Search results

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.

Morus nigra trained as a mature four-branched espalier is an outstanding choice for gardens where space, productivity, and ornamental structure are important. Its carefully trained horizontal framework creates a formal architectural feature that looks superb against sunny walls, fences, or boundary lines. This elegant form allows gardeners to enjoy a traditionally broad-growing mulberry in a far smaller footprint, making it especially suitable for compact gardens, courtyards, and kitchen garden settings.

The tree carries attractive heart-shaped leaves that provide fresh summer greenery, while its rich purple-black fruits ripen in late summer. These sweet, aromatic berries are highly prized for fresh eating, preserves, and culinary use. In autumn, the foliage may develop warm seasonal tones before leaf fall, while the bare branch structure adds winter interest.

Morus nigra thrives best in a warm, sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. A south or west-facing wall is ideal, helping fruit ripen fully and protecting young growth from colder weather. Once established, it is hardy and long-lived, requiring only periodic pruning to maintain its espalier shape and encourage fruiting wood.

Perfect for decorative edible gardens, formal layouts, and smaller spaces, this mature espalier mulberry offers beauty, character, and generous harvests for many years.

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’, or Irish Yew, is a medium-sized, evergreen shrub of narrowly columnar habit when young, broadly conical as it matures, with dense, closed crown, and leathery, needle-like dark green leaves. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by red, berry-like fruits. Irish Yew ‘Fastigata’ grows best in evenly moist, fertile, sandy, loamy, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade, but it can adapt to a wide range of soils, except poorly-drained. It is resistant to frost and wind. Tolerant of full shade, exposed positions, and urban pollution. It doesn’t like temperature extremes, and need protection from harsh winter winds. Low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning, but can be trimmed if needed. Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ is a stunning ornamental plant, ideal for providing beauty and structure in formal gardens. Great for urban, coastal and industrial areas. Perfect as a specimen or accent plant. Excellent for foundation plantings, hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers on patios and roof gardens.

Olea Europea is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants with Mediterranean origin. It’s a wonderful, slow-growing, long-lived, evergreen tree of very attractive habit and spreading crown, with gnarled, twisted trunk and silvery foliage. The elliptic leaves are grey-green, silvery underneath. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are followed by small, olive-rich, plum-like fruits, harvested when they are green or purple. Fruits are not edible directly from the tree, but after a special treatment. Common Olive grows best in fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It thrives in warm climates. If grown in colder areas, it should be planted in containers and brought inside during the winter. Generally, disease-free. Olea Europea is mostly grown for its tasteful fruits, but it is also an attractive-looking addition to urban, coastal, Mediterranean, or rock and gravel gardens. It is suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Clematis 'Early Sensation' is a charming evergreen climber that brings a touch of elegance and fresh fragrance to gardens and outdoor spaces. When trained on a cane, this compact variety creates a beautiful vertical display with its glossy, deep green foliage that remains vibrant year-round. In early spring, 'Early Sensation' lives up to its name by producing a profusion of delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers with subtle pale green centers. These fragrant blooms add a fresh and inviting atmosphere to patios, balconies, and garden borders. Ideal for canes, trellises, or decorative supports, this clematis thrives in well-drained soil and enjoys a sunny to partially shaded position. Its easy-care nature and early flowering make it a standout choice for creating seasonal interest and visual appeal.

Zelkova serrata, commonly known as Japanese Zelkova, is a graceful deciduous tree native to Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan. It is highly valued for its attractive vase-shaped form, making it an excellent choice for urban landscapes, parks, and streetscapes. The tree features finely serrated, ovate leaves that emerge bright green in spring, deepen in color through summer, and turn stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall, offering vibrant seasonal interest.

Zelkova serrata is also prized for its smooth gray bark, which exfoliates with age to reveal patches of orange and brown beneath, adding visual texture year-round. It is a hardy and adaptable species, tolerant of pollution, drought, and a variety of soil types, making it ideal for city environments. Often used as a replacement for the American elm, it is resistant to Dutch elm disease and provides reliable shade, beauty, and structure in the landscape.

Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Castlewellan Gold' is a large, vigorous, fast-growing, coniferous, evergreen tree with upright, columnar habit with dense branching from the ground. As the plant matures, the habit becomes more broad. Flattened sprays of scale-like leaves are green with golden-yellow tips and bronze tone in winter. The colours do not fade, but stay bright and nice all year round.

Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Castlewellan Gold' 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. Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Castlewellan Gold' is popular for its golden foliage and fast growth. It looks very attractive as a specimen plant, but is mostly used for informal and formal hedges and privacy screens. Leylandii hedges are not only attractive but also ideal for noise reduction and wind protection.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Ito Koku Riu’ is a dramatic and highly ornamental deciduous climber, celebrated for its exceptionally long flower racemes and rich colouring. A Japanese cultivar of the Japanese wisteria, it is particularly admired for the way its flowers open progressively from the base to the tip, extending the flowering display over several weeks.

In spring, fresh green, pinnate leaves emerge, each composed of 13–19 narrow, smooth-edged leaflets. The foliage is elegant and finely textured, providing a soft, flowing framework that complements the plant’s pendulous flowers. As the season advances, the leaves deepen in colour and form a dense canopy, making the plant attractive even after flowering has finished.

Flowering usually occurs in late spring to early summer, most commonly in May or early June in the UK. The racemes are long and slender, often reaching 40–60 cm, and sometimes even longer under ideal conditions. Each individual flower is a deep violet-purple, often with a subtle paler marking at the throat. The blooms are strongly fragrant, with a sweet, classic wisteria scent that carries well in warm weather and is highly attractive to bees.

‘Ito Koku Riu’ is a vigorous twining climber, capable of reaching 8–10 metres or more when mature. Like all Wisteria floribunda cultivars, it twines clockwise and requires substantial, permanent support. Regular pruning in summer and winter is essential to control its size, encourage spur formation, and ensure reliable flowering.

This wisteria performs best in full sun, where both flower length and colour intensity are maximised. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil and benefits from shelter from strong winds. Fully hardy throughout most of the UK, Wisteria floribunda ‘Ito Koku Riu’ is an outstanding choice for large structures where its cascading racemes can be appreciated to full effect, offering drama, fragrance, and a strong sense of Japanese garden tradition.

Olea Europea is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants with Mediterranean origin. It’s a wonderful, slow-growing, long-lived, evergreen tree of very attractive habit and spreading crown, with gnarled, twisted trunk and silvery foliage. The elliptic leaves are grey-green, silvery underneath. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are followed by small, olive-rich, plum-like fruits, harvested when they are green or purple. Fruits are not edible directly from the tree, but after a special treatment. Common Olive grows best in fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It thrives in warm climates. If grown in colder areas, it should be planted in containers and brought inside during the winter. Generally, disease-free. Olea Europea is mostly grown for its tasteful fruits, but it is also an attractive-looking addition to urban, coastal, Mediterranean, or rock and gravel gardens. It is suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Acer palmatum Linearilobum is a beautiful and highly sought-after cultivar of the Japanese maple tree, known for its delicate and intricate foliage. This variety is prized for its narrow, deeply cut leaves that create a lacy effect, giving it a unique and elegant appearance. The leaves of Acer palmatum Linearilobum are typically a bright green in spring and summer, turning to brilliant shades of orange and red in the fall. The tree itself can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for a focal point in a garden or as a specimen tree. This cultivar is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of soil types, but it does require well-drained soil and protection from harsh winds. It prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates, and benefits from regular watering. Overall, Acer palmatum Linearilobum is a stunning ornamental tree that adds beauty and interest to any landscape. With its delicate foliage, brilliant fall color, and easy-to-grow nature, it's no wonder this cultivar has become a favorite among gardeners and landscapers alike.

Olea Europea is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants with Mediterranean origin. It’s a wonderful, slow-growing, long-lived, evergreen tree of very attractive habit and spreading crown, with gnarled, twisted trunk and silvery foliage. The elliptic leaves are grey-green, silvery underneath. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are followed by small, olive-rich, plum-like fruits, harvested when they are green or purple. Fruits are not edible directly from the tree, but after a special treatment. Common Olive grows best in fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It thrives in warm climates. If grown in colder areas, it should be planted in containers and brought inside during the winter. Generally, disease-free. Olea Europea is mostly grown for its tasteful fruits, but it is also an attractive-looking addition to urban, coastal, Mediterranean, or rock and gravel gardens. It is suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Olea Europea is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants with Mediterranean origin. It’s a wonderful, slow-growing, long-lived, evergreen tree of very attractive habit and spreading crown, with gnarled, twisted trunk and silvery foliage. The elliptic leaves are grey-green, silvery underneath. Tiny, fragrant, white flowers are followed by small, olive-rich, plum-like fruits, harvested when they are green or purple. Fruits are not edible directly from the tree, but after a special treatment. Common Olive grows best in fertile, loamy, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It thrives in warm climates. If grown in colder areas, it should be planted in containers and brought inside during the winter. Generally, disease-free. Olea Europea is mostly grown for its tasteful fruits, but it is also an attractive-looking addition to urban, coastal, Mediterranean, or rock and gravel gardens. It is suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Punica granatum, commonly known as pomegranate, is a small deciduous tree or shrub that belongs to the family Lythraceae. Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, the pomegranate is widely cultivated for its fruit, ornamental value, and medicinal properties. The tree grows up to 5-8 meters tall and has glossy, dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. It produces beautiful red-orange flowers that bloom in summer and are followed by the fruit in autumn.

The fruit of the pomegranate is a round or slightly hexagonal berry, about the size of an apple or grapefruit. The leathery skin of the fruit is thick and inedible, but it contains hundreds of edible arils or seeds, each surrounded by a juicy, ruby-red pulp. The seeds are packed with nutrients and antioxidants and are said to have numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Pomegranate is commonly used in cooking, juices, smoothies, and salads, and it adds a sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color to any dish. Overall, Punica granatum is a versatile and attractive tree that would make a great addition to any garden or landscape, both for its ornamental value and its delicious fruit.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Wrinkled Blue' is a striking and unique evergreen shrub that hails from New Zealand. Its botanical name, Pittosporum tenuifolium, refers to its slender, fine foliage, and 'Wrinkled Blue' aptly describes the distinctive features of this particular cultivar.

This ornamental shrub typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 meters, forming an attractive, compact, and rounded shape. The real charm of 'Wrinkled Blue' lies in its leaves, which are indeed the highlight of the plant. The foliage is characterized by its intriguingly wavy and deeply wrinkled texture, which gives it a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. The leaves are a rich blue-green colour, creating a beautiful contrast against other plants in the garden.

In late spring to early summer, 'Wrinkled Blue' produces small, inconspicuous, dark purple to black flowers that emit a sweet fragrance. While these blooms may not be the primary attraction of the plant, they add a subtle charm and can be mildly fragrant.

One of the remarkable qualities of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Wrinkled Blue' is its adaptability to various garden conditions. It thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for gardeners. Additionally, it's known for its resistance to coastal conditions, making it a suitable option for gardens near the sea.

This cultivar's versatility extends to its use in landscaping. 'Wrinkled Blue' is excellent as a specimen plant, providing a unique focal point in the garden. It can also be used for hedging, as its dense foliage creates an effective screen or boundary. The shrub is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged growth.

Prunus avium, or Wild Cherry, is a medium-sized deciduous cherry tree, with brown bark, silvery when mature, and serrated, dark green leaves, yellow and orange in autumn. The clusters of pure white flowers bloom in late spring and are followed by small, glossy, red-purple cherries, edible but a bit bitter, ready for harvesting in summer or autumn. Attractive to bees and birds. Toxic for pets. Wild Cherry thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, in full sun. It can adapt to a wide range of soils, but doesn’t tolerate too wet soils, therefore, good drainage is essential. It can withstand frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Late frosts may damage the flower buds. Needs periodic chemical spraying. Low maintenance plant. Prunus avium is a nice ornamental tree for large informal, cottage and wildlife gardens, great for beds and borders and wall-side borders.

Azalea japonica ‘Blue Danube’ is an excellent choice for many gardens, particularly where acidic soil conditions can be provided. This compact, evergreen shrub offers year-round structure with its neat, dark green foliage, making it valuable even outside its flowering season. In late spring, it produces a striking display of rich violet-blue blooms that add vibrant colour to borders, woodland-style plantings, or container arrangements.

It thrives best in partial shade, where it is protected from harsh midday sun and cold, drying winds. A position beneath light tree cover or on a north- or east-facing aspect is ideal. The plant prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and benefits from regular mulching with organic matter such as leaf mould or bark to retain moisture and maintain acidity.

‘Blue Danube’ is particularly suited to smaller gardens due to its compact habit, typically reaching around 60–90 cm in height and spread. It works well in mixed shrub borders, rock gardens, or as part of an ericaceous planting scheme alongside rhododendrons and camellias, providing reliable seasonal interest with relatively low maintenance requirements.

Vitex ‘Chicagoland Blues’ is a compact, deciduous shrub ideal for gardens seeking late-season color, pollinator support, and easy-care beauty. Developed for improved cold hardiness, it thrives in a range of climates. It forms a rounded, bushy habit, typically growing to around 1.5 meters tall and 1.8 meters wide, making it perfect for smaller gardens, mixed borders, or pollinator-friendly plantings.

This hybrid variety features striking, aromatic gray-green foliage and dramatic dark stems that provide contrast throughout the growing season. From mid to late summer, it produces abundant spikes of deep blue-violet flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Unlike many other Vitex varieties, ‘Chicagoland Blues’ is sterile, so it doesn’t self-seed or become invasive.

It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, including sandy or slightly alkaline types. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for low-water or coastal gardens. Minimal pruning is required, typically in early spring to maintain shape. With its manageable size, vivid blooms, and wildlife appeal, ‘Chicagoland Blues’ is an excellent ornamental choice for a wide variety of landscapes.

Acer saccharinum 'Pyramidale', also known as the Pyramid Silver Maple, is a striking, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its strong, upright form and elegant foliage. Reaching a mature height of 20 to 25 meters with a spread of 10 to 15 meters, it forms a tall, narrowly oval canopy, making it ideal for spaces needing vertical emphasis. Its deeply lobed green leaves shimmer with silvery undersides, creating a beautiful, dynamic effect in the wind. In early spring, small red flowers appear before the leaves, offering subtle seasonal interest. 'Pyramidale' thrives in a wide range of soils, including wetter areas, and is highly adaptable to urban conditions. It provides quick shade, adds architectural interest, and brings year-round texture and movement to landscapes and parks.

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum', or red leaf Japanese maple, is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub with delicate, upright branches and beautiful finely-divided, deep red leaves that change colour throughout the year. It is grown for its stunning foliage and interesting growth habit. Deep burgundy red of spring leaves fades to light green in early summer, then turn to golden, orange, and red in autumn. Unnoticeable red-purple flowers are followed by winged purple fruits.

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' thrives in moist, well-drained soil, in a sheltered position. To achieve the best leaf colour, it must be in partial shade, though it tolerates full sun if the soil is moist. It also needs to be sheltered from drying winds. An outstanding ornamental tree, perfect for small yards, urban gardens, or as a front yard accent. Suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Acer palmatum 'Oridono Nishiki' is a highly decorative Japanese maple prized for its distinctive variegated foliage and elegant garden presence. In spring, the leaves emerge in a soft blend of cream, green and blush pink, often with irregular marbling and speckling that makes each leaf unique. As the season progresses, the pink tones may soften, while the creamy variegation remains prominent against fresh green, creating a luminous, almost dappled effect in the canopy.

Its naturally upright yet gently spreading habit gives it a graceful structure, making it a superb focal point in smaller gardens, courtyard spaces and mixed borders. The fine branching adds to its refined appearance, particularly in winter when the framework is revealed.

In autumn, Acer palmatum 'Oridono Nishiki' typically transforms into warm shades of gold, orange and red, providing a final burst of seasonal colour. It prefers a sheltered position in partial shade, protected from harsh winds and strong afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves. Best grown in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, it performs beautifully in both containers and garden planting schemes, offering year-round ornamental interest and exceptional foliage detail.