perfect for bringing tropical vibes into the landscape. Great as a specimen plant or planted in groups. Suitable for growing in large containers and brought inside in very cold climates.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' is a compact, low-growing, rounded, evergreen shrub with slender, black stems, and oval, glossy, bright green leaves. Small, brownish to purple, sweetly fragrant flowers, bloom in spring and are followed by dark grey, encapsulated seeds. It is naturally globe-shaped and a great alternative to Buxus. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' can grow in various types of soil, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. The best leaf colour is achieved in sunny areas. It is sensitive to frost and needs to be sheltered from cold, winds. It is tolerant of drought, salt, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Generally, disease-free. Low maintenance plant that tolerates hard pruning. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' is a lovely ornamental shrub, perfect for rock and gravel gardens, shrub borders, wall-side borders, or low hedges and screens in informal, cottage, coastal, and urban gardens. Excellent for growing in pots and containers.

Parrotia persica is a slow-growing, wide-spreading, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small, single-trunk tree with exfoliating bark, and glossy, scallop-shaped leaves, reddish purple in spring, dark green in summer, and yellow, orange, red and purple in autumn. Small, red flowers open from black, velvety buds and bloom in clusters in late winter and early spring on bare branches. Fruit is a brown, 2-velved capsule. Parrotia persica prefers fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun, but tolerates partial shade and various soil conditions. Resistant to cold, but late frost may damage flower buds. It is generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, it doesn’t require much pruning. Persian Ironwood is most attractive for its autumn foliage and a peeling bark in shades of pink, grey-green and brown. It is excellent as a specimen or lawn tree, great for shrub borders, wall-side borders, and informal hedges and screens.

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' is a large, deciduous shrub or a small, often multi-stemmed, tree with flat-topped, vase-shaped habit and very attractive foliage. The heart-shaped, glossy, vibrant, deep-purple leaves emerge in spring and turn orange, bronze and red-purple in autumn. The blossoms of tiny, bright pink flowers appear on bare branches before the leaves and are followed by bean-like brown seedpods. Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' thrives in moderately fertile, moist and well drained soils, in full sun or partial shade. Generally, it is pest-free but may suffer from some diseases. Attractive to birds, butterflies, and bees. It doesn’t transplant well so it shouldn’t be disturbed. Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' is loved for its beautiful colourful foliage. It is great as a specimen plant or planted in groups. Perfect for beds and borders, woodland margins, or along patios. Very good as a street tree or a lawn tree.

Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' on a small 40cm clear stem with a total height of 80cm is a striking ornamental plant, perfect for website descriptions. This plant features a clear, straight stem that is 40cm in height, supporting a dense, rounded crown of glossy leaves. The young foliage emerges in a bright, vibrant red, creating a striking contrast against the older, dark green leaves. As the plant matures, the leaves gradually turn to a deep, rich green, maintaining their glossy sheen.

With a total height of 80cm, this Photinia is compact and ideal for small gardens, patios, or as a potted plant. It's a versatile shrub, popular for its year-round interest and low maintenance requirements. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a position in full sun to partial shade, where its colors are most vibrant.

Its ability to withstand pruning makes it a popular choice for creating structured looks or hedges. The plant also produces small white flowers in the spring, although these are often overshadowed by the stunning foliage. This Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a splash of color and elegance to their garden or outdoor space.