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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.

Pot grown from seed at Arundel Arboretum.

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.

The Picea glauca ‘Perfecta’, commonly known as the dwarf white spruce, is a compact, slow-growing conifer prized for its neat, conical shape and silvery-green needles. A cultivar of the white spruce (Picea glauca), this tree is ideal for smaller gardens or as a feature in rockeries, borders, or containers due to its modest size. Typically growing to a height of 1.5 to 2 metres over many years, it maintains a tidy, dense form that requires little maintenance.

The needles of the Picea glauca ‘Perfecta’ are soft to the touch, bluish-green in colour, and create a shimmering effect in sunlight, adding a striking element to the garden landscape. Its branches are short and evenly spaced, enhancing the tree's symmetrical, pyramid-like appearance.

This tree is hardy and well-suited to the UK climate, tolerating cold winters and thriving in a range of soil types, provided the soil is well-drained. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Picea glauca ‘Perfecta’ is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning, and it is also resistant to pests and diseases. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance but benefits from regular watering during dry spells, especially when young.

One of its most appealing features is its year-round interest. As an evergreen, it provides structure and colour in the garden throughout all seasons, making it a popular choice for those seeking a focal point that doesn’t lose its charm in winter. Whether used as a standalone specimen or as part of a mixed border, the Picea glauca ‘Perfecta’ is an excellent choice for adding texture, form, and seasonal interest to small or medium-sized gardens in the UK.

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.

Picea glauca 'Sander's Blue', commonly known as 'Sander's Blue' White Spruce, is a stunning dwarf conifer prized for its vibrant blue-green needles that add a colorful accent to any garden space. This cultivar exhibits a compact, pyramidal form, making it an excellent choice for smaller landscapes or as a focal point in a larger garden arrangement.

Typically reaching an ultimate height of 10 to 12 feet, with a spread of 4 to 5 feet, 'Sander's Blue' White Spruce grows slowly, which makes it manageable and suitable for residential gardens without the worry of overwhelming the space. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist soil. Hardy and adaptable, this spruce tolerates cold climates well, making it a versatile choice for various garden zones.

Gardeners often use 'Sander's Blue' as a specimen plant due to its distinctive color and structured form. It also fits beautifully into rock gardens, urban gardens, and even as part of a conifer collection, where its unique hue can be fully appreciated against contrasting greenery.

Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Gold Rider' ½ std is a golden variant of the popular Leyland Cypress. It’s a large, vigorous, fast-growing, coniferous, evergreen tree with narrowly upright habit and open, horizontal branches covered with bright-yellow tipped lime-green leaves.

Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Gold Rider' ½ std 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 'Gold Rider' ½ std is one of the best golden conifers. Its beautiful colour does not fade or turn brown during winter but remains bright and fresh. Perfect for formal garden hedges. Very popular among gardeners because of its dense and fast-growing habit. 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.

Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' is a small, ornamental, deciduous tree with broad, compact, rounded crown, and thorny branches. Glossy, broad-oval, dark green leaves look spectacular in autumn when they turn scarlet, deep yellow and purple. Small, fragrant, white flowers cover the tree in late spring and are followed by attractive clusters of deep red berries that persist on thorny branches for a long time. Attractive to birds and bees.

Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia’ is very undemanding and adaptable. It grows well in any kind of soil, except waterlogged, but prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun or partial shade. It is suitable for most difficult gardens. It tolerates full exposure to coastal winds and air pollution. Very resilient and low maintenance. Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia’ is a stunning ornamental tree, perfect as a specimen plant or for hedges and screens in cottage and informal gardens. Great for urban and coastal areas.

Carpinus Betulus - Pleached/Espalier on 85x50cm Metal frame - 30lt

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.

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.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Draht' is a small, slow-growing, upright, broadly conical, coniferous, evergreen shrub with sprays of short, scale-like, emerald green leaves, flushed bronze in winter, along twisted, wire-like branches. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Draht' grows best in fertile, slightly acidic, consistently moist, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soil types. It thrives in full sun but is tolerant of light shade. Yellow foliage might turn green in shade. It likes cooler climates. It is very resistant to frost and can withstand exposed positions. Resistant to urban pollution. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. It naturally maintains its compact shape. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Draht' is a cute, dense, ornamental shrub, perfect as a specimen or accent plant. Excellent for flower beds, shrub and mixed borders, wall-side borders in informal, cottage, urban, and rock and gravel gardens. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens. Great for bonsai making.

Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’, commonly known as the Corkscrew Willow, is a distinctive, fast-growing tree valued for its dramatically twisted, contorted branches and lively, informal habit. In a bushy tree form, it develops a broad, airy crown that provides strong architectural interest throughout the year, particularly in winter when the bare, spiralling stems are fully revealed.

This willow is well suited to larger gardens where its vigorous growth and spreading shape can be appreciated. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it ideal for planting near ponds, streams, or in naturally damp ground, though it will also tolerate ordinary garden soils if not allowed to dry out completely. In spring and summer, the narrow, bright green leaves create a soft, shimmering canopy, bringing movement and lightness to the landscape.

Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ is relatively low maintenance, responding well to pruning if size control is needed, and can even be coppiced to encourage fresh, colourful, twisted stems. Its sculptural form, rapid establishment, and year-round interest make it an excellent choice as a specimen tree or dramatic focal point in spacious, informal or wildlife-friendly gardens.

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.

Populus tremula, commonly known as the trembling aspen or quaking aspen, is a deciduous tree native to various regions across the Northern Hemisphere, including the United Kingdom. It belongs to the genus Populus and is renowned for its distinctive quivering leaves, which flutter in even the slightest breeze, giving rise to its evocative common names.

The trembling aspen typically reaches heights of 20 to 25 meters, although some specimens can grow taller under optimal conditions. Its slender trunk is often pale grey or white with black knots, and it tends to have a narrow crown with branches that ascend in a graceful, upward fashion.

One of the most striking features of the trembling aspen is its leaves. They are roughly triangular in shape with finely serrated edges, and they have a flat petiole that causes them to flutter and tremble in the wind. This unique characteristic helps to distinguish the tree from other species in its range.

In the spring, the trembling aspen produces catkins, which are long, drooping clusters of small flowers. These flowers are an important source of pollen for bees and other pollinators. Later in the season, the tree develops small, round fruits containing tiny seeds surrounded by cottony fluff, aiding in wind dispersal.

Trembling aspens typically thrive in moist, well-drained soils in locations such as riverbanks, wetlands, and mixed woodlands. They are relatively fast-growing and can colonize disturbed areas quickly, making them an important pioneer species in forest ecosystems.

In addition to their ecological significance, trembling aspens also hold cultural and historical importance. They feature prominently in folklore and mythology in various cultures, often symbolizing resilience, regeneration, and transformation.

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.

Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' is a medium-sized, evergreen tree of pyramidal habit, with lovely, variegated, spiny, thorny, shiny, dark green leaves with creamy white margins, purplish-pink when young. Small, inconspicuous, white flowers bloom in spring and are followed by masses of attractive, glossy, bright red berries in autumn and winter. Beneficial for bees, butterflies, and birds, but toxic to pets. Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' can grow in almost any kind of soil, even nutrient-poor, except very wet. It prefers fertile, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of frost, wind, and salt, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Tough, low maintenance plant. 'Argentea Marginata' Holly is a lovely, variegated variety of Common Holly, perfect as a specimen plant or for attractive, dense hedges and screens. Great to brighten dark areas in the garden and winter landscapes. Its wonderful foliage is used for Christmas arrangements.

Prunus cerasifera “Pissardii Nigra’ is a medium-sized, ball-shaped, deciduous tree with ovate to elliptic, deep purple twigs and leaves, bronze in spring, almost black in summer, orange and red in autumn. Masses of pure pink flowers with red calyxes bloom along bare branches in spring and are occasionally followed by red or yellow plums. Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii Nigra’ can grow successfully in a wide range of soils, but prefers moderately fertile, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun, but is tolerant of partial shade. It is very resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Very adaptable and low maintenance plant. It can withstand air pollution very well. Black Cherry Plum is a stunning, ornamental, abundantly flowering tree, perfect as a specimen or accent plant in large informal, cottage, and urban gardens. Great in beds and borders and for informal hedges and screens. Since resistant to air-pollution, excellent in urban and industrial areas.

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.

Ginkgo biloba Mariken is a dwarf, coniferous, slow-growing, spreading, slightly weeping, deciduous tree with dense, spreading branches and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, bluish green leaves, golden yellow in autumn. Flowers are green and insignificant and are not followed by fruits since the plant is male. Ginkgo biloba Mariken 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, therefore, it will thrive in city environments. Needs to be sheltered from hard winds. Generally, disease-free and pest-free. It transplants and establishes easily. Low maintenance. Ginkgo biloba Mariken, with its globe-shaped form and interesting foliage, is perfect as a specimen plant in small gardens, great for beds and borders, as a foundation plant, planted along pathways, or for growing in containers. Suitable for bonsai. Great for small, informal, cottage, rock, or urban 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.

Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub valued for its striking foliage, especially the fresh, coppery-red young leaves that age to glossy deep green. In a parachute shape, this cultivar forms a gracefully rounded, umbrella-like canopy with a central stem or supportive structure from which a dense mass of arching branches radiates. The new growth naturally fans outward and downward, creating a soft, parachute-like silhouette that adds architectural interest and year-round colour to any garden.

This distinctive form makes ‘Red Robin’ especially suitable as a specimen feature or focal point in borders, courtyards, and patio containers. Its evergreen nature ensures structure and visual appeal throughout the seasons, while the red flushes of spring and summer provide dynamic seasonal interest. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best leaf colour and strong, compact growth. Tolerant of a range of soil types, it prefers well-drained, fertile soil and benefits from regular watering in dry spells. Light pruning after flushes enhances the parachute shape and encourages fresh shoots.

Overall, the parachute form of Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’ combines ornamental beauty with reliable garden performance, ideal for adding year-round structure and colour.