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Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the Judas tree or love tree, is a deciduous tree native to the Mediterranean region, including parts of Southern Europe and Western Asia. It is a member of the bean family (Fabaceae) and is known for its vibrant, pink-purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The Judas tree can grow up to 10 meters tall and has a spreading, umbrella-shaped crown. Its bark is smooth and gray-brown, and its branches are often twisted and gnarled, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The tree typically blooms in early spring, before its leaves appear, producing an abundance of small, pink-purple flowers that grow in clusters on the branches and trunk. These flowers are a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. After flowering, the tree produces flattened, brown seed pods that hang from the branches throughout the summer. These pods can be several centimeters long and contain numerous small seeds. The Judas tree is a popular ornamental tree in gardens and parks, where it is valued for its attractive appearance and early spring flowering. It prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, and is generally hardy and easy to grow.

Sorbus latifolia 'Henk Vink' is a highly ornamental and resilient tree, making it a great addition to medium or large gardens. This cultivar, a broad-leaved whitebeam, is known for its elegant, upright form and dense, rounded crown, which offers strong architectural structure throughout the year. It typically grows to around 8–12 metres in height, making it suitable as a focal point or boundary tree in a landscape setting.

One of its standout features is its broad, leathery, dark green leaves with a silvery underside, giving the tree a shimmering appearance when caught by the wind. In spring, it produces clusters of creamy-white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. These are followed in autumn by orange-red berries that persist into winter and are a valuable food source for birds.

The foliage turns soft shades of yellow and bronze in autumn, adding seasonal colour to the garden. 'Henk Vink' is tolerant of urban conditions, pollution, and various soil types, including dry or clay soils. With minimal maintenance needs, strong disease resistance, and excellent wildlife value, this cultivar is perfect for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience in their planting scheme.

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the Judas tree or love tree, is a deciduous tree native to the Mediterranean region, including parts of Southern Europe and Western Asia. It is a member of the bean family (Fabaceae) and is known for its vibrant, pink-purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The Judas tree can grow up to 10 meters tall and has a spreading, umbrella-shaped crown. Its bark is smooth and grey-brown, and its branches are often twisted and gnarled, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The tree typically blooms in early spring, before its leaves appear, producing an abundance of small, pink-purple flowers that grow in clusters on the branches and trunk. These flowers are a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. After flowering, the tree produces flattened, brown seed pods that hang from the branches throughout the summer. These pods can be several centimetres long and contain numerous small seeds. The Judas tree is a popular ornamental tree in gardens and parks, where it is valued for its attractive appearance and early spring flowering. It prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, and is generally hardy and easy to grow.

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' is a small, slow-growing, wide spreading, deciduous tree with dense, round habit and very unusual foliage. Extravagant, shrimp pink, moderately lobed leaves emerge in spring, gradually change to pale yellow-green, and then turn dark green later on. Clusters of yellow-green flowers appear in April and May, and winged red fruit follow in late summer. This Shrimp-Leaved Sycamore can grow in any type of soil as long as it is moist and well-drained. It enjoys full sun in sheltered position, as well as partial shade. Deep shade affects the colour of foliage. Very adaptable and low maintenance plant. It requires no pruning. Resistant to drought and frost. Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' is a very ornamental tree with stunning foliage. Because of its appearance and very slow growth, it is an excellent addition to any small garden. It is also perfect for growing in containers.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Columnaris' is a medium-sized, compact, narrowly columnar, evergreen, coniferous tree with reddish-brown, peeling bark, and flattened sprays of attractive, fragrant, blue-green foliage, grey-green underneath. The twigs have some twists in the branching. Pinkish-red flowers are fragrant, small, and inconspicuous and are followed by reddish brown cones. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Columnaris' is tolerant of most soil types, but prefers humus-rich, slightly acidic, sandy or loamy, moist, well-drained soils. It hates waterlogged areas and thrives in full sun. It is very resistant to frost and can withstand wind and exposed positions. Tolerant of urban pollution. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Lawson's cypress 'Columnaris', with its narrow columnar shape and attractive foliage colour is one of the most popular conifers. It is perfect for hedges and privacy screens, or windbreaks. Excellent as a specimen plant or planted in groups. Great for urban, rock and gravel, and roof gardens. Suitable for industrial areas and growing in containers.

Acer saccharinum 'Pyramidale', also known as the Pyramid Silver Maple, is a striking, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its strong, upright form and elegant foliage. Reaching a mature height of 20 to 25 meters with a spread of 10 to 15 meters, it forms a tall, narrowly oval canopy, making it ideal for spaces needing vertical emphasis. Its deeply lobed green leaves shimmer with silvery undersides, creating a beautiful, dynamic effect in the wind. In early spring, small red flowers appear before the leaves, offering subtle seasonal interest. 'Pyramidale' thrives in a wide range of soils, including wetter areas, and is highly adaptable to urban conditions. It provides quick shade, adds architectural interest, and brings year-round texture and movement to landscapes and parks.

The Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Alps', commonly known as Juniper ‘Blue Alps’, is an attractive evergreen conifer valued with striking blue-grey foliage and hardy nature. It is a vigorous and adaptable shrub that provides year-round structure, colour, and texture in a wide range of garden settings.

This juniper has a naturally bushy and slightly spreading habit, typically reaching around 2–4 metres in height with a similar spread when fully mature. Its branches form a dense, layered shape, creating a strong architectural presence in borders or landscape planting. The foliage consists of sharp, needle-like leaves that are silvery blue to blue-green in colour, giving the plant its distinctive cool-toned appearance. In bright sunlight the colour is particularly striking, often contrasting beautifully with greener shrubs and perennials nearby.

One of the main strengths of Juniper ‘Blue Alps’ is its hardiness and tolerance of difficult conditions. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, but it can cope with poorer soils, dry conditions, and exposed sites once established. This makes it a practical choice for coastal gardens, gravel gardens, and low-maintenance planting schemes. The plant is also relatively drought tolerant, requiring little watering once it has settled into its growing position.

Juniper ‘Blue Alps’ is often used as a specimen shrub, in mixed borders, or as part of a conifer bed. It also works well for screening or informal hedging due to its dense growth. Because it maintains its foliage throughout the year, it offers consistent colour and structure during the winter months when many other plants are dormant.

Maintenance is minimal. Occasional light pruning may be carried out to control size or shape, but heavy pruning into old wood should be avoided as regrowth can be slow. Overall, Juniper ‘Blue Alps’ is a reliable, resilient, and visually distinctive shrub, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking year-round interest with minimal effort.

Cuprocyparis leylandii is a hybrid of Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis). It’s a large, fast-growing, dense, evergreen conifer tree with upright, columnar to pyramidal, habit and spays of grey-green, citrus-scented foliage. The branches are slightly flattened and covered with sprays of green scale-like leaves. Dark brown cones bear sterile seeds. Cuprocyparis leylandii thrives on a variety of soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun. It is resilient to frost, urban pollution and spray salt, therefore, suitable for growing in cities and in coastal areas. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Cuprocyparis leylandii is mostly used for formal garden hedges. It is very popular among gardeners because of its dense and fast-growing habit. Leylandii hedges are ideal for noise reduction, wind protection and for creating beautiful privacy screens. It can also be a nice specimen plant, but it must be regularly trimmed not to outgrow its space in small landscapes.

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Teddy Bear’ is a delightful dwarf cultivar of the hinoki cypress, prized for its compact, evergreen habit and soft, tactile foliage. Unlike its tall tree-forming relatives, this variety grows slowly into a neat, rounded shrub that brings year-round structure and interest to gardens, patios and containers.

The foliage is composed of tiny, scale-like leaves in a rich, deep green that remain vibrant throughout all seasons, giving the plant a lush, almost fern-like texture. This dense, soft growth habit is the reason behind its common name, ‘Teddy Bear’, as the plant’s surface appears invitingly plush and sculptural.

In terms of size, ‘Teddy Bear’ remains a manageable shrub, typically reaching around 1.5–2.5 metres in height and spreading to about 1–1.5 metres over many years. It’s exceptionally slow growing, so it won’t overwhelm a small garden, border or large pot, making it ideal for smaller spaces where taller conifers might be unsuitable.

This variety prefers a position in full sun to partial shade, with moist but well-drained soil. While it thrives in slightly acidic conditions, it will tolerate a range of soil types as long as water does not stand around the roots. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance, requiring little more than occasional watering during prolonged dry spells and minimal pruning to maintain its shape if needed.

Because it retains its foliage and shape throughout the year, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Teddy Bear’ provides decorative evergreen interest in winter as well as through spring, summer and autumn. Its soft, rounded form complements both informal cottage gardens and contemporary landscapes, adding texture, structure and a touch of charm wherever it’s planted.

The Larix decidua, commonly known as the European Larch, is a distinctive deciduous conifer that brings year-round interest and strong architectural character to a garden. Unlike most conifers, it sheds its soft needles in autumn, creating a beautiful seasonal display as the foliage turns warm golden yellow before falling.

European Larch is best suited to medium to large gardens where it has space to develop into an elegant tree. It forms a tall, upright shape with gently spreading branches that allow light to filter through, making it less heavy in appearance than many evergreen conifers. In spring, clusters of fresh bright green needles emerge along the branches, often accompanied by small decorative cones that add further visual interest.

This species thrives in full sun and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It performs particularly well in cooler climates and is very hardy, making it reliable in most UK gardens. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and tolerant of exposed positions.

Because of its graceful structure and seasonal colour changes, European Larch works beautifully as a specimen tree in lawns, parkland-style gardens, or large landscapes where its natural form can be fully appreciated.

Prunus x yedoensis Shidare-Yoshino is a fast-growing, deciduous, ornamental, flowering cherry tree of weeping habit, usually grafted on stem, with slender arching branches and oval, narrow, dark green leaves, golden and bronze in autumn. Beautiful, single, pale pink to white, almond-scented flowers bloom abundantly from pink buds in early spring, before the leaves emerge. Prunus x yedoensis Shidare-Yoshino prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun, but can adapt to a wide range of soils, except too wet and heavy soils. It’s a tough plant, resistant to frost and urban pollution. Since it’s an early bloomer, flower buds may be damaged by late frosts. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Prunus x yedoensis Shidare-Yoshino is perfect as a specimen plant or planted in groups in informal, cottage, wildlife, and urban gardens with limited space. It is great for beds and borders or for informal hedges and screens. Excellent for urban conditions. Suitable for growing in containers.

Cornus alba 'Sibirica' is a medium-sized, suckering, fast-growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub famous for its red stems, especially spectacular in winter, when they turn bright coral red. It has ovate, greyish-green leaves with white margins and small, creamy white flowers that bloom in spring and summer and are followed by bluish-white berries in autumn. Attractive to birds and butterflies. Cornus alba 'Sibirica' thrives in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate, wet, dry, and poor soils. Pruning is not required but it can stimulate the growth of new stems. Young stems have the best colour. Cornus alba 'Sibirica' is most attractive during the winter when its fiery red stems bring colour to a winter garden and beautifully contrast the whiteness of the snow. It looks best when planted in groups or beside water. It is great for shrub borders, hedging and screens, or as an accent plant.

Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket,' commonly known as the Skyrocket Juniper, is a striking evergreen shrub that has gained popularity in British gardens for its unique and captivating appearance. This particular juniper variety offers a range of features that make it a valuable addition to the UK landscape.

One of the standout characteristics of the Skyrocket Juniper is its narrow, columnar growth habit. It forms a tall, slender silhouette with dense, blue-green foliage that remains vibrant year-round. This growth pattern makes it an ideal choice for gardens with limited space or for those looking to add vertical interest to their landscape. Its elegant shape and compact size are well-suited for both formal and contemporary garden designs.

This juniper is well-suited to the UK climate. It is hardy and can withstand the challenging conditions often experienced in British gardens, including cold temperatures and exposure to wind and salt spray in coastal areas. Its resilience and adaptability ensure that it thrives in a variety of soil types, provided they are well-drained.

Maintaining the Skyrocket Juniper is relatively straightforward. It has a slow to moderate growth rate, which means it won't require frequent pruning. Occasional trimming may be necessary to maintain its slender form and to remove any dead or damaged branches. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a practical choice for gardeners looking for an attractive yet hassle-free addition to their outdoor space.

As an evergreen, the Skyrocket Juniper provides year-round visual interest. Its blue-green foliage remains vibrant even during the winter months when many other plants have lost their leaves. This feature ensures that it continues to contribute to the garden's aesthetic appeal throughout the year.

In addition to its ornamental qualities, the Skyrocket Juniper is known for its versatility. It can be used as a standalone specimen plant, a focal point in a garden bed, or planted in rows to create a unique and stylish privacy screen or windbreak. Its narrow profile makes it an excellent choice for lining driveways, walkways, or framing entrances.

Magnolia 'Susanna van Veen' is a compact, multi-branched, oval to rounded, deciduous shrub with mid-green leaves and lotus-like, rosy-pink flowers, darker from the outside. They open from silvery-haired buds and bloom in early spring on bare branches before the leaves emerge. Magnolia 'Susanna van Veen' prefers fertile, rich, slightly acidic, moist, but well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun and partial shade. Once established, it can withstand some drought. Roots are easily damaged, therefore, they should not be disturbed. It is resistant to frost, but needs to be protected from strong winds. Since it blooms very early, flower buds may be damaged by late frosts. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Magnolia 'Susanna van Veen' is a cross between M. sprengeri „Diva“ and M. sargentiana „Robusta“. It’s a lovely flowering shrub, perfect for small informal, cottage, urban or woodland gardens. It is great as a specimen plant and for informal hedges and screens, excellent for lawns, foundations, and shrub borders.

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.

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.

Ligustrum excelsum Superbum - is a small, evergreen tree with a great, rounded crown that retains its rounded shape if grown in full sun. Long, ovate, pointed, glossy, light-green leaves have attractive, greenish-yellow to creamy-yellow margins. Numerous clusters of scented, creamy-yellow flowers almost cover the leaves in summer and autumn, and are followed by small, black berries that remain on branches for a long time. Chinese privet 'Excelsum Superbum' - can thrive in wide range of soil types, except waterlogged. It prefers deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. Once established, it is resistant to drought. Tolerant of urban pollution and salty air. Low maintenance plant. In harsh winters, it may lose its leaves. Ligustrum excelsum Superbum – is a tough tree, perfect for restricted spaces as it can be planted very close to buildings, therefore, suitable for a street tree. Great for informal hedges and screens, or as an accent plant.

Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Glauca' is a large, dense, coniferous, evergreen tree of pyramidal habit, with peeling, brown bark, deeply fragrant, blue-green to silvery-green, scale-like leaves, and small, rounded cones in spring. Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Glauca' is adaptable to a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. It prefers fertile, slightly acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. It grows best in full sun. Once established, resistant to drought. Tolerant of urban pollution and paved areas, also heat and coastal conditions. It needs to be sheltered form strong winds. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Arizona cypress 'Glauca' is a wonderful, architectural, evergreen tree, perfect for creating tall, dense hedges and screens. Suitable for larger coastal, urban, and cottage gardens. Great as a specimen plant. Excellent as a street tree or planted in parks and larger urban areas.

Cedrus deodara is a large, evergreen, fast-growing coniferous tree of pyramidal habit and pendulous horizontal branching. Long, elegant branches with weeping tips bear glaucous, whorled light blue or greyish green needle-like leaves. Male cones are upright, scattered on lower branches, releasing pollen in autumn and then falling to the ground. Female cones are upright, solitary or in pairs, and need 2 years to mature. Deodar Cedar prefers deep, rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun. It needs to be protected from hard winds and can be damaged by frost. Once established, it is tolerant to drought and hot, humid summers. Moderately tolerant to salt. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Cedrus deodara is one of the most graceful conifers, perfect as a specimen plant in large gardens. Great in groups or as a screen. It can be attractive in cities as a street tree if lower branches are removed.

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.