Search results

Cryptomeria japonica 'Dinger', commonly known as Japanese cedar, is a compact, dwarf cultivar prized for its dense, lush green foliage and globular growth habit. This cultivar reaches an ultimate height of approximately 3 to 4 feet, making it an ideal choice for small garden spaces, rock gardens, or as a striking container specimen. The 'Dinger' variety thrives best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy and adaptable, but like most Cryptomeria, it benefits from protection against harsh, drying winds.

In the landscape, Cryptomeria japonica 'Dinger' is often used to add structure and year-round color, thanks to its evergreen nature. It can serve as a focal point in mixed beds, borders, or as formal or informal groupings in larger gardens. Its slow growth rate and manageable size reduce the need for frequent pruning, making it a low-maintenance option for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Musa basjoo, also known as the Japanese fiber banana or hardy banana, is a fascinating and beautiful plant that thrives in outdoor gardens. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, this ornamental plant is prized for its striking foliage, which resembles that of a tropical banana tree.

Musa basjoo typically grows to be between 6 and 10 feet tall, although it can grow larger in optimal conditions. Its large, broad leaves can reach lengths of up to 10 feet, and are a stunning shade of green. The leaves unfurl in a characteristic "V" shape, creating a lovely canopy that provides shade and shelter for smaller plants growing beneath it.

Despite its tropical appearance, Musa basjoo is actually highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of climates. In fact, it is considered one of the hardiest banana plants, able to tolerate winter temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners in colder climates who want to add a bit of tropical flair to their landscapes.

Musa basjoo produces long spikes of flowers in late summer, which are followed by small, non-edible bananas that are about 3 inches long. These bananas are not particularly tasty, but they add a unique touch to the garden and attract wildlife like birds and butterflies.

Caring for Musa basjoo is relatively easy. It prefers well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight, but can tolerate partial shade. It also requires regular watering and benefits from regular fertilization. In colder climates, it is recommended to cut back the leaves in the winter and cover the base of the plant with mulch to protect it from frost.

Overall, Musa basjoo is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add a touch of the tropics to their outdoor spaces. With its striking foliage, hardiness, and adaptability, it is a truly unique and fascinating plant that is sure to be a conversation starter among visitors.

Pinus parviflora ‘Schoon’s’ is a beautiful and highly sought-after variety of Japanese White Pine, prized for its elegant form, attractive foliage and suitability for both traditional and contemporary gardens. Originating from Japan, this refined evergreen pine develops a naturally graceful habit, with twisting branches and soft, blue-green needles that are held in delicate clusters of five. The fine-textured foliage gives the tree a light, airy appearance, making it an excellent choice where year-round structure and visual interest are required.

In the UK, ‘Schoon’s’ is particularly valued by enthusiasts of Japanese-style gardens and those looking to create a specimen tree with character. It responds exceptionally well to pruning and training, making it ideal for bonsai, niwaki (cloud-pruned garden trees), or simply as an architectural feature in a border, courtyard or gravel garden. With age, the bark develops an attractive rugged texture, adding further winter interest and a sense of maturity.

This slow-growing evergreen prefers a sunny, open position with free-draining soil. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, including slightly acidic to neutral soils, but dislikes heavy, waterlogged conditions. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, although young trees benefit from regular watering during dry spells, particularly when grown in containers. A sheltered position is beneficial in exposed areas, especially where cold winds may cause damage to the fine needles.

‘Schoon’s’ remains compact compared with many other pines, making it suitable for smaller gardens where a specimen tree is desired without excessive growth. Over many years it can develop into a highly sculptural tree, with a characterful silhouette that improves with age.

An excellent choice for collectors, Japanese-inspired planting schemes, rock gardens and formal landscapes, Pinus parviflora ‘Schoon’s’ offers year-round beauty, low maintenance and a timeless elegance that makes it a standout evergreen feature in the UK garden.

Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' is a robust, vigorous, medium-sized deciduous tree with dense, conical to oval crown and impressive foliage. Five-lobed shiny leaves are rich, dark red-purple in spring and summer, and golden, orange and maroon in autumn. Clusters of yellow-green flowers appear in spring before the leaves and are followed by purple winged nuts. Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' can grow in any soil, except peaty soils and soils with stagnant groundwater. It can withstand short floods and harsh winds, but it doesn’t like sea winds. It prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade, heat, drought, and frost. Very resilient and low maintenance. Crimson King Norway Maple is commonly used as a park tree and as a solitary species. It is tolerant to air pollution and partial paving, therefore, suitable for growing in cities and industrial areas. Ideal for larger gardens where it can provide deep shade and background for specimen plants.

Enkianthus 'Pagoda' is a bushy, spreading, deciduous, tree-like shrub with simple, oval, toothed, dull green leaves that turn red, orange, and yellow in autumn. Clusters of lovely, small, bell-shaped, creamy to pink flowers with red veins bloom from late spring to summer and are attractive to bees. Enkianthus 'Pagoda' can adapt to most soil types, even poor ones, but prefers fertile, humus-rich, lime-free, moist, well-drained soils in light shade. It also grows well in full sun. Resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, winter winds. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, but it may require some pruning to retain its size and shape. Pagoda bush is an unusual and attractive plant with beautiful flowers and excellent autumn foliage. It is not demanding and very easy to grow. Great for Japanese-style and woodland gardens. Perfect for mixed and shrub borders. Suitable for growing in containers.

The Acer ‘Koto no Ito’, a stunning variety of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), is highly prized for its delicate, finely dissected foliage and elegant cascading form. The name Koto no Ito translates from Japanese as “Harp Strings”, aptly describing its thin, thread-like leaves that resemble the delicate strings of a traditional Japanese koto instrument.

This captivating maple is a slow-growing, deciduous tree, reaching approximately 2.5–4 metres (8–13 feet) in height over many years. In spring, its narrow, deeply lobed leaves emerge in a fresh green shade, adding an airy, graceful texture to the garden. As the seasons progress, the foliage matures to a deeper green before undergoing a spectacular autumn transformation, turning vibrant shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

One of the standout features of ‘Koto no Ito’ is the way its fine, almost wispy leaves flutter in the wind, creating a dynamic and ever-changing display. This delicate, feathery appearance gives the tree an ethereal quality, making it a popular choice for Japanese-style gardens, courtyards, and containers.

Unlike some Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ is relatively hardy and can tolerate a range of conditions, though it thrives best in partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Protection from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds helps preserve its delicate foliage.

This tree’s compact size and elegant form make it a perfect choice for smaller gardens, patios, or as a striking focal point. Whether planted as a standalone specimen or alongside other Japanese maples, ‘Koto no Ito’ brings a sense of tranquillity and natural beauty to any landscape.

Rhaphiolepis umbellate is a small, compact, evergreen shrub of dense, rounded habit, with leathery, glossy dark green leaves, grey-green when they emerge, and clusters of fragrant, crabapple-like, white to light pink flowers blooming in spring. Flowers are followed by decorative, blue-black berries. Rhaphiolepis umbellate, or Yeddo Hawthorn, can grow in a wide range of soils, but prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates light shade, but best flowering occurs in full sun. Once established, resistant to drought. It can withstand frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh and drying winds. Tolerant of coastal conditions. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Yeddo Hawthorn is an easy to grow, very reliable and long-lived plant with beautiful, fragrant flowers. Excellent as a specimen plant or planted in masses. Great for mixed and shrub borders, as well as, informal hedges and screens. Suitable for coastal, Mediterranean, and cottage 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.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Iko yama fuji' is a captivating flowering plant that belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is known for its elegant, cascading clusters of fragrant, violet-blue flowers that drape gracefully from its branches. The 'Iko yama fuji' variety is particularly notable for its stunning display and is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

The term "half standard clear stem" refers to a specific pruning technique applied to this Wisteria variety, shaping it into a unique form. In this context, a clear stem means that the lower portion of the plant has been trained to have an upright growth habit, devoid of any lateral branches or foliage. This clear stem creates a distinct visual effect, accentuating the beauty of the cascading flowers that appear above it.

The term "half standard" indicates that the clear stem has been pruned to a specific height, typically around three to four feet (90-120 cm) above the ground. This pruning method creates a visually appealing feature, allowing the flowering portion of the Wisteria to be showcased more prominently. The clear stem also facilitates ease of maintenance and enhances the plant's overall form and structure.

The 'Iko yama fuji' Wisteria itself is a deciduous vine with pinnate leaves consisting of numerous leaflets. The foliage emerges in spring, creating a lush green backdrop for the spectacular floral display that follows. The flowers, which typically appear in late spring or early summer, are abundant and borne in pendulous racemes that can reach up to a foot (30 cm) or more in length.

The enchanting violet-blue flowers of Wisteria brachybotrys 'Iko yama fuji' are highly fragrant, filling the air with a delightful scent. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding to the plant's ecological value. Additionally, the flowers give way to velvety, elongated seed pods that develop later in the season, contributing to the overall visual interest of the plant.

The 'Iko yama fuji' Wisteria, with its half standard clear stem, offers a captivating combination of structural elegance and abundant floral beauty. Whether used as a focal point in a garden or as a decorative feature in a landscape, this cultivar adds a touch of sophistication and charm to any setting. With proper care and maintenance, this extraordinary plant can provide years of enjoyment and become a cherished highlight of outdoor spaces.

Camellia x williamsii 'Debbie' is a delightful and sought-after evergreen shrub renowned for its exquisite blooms and elegant foliage. This camellia cultivar is a hybrid between Camellia saluenensis and Camellia japonica, resulting in a plant that offers the best of both parents. 'Debbie' typically reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) and forms a compact, upright bush with glossy, deep green leaves that provide year-round interest in the garden.

What truly sets 'Debbie' apart is its striking flowers. These blooms appear in late winter to early spring, when the garden often needs a splash of color the most. The semi-double to peony-like flowers are around 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in diameter, and they boast an enchanting blend of soft pink and white petals. The flowers are further adorned with a central cluster of golden stamens, adding to their allure.

Camellia x williamsii 'Debbie' is known for its tolerance of colder temperatures, making it well-suited for UK gardens. It thrives in partial shade to protect its delicate blossoms from harsh sunlight and strong winds. Providing well-drained, acidic soil and mulching around the base of the plant helps maintain optimal growing conditions.

With its graceful appearance and captivating blossoms, 'Debbie' is a popular choice for both ornamental gardens and as a focal point in woodland settings. Its long-lasting blooms and evergreen foliage ensure year-round visual appeal, making it a cherished addition to the diverse world of camellias. Whether grown in a container or planted directly in the ground, Camellia x williamsii 'Debbie' adds a touch of elegance and charm to any garden in the United Kingdom, enchanting gardeners and visitors alike with its timeless beauty.

Ilex Cornuta 'Furcata', commonly known as Chinese Holly, is an evergreen shrub with a unique and eye-catching appearance. This particular variety has been meticulously shaped into a cone, standing at an impressive height of approximately 170 cm. Its distinctive feature lies in its leaves, which are a deep, glossy green and possess a singular beauty. Each leaf boasts a unique forked shape, with prominent spines that add an intriguing textural element to the plant.

This conical form of Ilex Cornuta 'Furcata' makes it a stunning focal point in any garden setting. It's perfectly suited for formal garden designs or as an elegant accent in a more casual landscape. The plant thrives in a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. It prefers full sun to partial shade, making it versatile in terms of placement. Additionally, it's known for its resilience and low maintenance requirements, making it a popular choice for both experienced and novice gardeners.

The dense foliage provides excellent year-round interest, making it a valuable addition to any garden. In winter, the rich green leaves contrast beautifully with snowy landscapes, while in warmer seasons, they provide lush, vibrant greenery. The Ilex Cornuta 'Furcata' is also an excellent choice for those looking to create privacy screens or hedges, as its thick foliage offers substantial coverage.

Overall, this conical Chinese Holly is a hardy, versatile plant that brings structure, elegance, and a touch of the exotic to any garden.

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.

Skimmia japonica 'Veitchii' is a small, compact, bushy, evergreen shrub with elliptic, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves and terminal panicles of small, fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers blooming in spring. Since it’s a female variety, if pollinated, flowers are followed by attractive bright red berries in autumn and winter. Skimmia japonica 'Veitchii' requires fertile, humus-rich, light, slightly acidic, consistently moist, extremely well-drained soil. It thrives in partial shade to full shade. Resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Very tolerant of air pollution and ideal for urban landscapes. No major pest or disease problems. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Skimmia 'Veitchii' is an excellent, very decorative, evergreen shrub. Perfect for shrub borders, banks and slopes, and foundation plantings. Suitable for growing in pots and containers and especially popular in urban areas. It provides interest all year round and is ideal for shade gardens.

Cryptomeria japonica, commonly known as Japanese cedar or Sugi in Japanese, is a large evergreen tree native to Japan. It belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae, and is the only species in the genus Cryptomeria. The tree can grow up to 70 meters tall and 4 meters in diameter, making it one of the largest trees in Japan. It has a conical shape when young and becomes more pyramidal as it ages. The bark of the Cryptomeria japonica is reddish-brown and deeply furrowed, with long, narrow leaves that are bright green in color and arranged in a spiral around the branches. The tree produces small, round cones that are about 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter and have a woody texture. The cones turn brown when mature and release small, winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Japanese cedar is an important tree in Japan for its wood, which is highly valued for its strength, durability, and beauty. The wood is used in construction, furniture, and decorative objects, and is also used in the production of traditional Japanese musical instruments such as shamisen and koto.

Sambucus Golden Tower is a narrow variety of European elder. It’s a compact, slender, deciduous shrub of columnar habit, with vivid yellow to golden yellow leaves, and flattened panicles of scented, white flowers in spring, followed by edible berries in late summer. Elder Golden Tower is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and will grow well in almost any location, but it prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is very resistant to frost and suitable for growing in outdoor pots even in very cold areas. Tolerant of urban and coastal conditions. Low maintenance plant. It keeps its neat shape without pruning. Sambucus Golden Tower is lovely, resilient architectural shrub, perfect for adding colour and height to small, cottage, urban and coastal gardens. Great for shrub borders, wall-side borders, informal hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers.

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.

Sambucus Golden Tower is a narrow variety of European elder. It’s a compact, slender, deciduous shrub of columnar habit, with vivid yellow to golden yellow leaves, and flattened panicles of scented, white flowers in spring, followed by edible berries in late summer. Elder Golden Tower is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and will grow well in almost any location, but it prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is very resistant to frost and suitable for growing in outdoor pots even in very cold areas. Tolerant of urban and coastal conditions. Low maintenance plant. It keeps its neat shape without pruning. Sambucus Golden Tower is lovely, resilient architectural shrub, perfect for adding colour and height to small, cottage, urban and coastal gardens. Great for shrub borders, wall-side borders, informal hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Amber Glow' is a striking deciduous conifer that belongs to the Cupressaceae family. It is a dwarf cultivar of the dawn redwood tree, which is native to China. The Amber Glow variety is highly prized for its stunning coloration, which adds an extra layer of visual interest to any landscape. The tree's foliage is a unique combination of green and gold hues, which take on a beautiful amber glow in the fall. The soft needles are arranged in a spiral pattern around the branches, creating a delicate, lacy effect. As the tree matures, its bark develops an attractive, fluted texture that adds another layer of visual interest. This variety of Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a slow-growing tree that reaches a height of around 6-8 feet and a spread of 3-4 feet over 10 years. It prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It is also tolerant of wet soils and can be grown near bodies of water.

Sambucus Golden Tower is a narrow variety of European elder. It’s a compact, slender, deciduous shrub of columnar habit, with vivid yellow to golden yellow leaves, and flattened panicles of scented, white flowers in spring, followed by edible berries in late summer. Elder Golden Tower is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and will grow well in almost any location, but it prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is very resistant to frost and suitable for growing in outdoor pots even in very cold areas. Tolerant of urban and coastal conditions. Low maintenance plant. It keeps its neat shape without pruning. Sambucus Golden Tower is lovely, resilient architectural shrub, perfect for adding colour and height to small, cottage, urban and coastal gardens. Great for shrub borders, wall-side borders, informal hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers.

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.