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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.

Betula utilis Snow Queen is one of the most popular varieties of birch trees. It’s a medium-sized, deciduous tree with a pyramid-shaped crown and ascending branches. Its snowy white exfoliating bark is stunning all year round. It is very similar to Betula jacquemontii except it gets its shinny white bark earlier in its life. Its leaves are ovate, dark green, turning bright yellow in autumn. Male flowers are yellowish-brown and appear in dropping catkins, while female are greenish and appear in upright catkins. Betula utilis Snow Queen can grow in any type of soil, even sand or clay, as long as it is moist and well-drained. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It does best in cool northern climates. Does not tolerate heat and humidity. Himalayan Birch Snow Queen, with its highly ornamental white peeling bark, is an exceptional tree, perfect as a specimen plant or in beds and borders. Great for cottage and urban gardens.

Dryopteris affinis 'The King', is a handsome and distinctive evergreen fern valued for its strong structure and attractively crested fronds. It belongs to the golden male fern group and is particularly appreciated for the decorative tips that give the plant an elegant yet slightly unusual appearance.

This fern forms a substantial clump of arching fronds that emerge from a central crown. Each frond is a rich, glossy green and can reach around 60–120 cm in length, creating a bold, architectural presence in shaded areas of the garden. The defining feature of this cultivar lies in the crested ends of the fronds and pinnae, where the leaflets divide into small tufted or tasselled tips. These crests give the plant a softly ruffled outline and add a layer of visual interest compared with standard forms of the species.

As an evergreen fern, it provides year-round structure and foliage in suitable conditions. Fresh new fronds unfurl in spring, often appearing slightly lighter green before deepening in colour as they mature. Older fronds can remain attractive through winter, though some gardeners choose to remove any tired foliage in early spring to allow the new growth to be seen clearly.

Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata’ thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It is particularly well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, or naturalistic planting schemes where its bold texture contrasts beautifully with finer foliage plants. It combines well with hostas, hellebores and other shade-loving perennials, helping to create layered planting with varied forms and textures.

This fern is generally hardy and reliable in the UK climate, requiring little maintenance once established. Its robust habit, evergreen character and distinctive crested fronds make it a valuable structural plant for shaded garden spaces.

Overall, Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata’ is admired for its durability, ornamental foliage and ability to bring year-round interest and texture to sheltered, shady areas of the garden

Pittosporum 'Bannow Bay' is a remarkable evergreen shrub that enchants garden enthusiasts with its elegant appearance and versatility. Belonging to the Pittosporaceae family, this cultivar is prized for its lush foliage, compact growth habit, and suitability for a variety of garden settings.

Standing at a moderate height of 6-8 feet and spreading about 4-6 feet, 'Bannow Bay' is a well-behaved shrub that fits seamlessly into both small and large landscapes. Its compact, rounded shape makes it an excellent choice for hedges, borders, or as a standalone specimen plant.

The most striking feature of Pittosporum 'Bannow Bay' is its foliage. The leaves are glossy, deep green, and oval-shaped, creating a lush and vibrant appearance throughout the year. This dense foliage serves as an attractive backdrop for other plants and provides year-round interest, making it a popular choice for garden design.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, 'Bannow Bay' emits a delightful fragrance from its small, inconspicuous flowers, adding an aromatic dimension to your garden. These fragrant blossoms typically appear in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

One of the standout characteristics of 'Bannow Bay' is its adaptability to various environmental conditions. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of garden locations. It also demonstrates good tolerance to drought once established, making it suitable for regions with varying moisture levels.

Overall, Pittosporum 'Bannow Bay' is a versatile and visually appealing evergreen shrub that enhances garden aesthetics year-round. Its compact growth, glossy green foliage, fragrant flowers, and adaptability to different settings make it a valuable addition to gardens, providing both beauty and functionality to any landscape. Whether used as a hedging plant, a specimen shrub, or a foundation planting, 'Bannow Bay' is sure to elevate the charm of any outdoor space.

Cuprocyparis leylandii is a hybrid of Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis). It’s a large, fast-growing, dense, evergreen conifer tree with upright, columnar to pyramidal, habit and spays of grey-green, citrus-scented foliage. The branches are slightly flattened and covered with sprays of green scale-like leaves. Dark brown cones bear sterile seeds.

Cuprocyparis leylandii thrives on a variety of soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun. It is resilient to frost, urban pollution and spray salt, therefore, suitable for growing in cities and in coastal areas. Generally, pest-free and disease-free.

Cuprocyparis leylandii is mostly used for formal garden hedges. It is very popular among gardeners because of its dense and fast-growing habit. Leylandii hedges are ideal for noise reduction, wind protection and for creating beautiful privacy screens. It can also be a nice specimen plant, but it must be regularly trimmed not to outgrow its space in small landscapes.

Populus alba, or White Poplar, is a fast-growing, suckering, spreading, deciduous tree with a broad-rounded crown, and 3-5 lobed, dark green leaves, silvery and hairy underneath, white when young, golden yellow in autumn. Small, reddish male or greenish female catkins appear on separate plants in spring, before the leaves. Female flowers are followed by capsules that open to release cottony seeds. Roots can be invasive.

White Poplar is easily grown in a wide range of soils and soil conditions, even poorly-drained, except constantly waterlogged. It thrives in average, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun. It is tolerant of salt and winds, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Attractive to bees and birds. Low maintenance plant. Populus alba, with its attractive foliage, is a great ornamental tree, perfect for very large woodland gardens or parks. Excellent as a windbreak or a screen tree. Not suitable for streets or near the houses because of its vigorous roots and messy tendencies.

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.

Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens', or Western Red Cedar 'Atrovirens' is a tall, vigorous, pyramidal, coniferous, evergreen tree with reddish-brown peeling bark, and dropping sprays of aromatic, glossy, scale-like, deep green leaves, bronze tinged in winter, with pineapple scent when crushed. It produces attractive, egg-shaped, brown cones. Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens' grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soils. It is not a demanding plant and requires very little maintenance. It thrives in full sun, but is tolerant of partial shade. It is very resistant to frost, but needs to be protected from harsh, drying winds. It doesn’t like hot, humid climates, and can’t tolerate drought. Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens' is a perfect plant for hedges and privacy screens. It is fast-growing and suitable for trimming. It is also great as a specimen plant in large informal, cottage, and woodland gardens.

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.

This is unique, gnarly, mature specimen tree. Very rare and uncommon. 

Ziziphus Jujuba, commonly known as jujube or Chinese date, is a species of small deciduous tree native to China, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years for its fruit and various medicinal properties. Belonging to the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae), this tree is revered not only for its delicious and nutritious fruit but also for its adaptability to diverse climates and soils.

The jujube tree typically grows up to 5 to 12 meters in height, with shiny green leaves and small, fragrant, yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. The fruit, resembling a small date, ripens in late summer to early autumn, transitioning from green to reddish-brown or mahogany when fully matured. Jujubes are sweet and tangy in taste, with a chewy texture similar to that of dates.

Throughout history, jujubes have held cultural significance in various regions. In traditional Chinese medicine, the fruit and other parts of the tree are believed to possess medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, sedative, and immune-boosting effects. Jujubes are often used to alleviate stress, improve digestion, and promote overall well-being.

Jujubes are a popular ingredient in culinary dishes and beverages. They can be eaten fresh, dried, candied, or cooked into jams, syrups, and desserts. 

Moreover, the jujube tree plays a role in agroforestry systems, as it is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil conditions. Its deep roots help prevent soil erosion.

Philadelphus ‘Virginal’, commonly known as Mock Orange, is a beautiful deciduous shrub prized for its wonderfully fragrant white flowers and graceful, natural form. In late spring and early summer, its arching branches become covered with masses of large, double white blooms, filling the garden with a sweet fragrance reminiscent of orange blossom.

Growing into a substantial shrub, ‘Virginal’ typically reaches around 2–3 metres in height and width when mature, making it an excellent choice for larger borders, informal screening or as a feature shrub. Its fresh green foliage provides a pleasing backdrop to the flowers throughout summer before turning yellow in autumn.

Philadelphus is a versatile and relatively easy-going garden plant, thriving in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. A position with plenty of sunshine will encourage the best flowering, while some afternoon shade is well tolerated.

It is particularly well suited to traditional cottage gardens, mixed borders and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. The highly scented flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, while the shrub’s relaxed habit adds a naturalistic feel to planting.

A hardy and dependable choice for UK gardens, Philadelphus ‘Virginal’ combines abundant summer flowers, exceptional fragrance and easy cultivation.

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.

Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens' is a small, evergreen tree of widely conical to broadly oval habit with spiny, toothed, extremely glossy, emerald green leaves. Small, greenish-white flowers that bloom in spring are followed by abundant and long-lasting crop of attractive, large, orange to red, berries in autumn and winter. It’s a female, partially self-pollinating plant. 'Nellie R. Stevens' Holly is a cross between English holly (ilex aquifolium) and Chinese holly (ilex cornuta). It can grow in various soil types, but prefers fertile, medium moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It can withstand frost and wind, but needs to be sheltered from drying winter winds. It is suitable for coastal areas. Low maintenance plant. Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens' is great as a specimen plant, good for hedges and screens, foundations, path edgings, and for growing in containers. Its branches with glossy leaves and red berries are typical Christmas decoration.

Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens' is a small, evergreen tree of widely conical to broadly oval habit with spiny, toothed, extremely glossy, emerald green leaves. Small, greenish-white flowers that bloom in spring are followed by abundant and long-lasting crop of attractive, large, orange to red, berries in autumn and winter. It’s a female, partially self-pollinating plant.

'Nellie R. Stevens' Holly is a cross between English holly (ilex aquifolium) and Chinese holly (ilex cornuta). It can grow in various soil types, but prefers fertile, medium moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It can withstand frost and wind, but needs to be sheltered from drying winter winds. It is suitable for coastal areas and low maintenance plant.

Ilex 'Nellie R. Stevens' is great as a specimen plant, good for hedges and screens, foundations, path edgings, and for growing in containers. Its branches with glossy leaves and red berries are typical Christmas decoration.

Acer palmatum 'Going Green' is a small, compact, dense, rounded, bushy deciduous Japanese maple tree with strong, upright stems, palmate, deeply-lobed bright green to lime green leaves, golden, orange, and scarlet in autumn. Inconspicuous, greenish flowers bloom in spring and are followed by attractive, red, winged seed pods in summer and autumn.

Acer palmatum 'Going Green' can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as they are consistantly moist and well-drained, but prefers fertile, slightly acidic, moisture retentive, soils. It thrives in partial shade and leaf colour is best in partial shade, but can tolerate full sun. Lack of soil moisture and excessive exposure can cause leaf scorch. It is resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from strong winds. Low maintenance plant. Japanese maple ‘Going Green’ with its sculptural stems and striking autumn foliage can add beauty to any informal, cottage, or urban garden. Perfect as a specimen plant. Suitable for growing in containers.

Photinia fraseri 'Carre Rouge' is a popular evergreen shrub that is commonly grown for its vibrant red foliage. This cultivar is a hybrid of Photinia glabra and Photinia serratifolia, and it is known for its compact growth habit and stunning appearance.

The leaves of 'Carre Rouge' are a glossy dark green color when they first emerge, but as they mature, they turn to a bright red shade that is especially striking in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, the leaves may take on a deeper burgundy color. The foliage of this cultivar is also slightly smaller and more rounded than the leaves of other Photinia varieties.

In addition to its attractive foliage, Photinia fraseri 'Carre Rouge' produces small white flowers in the spring, followed by red berries that add to its ornamental appeal. This shrub is relatively low maintenance and can be grown in a variety of settings, including as a hedge, specimen plant, or in a mixed border.

Overall, Photinia fraseri 'Carre Rouge' is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is sure to add color and interest to any garden or landscape.

Pinus banksiana 'Velda' is a unique and compact cultivar of the Jack pine, well-suited for a variety of garden settings, especially where space is limited. Its slow-growing, upright form and dense branching structure make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, small urban landscapes, or as a distinctive specimen in mixed conifer beds. Reaching a mature height of approximately 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) over many years, ‘Velda’ maintains a tidy, irregular habit that adds visual interest and character to the garden.

The plant’s dark green needles remain attractive throughout the year, providing evergreen structure and color, even in winter. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, showing adaptability to a range of poor or sandy soil conditions—a trait inherited from the species’ native habitat in North America. Additionally, ‘Velda’ is hardy making it suitable for colder climates.

With minimal maintenance needs and a distinctive, rugged charm, Pinus banksiana 'Velda' is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet visually engaging conifer for naturalistic, alpine, or minimalist garden designs.

Elaeagnus ebbingei Compacta is a compact, dense, fast-growing, evergreen shrub with colourful twigs and branches – colours range from orange-brown, honey to sandy yellow. Leathery, glossy dark green leaves have silver undersides. Flowers are small, creamy, inconspicuous, but have nice, sweet fragrance. They bloom from late summer to autumn and are followed by deep red, edible fruit.

Elaeagnus ebbingei Compacta can grow in wide varieties of soils, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Once established, it can withstand drought, wind, and salt spray. In very cold climates, its shallow roots should be protected from frost. Generally, pest-free. Low maintenance.

Elaeagnus ebbingei Compacta, with its compact habit and lovely silvery-green foliage, is a great addition to any garden – informal, cottage, urban or coastal. It is perfect as a background plant, for hedges and screens, in shrub borders, or planted in containers.

Pinus pinaster, commonly known as the Maritime Pine, is a striking evergreen conifer well suited to larger gardens, particularly in coastal or exposed locations. Native to southern Europe, it is valued for its toughness, fast growth and distinctive rugged character.

Maritime Pine develops a tall trunk with a broad, irregular crown as it matures. Its long, deep green needles create a textured canopy that moves attractively in the wind, while the thick, fissured bark becomes richly coloured with age, adding visual interest throughout the year. Large cones form on the branches and can remain on the tree for several seasons.

This species thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils, performing particularly well in sandy or poorer ground where many other trees struggle. It is highly tolerant of wind and salt-laden air, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens or exposed rural settings.

Because of its eventual size, Maritime Pine is best used as a specimen tree or part of a naturalistic landscape planting. It provides height, structure and year-round greenery, creating a bold focal point while also contributing to shelter and habitat within the garden environment.

Prunus domestica 'Stanley' is a vigorous, spreading, deciduous plum tree with elliptical, bright green leaves and masses of fragrant, white flowers blooming in mid-spring. Flowers are followed by an abundance of large, delicious, juicy, dark blue plums with greenish-yellow flesh. The fruit is ready for harvesting in late summer and autumn. Prunus domestica 'Stanley' can tolerate a wide range of soils, but prefers moderately fertile, slightly acidic, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in sunny, sheltered positions. Very resistant to frost and since it blooms later in spring, flower buds are rarely in danger of late frosts. It crops better after a cold and wet spring. It is self-fertile but it’s beneficial to have a pollinator nearby. Requires minimal pruning. Plum 'Stanley' is a very popular plum variety. It’s a reliable and heavy cropper. Perfect for small gardens. Very tasty, with high sugar content. Excellent when eaten fresh and ideal for drying and canning.