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Stipa gigantea, also known as Giant Feather Grass, is a species of ornamental grass known for its beautiful and towering presence in outdoor gardens. This grass is native to Southwest Europe and North Africa, but has become popular worldwide as a garden plant due to its stunning appearance and ease of care.

The most prominent feature of Stipa gigantea is its tall, slim silhouette. It can grow up to six feet tall with a spread of up to four feet, making it a commanding presence in any garden. The grass has long, slender blades that are a bright green color and arch gracefully outwards, creating a cascading effect. The blades then turn golden-yellow in the fall, providing a beautiful contrast to the greenery of other plants in the garden. The plants can also be used for ornamental purposes, as the blades are thin and flexible, making them ideal for weaving and other crafts.

The flower stalks of Stipa gigantea are another striking feature. The stalks can reach up to eight feet tall and bear large, billowing panicles of delicate, feathery flowers that sway gently in the breeze. The flowers are long-lasting and stay on the plants through most of the summer and into the fall, putting on a beautiful show for onlookers. The feathery plumes of the flowers are striking when caught by the sun's rays, creating an ethereal, glowing effect.

One of the main reasons that Stipa gigantea is such a popular garden plant is because it is low-maintenance and easy to grow. The grass prefers well-draining soil and full sun exposure. It can adapt to a wide range of soil types, but prefers slightly alkaline soil and can also tolerate drought conditions. In the winter, the plant should be cut back to ground level to encourage new growth in the spring.

In summary, Stipa gigantea is an eye-catching and easy-to-grow plant that adds a unique touch to any outdoor garden. Its towering height and feather-like flowers are sure to make a statement, while its low-maintenance needs make it a favorite among gardeners.

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus is a large, vigorous, fast-growing, upright evergreen shrub with arching branches. It has small, oval, glossy green leaves and very attractive fluffy clusters of small, pale to dark blue flowers with yellow stamens. It blooms from mid-spring to early summer, literally covering the whole shrub with stunning blue colour. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus thrives in average, slightly alkaline, moist but well drained soils, in full sun. In hot and dry summer areas, it appreciates some afternoon shade. Tolerant to salt spray and poor rocky or sandy soil, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Once established, resistant to drought. Easy to grow and low maintenance. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus is a very decorative plant, perfect for sunny beds and borders, wall-side borders, hedges and screens, mixed borders with grasses and perennials, and as a groundcover on dry banks and slopes. Great for informal, cottage, and coastal gardens. Suitable for growing in containers.

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.

Cedrus libani atlantica 'Saphire Nymph' is an exquisite dwarf cultivar of the Atlas cedar, cherished for its unique, compact, weeping form and vibrant blue-green needles. This cultivar is specifically bred for its slow growth and small stature, reaching an ultimate height of approximately 4-5 feet after many years, making it an ideal choice for smaller garden spaces and rockeries. Its dense, cascading branches create a striking visual impact, adding texture and color contrast when planted alongside broader-leaved plants or brighter flowers.

'Saphire Nymph' thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring well-drained soil conditions. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens with less frequent watering schedules. Gardeners often use this plant as a focal point in thematic gardens, such as rock or alpine gardens, where its unique form and coloration can be fully appreciated. This cedar's hardy nature ensures it can adapt to a variety of temperate climates, making it a versatile and attractive addition to diverse landscapes

Malus tschnoskii is a medium-sized, ornamental, deciduous tree with narrowly upright habit and pyramidal to ovoid, half-open crown. Its green foliage has exceptionally beautiful autumn colours, ranging from yellow and orange to purple and copper red. When leaves emerge, they are silvery–green, almost white, when fully grown, green and light grey beneath. Small, white flowers and yellowish fruits are less attractive than on other ornamental apples. Chonosuki Crab is not a demanding plant. It grows well in a wide range of soils, as long as they are well-drained, but prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun and partial shade. It is resistant to frost, wind and urban pollution. Low maintenance, doesn’t require pruning. Unfortunately, sensitive to some diseases. Malus tschnoskii, with its stunning foliage, is a great ornamental tree, perfect as a specimen or accent plant. Great as a street tree in urban and industrial areas, especially since the fruit may be sparse.

Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is a stunning climbing shrub that belongs to the family Fabaceae. Also known as the Japanese wisteria, this plant is highly prized for its gorgeous, cascading clusters of fragrant, white flowers that bloom in spring and early summer.

The 'Longissima Alba' variety is particularly noted for its long, pendulous flower clusters, which can reach up to 3 feet in length. The flowers are delicately scented and attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees.

The foliage of this plant is also attractive, with long, narrow leaves that emerge in a bronze hue before maturing to a bright green color. In fall, the leaves turn a lovely shade of yellow before dropping for the winter.

As a climbing shrub, Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is ideal for training onto trellises, walls, or pergolas, where its cascading flowers can be fully appreciated. It is a vigorous grower and can reach heights of up to 30 feet if left unpruned.

Overall, this beautiful and fragrant climbing shrub is an excellent addition to any garden or landscape, providing a stunning display of flowers and foliage throughout the growing season.

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.

Dasylirion longissimum, commonly known as the Mexican Grass Tree, is a captivating evergreen succulent that brings a unique architectural flair to gardens and landscapes. Native to arid regions of Mexico, this striking plant features a dense rosette of fine, needle-like leaves that radiate elegantly from a stout, woody trunk. The leaves are dark green and have a smooth, spineless texture, creating a soft, fountain-like effect despite their rigid form.

This drought-tolerant species thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, modern landscapes, and desert-themed gardens. In mature specimens, Dasylirion longissimum produces a dramatic, towering flower spike with small, cream-colored blooms, attracting pollinators. With its distinctive form, resilience, and low maintenance requirements, this plant offers year-round interest and a sculptural statement to any outdoor space.

Thuja orientalis 'Aurea Nana' is a dwarf, compact, slow-growing, evergreen, coniferous tree of columnar to conical habit, with dense, flattened sprays of scale-like, golden-yellow foliage, and oval, female cones. The foliage may have a bronze tinge during the winter. Dwarf Golden Oriental Thuja can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, but thrives in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It hot summers, it appreciates some afternoon shade. It should not be overcrowded because it likes good air circulation. It is resistant to heat, but doesn’t tolerate winter as much as the species. It doesn’t have major pest or disease problems. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning but is tolerant of hard pruning. Thuja orientalis 'Aurea Nana' is a lovely, ornamental shrub, perfect as an accent plant in small informal, cottage, and urban gardens. Great for low hedges, foundation plantings, and shrub borders. Excellent in rock and gravel gardens.

Liquidambar styraciflua is a large, deciduous tree with narrow, upright crown when young, conical to rounded when mature, and aromatic, lobed, star-shaped, maple-like, dark green leaves that turn beautiful orange, dark red and purple in autumn. Clusters of small, inconspicuous yellowish flowers bloom in spring and are followed by hard, rounded, prickly gum balls in autumn that remain on the tree in winter. Liquidambar styraciflua is an adaptable tree, easily grown in various types of soils, except shallow and alkaline. It prefers moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in sunny, sheltered positions. It is tolerant of partial shade, cold, heat, and salty winds. Resistant to urban pollution. Low maintenance plant. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Liquidambar styraciflua is a large ornamental tree, popular for its wonderful autumn foliage, but it needs a lot of space to grow. Suitable for coastal and urban areas. Tasty, thick sap is harvested from under the bark and used for various purposes.

Laxton's Superb Apple is an old-fashioned, traditional, sweet, aromatic dessert apple. It was bred by Laxton Brothers in Bedford, UK in 1897. This apple plant is great for cold or exposed locations. It is fast-growing, but has a tendency to biennial bearing. It brings better crop when planted with another variety. It prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Doesn’t like very acidic soils, shallow chalk soils, and shade more than half of the day. Its flowers are pretty and fragrant, white with some pink, self-pollinating and long-lasting.

The fruit is green-yellow with orange-red blush and crisp firm flesh. It is similar to Cox’s Orange Pippin, which is one of its parents, but it is a bit superior with larger fruits, slightly richer flavour and better keeping qualities. Ready for harvesting in October, it can be stored till January. Late-season and heavy cropping.

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

Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is a medium-sized, vigorous deciduous shrub with a bushy, dense, capriciously growing, cascading habit and smooth, grey-brown bark. It has beautiful, feathery, deeply cut, red leaves that resemble the colour of garnet stone in spring and summer, and turn scarlet in autumn. Small, inconspicuous, purplish flowers bloom in spring and are followed by pink, winged fruits. It can grow in any soil type except clay, but thrives best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It prefers partial shade, but tolerates full sun very well. Easy to care for, it requires very little pruning. Lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure can cause leaf scorch. Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is a wonderful shrub that really stands out in the landscape and is probably the most used among similar cultivars. It is stunning as specimen plant, perfect for cottage and urban gardens, rock gardens, and roof gardens. Suitable for growing in containers as well.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gum Ball' is a compact, rounded, densely branched, deciduous shrub or small tree, with star-shaped, five-lobed, glossy, deep green leaves, yellow to deep burgundy in autumn. Small, inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring and are followed by small, spikey, rounded capsules that persist throughout the winter. Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gum Ball' prefers fertile and semi-fertile, loamy, lime-free, slightly acidic, consistently moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Doesn’t tolerate drought. It is very resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winter winds. Moderately tolerant of sea salt and pollution. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Sweet gum 'Gum Ball' is a highly ornamental, small tree with beautiful autumn foliage. It is suitable for cottage, urban, coastal, and woodland gardens. Perfect as a specimen plant, shade tree or street tree. Ideal for patios because of its small size. Fruit can create litter.

Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigata’, or ‘Pyramidalis’, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with a fluted smooth grey bark, narrowly upright, columnar growth habit, and a pyramidal shape. The leaves are ovate, serrated and ribbed, dark green in summer, coppery yellow in autumn. They remain on branches long into winter. This pyramidal variety has neater and denser form and more glossy leaves. Small flowers appear in catkins in spring before the leaves. Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigata’ 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 ‘Fastigata’ 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.

Abies koreana 'Brilliant' is a cultivar of the Korean fir, a slow-growing evergreen tree native to Korea. 'Brilliant' is a popular cultivar known for its striking foliage and compact size, making it an excellent choice for small gardens and landscapes. The needles of 'Brilliant' are a vibrant shade of green, with a silvery-white underside that gives the tree a unique and eye-catching appearance. The needles are short and arranged in dense, spiral clusters along the branches, giving the tree a full and bushy look. In the spring, 'Brilliant' produces small purple cones that add to its ornamental appeal. One of the standout features of 'Brilliant' is its compact size, growing to only 5-10 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide over many years. This makes it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, rock gardens, and even container gardens. 'Brilliant' is also well-suited for use as a specimen tree or as part of a mixed evergreen planting. In terms of care, 'Brilliant' prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is generally low-maintenance once established, but benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. It is also important to water the tree regularly during periods of drought to ensure healthy growth.

Prunus domestica 'Mirabelle de Nancy' is a robust and sturdy plum tree, very popular in France since 15th century. It has broadly elliptic, mid-green leaves and lovely white flowers blooming in April. Small, round, rich yellow cherry plums have juicy and sweet flesh and are ready for harvesting in late summer. Prunus domestica 'Mirabelle de Nancy' is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but prefers medium fertile, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. It doesn’t like humid partial shade. It is extremely resistant to frost, even flowers can withstand some late spring frost. It doesn’t require much attention and will crop heavily even without pruning. Doesn’t have serious disease or pest problems. It is self-fertile but the crop is better with a pollinator nearby. Cherry plum 'Mirabelle de Nancy' is best when ripe and eaten fresh from the tree, but it is also great for jams and preserves. Very decorative and undemanding plant.

Pinus sylvestris 'Watereri' is a cultivar of the Scots Pine tree, native to Europe and Asia. It is a slow-growing evergreen conifer with a broadly conical habit and an average height of 10-15 meters at maturity. The 'Watereri' cultivar is characterized by its dense, blue-green needles that grow in pairs and its rounded, compact shape. 'Watereri' is a popular choice for landscaping due to its ornamental value and hardiness. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions, including drought, wind, and salt spray. It is an excellent choice for gardens, parks, and large landscapes, where it can be used as a specimen tree or in groups to create a naturalistic effect. This cultivar is known for its ability to retain its color throughout the year, providing a striking contrast against the winter landscape. In addition, it produces attractive cones that persist on the tree for several years, adding interest to the overall appearance of the tree.

Olea Europea is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants with Mediterranean origin. It’s a wonderful, slow-growing, long-lived, evergreen tree of very attractive habit and spreading crown, with gnarled, twisted trunk and silvery foliage. The elliptic leaves are grey-green, silvery underneath. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are followed by small, olive-rich, plum-like fruits, harvested when they are green or purple. Fruits are not edible directly from the tree, but after a special treatment. Common Olive grows best in fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It thrives in warm climates. If grown in colder areas, it should be planted in containers and brought inside during the winter. Generally, disease-free. Olea Europea is mostly grown for its tasteful fruits, but it is also an attractive-looking addition to urban, coastal, Mediterranean, or rock and gravel gardens. It is suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' is a compact, evergreen tree prized for its stunning, aromatic blue-grey foliage and versatility in garden design. It typically reaches a height of 3 to 5 meters, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or container growing. The rounded juvenile leaves transition to elongated, sickle-shaped mature leaves, adding visual interest throughout the seasons. This variety is more cold-hardy than other Eucalyptus species, withstanding temperatures as low as -15°C. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showcasing resilience to wind and drought once established. 'Azura' responds well to pruning, allowing it to be maintained as a shrub or a small tree, and its foliage is often used in floral arrangements for its unique color and fragrance.