Search results

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.

Field Maple is a deciduous tree with a feathered form, retaining its lower branches down to ground level for a full, softly layered silhouette. The lobed, five-pointed leaves emerge fresh green in spring, matures to a deeper green through summer, and turn a rich golden-yellow in autumn, providing good seasonal colour. Small, yellow-green flowers appear in spring, followed by distinctive winged seeds (samaras) that ripen in autumn, often taking on a reddish tinge before turning brown. This tree supports a range of wildlife, with its flowers providing an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. The foliage serves as a food source for the caterpillars of several moth species, while the seeds are taken by birds and small mammals. As a native species, it contributes positively to local biodiversity and integrates well into mixed hedgerows and woodland planting schemes. Field Maple is adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including chalky, clay and loamy soils. It copes well with exposed and coastal sites, and its tolerance of pollution makes it a reliable choice for urban gardens. Its dense, feathered habit also makes it useful as a screening tree or for naturalistic boundary planting.

Thuja occidentalis 'Yellow Ribbon,' commonly known as the Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae, is a captivating and popular evergreen shrub that hails from the cypress family, Cupressaceae. This striking cultivar is celebrated for its vibrant, golden-yellow foliage, which adds a burst of colour and elegance to gardens and landscapes.

Standing at a height of 10 to 15 feet with a similar spread, 'Yellow Ribbon' possesses a natural, conical shape that requires minimal pruning to maintain its stunning form. The soft, scale-like leaves are arranged in flattened sprays along its gracefully arching branches, giving it a feathery and delicate appearance. During the summer, the foliage is a brilliant yellow hue, and this coloration intensifies in the fall, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your garden.

One of the key attributes of Thuja occidentalis 'Yellow Ribbon' is its adaptability. This cultivar thrives in a variety of soil types, including well-drained and slightly acidic to alkaline soils. It also exhibits exceptional cold tolerance, making it an ideal choice for gardens in northern regions. Its evergreen nature ensures that it remains a focal point of interest throughout the year, providing both privacy and a touch of sophistication to any landscape.

'Yellow Ribbon' is a low-maintenance shrub that requires minimal care once established. Regular watering and a layer of mulch help retain moisture and protect the root system, while occasional pruning can be done to shape or maintain its size. It's a wonderful choice for hedges, screens, or as a standalone specimen in gardens, where its radiant yellow foliage can contrast beautifully with other green or darker plants.

Hydrangea Phantom is a deciduous shrub with a strong, upright and rounded habit, forming a dense, sturdy structure capable of supporting its large flower heads without staking. The foliage consists of broad, mid-green, toothed leaves that provide a solid backdrop through the growing season. This cultivar is particularly notable for its enormous conical flower panicles, among the largest in the Hydrangea paniculata group, which can reach up to 30cm in length. Flowering begins in mid to late summer, opening creamy white before gradually developing soft pink tones as the blooms age into autumn. The flower heads are produced on the current year's growth, ensuring reliable displays even after hard pruning. The plant is particularly attractive from midsummer through to autumn, when the large flower panicles are at their most striking and provide long-lasting interest in the garden. The spent flowerheads often persist into winter, adding structural interest even after the petals have faded. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, offering a useful late-season nectar source when many other plants have finished flowering. This makes it a valuable addition to borders and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. It tolerates a range of soil types, including clay, and performs well in both sun and partial shade.

Pinus mugo 'Klostergrun', commonly known as Dwarf Mountain Pine, is an evergreen conifer with a compact, bushy habit. It forms a dense, rounded mound of foliage, making it a popular choice for structural planting in smaller gardens or rockeries. The needles are dark green, short and arranged in dense clusters, giving the plant a neat, tufted appearance throughout the year. This dense needle coverage contributes to the shrub's solid, uniform outline, which holds its shape well without the need for extensive pruning. Small cone-like structures appear on the branches, typical of pine species, adding subtle textural interest. These develop from inconspicuous flowers in spring, maturing into brown cones by autumn. This plant maintains consistent year-round interest due to its evergreen nature, with its dense green form providing a reliable backdrop or focal point in any season. It is particularly valued for its hardiness and adaptability, tolerating a wide range of soil types including poor, rocky or sandy soils. It is also well suited to exposed and coastal locations, as it withstands wind and salt-laden air with ease. Dwarf Mountain Pine 'Klostergrun' is low-maintenance and ideal for use in containers, rock gardens, or as a low hedge, offering structure and texture with minimal care requirements.

Magnolia Galissonnière is an evergreen tree, trained here as a full standard with a clear stem and a rounded, well-proportioned crown. The foliage is glossy, dark green above with a distinctive rust-brown, felted underside, giving the tree year-round interest and texture. Large, creamy-white, goblet-shaped flowers appear from mid to late summer, often continuing sporadically into autumn, and carry a strong lemon fragrance. The blooms are followed by cone-like seed pods that split to reveal bright red seeds, adding a further point of interest later in the season. This cultivar is valued for its compact habit compared to the species, making it more manageable within garden settings while retaining the bold, architectural presence typical of Magnolia grandiflora. Flowers provide a nectar source for pollinating insects, offering some benefit to garden wildlife. The tree performs best in a sheltered, sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil, and tolerates a range of soil types including slightly alkaline conditions. It is also known for good tolerance of coastal exposure, making it a suitable choice for gardens in exposed or seaside locations. As a standard tree, it works well as a specimen planting, offering structure, glossy foliage, and striking summer flowers as a long-season focal point.

Colorado Blue Spruce is an evergreen conifer, retaining its foliage all year round. The needles are stiff and sharply pointed, ranging from silvery-blue to steel-blue in colour, giving the tree a striking, frosted appearance that sets it apart from other spruces. As a feathered specimen, branches are retained from the base of the trunk right to the tip, creating a dense, symmetrical, pyramidal form that provides excellent year-round screening and structure within a garden or landscape setting. The dense, conical habit makes it a strong focal point, particularly effective as a specimen tree where its form and colour can be appreciated from all angles. Foliage colour intensifies during the colder months, giving particular interest through autumn and winter when the blue tones become more pronounced against darker garden backdrops. Small, cylindrical cones develop hanging from the branches, adding a subtle textural interest but not considered a significant ornamental feature. This spruce is tolerant of a range of soil types, including clay, and copes well with exposed or windy positions, making it a suitable choice for more challenging planting positions where a hardy, structural evergreen is required.

Sorbus hupehensis, or Hupeh Rowan, is a small, compact, ornamental, deciduous tree, with pinnate, mid-green leaves, vivid red and orange in autumn. Fluffy corymbs of tiny, creamy-white flowers bloom in spring and are followed by clusters of pink to white berries in autumn which hang on bare branches throughout winter. Attractive to birds and bees. Hupeh Rowan prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions. It grows best in full sun to partial shade. It is resistant to frost and wind, and tolerant of exposed conditions, coastal conditions, and urban pollution. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require routine pruning. Sorbus hupehensis is a beautiful ornamental tree with great autumn colour and attractive colourful berries. It is perfect as a specimen or accent plant in small cottage, urban or coastal gardens. Excellent for streets and avenues. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens.

Pinus 'Marie Bregeon' on a clear stem is an elegant, dwarf variety of pine that is highly prized for its compact growth and vibrant appearance. This cultivar stands out with its bright, emerald green needles and a unique, clean stem that elevates its dense foliage, creating an eye-catching spherical bush at the top. It typically reaches an ultimate height of about 1-1.5 meters, making it a perfect choice for small gardens, rockeries, or as a focal point in mixed borders.

This slow-growing pine thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings. It is particularly tolerant of dry conditions once established, requiring minimal maintenance. Gardeners often use Pinus 'Marie Bregeon' to add structure and year-round color to the landscape. Its distinctive form and manageable size also make it ideal for container planting, allowing it to be featured on patios or balconies.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold' is a deciduous shrub with a compact, rounded, bushy habit and dense, twiggy growth. The foliage is its standout feature, emerging bright golden-yellow in spring and holding good colour through summer, particularly in sunnier positions, before taking on coppery-orange tones in autumn. The leaves are lobed and slightly toothed, giving texture alongside the strong colour. In late spring to early summer, small clusters of pale pink to white flowers appear, held in flat-topped corymbs across the branches. These give way to small reddish seed pods later in the season, adding further interest once the flowers have faded. The shrub has an upright yet arching structure, with older stems developing attractive peeling, flaking bark that provides additional textural appeal, especially in winter once the leaves have dropped. Flowers attract pollinating insects such as bees, making this a useful addition for gardens aiming to support wildlife. The dense branching habit also offers shelter for small garden creatures. This shrub is adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils, and tolerates both full sun and partial shade, though foliage colour is best in a sunnier spot. It is a reliable choice for mixed borders, informal hedging, or as a specimen shrub.

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’ is a slender, vigorous, deciduous tree of narrowly columnar habit, with pinnate, dark green leaves, silvery underneath, orange and yellow in autumn. Small, creamy-white flowers grow in loose clusters and bloom in spring. They are followed by lovely, red berries attractive to birds. Mountain Ash 'Cardinal Royal' thrives in moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils, but is adaptable to various soil conditions, even damp. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is resistant to frost and wind. Very easy to grow, tolerant of urban pollution, coastal conditions, and exposed areas. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require much pruning. Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’, with its autumn foliage, profusion of white flowers and attractive red berries, is an excellent slender ornamental tree. It is perfect as a specimen or accent plant in cottage, wildlife, urban, and coastal gardens. Great for hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Louise’ is an upright, evergreen, ornamental shrub or small tree with lance-shaped, leathery, glossy, variegated leaves – brilliant red with pink margins when young and dark grey-green with creamy-white margins when mature. Panicles of inconspicuous, small, white flowers bloom in spring and are sometimes followed by red berries. Spring pruning eliminates flowers and stimulates new red growth. Photinia x fraseri ‘Louise’ thrives in average, fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soils, except waterlogged and compact. Once established, it is resistant of frost and drought. Young leaves may be damaged by late frosts, therefore it should be sheltered, especially from harsh winds. With two or three flushes of new shoots throughout the year, Photinia x fraseri ‘Louise’ is exceptionally attractive all year round. It is perfect as a specimen or accent plant in small gardens. Great for beds and borders, hedges and screens, or for growing in containers.

Nolina hibernica, commonly known as the Mexican Grass Tree or Elephant's Foot, is an evergreen architectural plant prized for its striking structural form. It produces a dense, cascading mound of narrow, strap-like, dark green leaves that arch gracefully from a central point, creating a fountain-like appearance reminiscent of ornamental grasses. As the plant matures, it develops a thickened, swollen trunk base, giving it the appearance of a miniature tree and adding to its sculptural quality in the landscape. This plant maintains its appearance year-round, with the foliage providing consistent visual interest across all seasons rather than seasonal peaks of colour change. The dense clump of leaves remains evergreen throughout winter, offering structure to a garden design when many other plants have died back. Nolina hibernica is well suited to Mediterranean-style planting schemes and works particularly well in coastal areas, as it tolerates salt-laden winds and exposed positions with ease. It thrives in free-draining soil and is tolerant of drought conditions once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance gravel gardens, xeriscaping, or contemporary planting designs. This plant is a good choice for adding year-round architectural interest with minimal care requirements.

Fargesia rufa is an elegant, vigorous, fast growing, evergreen bamboo. It roots from a dense, non-invasive, slowly-creeping clump. It is upright when young and slightly arching when mature. Its canes are tall, slender, glossy, yellow-green with red-orange sheaths. The leaves are short, narrow, blue-green, grey-green underneath. It rarely flowers. Fargesia rufa can adapt to any type of soil, but grows best in fertile, organically rich, slightly acidic, moisture retentive soils. It doesn’t like too wet or too dry soils. It thrives in partial shade. In full sun, it appreciates some afternoon shade. It is resistant to frost and tolerant of cold winters, but needs to be sheltered form harsh winds. It prefers cool summer climates. Virtually pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant. Dragon Head Bamboo is a stunning, exotic-looking plant, very easy to grow. Perfect for planting in containers on patios or roof gardens. Excellent for hedges and screens. Great as a specimen plant or in beds and borders.

Photinia Red Robin, trained as a half standard tree, is an evergreen plant valued for its vivid foliage display. New growth emerges bright red before maturing to glossy dark green, with this colour contrast most pronounced during spring and again with a secondary flush in late summer. The half standard form gives a clear stem topped with a rounded, dense head of foliage, making it a distinctive specimen for structured planting schemes. In late spring, small white flowers appear in clusters, held above the foliage, though the plant is grown primarily for its ornamental leaves rather than its blooms. Small red berries may follow in autumn, adding further seasonal interest. The dense, compact head provides some shelter for small birds, and the flowers offer limited nectar for pollinating insects, contributing modestly to garden biodiversity. This tree tolerates a range of soil types, including clay, and performs well in both sun and partial shade. It is reasonably wind-tolerant, making it suitable for exposed or coastal positions, and its dense habit means it can also serve as a windbreak or screening element within a planting design.

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.

Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis', commonly known as the autumn flowering cherry, is a deciduous tree supplied here as a feathered specimen, with branches growing down to ground level in a naturally balanced form. Its foliage emerges bronze-green in spring, turning mid-green through summer before developing attractive orange and red tones in autumn. This cherry is notable for its unusual flowering habit, producing clusters of semi-double white to pale pink blossom intermittently from late autumn through to early spring, particularly during mild spells. This gives interest across the colder months when little else is in flower, alongside a fresh display of leaf colour in autumn. The blossom provides an early source of nectar for pollinating insects at a time of year when forage is otherwise scarce, supporting bees and other beneficial insects during mild winter days. As a feathered tree, it develops a dense, twiggy branch structure from low down the trunk, making it well suited as a specimen tree where its form and winter flowering can be appreciated at close range. It performs well on most reasonably fertile, well-drained soils and tolerates a range of garden situations, making it a versatile choice for small to medium sized gardens.

Zelkova serrata, commonly known as Japanese Zelkova, is a deciduous tree grown here as a feathered specimen, with branches retained down to the base rather than a clear stem. This form gives the tree a dense, full appearance from ground level, making it a strong feature plant where year-round structure at a lower level is desired. The foliage consists of serrated, elliptical leaves that emerge green in spring and develop attractive orange, bronze and red tones in autumn before falling. This seasonal colour change makes the tree a feature during the autumn months, following a fresh, verdant display through spring and summer. The bark is smooth and grey when young, developing a flaking texture with age, revealing orange-brown patches beneath that add interest during the winter months once the leaves have dropped. Japanese Zelkova is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including loamy and clay soils, and copes well with urban pollution, making it a reliable choice for both garden and street planting. It also shows good resistance to Dutch elm disease, a useful trait given its close relation to elm trees. As with many broadleaf trees, the canopy offers some shelter and habitat value for garden birds and insects, contributing modestly to garden biodiversity.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a distinct cultivar of Japanese Maple notable for its stunning autumn foliage, which transforms into brilliant shades of fiery red. This deciduous tree has an elegant, rounded form and typically reaches a height and spread of 15-20 feet, making it a spectacular feature in gardens, especially in autumn.

The leaves of 'Osakazuki' are palmate and lobed, displaying a lush green color through spring and summer, before their autumn transformation. These leaves have a uniquely refined texture, enhancing its aesthetic appeal throughout the growing season.

Ideal for small gardens, 'Osakazuki' prefers well-drained, moist soils and sheltered locations to protect its delicate foliage from harsh winds. It can thrive in full sun to partial shade, but for the best autumn color, a location with more sunlight is preferable.

This tree is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from regular watering, especially in dryer periods, and mulching to maintain soil moisture. Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a robust choice for a wide range of landscapes. The vivid, extended display of autumn color, coupled with its graceful growth habit, renders 'Osakazuki' a coveted choice among garden enthusiasts.

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' is a captivating and resilient deciduous tree, often recognized by its striking golden-yellow foliage. This robust cultivar stands out for its adaptability and rapid growth, often thriving in diverse environmental conditions, including urban areas with substantial pollution. Originating from the black locust tree, 'Frisia' inherits a hardy and enduring nature, demonstrating significant resistance to harsh weather conditions, rendering it a prevalent choice among garden enthusiasts and landscape architects.

The tree is a magnificent spectacle during the spring season when it is adorned with pendulous clusters of sweetly fragrant, white, pea-like flowers, attracting a myriad of pollinators, notably bees, enhancing biodiversity within its vicinity. The blooms are followed by smooth, elongated seed pods, contributing to the tree's visual appeal. The vibrant foliage, which creates a pronounced contrast with the surroundings, transitions to a lighter shade of yellow in the autumn, offering an extended period of visual interest.

Despite its aesthetic appeal and resilience, 'Frisia' necessitates vigilant management due to its propensity for suckering and its invasive nature. Proper pruning is vital to maintain its structural integrity and curtail unrestrained growth. This tree is suitable for individuals seeking a low-maintenance yet visually arresting focal point in their landscapes.