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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.

Ligustrum japonicum "Aureum", commonly known as Golden Privet, is an evergreen tree grown here as a full standard, providing year-round structure and foliage. The leaves are glossy and green with striking golden-yellow variegation, giving the tree a bright, colourful appearance throughout the seasons. Trained as a full standard, it develops a clear stem with a rounded, well-proportioned head of foliage, making it a formal and structural feature for gardens or driveways. In early to midsummer, small clusters of white flowers appear, adding a subtle seasonal interest against the golden foliage, though the tree is primarily valued for its foliage colour rather than its blooms. The flowers can be followed by small black berries later in the year, providing a modest food source for birds and contributing some value to garden wildlife. This tree tolerates a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils, and adapts well to both sunny and partially shaded positions. It is also reasonably tolerant of urban pollution and coastal conditions, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden settings. Its dense, evergreen habit makes it useful for year-round screening or as a striking specimen tree with continuous colour and form.

Red Oak is a deciduous tree, supplied here as a feathered specimen with branching retained down to ground level, giving it a full, bushy habit from an early stage. The foliage consists of large, deeply lobed leaves that emerge green in spring and summer before turning rich shades of red to russet in autumn, providing strong seasonal colour and interest. As a feathered tree it develops a dense, pyramidal to rounded structure, making it useful for screening or as a specimen tree where coverage close to the ground is desired. The autumn display is particularly notable, with the foliage colouring reliably even in less favourable conditions compared to some other oak species. Inconspicuous catkins appear in spring, followed by acorns in autumn, which provide a valuable food source for birds and small mammals. The tree supports a wide range of insect life, contributing to local biodiversity and forming part of a broader food chain within the garden ecosystem. Red Oak is tolerant of a range of soil types, including acidic and sandy soils, and is particularly well suited to sites with poor drainage compared to other oaks. It also copes well with urban pollution, making it a robust choice for both rural and town gardens, parks, and larger landscaped areas requiring a hardy, long-lived tree.

Hosta 'Fragrant Blue' is a herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in autumn and re-emerges each spring. It forms a dense mound of rounded to heart-shaped leaves with a distinctive powdery blue-grey colouring and a slightly puckered, textured surface. The foliage holds its colour well through the growing season, creating a striking clump in borders and shaded areas. In mid to late summer, tall flower spikes rise above the foliage bearing pale lavender, bell-shaped blooms that are lightly fragrant, a notable trait among hostas. The flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects, offering a useful nectar source during summer months. This cultivar performs best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and is particularly suited to shady or partially shaded parts of the garden, including woodland-style plantings or beneath trees and shrubs. It tolerates clay soils provided drainage is adequate and benefits from consistent moisture during dry periods. The thick, textured leaves show some resistance to slug damage compared to thinner-leaved varieties, though some protection may still be needed in slug-prone gardens. Hosta 'Fragrant Blue' works well as ground cover, in mixed shade borders, or as a container specimen, providing reliable structure and colour contrast against greener foliage plants throughout the warmer months.

Cherry Laurel is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves that are broad and rounded in shape, giving the foliage a particularly bold and lush appearance. It forms a dense, bushy habit, making it a popular choice for hedging, screening and boundary planting where year-round coverage and privacy are required. The plant responds well to clipping, maintaining a compact and uniform structure even when trimmed regularly. In spring, small white flowers are produced in upright spikes, adding a seasonal contrast against the dark foliage. These are followed later in the year by small black cherry-like fruits, which appear once the flowers have faded. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, while the dense evergreen growth provides shelter and nesting opportunities for birds throughout the year. The berries produced later in the season can also provide a food source for wildlife. This shrub tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, including shade, and is well suited to most soil types, including clay and loamy soils. It is a reliable choice for creating a substantial, low-maintenance evergreen hedge or backdrop planting in a variety of garden settings.

Viburnum davidii is a compact, mound-forming evergreen shrub valued for its handsome, deeply veined, dark green leaves that remain glossy and attractive throughout the year. The dense, low-growing habit makes it a useful structural plant, particularly effective for ground cover or low hedging in a mixed border. In late spring, clusters of small, creamy-white flowers appear above the foliage, providing a modest but pleasing display. Provided both male and female plants are grown together, these flowers are followed in autumn by distinctive metallic blue-black berries, which persist into winter and add further seasonal interest. The flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, while the berries provide a valuable food source for birds during the colder months, making this shrub a good choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Viburnum davidii tolerates a range of growing conditions, including partial shade, and is well suited to coastal gardens due to its resilience to wind exposure. It also performs well in heavier clay soils, making it a versatile option for planting schemes where soil drainage may be less than ideal.

Hibiscus Syriacus, commonly known as Rose of Sharon, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that belongs to the mallow family. Native to China and Korea, this plant is widely cultivated for its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. The plant can grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, forming a dense, rounded crown. Its bark is grayish-brown, and the leaves are dark green, lobed, and serrated. In fall, the foliage turns yellow before dropping. The flowers of Hibiscus Syriacus come in a range of colors, including white, pink, red, lavender, and blue. They have a diameter of 2-4 inches and typically last for only one day. However, the plant produces numerous flowers over a long period, providing a colorful display for weeks. Hibiscus Syriacus is a relatively low-maintenance plant and can grow in a variety of soil types, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. The plant is also drought-tolerant once established, but it benefits from regular watering during dry periods.

Pinus nigra 'Green Tower' is a narrow, upright, slow-growing, coniferous, evergreen tree of columnar habit, resembling “exclamation mark”, with long, thin, rich green needles and large, white buds in winter and early spring. Pinus nigra 'Green Tower' is not a fussy plant and can grow in any type of soil, loamy, sandy, clay or chalky, as long as it is well-drained. It thrives in fertile, loose, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of drought, heat, and salt, ideal for coastal areas. Extremely resistant to frost and wind, therefore, suitable for exposed positions. It can withstand urban pollution. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Austrian pine 'Green Tower' is a very attractive, pillar-like tree that can fit to almost any small and tight garden. It looks perfect as a specimen or accent plant, as well as planted in groups. Great for hedges and screens, or as a windbreak. Suitable for growing in containers.

Photinia Red Robin is a popular evergreen shrub valued for its vivid foliage colour. New growth emerges bright red, gradually maturing to a glossy dark green, creating a striking contrast throughout the growing season. This colour change is most pronounced in spring, when fresh red shoots appear, and again after trimming, as the plant readily produces further flushes of red leaves. The shrub has a dense, bushy habit, making it well suited to hedging as well as specimen planting. It responds well to pruning, maintaining a compact, tidy structure, and can be shaped to form a formal hedge or left to grow into a rounded shrub form. In late spring, small white flowers may appear in clusters, though the plant is primarily grown for its foliage rather than its blooms. These are occasionally followed by small red berries in autumn, which can provide a minor food source for birds. Photinia Red Robin is adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils, and tolerates both sun and partial shade. It is a versatile choice for screening, hedging, or borders, offering year-round structure and seasonal interest through its colourful new growth.

The Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate', commonly known as the Persian Silk Tree or Mimosa, is a striking ornamental tree with unique, dark foliage. Native to Asia, this deciduous tree has gained popularity in gardens due to its dramatic appearance and relatively low-maintenance nature.

'Summer Chocolate' stands out for its distinctive leaves, which are deep burgundy to chocolate-brown, creating a bold contrast against the more typical green foliage seen in many gardens. The fern-like, feathery leaves give the tree an elegant, airy appearance, especially when they sway gently in the wind. These leaves can grow up to 45 cm in length and close up at night, a characteristic known as nyctinasty.

During the summer months, from June to September, the tree produces a profusion of fluffy, pompom-like flowers that are pale pink in colour, reminiscent of silk threads. These flowers sit in clusters atop the branches, providing a beautiful contrast to the dark foliage. They are lightly scented and attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making the tree a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

In terms of growth, 'Summer Chocolate' can reach a height of 4 to 6 metres, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a specimen tree. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types. Hardy in UK climates, it may benefit from some protection from harsh winter winds.

Overall, Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' is a visually stunning tree that combines beauty with the benefit of attracting pollinators, adding a sense of tropical elegance to gardens. Its unusual foliage colour and delicate flowers make it a focal point in any landscape.

Acer pensylvanicum, commonly known as the striped maple, is a deciduous tree native to the forests of eastern North America. It is a small to medium-sized tree, typically growing between 5 to 10 metres tall, with a slender trunk and spreading branches that create a rounded crown. The bark of young trees is particularly striking, characterised by green and white vertical stripes, giving the tree its common name. As the tree matures, the bark darkens to a reddish-brown or grey, and the stripes become less pronounced.

The leaves of Acer pensylvanicum are large and broad, usually measuring 12 to 18 centimetres in length and width. They are three-lobed, with a slightly serrated edge, and have a soft, velvety texture. The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, turning vibrant shades of yellow in the autumn before falling. This autumnal display makes the tree an attractive feature in woodland settings.

In late spring, the striped maple produces clusters of small, yellow-green flowers that hang down in delicate racemes. These flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers often found on the same tree. Pollinated by wind or insects, the flowers develop into distinctive winged seeds, called samaras, which mature in late summer and are dispersed by the wind.

Acer pensylvanicum thrives in cool, shaded environments, preferring moist, well-drained soils. It is commonly found in the understorey of mixed hardwood forests, where it grows slowly in the dappled light. The striped maple is also known for its ability to regenerate from stumps, making it resilient in disturbed forest areas.

Osmanthus x burkwoodii is a dense, shrubby, rounded, slow-growing, flowering, evergreen shrub with small, ovate, finely toothed, glossy, dark green leaves. Small, highly fragrant, jasmine-like, white flowers bloom in clusters in late spring. Flowers are rarely followed by oval, black-purple fruits. Osmanthus x burkwoodii is very easy to grow. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soils. It brings more flowers in full sun, but can easily grow in partial shade. Once established, tolerant of drought. It is resistant to frost and heat. Generally, pest-free and disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning. Burkwood Osmanthus is a hybrid between O. delavayi and O. decorusa. It’s a beautiful and tough plant suitable for informal, cottage, and woodland gardens. Excellent for flower beds, mixed and shrub borders. Great for banks and slopes for erosion control. Very effective for hedges and screens.

Cherry Laurel 'Rotundifolia' is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with large, glossy, dark green leaves that are broad and rounded, giving the plant a bold, leathery appearance year-round. It forms a dense, robust shape, making it a popular choice for hedging, screening and boundary planting where quick coverage and privacy are required. Its thick foliage provides strong structure throughout the year, retaining its colour and density even in winter months. In spring, the shrub produces upright spikes of small, creamy-white flowers that stand out attractively against the dark foliage, adding seasonal interest to an otherwise foliage-focused plant. These flowers are followed by small, cherry-like fruits that ripen to a dark red or black colour later in the year. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, while the dense evergreen growth offers shelter and nesting opportunities for birds throughout the year. The fruits can also provide a food source for various birds once ripened. This cultivar is particularly well-suited to forming hedges or screens in a range of soil types, including clay, and tolerates both sun and shade, making it a versatile option for many garden settings, including areas with poor light or exposed boundaries.

Hydrangea aspera 'Hot Chocolate' is a deciduous shrub with an upright, rounded habit. The foliage is a notable feature, with large, velvety leaves in deep bronze-chocolate tones that have a soft, slightly hairy texture and a rich purple-red hue when young, maturing to dark green with chocolate undertones. From mid to late summer, the shrub produces lacecap flowerheads made up of tiny fertile florets in purple-blue surrounded by larger, flat, white to pale pink sterile florets. This creates a striking two-tone effect against the dark foliage, making the shrub particularly attractive throughout the summer months. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, providing a valuable nectar source during the summer flowering period. This makes it a useful addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. This shrub prefers a sheltered position with dappled or partial shade, making it well suited to woodland gardens or shaded borders. It performs best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil and benefits from protection against strong winds and harsh frosts, which can damage the large leaves and flower buds.

Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, can make an excellent large multistem specimen for a garden, provided the conditions suit its needs. This evergreen tree naturally forms multiple stems, creating a sculptural, architectural presence that adds year-round interest. Its attractive cinnamon-peeling bark, glossy dark green leaves, and the unusual combination of flowers and fruit appearing at the same time make it a standout ornamental choice.

A multistem Arbutus unedo thrives best in well-drained soil and a sunny to lightly shaded position. It tolerates poor or slightly alkaline soils, coastal exposure, and urban pollution, making it versatile in many settings. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and generally low-maintenance, requiring only occasional shaping to maintain its form. Its moderate growth rate allows it to develop into a sizeable focal point without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Wildlife benefits are significant: the nectar-rich flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the fruit provides food for birds. Although edible, the fruit is usually considered more ornamental than culinary. Overall, a large multistem strawberry tree offers beauty, resilience, and ecological value, making it a highly suitable choice for many gardens.

Rhododendron 'Cosmopolitan' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its vivid spring flowers and neat, rounded habit, making it an excellent feature plant for a wide range of garden settings. Typically growing to around 1.5–2 metres in height and spread, it forms a dense, well-branched shrub that provides structure and year-round foliage interest.

In mid to late spring, ‘Cosmopolitan’ produces large, eye-catching trusses of bright rose-pink flowers, each bloom highlighted with a darker red blotch in the throat. These colourful blooms create a bold display and attract pollinators such as bees, bringing life and movement into the garden.

This rhododendron thrives best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained acidic soil and prefers a sheltered position in partial shade or dappled sunlight. It is particularly effective in woodland-style gardens, mixed shrub borders, or planted alongside other acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias, and pieris.

Protection from cold drying winds will help maintain healthy foliage and strong flowering. With its vibrant colour, compact growth, and dependable performance, ‘Cosmopolitan’ is a superb choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and decorative flowering shrub.

Malus ‘Fruitilicious’ is a medium-size, broadly upright, spreading, deciduous tree, with ovate, medium green leaves, and masses of large, white flowers, blooming in spring. Huge, elongated, green to pink-red crab apples, the largest of all Malus crab apples, appear in autumn and persist on bare branches in winter. Attractive to birds and bees. Fruits can be used for culinary purposes. Malus ‘Fruitilicious’ is an improved form of Malus robusta and can adapt to a wide range of soils, but prefers moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Once established, it is resistant to drought. It can withstand frost and wind. Resistant to urban pollution. Generally, disease-free. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require much pruning. Malus ‘Fruitilicious’ is a lovely tree with beautiful flowers and large, edible fruits, perfect as a specimen or accent plant for small informal, cottage, and urban gardens. It is suitable for growing in containers.

Cut-leaved Alder is a deciduous tree, supplied here as a feathered specimen with branches retained down to ground level, giving it a full, upright structure from an early stage. The foliage is particularly notable, with deeply cut, feathery leaves that are a soft, delicate green, offering a much lighter and more refined appearance than the species. This finely dissected leaf form sets it apart from ordinary alders and gives the tree an airy, graceful texture throughout the growing season. In late winter and early spring, before the leaves emerge, the tree produces attractive purplish-brown catkins, which hang from the bare branches and add seasonal interest ahead of leaf break. As the foliage develops through spring and summer, the canopy takes on a soft, lacy quality that distinguishes it from other ornamental trees. This tree copes particularly well with wet or waterlogged ground, making it a good choice for planting in damp gardens, near ponds or streams, or on heavier clay soils where many other trees struggle. It also tolerates a range of other conditions, including exposed sites. The catkins and seeds provide a food source for birds and insects, and alders are known to support a range of wildlife through the seasons, contributing positively to garden biodiversity.

Alnus glutinosa, commonly known as the black alder, is a deciduous tree native to Europe, including the British Isles. It is a versatile and resilient species, often found thriving in wetland areas, riverbanks, and marshes, where its roots can help stabilise the soil and prevent erosion.

The black alder typically grows to a height of 20-30 metres, with a broad, conical crown that becomes more rounded with age. Its bark is dark brown and fissured, often developing a distinctive, almost black hue as the tree matures. One of its most notable features is its leaves, which are rounded with a slightly serrated edge and a glossy, dark green surface that turns yellow in the autumn.

In early spring, Alnus glutinosa produces catkins – the male catkins are long and yellowish, while the female ones are shorter and reddish. These mature into woody, cone-like fruits that persist on the tree throughout the winter, providing a valuable food source for wildlife. The black alder also forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, enriching the soil and benefiting neighbouring plants.

Due to its adaptability and ecological benefits, Alnus glutinosa is often used in reforestation and habitat restoration projects. It supports a wide range of wildlife, including insects, birds, and aquatic species, making it a vital component of the British natural landscape.

Camellia Happy Birthday is an evergreen shrub with a neat, compact, rounded habit and dense growth, making it suitable for formal planting schemes or specimen positions. The foliage is glossy, dark green and oval in shape, providing a handsome backdrop throughout the year. It is particularly attractive in spring, when large, formal double flowers appear in soft pink, often with a deeper pink or white variegation to the petal edges. Flowering typically occurs from early to mid-spring, offering a long and reliable display. This camellia prefers a sheltered position in partial shade, away from early morning sun which can damage frosted blooms. It performs best in neutral to acidic, moist but well-drained soil, and benefits from the protection of a wall or taller shrubs in exposed gardens. It is well suited to woodland-style planting or container growing on patios where its acid soil requirements can be more easily controlled. Regular mulching with ericaceous compost will help maintain soil conditions and retain moisture around the root system.