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Perovskia 'Little Spire', commonly known as Russian Sage, is a popular ornamental plant prized for its elegant and compact appearance. This deciduous perennial belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is a smaller, more refined version of the traditional Russian Sage. Native to Central Asia, it thrives in dry, sunny conditions and is well-suited to garden borders, rockeries, and containers.

The 'Little Spire' variety typically grows to around 60-75 cm in height, with a spread of approximately 45 cm. Its upright, slender stems are covered in finely dissected, aromatic, silvery-grey foliage, which provides visual interest throughout the growing season. The foliage emits a pleasant scent when brushed against or crushed, adding to its appeal.

One of the plant’s most striking features is its spires of small, tubular, lavender-blue flowers, which bloom from midsummer through early autumn. These delicate flowers are held in loose panicles that extend above the foliage, creating a soft, airy effect. The long flowering period and vivid colour make Perovskia 'Little Spire' an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens, as it attracts bees and other beneficial insects.

Perovskia 'Little Spire' is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, although it can tolerate a range of conditions. Regular pruning in early spring helps maintain its shape and encourages strong new growth.

In addition to its ornamental value, this compact plant is highly resilient to deer and rabbits, adding to its versatility in a range of garden settings. Overall, Perovskia 'Little Spire' is a charming, durable plant that brings colour, fragrance, and structure to any garden.

Pinus contorta, commonly known as the Lodgepole Pine, is a hardy and adaptable evergreen conifer valued for its resilience and natural woodland character. Native to North America, it forms a tall, upright tree with a narrow to irregular crown, making it suitable for larger gardens or naturalistic landscapes where a more rugged, informal appearance is desired.

This pine produces pairs of slender, slightly twisted dark green needles that give the tree a textured look throughout the year. Its bark becomes attractively rough and fissured with age, adding to its visual interest. Small woody cones often remain on the branches for many years, providing subtle decorative detail.

Lodgepole Pine is particularly well suited to exposed or coastal gardens, as it tolerates wind, poor soils, and challenging conditions better than many other trees. It grows best in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, though it is adaptable to a range of soil types.

Because it can grow quite tall over time, it works best as a specimen tree, in shelterbelts, or as part of a woodland-style planting scheme. Its toughness and minimal maintenance needs make it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking a strong, characterful conifer.

Hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate' is a distinctive and elegant addition to any garden, prized for its unique foliage and beautiful blooms. Its deep, chocolate-bronze leaves provide dramatic contrast throughout the growing season, setting it apart from traditional hydrangea varieties. This shrub thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it versatile for a range of garden conditions, though it prefers shelter from harsh afternoon sun in warmer climates.

In summer, ‘Hot Chocolate’ produces large, creamy-pink flowers that gradually deepen to rose-pink, adding long-lasting color and interest. These blooms are excellent for cutting, drying, or simply enjoying in the landscape. Its compact, bushy form makes it suitable for borders, mixed shrub beds, foundation plantings, or even as a standout specimen in smaller gardens.

This hydrangea prefers well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture and benefits from a layer of mulch to keep roots cool and moist. It is moderately low-maintenance and can be pruned after flowering to maintain shape and encourage vigorous growth. With its bold foliage, striking flowers, and adaptable nature, Hydrangea 'Hot Chocolate' is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking something unique and reliable.

Alnus incana 'Aurea',  known as the Golden Alder, is a deciduous tree prized for its striking yellow foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions. This cultivar is a variation of the grey alder (Alnus incana), native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, and is widely cultivated for its ornamental appeal.

Reaching a height of 6 to 10 metres, with a spread of 4 to 6 metres, Alnus incana 'Aurea' is medium-sized, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It is noted for its smooth, greyish bark, which contrasts beautifully with its bright golden-yellow leaves that emerge in early spring. As the season progresses, the foliage turns a lime green, maintaining a light and airy appearance. The leaves are ovate, serrated, and slightly sticky to the touch when young.

In winter, this tree adds visual interest with its small, cone-like fruits and hanging catkins that persist on the branches. The catkins are yellow-brown and appear before the leaves in early spring, contributing to the tree’s year-round appeal.

Alnus incana 'Aurea' is an extremely hardy tree, thriving in a variety of soil types, including wet and poorly drained soils. It is often planted in areas prone to flooding or along riverbanks, as it is highly tolerant of waterlogged conditions. The tree also fixes nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic relationships with root nodules, which improves soil fertility.

Though low-maintenance, the Golden Alder benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. This fast-growing tree is a great choice for those looking to introduce colour and texture to their garden while supporting local wildlife, as it provides shelter and food for birds and insects.

Wisteria floribunda Macrobotrys is a long-lived, vigorous, clockwise twining, deciduous climber with large, pinnate, dark green leaves, bronze when young, brilliant yellow in autumn making it a spectacular choice for gardens where space and structure allow it to truly shine. Renowned for its exceptionally long, cascading racemes of fragrant lilac-purple flowers, it creates a dramatic focal point in late spring and early summer. This vigorous, deciduous climber is best suited to strong supports such as pergolas, arches, or sunny walls, where its trailing blooms can be fully appreciated.

It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and prefers a sunny, sheltered position to encourage reliable flowering. Once established, it is hardy and relatively low maintenance, although regular pruning—typically twice a year—is essential to control its size and promote abundant blooms. Due to its vigorous growth, it is more suitable for medium to large gardens rather than small spaces.

Wisteria ‘Macrobotrys’ is ideal for adding height, romance, and seasonal interest, and can transform outdoor areas into elegant, shaded retreats. With proper care and training, it becomes a long-lived and highly rewarding feature plant in any well-planned garden.

Prunus domestica 'Marjorie's Seedling' is a small, vigorous, deciduous fruiting tree of bushy, upright habit, oval green leaves, and lovely white flowers. Heavy crops of large, oval, juicy, dark blue plum fruits are harvested in September and October. It’s a late-season plum, great when eaten fresh or in jams and preserves. For best taste, it should fully ripen before harvesting. Prunus domestica 'Marjorie's Seedling' is adaptable to various types of soil, but prefers fertile, slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. It grows best in full sun. It is resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. It’s a self-fertile plant but for best yield, a compatible tree of a different variety should be planted nearby. Low maintenance plant. Disease resistant. Plum 'Marjorie's Seedling' is a great fruiting tree, easy to grow, heavy cropping, and providing excellent sweet fruit. It is primarily used for culinary purposes, but very tasty when eaten fresh.

Prunus serrulata 'Beni-Yutaka' is a highly ornamental Japanese cherry cultivar admired for its striking spring display and graceful form. This deciduous tree develops a broad, spreading crown with elegant, arching branches, creating a soft, rounded silhouette that makes it ideal as a focal point in gardens and landscapes. In mid to late spring, it bursts into a profusion of large, semi-double flowers, a rich rosy-pink in color, which emerge in generous clusters, giving the tree an especially luxuriant and showy appearance. The blossoms often create a breathtaking canopy, attracting pollinators and delighting viewers with their vibrant yet delicate beauty.

The foliage provides additional seasonal interest. When young, the leaves emerge bronze-tinted, gradually maturing to a rich, glossy green throughout summer. As autumn approaches, they transform into glowing shades of orange, gold, and red, extending the tree’s ornamental value well beyond the flowering season. Typically reaching 5–8 meters in height and spread, 'Beni-Yutaka' is well-suited for medium-sized gardens, avenues, or parks. It thrives best in well-drained soil with full sun exposure, embodying elegance and seasonal charm in any landscape setting.

Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ is a small, slow growing, deciduous tree of weeping habit, usually grafted on a stem, with slender pendulous branches. Narrow, ovate, green leaves are green-bronze when they emerge and turn orange and red in autumn. Single, deep pink flowers open from dark pink buds and bloom abundantly in early spring and cover the branches before the leaves emerge. Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ is adaptable to any type of soil, except heavy and waterlogged. It prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil, in full sun. It is very resistant to heat and frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, winter winds. Late frosts may damage the flower buds. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require much pruning. Weeping Cherry ‘Pendula Rubra’ is a wonderful, elegant, flowering cherry tree, perfect as a specimen plant for smaller, informal, cottage, and urban gardens. Great in beds and borders, for informal hedges and screens, and suitable for growing in containers.

Prunus avium, or Wild Cherry, is a medium-sized deciduous cherry tree, with brown bark, silvery when mature, and serrated, dark green leaves, yellow and orange in autumn. The clusters of pure white flowers bloom in late spring and are followed by small, glossy, red-purple cherries, edible but a bit bitter, ready for harvesting in summer or autumn. Attractive to bees and birds. Toxic for pets.

Wild Cherry thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun. It can adapt to a wide range of soils, but doesn’t tolerate too wet soils, therefore, good drainage is essential. It can withstand frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Late frosts may damage the flower buds. Needs periodic chemical spraying. Low maintenance plant.

Prunus avium is a nice ornamental tree for large informal, cottage and wildlife gardens, great for beds and borders and wall-side borders.

Rhododendron 'Marie Fortier' is a graceful, evergreen shrub admired for its elegant habit and early spring blooms, making it a charming addition to gardens of all sizes. It typically grows to around 1.2–1.5 metres in height and spread, forming a compact, rounded shape that provides structure and year-round greenery.

In early spring, ‘Marie Fortier’ produces trusses of delicate, pale pink flowers with soft shading and subtle spotting, creating a gentle and refined display. Its flowers emerge before many other shrubs, offering early-season interest and attracting pollinators such as bees, helping to support garden biodiversity.

This rhododendron thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter and prefers a sheltered position in partial shade or dappled sunlight. It is particularly well suited to woodland-style gardens, shaded borders, or mixed shrub plantings where it can complement other acid-loving species like azaleas, camellias, and heathers.

With its compact size, dependable flowering, and evergreen foliage, ‘Marie Fortier’ works beautifully as a specimen plant or in groupings for massed colour. Its understated charm, early bloom, and low-maintenance growth make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking elegance and seasonal interest.

Pinus mugo 'Laurin' is a charming, slow-growing dwarf mountain pine that forms a dense, rounded mound of rich green needles, making it an excellent choice for gardens where space is limited but year-round structure is desired. Originating from the hardy mountain pine, this compact cultivar is exceptionally resilient and well suited to the varied climate of the UK. Over many years it develops into a neat, naturally symmetrical shrub, typically reaching around 60–100cm in height and 80–120cm in spread, requiring very little pruning to maintain its attractive shape.

The short, dark green needles are held in pairs and create a soft yet robust appearance throughout the seasons. In spring, attractive creamy-white candles emerge before extending into fresh new growth, adding subtle seasonal interest. As a true evergreen, Pinus mugo 'Laurin' provides reliable colour and texture throughout the year, making it particularly valuable during the winter months when many deciduous plants have lost their leaves.

This versatile conifer thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, although it will tolerate a wide range of soil types, including chalk, sandy and loamy soils. Once established it is remarkably drought tolerant and withstands exposed, windy and coastal conditions, making it an excellent choice for challenging sites. It is also highly frost hardy and requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional watering during prolonged dry spells in its first growing season.

Ideal for rock gardens, alpine beds, gravel gardens, borders, raised planters and large containers, Pinus mugo 'Laurin' adds permanent structure without overwhelming neighbouring plants. Its compact habit makes it a superb companion for ornamental grasses, heathers, Japanese maples and low-growing perennials. It is equally effective as a specimen plant or when planted in groups to create an attractive evergreen feature.

Low maintenance, long-lived and exceptionally hardy, Pinus mugo 'Laurin' is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking an elegant, compact evergreen that delivers year-round interest with very little care.

Cornus kousa 'Beni-fuji' is a captivating cultivar of the Japanese dogwood, admired for its stunning seasonal display and manageable size, making it a versatile addition to gardens large and small. This deciduous small tree or large shrub is native to East Asia, where it thrives in woodlands and temperate climates. 'Beni-fuji' is celebrated for its graceful form, vibrant foliage, and striking flowers.

In late spring to early summer, the tree showcases an impressive display of star-shaped bracts that surround its small, inconspicuous green flowers. These bracts, a hallmark of Cornus kousa, emerge in shades of pink to rosy red, deepening as they mature. The blooms sit atop horizontal branches, creating a layered, tiered effect that adds structural elegance to its appearance.

As the seasons progress, 'Beni-fuji' transforms further. By late summer, the tree produces small, strawberry-like fruits, which are edible and can attract birds to the garden. In autumn, its foliage takes centre stage, turning rich shades of crimson, orange, and scarlet, providing a final burst of colour before winter dormancy.

This cultivar prefers well-drained, fertile soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it relatively easy to accommodate in a range of garden settings. It has a compact growth habit, typically reaching a height of 3-4 metres, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a specimen plant in borders.

Cornus kousa 'Beni-fuji' is not only ornamental but also resilient, tolerating a range of soil types and proving relatively disease-resistant. Its year-round appeal—flowering in summer, fruiting in autumn, and showcasing vibrant foliage—ensures its popularity among gardeners seeking a dynamic and visually rewarding plant for their landscape.

Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’ is a robust, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with leathery, slightly arching, strap-shaped, coppery-purple and green leaves forming thick, spiky clumps. Dark red, tubular flowers appear sparsely on upright stems blooming in summer. New Zealand flax ‘Purpureum’ grows best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun to partial shade.

It doesn’t like too wet or waterlogged soils. It is tolerant of salt and drought, therefore, perfect for coastal areas. It can withstand some cold, but frost can damage the foliage. It needs to be sheltered from harsh winter winds. Old and discoloured leaves should be removed to keep the plant tidy.

Generally, disease-free. Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’, with its attractive foliage, is a good-looking ornamental plant, perfect as a specimen or accent plant in coastal, Mediterranean, rock and gravel, and urban gardens. Ideal for mass planting. Great for beds and borders and for growing in containers.

Catalpa bungei, also known as the Chinese catalpa or the Manchurian catalpa, is a deciduous tree that is native to China and Korea. It is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

The tree has a broad, spreading canopy with large, heart-shaped leaves that are up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. The leaves are dark green and glossy on top, and paler underneath. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow before falling off.

Catalpa bungei produces beautiful, fragrant white flowers in the late spring or early summer. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and up to 2 inches wide. They are arranged in large clusters at the ends of the branches and attract bees and other pollinators.

After the flowers fade, the tree produces long, slender seed pods that are up to 20 inches long. The pods are cylindrical and contain numerous small, flat seeds.

Catalpa bungei is a hardy and adaptable tree that can grow in a wide range of soils and conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture. The tree is commonly used in landscaping and as a shade tree in parks and gardens.

Overall, Catalpa bungei is a beautiful and hardy tree that provides year-round interest with its large leaves, fragrant flowers, and interesting seed pods.

Pinus nigra 'Lemon Pearl' (clear stem) is a distinctive ornamental pine ideal for adding bold structure and color to contemporary or traditional garden designs. This cultivar of the Austrian pine is grafted onto a clear stem, creating a miniature tree with a rounded, compact crown that sits neatly above the trunk. Its standout feature is the bright yellow new growth in spring, which contrasts beautifully with the older dark green needles, giving the plant a two-tone effect that brings dynamic color to the garden.

‘Lemon Pearl’ is especially well-suited for small gardens, courtyards, rock gardens, or as a striking container specimen. It grows slowly, maintaining a manageable size that won’t overwhelm limited spaces. Its architectural form makes it perfect for focal points, entranceways, or as a unique element in mixed borders.

This pine thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing good drought tolerance once established. It’s hardy and low-maintenance, requiring little pruning. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round interest, making Pinus nigra 'Lemon Pearl' (clear stem) a valuable and eye-catching addition to garden landscapes seeking structure, color, and character.

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’, or Irish Yew, is a medium-sized, evergreen shrub of narrowly columnar habit when young, broadly conical as it matures, with dense, closed crown, and leathery, needle-like dark green leaves. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by red, berry-like fruits. Irish Yew ‘Fastigata’ grows best in evenly moist, fertile, sandy, loamy, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade, but it can adapt to a wide range of soils, except poorly-drained. It is resistant to frost and wind. 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 if needed. Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ is a stunning ornamental plant, ideal for providing beauty and structure in formal gardens. Great for urban, coastal and industrial areas. Perfect as a specimen or accent plant. Excellent for foundation plantings, hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens.

Alnus incana 'Aurea',  known as the Golden Alder, is a deciduous tree prized for its striking yellow foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions. This cultivar is a variation of the grey alder (Alnus incana), native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, and is widely cultivated for its ornamental appeal.

Reaching a height of 6 to 10 metres, with a spread of 4 to 6 metres, Alnus incana 'Aurea' is medium-sized, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It is noted for its smooth, greyish bark, which contrasts beautifully with its bright golden-yellow leaves that emerge in early spring. As the season progresses, the foliage turns a lime green, maintaining a light and airy appearance. The leaves are ovate, serrated, and slightly sticky to the touch when young.

In winter, this tree adds visual interest with its small, cone-like fruits and hanging catkins that persist on the branches. The catkins are yellow-brown and appear before the leaves in early spring, contributing to the tree’s year-round appeal.

Alnus incana 'Aurea' is an extremely hardy tree, thriving in a variety of soil types, including wet and poorly drained soils. It is often planted in areas prone to flooding or along riverbanks, as it is highly tolerant of waterlogged conditions. The tree also fixes nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic relationships with root nodules, which improves soil fertility.

Though low-maintenance, the Golden Alder benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. This fast-growing tree is a great choice for those looking to introduce colour and texture to their garden while supporting local wildlife, as it provides shelter and food for birds and insects.

Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ vigorous, medium-sized, ornamental deciduous cherry tree of narrowly upright habit, more spreading as it matures, and peeling coppery bark. The rich purple leaves are copper when young and turn bright scarlet and orange in autumn. The clusters of double, magenta flowers bloom on bare branches in spring, before the leaves emerge. Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ grows best in deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils, sandy or clay loams, but can adapt to other types of soil, except too wet or waterlogged. It prefers full sun, but tolerates light shade. Once established, it is tolerant of drought. It can withstand cold, but late frosts may damage the flower buds. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Cherry 'Royal Burgundy' is a red-leaf version of the popular Prunus Kanzan. It looks beautiful as a specimen tree or planted in small groups in informal, cottage, and urban gardens. Great in beds and borders or as informal hedges and screens.