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Pyracantha Coccinea ‘Red Column’ is an upright, dense, prickly, evergreen shrub with elliptical, glossy green leaves and clusters of 5-petal, white flowers blooming in summer. Flowers are followed by masses of bright red berries which last throughout autumn and part of the winter looking very attractive and providing food for garden wildlife. Pyracantha Coccinea ‘Red Column’ thrives in average, fairly fertile, neutral to alkaline, moist, well-drained soils. It grows best in full sun to partial shade. Once established, tolerant of drought. It is resistant to frost, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, winter winds. Low maintenance plant, it doesn’t require pruning. Tough and very easy to care for. ‘Red Column’ Firethorn is an excellent and attractive shrub that provides interest all year round. Because of its dense and prickly habit, ideal for informal, impenetrable hedges and screens. Suitable for informal, cottage, and wildlife gardens. It can be trained up a wall or a trellis or grown as a freestanding shrub.

Smoke Bush Grace is a deciduous shrub with a vigorous, upright habit that develops into a rounded form as it matures. The large, rounded leaves emerge a soft reddish-purple in spring, maturing to a deeper wine-red through summer before turning brilliant shades of orange, scarlet and red in autumn. In mid to late summer, plumes of tiny, insignificant flowers appear, followed by wispy, smoke-like seed heads that create a hazy pink-grey cloud effect over the foliage, giving the plant its common name. This shrub provides strong seasonal interest, with the autumn colour display being particularly striking against its billowing smoky plumes. It works well as a specimen plant or within a mixed border, where its structure and colour can be appreciated against other foliage. The plant tolerates a range of soil types, including poor or dry soils, and performs well in full sun, which helps to intensify the depth of the leaf colour and enhances the autumn display.

Skimmia japonica 'Finchy' is a compact evergreen shrub forming a neat, rounded shape with dense growth habit. The foliage is glossy, dark green and leathery, providing year-round structure to borders and beds. Small clusters of fragrant creamy-white flowers appear in spring, held in tight panicles at the tips of the stems, offering a subtle scent that carries well in still air. Following flowering, female plants may produce bright red berries that persist through autumn and into winter, adding colour during the colder months when other plants have faded. The flowers attract pollinating insects, including bees, making this shrub useful for supporting garden biodiversity. Birds may also be drawn to the berries later in the season. This shrub performs well in shady positions, making it a reliable choice for north-facing borders or areas beneath taller trees where light levels are lower. It thrives in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and is particularly well suited to woodland-style planting schemes. Its compact size and tolerance of shade make it ideal for smaller gardens, courtyards, or as underplanting in larger borders. Low maintenance and tolerant of urban pollution, this shrub offers reliable structure and seasonal interest with minimal care requirements throughout the year.

Pittosporum ‘Silver Queen’ is a large, bushy, evergreen shrub with small, leathery, oval, wavy-edged, grey-green leaves with creamy-white margins, tinted pink in winter, and sparsely produced small, sweetly scented, deep purple flowers blooming in late spring and early summer. Round, woody fruits open in autumn and reveal seeds in a sticky pulp. Pittosporum ‘Silver Queen’ is adaptable to a wide range of soils, as long as they are well-drained, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It can withstand some cold, but needs to be sheltered from strong, drying, winds. It is tolerant of drought, salt, therefore, suitable for coastal areas. Generally, disease-free. Low maintenance plant, tolerant of hard pruning. Pittosporum ‘Silver Queen’ is a lovely, variegated shrub, perfect for cottage, coastal, and urban gardens. Great for shrub borders, wall-side borders, or hedges and screens. Suitable for growing in containers.

Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku', commonly known as the Coral Bark Maple, is a deciduous multistem tree prized for its striking bark colour. The young stems and branches turn a vivid coral-pink to red during the winter months, providing significant interest when the tree is otherwise bare. This colouration is most pronounced on younger growth and intensifies with the onset of colder weather. The foliage consists of delicate, five to seven-lobed leaves that emerge a soft yellow-green in spring, maturing to a fresh green through summer. In autumn, the leaves turn a clear golden-yellow before falling, adding a further season of colour to complement the coral bark display. As a multistem specimen, the tree develops an upright, vase-shaped habit with an open, airy branch structure, creating a light canopy that allows dappled shade beneath. This makes it a useful specimen tree for smaller gardens where year-round structural interest is desired. This variety is particularly well suited to sheltered positions, as strong winds and exposed sites can scorch the foliage. It performs best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and benefits from some protection from harsh afternoon sun, making it ideal for a partially shaded border or courtyard setting.

Cornus alba 'Nightfall' is a deciduous shrub grown primarily for its striking winter stem colour. Through spring and summer the foliage is mid-green, turning to shades of red and purple in autumn before falling to reveal the deep blackish-red stems that give the cultivar its name. These stems provide strong colour and interest through the winter months, particularly effective when planted in groups or against a lighter background. The shrub forms a dense, upright and slightly arching structure, making it useful for informal hedging, borders or mass planting schemes. Small white flowers appear in late spring, followed by white to bluish-white berries in summer, though the plant is chiefly valued for its stem and autumn foliage colour rather than for its blooms. The flowers provide a source of nectar for pollinating insects, while the berries offer some food for birds later in the season. The dense branching habit also provides shelter for small wildlife. This variety tolerates a wide range of conditions, including damp or heavy clay soils, and performs well in moist or occasionally waterlogged ground. It is suitable for both sunny and partially shaded positions, making it a versatile choice for many garden situations.

Camellia R.L. Wheeler is an evergreen shrub with a vigorous, upright growth habit, making it a substantial and structural addition to the garden. Its foliage is glossy, dark green, and leathery, providing year-round interest and a dense, attractive backdrop even when not in flower. This cultivar is particularly noted for its large, semi-double to peony-form flowers in a vivid pink shade, each bloom often reaching considerable size with a slightly ruffled appearance and prominent golden stamens at the centre. Flowering typically occurs from mid to late spring, bringing a striking splash of colour to the garden during this period. The shrub forms a dense, rounded shape over time, making it useful both as a specimen plant and for informal hedging or screening. It is well suited to sheltered positions and thrives in acidic to neutral, well-drained soil, benefiting from some protection against harsh winds and morning sun, which can damage the blooms after frost. This variety is a good choice for shaded or partially shaded areas of the garden, such as woodland-edge plantings, where its glossy foliage and vibrant flowers can be appreciated against a backdrop of greenery.

Pittosporum 'Bannow Bay' is an evergreen shrub with small, wavy-edged leaves that are grey-green in colour, often with a pale cream margin, giving the foliage a soft, variegated appearance. It forms a compact, dense, rounded shrub, making it particularly useful for small gardens, borders or low hedging where a neat habit is required. Throughout the year the foliage provides consistent interest, with the variegation becoming more pronounced in strong light. During the warmer months, small, honey-scented flowers may appear, though they are generally inconspicuous and borne amongst the foliage rather than providing a significant floral display. This shrub is well suited to coastal gardens, as it tolerates exposure to salt-laden winds and maintains its compact shape even in challenging seaside conditions. It also performs well in sheltered sunny or lightly shaded positions and adapts to a range of soil types, including loamy and well-drained soils, though it does not tolerate waterlogged ground. Its dense, bushy growth can offer shelter for small garden birds, while the evergreen foliage contributes to year-round structure and greenery in the garden, making it a reliable choice for hedging, screening or as a specimen shrub in mixed borders.

A deciduous, early-flowering large shrub or small tree with a dome-shaped crown. In spring, before the leaves emerge, clusters of mildly fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers appear. They are followed by small, edible, red to dark red, berry-like fruits in summer. The leaves are oval, toothed, dark green in summer and yellow, orange and red in autumn. Elegant growth habit makes it attractive even in winter. Amelanchier Canadensis is easily grown. It prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils, but it tolerates most soil types and both wet and dry locations. For best autumn colours and berry production, it should be planted in full sun. Very resilient, usually pest-free and disease-free. This attractive tree is perfect as a specimen plant, suitable for hedges, great for banks and slopes. It is especially nice when planted around ponds, lakes, and streams. It doesn’t mind marshy ground. It can also be used for erosion control.

Ilex castaneifolia, commonly known as chestnut-leaved holly, is an evergreen tree valued for its distinctive foliage. The leaves are large, leathery and chestnut-like in shape, with a glossy dark green finish and spined margins, giving the tree a bold textured appearance throughout the year. Trained as a full standard, this tree develops a clear, upright trunk with a well-defined rounded canopy, making it a striking specimen for formal planting schemes or as a focal point within a garden setting. The dense evergreen crown provides structure and year-round interest, remaining attractive through all seasons rather than peaking at a particular time of year. Like other holly species, it produces small white flowers in late spring, followed by berries in autumn and winter on female plants where a suitable pollinator is present. These berries provide a valuable food source for birds during the colder months, while the dense foliage offers shelter and nesting opportunities for garden wildlife, supporting local biodiversity. This holly is adaptable to a range of soil types, including loamy and clay soils, and tolerates partial shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden positions.

Dasylirion longissimum, commonly known as the Mexican Grass Tree, is a captivating evergreen succulent that brings a unique architectural flair to gardens and landscapes. Native to arid regions of Mexico, this striking plant features a dense rosette of fine, needle-like leaves that radiate elegantly from a stout, woody trunk. The leaves are dark green and have a smooth, spineless texture, creating a soft, fountain-like effect despite their rigid form.

This drought-tolerant species thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, modern landscapes, and desert-themed gardens. In mature specimens, Dasylirion longissimum produces a dramatic, towering flower spike with small, cream-colored blooms, attracting pollinators. With its distinctive form, resilience, and low maintenance requirements, this plant offers year-round interest and a sculptural statement to any outdoor space.

Euonymus japonicus 'Ovatus Aureus' is a medium-sized, bushy, upright, evergreen shrub with lovely, variegated foliage. Broad, oval, glossy leaves are light green when young and dark green when mature, with broad golden-yellow margins. Flowers are small, inconspicuous, greenish and bloom in summer. Sometimes, they are followed by pink fruit in autumn. Euonymus japonicus 'Ovatus Aureus' thrives in average, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun or partial shade, but is adaptable to various types of soils, except extremely wet. It is very tough and resilient, tolerant of heat, cold, salt, wind, and urban pollution. Low maintenance plant and easy to grow. Great for shady garden corners. This small, adaptable plant is a great addition to any garden – informal, cottage, urban, or coastal. It is perfect as a ground cover, for shrub borders and mixed borders, hedges and screens. It is easy to shape and can be formed into a nice topiary. Suitable for growing in containers.

Guelder Rose is a deciduous shrub with a bushy, spreading habit. The lobed, maple-like leaves emerge fresh green in spring, turning rich shades of red and purple in autumn, providing strong seasonal colour. In late spring and early summer, flat clusters of creamy-white flowers appear, each head composed of small fertile flowers surrounded by larger sterile ones, giving a lacecap effect similar to some hydrangeas. These are followed in autumn by clusters of glossy, translucent red berries, which often persist on the bare branches after leaf fall, adding further interest through the colder months. The flowers are attractive to a range of pollinating insects, including bees and hoverflies, while the berries provide a valuable food source for birds in autumn and winter. The dense branching structure also offers shelter and nesting opportunities for garden birds. Guelder Rose is a useful plant for supporting local biodiversity and works well in wildlife gardens, informal borders or native hedging schemes. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including heavier clay and damp conditions, making it a versatile choice for areas where other shrubs may struggle.

Magnolia x soulangeana, commonly known as saucer magnolia, is a deciduous shrub prized for its spectacular spring display. Before the leaves emerge, the bare branches become covered in large, goblet-shaped flowers measuring up to 25cm across, typically in shades of pink and white, with the colour often deeper towards the base of each petal. Flowering generally occurs from March to April, creating a striking focal point in the garden during early spring. Once flowering has finished, mid-green oval leaves develop, providing a pleasant backdrop for the remainder of the growing season. The shrub forms a broad, spreading habit with a somewhat rounded structure as it matures, making it suitable as a specimen planting where its form and seasonal flowers can be fully appreciated. Saucer magnolia grows well in a sheltered position, as a late frost can damage the early blooms, and it benefits from protection from strong winds. It performs best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, though it can tolerate a range of soil types including loamy conditions. A position in full sun or partial shade is suitable, and it is a good choice for adding seasonal interest to larger borders or as a standalone feature plant.

Cider Gum 'Azura' is an evergreen tree with a naturally bushy, compact habit, making it a good choice for smaller gardens where space is limited. The rounded juvenile leaves are a striking silvery-blue, ageing to a more elongated grey-green as the tree matures, providing year-round colour and interest. Unlike the species form, this cultivar retains its attractive juvenile foliage for longer due to regular pruning or its naturally dense growth habit, giving it a soft, textured appearance throughout the seasons. The aromatic foliage releases a fresh, eucalyptus scent when brushed or crushed, adding a sensory dimension to any planting scheme. Its dense, bushy structure makes it useful as a specimen tree or informal screen, offering good coverage without the towering height of the species form. Small white flowers may appear in summer on mature wood, though flowering is not a primary feature of this cultivar when grown for its foliage. The blue-grey leaves are particularly valued by flower arrangers and are often used in cut foliage displays. This tree tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay, and once established is relatively drought tolerant. It performs well in full sun and is suited to exposed or coastal gardens, tolerating wind well.

Abies koreana ‘Tordis’ is a beautiful, compact Korean Fir valued for its distinctive shape, attractive foliage and excellent year-round interest. This relatively slow-growing conifer forms a neat, upright plant with dense, rich green foliage, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, borders and specimen planting.

The short, soft needles are arranged densely along the branches, with their silvery-white undersides adding an attractive contrast when viewed from different angles. Like other Korean Firs, ‘Tordis’ can also produce attractive purple-blue cones on mature plants, which develop upright on the branches and provide an additional ornamental feature.

Its naturally tidy habit means it requires little or no pruning, making it a particularly low-maintenance choice for gardeners looking for structure without regular trimming. It is also an excellent plant for providing winter interest, retaining its foliage throughout the year.

‘Tordis’ is well suited to a sunny or partially shaded position and prefers a fertile, well-drained soil that does not become excessively dry or waterlogged. Once established, it is generally hardy throughout the UK and copes well with typical British winters. Providing good drainage is particularly important, especially on heavier soils.

Its compact growth makes it a useful alternative to larger firs where space is limited. It works particularly well as a standalone specimen, in a mixed border, or as part of a collection of ornamental conifers. Its elegant form and contrasting foliage also make it an attractive choice for contemporary and more traditional garden styles.

With its neat habit, attractive evergreen foliage and distinctive cones, Abies koreana ‘Tordis’ is a superb choice for adding year-round structure and interest to the garden without becoming overly dominant

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.

Osmanthus x burkwoodii, commonly known as Burkwood osmanthus, is an evergreen shrub valued for its dense, compact growth habit. The foliage consists of small, oval, dark green leaves with a leathery texture, providing year-round structure and screening in the garden. This shrub is particularly attractive in spring when it produces an abundance of small, tubular white flowers that are intensely fragrant, filling the surrounding area with a sweet, jasmine-like scent. The blooms typically appear in April and May, creating a striking contrast against the dark foliage. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, making this shrub a useful addition for those wishing to support garden wildlife and pollinator populations. Burkwood osmanthus is well suited to being grown as a specimen shrub or clipped hedge, tolerating regular pruning well due to its dense branching structure. It performs reliably in a range of soil types, including chalky, loamy and clay soils, provided drainage is adequate. This shrub is also tolerant of urban pollution and coastal exposure, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden settings and challenging locations.

Griselinia is an evergreen shrub valued for its glossy, apple-green, rounded leaves that provide year-round colour and texture. It forms a dense, bushy habit, making it a popular choice for hedging and screening, as it holds its foliage well throughout the winter months. The leaves offer a bright, fresh appearance that contrasts well with darker-leaved shrubs in a planting scheme. This shrub is particularly well suited to coastal gardens, as it is highly tolerant of salt-laden winds and exposed conditions, making it an excellent choice for seaside planting and windbreaks. It also performs well in a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils, provided drainage is reasonable. Its dense growth habit makes it useful for providing shelter and habitat for garden birds and small wildlife within a hedge or shrub border. Griselinia requires minimal maintenance once established and can be clipped to maintain a formal shape or left to grow more naturally as a specimen shrub. It is a practical and reliable option for those seeking consistent evergreen structure in a garden setting, particularly in milder or coastal regions of the UK.

Magnolia grandiflora is an exotic-looking, fast-growing, long-lived, evergreen shrub or tree of pyramidal to rounded habit, with attractive, oblong, glossy, dark-green leaves, copper-brown underneath. Beautiful, fragrant, goblet-shaped, creamy-white flowers bloom from June to September and are followed by red, cone-like seedpods.

Magnolia grandiflora, or Sothern Magnolia, is easily grown in a wide range of soils, except too dry or too wet, but prefers fertile, rich, slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soils. Once established, it can withstand some drought. It thrives in full sun and partial shade. It has very good cold tolerance, but needs to be sheltered from harsh, dry winds. Low maintenance, generally, pest-free and disease-free. Not very tolerant of urban pollution.

Magnolia grandiflora is an American variety of Magnolia. It’s an excellent ornamental tree, perfect as a specimen plant or a shade tree. Great for informal, cottage, and woodland gardens. Excellent for beds and borders, informal hedges and screens, and for growing in containers.