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Tilia henryana, commonly known as Henry’s lime, is an elegant and distinctive deciduous tree valued for its refined form, ornamental foliage, and late-season flowers. Native to central China, it was introduced to Britain in the late nineteenth century and has since become a prized specimen in gardens, arboreta, and parkland where space allows.

The most striking feature of Tilia henryana is its leaves. They are heart-shaped and mid to dark green, with sharply serrated margins that are noticeably bristle-tipped, giving the foliage a finely textured and slightly spiky appearance. This characteristic sets it apart from other limes and adds visual interest throughout the growing season. In autumn, the leaves turn an attractive yellow, providing a soft seasonal display before leaf fall.

The tree typically develops a broadly conical to rounded crown and can reach heights of 10–15 metres in cultivation in the UK, often smaller than many other Tilia species. Its bark is smooth and grey when young, becoming lightly fissured with age. The overall habit is neat and balanced, making it suitable as a specimen tree rather than for formal avenues.

Flowering occurs in late summer, usually in August, later than most other limes. The small, creamy-white flowers are borne in loose clusters accompanied by pale green bracts. They are lightly fragrant and extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators, extending the nectar season well into the summer. Following flowering, small, rounded nutlets may form.

Tilia henryana prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soils and grows best in full sun or light shade. It is hardy in most parts of the UK and relatively free from serious pests or diseases. Its combination of unusual foliage, manageable size, and late flowering makes it an excellent choice for ornamental planting and biodiversity-friendly landscapes.

Salix babylonica, commonly known as the weeping willow, is a majestic deciduous tree that belongs to the family Salicaceae. With its graceful and distinctive appearance, the Salix babylonica is widely recognized and admired around the world. Native to China, this tree has been cultivated for centuries and has found its way into various landscapes due to its ornamental value and environmental benefits.

The weeping willow is known for its unique weeping form, with its long, slender branches that droop gracefully towards the ground. It can reach impressive heights, often growing between 30 to 50 feet tall, with some exceptional specimens exceeding 100 feet. The branches are covered in narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are a vibrant green color, turning yellow in the fall before shedding for winter.

One of the most captivating features of the weeping willow is its pendulous branches, which sway and dance in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing display. These branches are adorned with slender, yellow-green catkins in the spring, adding a touch of beauty to the tree's overall appearance.

Salix babylonica thrives in moist environments and is commonly found near bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and lakes. It has an extensive root system that helps stabilize the soil, making it an excellent choice for erosion control along riverbanks and shorelines. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and helps regulate water temperature, benefiting aquatic ecosystems.

In addition to its aesthetic and environmental appeal, the weeping willow holds cultural and symbolic significance in various societies. It has been associated with mourning and grief in some cultures, while in others, it represents resilience, flexibility, and adaptability.

When it comes to cultivation, the weeping willow prefers full sun exposure and moist, well-drained soil. It is a fast-growing tree that requires regular pruning to maintain its elegant shape and prevent the branches from touching the ground. Care should be taken when planting near structures or underground utilities due to its invasive root system.

In conclusion, Salix babylonica, or the weeping willow, is a remarkable tree renowned for its graceful weeping form, pendulous branches, and vibrant foliage. It serves both practical and aesthetic purposes, making it a beloved choice for landscapes and water conservation efforts. Its cultural significance and captivating beauty have made it a cherished tree for centuries, captivating the hearts of those who encounter it.

Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Rosea’, often called the Weeping Higan Cherry, is a graceful ornamental tree prized for its elegant cascading branches and soft pink spring blossoms. When trained or pruned into a ball shape, this cultivar transforms from its naturally weeping habit into a striking, rounded standard—creating a perfect floral sphere atop a clear stem that becomes a captivating focal point in any garden.

In ball form, the delicate, nodding branchlets are encouraged to sweep uniformly around the crown, producing a symmetrical orb that showcases the tree’s blossom display and refined silhouette. In early spring, clouds of pale to mid-pink flowers envelop the ball, attracting pollinators and adding romantic colour. Through summer and autumn the fresh foliage—fresh green turning darker with age—adds enduring structure, and in winter the bare framework offers sculptural interest.

This tree thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture, particularly in its early years. It suits formal and informal gardens alike: as a standout centrepiece in a lawn, beside a terrace, or as an accent in mixed borders. With light maintenance and careful pruning to retain its ball form, Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Rosea’ delivers year-round beauty and seasonal spectacle.

Carpinus betulus, or European Hornbeam, is a large, deciduous tree with a fluted grey trunk and very appealing, dense, oval to rounded crown. The leaves are ovate, serrated and ribbed, dark green in summer, coppery yellow in autumn. They remain on branches long into winter. Flowers appear in separate male and female catkins before the leaves, in spring, and are followed by winged nuts. European Hornbeam is a low maintenance and easy to grow plant. It is satisfied with any type of soil, but prefers fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is generally disease-free and pest free. It can tolerate drought. Carpinus betulus is an excellent tree and a nice addition to any garden. It is great as a specimen plant or in a group. Because of its tolerance to pruning, it is perfect for hedges and privacy screens.

A Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) trained into an umbrella shape is an elegant and highly suitable feature for a garden, combining structure, shade, and ornamental interest. In this form, the plant is pruned with a clear single or multi-stem trunk and a broad, spreading canopy that creates a graceful, rounded “parasol” effect. The dense evergreen foliage, dark green above and silvery beneath, provides year-round texture and light dappled shade beneath the canopy, making it ideal for seating areas, pathways, or as a focal point in courtyards.

The umbrella shape highlights the plant’s natural branching habit while allowing good air circulation and light penetration, which encourages healthy growth and fruit production. In spring, striking red and white flowers appear across the canopy, followed by fragrant, oval fruits in autumn. Feijoa is tolerant of wind, coastal conditions, drought once established, and moderate frost, making it adaptable to many climates. This trained form suits both formal and contemporary garden designs, offering a refined architectural presence with the added benefit of edible harvests.

Photinia 'Red Robin Robusta Compacta' is a strikingly beautiful, dense shrub, renowned for its vibrant foliage. This particular variety is expertly shaped into a perfect ball, showcasing its dense, lush growth. The leaves are initially a brilliant red when young, gradually maturing to a deep, glossy green, providing a stunning contrast that catches the eye throughout the seasons.

This robust shrub thrives in a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions. It's highly adaptable to different environments, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Regular pruning helps maintain its distinct spherical shape and promotes new growth, ensuring a vibrant display of red foliage in spring.

Growing to a manageable size, this Photinia variety is perfect for small to medium-sized gardens, and its compact, ball-like form makes it an excellent choice for borders, focal points, or as a structured element in garden design. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round interest, making it a valuable addition to any landscape.

Hardy and low-maintenance, 'Red Robin Robusta Compacta' is not just a visually appealing plant; it also serves as a natural privacy screen or hedge. Its dense foliage provides an excellent backdrop for other plants, enhancing the overall beauty of any garden setting.

Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin Compacta’ grown as a multi-stem shrub is an excellent choice for adding dense, evergreen structure and vibrant seasonal colour to a garden. This more compact form retains all the ornamental qualities of the classic ‘Red Robin’, but with a tighter, bushier habit, making it ideal for smaller spaces or more controlled planting schemes.

Its standout feature is the brilliant red young foliage, which emerges in flushes throughout the growing season before maturing to a glossy dark green. This continual contrast brings long-lasting visual interest and works beautifully in mixed borders, courtyard gardens, or as a low screen.

Thriving in full sun or partial shade, it prefers fertile, well-drained soil and benefits from a sheltered position to protect new growth from cold or drying winds. As a multi-stem specimen, it offers a softer, more natural shape, adding depth and layering to planting designs.

Typically reaching around 2–3 metres in height, it remains manageable and responds well to pruning, which encourages fresh red growth. Hardy and low maintenance, it is a versatile option for adding year-round colour, structure, and privacy to both modern and traditional gardens.

Catalpa bignonioides, commonly known as Southern Catalpa or Indian Bean Tree, is a deciduous tree that is native to the southeastern United States. It is a member of the Bignoniaceae family, which also includes other notable ornamental trees such as Jacaranda and Trumpet Creeper. Southern Catalpa trees typically grow up to 50 feet tall and have a broad, spreading crown. They have large, heart-shaped leaves that can reach up to 12 inches in length and produce fragrant, white or yellowish-white flowers in late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by long, slender seed pods that can reach up to 18 inches in length and contain numerous small seeds. Catalpa bignonioides is known for its attractive, distinctive appearance and is commonly used as an ornamental tree in landscaping. It is also valued for its shade-providing qualities and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Southern Catalpa is a hardy tree that is relatively easy to grow and maintain. It prefers well-draining soils and full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can even withstand periods of drought. However, it is vulnerable to some pests and diseases, including catalpa sphinx moth and Verticillium wilt.

Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia, or European Mountain Ash, is a vigorous, deciduous tree with oval, upright habit when young, rounded when mature and pinnate, serrated, dark green leaves, yellow, red, and purple in autumn. Flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers bloom in late spring and are followed by a profusion of bright orange-red berries. Attractive to birds and bees. European Mountain Ash prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils, but is adaptable to various soil conditions, even poor and dry. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is resistant to frost and can withstand wind and short floods. Doesn’t like hot and humid summers. Very easy to grow, tolerant of urban pollution and exposed areas. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Sorbus aucuparia is an attractive ornamental tree, perfect for cool northern climates. Great for cottage, wildlife, and urban gardens. Excellent as a street tree. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens.

Pot-grown trees establish quickly with minimal transplant shock, offer greater flexibility for planting throughout the year, and typically show more consistent early growth due to their well-developed, protected root systems.

Taxus baccata, or Common Yew, is a long-lived, medium-sized, bushy evergreen tree of pyramidal habit, with leathery, flat-needled, light to dark green foliage. Inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring and are followed by very ornamental, red, berry-like fruits on female plants in autumn. Fruits are attractive to birds. Common Yew grows best in evenly moist, fertile, sandy, loamy, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, but it can adapt to a wide range of soils, except poorly-drained. It is tolerant of full shade, exposed positions, and urban pollution. It doesn’t like temperature extremes, and need protection from harsh winter winds. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning, but can be trimmed in various shapes. Taxus bacca is a tough and resilient plant suitable for various conditions, one of the best conifers for shady areas. Perfect as a specimen or accent plant. Excellent for hedges and screens. Great for foundation plantings or topiaries.

A Feijoa (Acca sellowiana), commonly known as Pineapple Guava, trimmed into a neat ball shape makes an excellent and attractive feature for a garden. This evergreen shrub or small tree has dense, glossy, oval leaves with silvery undersides, creating a rich green, textured sphere when formally pruned.

In a ball form, it works beautifully as a specimen plant, low hedge element, or in symmetrical plantings along paths and driveways. It is well suited to Mediterranean, coastal, and temperate gardens, being tolerant of wind, drought once established, and light frost.

Beyond its sculptural shape, the plant offers seasonal interest with striking red and white edible flowers in spring, followed by fragrant, oval green fruits in autumn. The compact, rounded form provides year-round structure while still allowing for fruit production, making it both ornamental and productive.

Overall, a ball-shaped Pineapple Guava is a hardy, low-maintenance, and visually refined choice that suits formal and contemporary gardens as well as relaxed, edible landscapes.

Carpinus betulus, or European Hornbeam, is a large, deciduous tree with a fluted grey trunk and very appealing, dense, oval to rounded crown. The leaves are ovate, serrated and ribbed, dark green in summer, coppery yellow in autumn. They remain on branches long into winter. Flowers appear in separate male and female catkins before the leaves, in spring, and are followed by winged nuts. European Hornbeam is a low maintenance and easy to grow plant. It is satisfied with any type of soil, but prefers fertile, dry to moist, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is generally disease-free and pest free. It can tolerate drought. Carpinus betulus is an excellent tree and a nice addition to any garden. It is great as a specimen plant or in a group. Because of its tolerance to pruning, it is perfect for hedges and privacy screens.

Prunus ‘Kanzan’ is a beautiful, medium-sized, ornamental, deciduous cherry tree of vase-shaped when young, spreading and rounded habit when mature. Its ovate, toothed dark green leaves are coppery-red when young and in shades of orange and bronze in autumn. The profusion of bright pink, double flowers bloom in clusters before the leaves emerge. Flowers are sterile and are not followed by fruit. Prunus ‘Kanzan’ thrives in fertile, moist, well-drained soils, sandy or clay loams. It prefers full sun, but tolerates light shade. It is necessary to prune it after flowering, but is generally low maintenance plant. Susceptible to many diseases and pests and may be short-lived. Cherry ‘Kanzan’ is one of the most ornamental of flowering cherries. It’s a stunning, elegant tree, whether as a specimen plant or planted in groups, great for small informal, cottage and urban gardens. Excellent for streets and parks. Suitable for growing in containers or as a bonsai.

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’, often called the Wedding Cake Tree, is a highly ornamental choice for gardens where its layered, tiered branching can be fully appreciated. Its standout feature is the elegant horizontal structure of its branches, which create a striking, architectural silhouette throughout the year. The variegated foliage—green leaves edged with creamy white—adds brightness and contrast, making the tree particularly effective as a focal point in borders, lawns, or larger mixed plantings.

This cultivar prefers moist, well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter regions, a bit of afternoon shade helps protect the variegated leaves from scorch. While it can tolerate a range of soil types, it performs best in slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Although not fast-growing, it steadily matures into a medium-sized tree, making it suitable for medium to large gardens where its distinctive shape has room to develop.

Maintenance needs are minimal. Apart from light pruning to maintain its layered form, the tree grows naturally into its characteristic structure. In autumn, the foliage often develops soft pink and red tones, adding seasonal interest. With its refined shape, striking leaves, and year-round appeal, Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ is an excellent choice for gardens seeking elegance and structure.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free.

Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Feijoa (acca) sellowiana, or Pineapple Guava, is an attractive, evergreen shrub or small tree, with oblong, silvery green leaves, white-felted underneath. Unusual flowers with four red petals, white on the outside, and red stamens with yellow tips, appear singly or in clusters. They are edible and taste like marshmallows. Flowers are followed by edible, tough-skinned, red-flushed, green fruit with pineapple-spearmint flavour. Pineapple Guava loves full sun, and prefers light, moist, well-drained soils. The consistent soil moisture is very important for the production of fruits. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types and partial shade. It is moderately tolerant of salt and drought, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance, doesn’t require much pruning. Feijoa (acca) sellowiana is a unique, ornamental shrub, ideal for urban, coastal, and Mediterranean gardens. Perfect as a specimen or accent plant, great for wall-side borders, hedges and screens, or for growing in containers.

Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’, commonly known as dwarf heavenly bamboo, is a popular ornamental shrub admired for its striking foliage and compact size. Despite its common name, it is not related to bamboo but is a member of the barberry family (Berberidaceae). Native to East Asia, this cultivar is renowned for its vibrant, ever-changing foliage colours that enhance garden aesthetics throughout the year.

‘Firepower’ is a compact, evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height and spread of about 60-90 cm. Its bushy, mounding growth habit makes it ideal for small gardens, containers, or as a border plant. The foliage is the star of the show, starting off with lime-green young leaves in spring, which gradually turn to darker green in summer. As temperatures drop in autumn and winter, the leaves transform into fiery shades of red, orange, and burgundy, providing a vivid splash of colour in colder months.

Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ is relatively low-maintenance and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy or clay soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, though regular watering will encourage more vibrant foliage. Pruning is rarely necessary, as its natural shape is neat and compact, but it can be trimmed in late winter or early spring if required.

This versatile shrub works well in a variety of garden settings. It can be used as an accent plant, in mass plantings, or to provide year-round interest in borders and beds. Its ability to provide colour during the winter months makes it particularly valuable in temperate climates where winter gardens can often lack vibrancy.

Betula jacquemontii Multi-stem is a medium-sized, vigorous, multi-stem, deciduous tree with upright, pyramidal habit and superb snow-white peeling bark of its elegant multiple trunks. 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. Multi-stem 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. Requires very little pruning. Multi-stem trees have larger foliage and provide more shade. Betula jacquemontii Multi-stem is a very attractive tree because of it highly decorative multiple trunks and stunning white bark. Perfect as a specimen plant or in beds and borders. Great for cottage and urban gardens. Suitable for growing in large containers.

Photinia x fraseri Robusta is an ornamental, fast-growing, rounded, dense, evergreen shrub or small tree with large, finely serrated, glossy, oval leaves – crimson to copper when young, dark green when mature. Small, inconspicuous, white flowers in dome-shaped clusters bloom in spring and are followed by red berries. Spring pruning eliminates flowers and stimulates new red growth. Photinia x fraseri Robusta grows best in average, fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils, but is adaptable to a wide range of soils, except waterlogged and compact. Once established, it is resistant of frost, drought, heat and urban pollution. Young leaves may be damaged by late frosts, therefore it should be sheltered, especially from harsh winds. Low maintenance plant, tolerant of hard pruning. Photinia x fraseri Robusta is great as an accent plant, but perfect for tall hedges and screens which are useful for noise reduction or wind protection in cottage and urban gardens.

Acacia dealbata 'Gaulois Astier', commonly known as Mimosa Tree, is an evergreen shrub or a small ornamental tree with a pale green trunk, and large, silvery-grey, feathery or fern-like foliage. Its attractive and unique foliage is popular for its tropical looks and light-filtering effect. In late winter and early spring, Acacia dealbata produces sweetly fragrant, ball-shaped, spectacular, bright yellow fluffy flowers. It is well known and loved for these vibrant yellow flowers that gloriously announce the coming of spring. It likes neutral or acidic, well-drained soil, and sheltered position in full sun. It can grow up to 6m and is suitable for any frost-free location if its height isn’t a problem. Since it is not very sturdy, it may need winter protection. Generally disease-free, but not pest-free. It can get glasshouse red spider mite, fluted scale, and mealybugs. After flowering, it needs a little bit of pruning for removal of dead and damaged branches.