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Pittosporum Silver Ball is an evergreen shrub with a neat, compact, rounded habit, making it ideal for small gardens or as a low-maintenance feature plant. Its dense growth naturally forms a tidy ball shape, reducing the need for regular pruning or clipping. The foliage is small, wavy-edged and grey-green with a silvery hue, providing year-round interest and a soft textural contrast to darker green planting schemes. Small, dark purple, honey-scented flowers appear in late spring, though they are often hidden among the foliage and are more valued for their subtle fragrance than visual impact. This shrub performs well in coastal gardens, tolerating salt-laden winds and exposed positions, and is also suited to well-drained soils in sheltered or sunny spots. It works well as a specimen plant, in containers, or grouped for low hedging and borders. Minimal maintenance is required beyond an occasional light trim to maintain its natural rounded form. Its compact size and dense structure make it useful for small-space planting, topiary-style features, or mixed shrub borders where year-round structure and colour are desired.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Magic Ball' is a compact, deciduous shrub forming a naturally rounded, dense ball shape, making it ideal for small gardens or as a low-maintenance structural feature requiring minimal pruning. The foliage is a rich, deep purple to bronze colour throughout the growing season, providing consistent colour contrast against green-leaved planting schemes from spring through to autumn. In late spring to early summer, small clusters of pale pink to white flowers appear, adding a delicate contrast against the dark foliage. These are followed by small, reddish seed pods that provide additional interest into the autumn months. The dense, twiggy growth habit offers shelter for small garden birds and beneficial insects, while the flowers provide a nectar source for pollinators such as bees. This shrub is well suited to a range of soil types, including clay and loamy soils, and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Its compact, rounded form makes it particularly useful for low hedging, border edges, or as a specimen shrub in mixed planting schemes. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and tolerant of urban pollution, making it a versatile choice for both rural and town garden settings.

Sorbus aucuparia 'Sheerwater Seedling' is a decorative and hardy variety of rowan, or mountain ash tree, particularly noted for its profuse clusters of bright red berries and lush, pinnate, green leaves. Originating in Europe, this cultivar is recognized for its more compact and upright growth habit, making it suitable for smaller gardens or landscapes. It typically reaches heights of around 15 meters.

The 'Sheerwater Seedling' unfolds its beauty in every season. In spring, it brings forth dense clusters of creamy-white flowers, attracting a myriad of pollinators. As summer progresses, these flowers give way to vibrant, red berries, which become a primary food source for birds, especially in winter months. By autumn, the foliage turns into a fiery spectacle of oranges, reds, and yellows, creating a striking contrast with the bold berries.

Besides its aesthetic attributes, the 'Sheerwater Seedling' is valued for its adaptability and resilience. It thrives in a range of soil types, and its robust nature allows it to withstand urban pollution and harsh weather conditions. The resilience and prolific berry production make it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens, providing shelter and sustenance to various bird species and other fauna. Its attractive features and hardiness make it a popular choice for both ornamental and ecological plantings.

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum', commonly known as the Red Cappadocian Maple, is a beautiful deciduous tree admired for its vibrant seasonal colors and elegant form. It typically reaches heights of 30 to 50 feet with a broad, rounded crown, making it an excellent choice for parks, large gardens, or as a standout specimen in open landscapes.

In spring, the tree features eye-catching reddish young shoots that contrast strikingly with the emerging green foliage. The broad, lobed leaves mature to a rich green during summer, providing a dense, cooling canopy. As autumn approaches, the foliage transforms into a dazzling display of golden yellow, often flushed with vivid red and orange hues, creating a spectacular seasonal highlight.

'Rubrum' thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils, although it can tolerate a range of conditions. With its bold color, strong structure, and low maintenance needs, it adds year-round interest and beauty to any landscape.

Acer rubrum ‘Armstrong Gold’ is a striking, upright selection of the red maple, valued for its refined form, vibrant seasonal color, and adaptability to urban conditions. This cultivar develops a strong, columnar habit with a narrow canopy, typically reaching 40 to 50 feet tall and 12 to 16 feet wide at maturity. Its tidy silhouette makes it an excellent choice for streetscapes, parking lots, or smaller residential landscapes where space is limited but vertical impact is desired.

In spring, the tree produces clusters of inconspicuous red flowers before leaf emergence, adding subtle early-season interest. The leaves unfold bright green and remain fresh through summer, then transform into brilliant shades of golden-orange to red in autumn, creating a dazzling display of color. The bark is smooth and gray, adding winter appeal and contrast.

‘Armstrong Gold’ thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of urban conditions, including compacted or slightly alkaline soils. It is also relatively low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and adaptable, making it a dependable choice for both aesthetic and functional landscape use.

Prunus avium 'Kordia' is an upright, deciduous, fruiting tree with ovate, toothed, green leaves, orange and green in autumn, and simple, fragrant, white flowers with yellow stamens. Flowers are followed by delicious, sweet, extremely dark red to maroon cherries ready for harvesting in mid-summer. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. Prunus avium 'Kordia' can adapt to a wide range of soils, but prefers fertile, loamy, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. It can’t tolerate waterlogged soils. Once established, resistant to drought. It can withstand frost, but needs to be sheltered form harsh winter winds. Late frosts may damage the flower buds. Somewhat resistant to cracking in rainy weather. It is not self-fertile, requires a pollinating partner to produce fruits. Sweet Cherry 'Kordia' is a beautiful cherry tree, a regular and heavy cropper, great for small cottage, wildlife, and urban gardens. Excellent as a specimen plant or in a large border. Suitable for growing in containers.

Yucca rostrata, commonly known as the Beaked Yucca, is an evergreen architectural plant grown here as a clear stem specimen. It produces dense, symmetrical rosettes of narrow, blue-grey leaves that radiate outward in a striking spherical form, creating a strongly sculptural silhouette throughout the year. As older leaves die back, they fold downward against the trunk, forming a thatched skirt beneath the live foliage, though this is often trimmed away on clear stem forms to reveal the clean, upright trunk. This slow-growing, drought-tolerant species is well suited to Mediterranean-style planting schemes, gravel gardens and contemporary landscaping where a bold focal point is required. Its clear stem habit makes it particularly effective as a specimen plant, whether grown singly or in groups, bringing height and structural interest to borders, courtyards and raised beds. The Beaked Yucca is highly tolerant of poor, free-draining soils and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens where it withstands salt-laden winds and exposed conditions. It is also well suited to dry, sandy or stony soils where many other plants would struggle, and performs well in containers on patios or terraces.

Euonymous alatus is a large, dense, spreading deciduous shrub with oval, green leaves, that turn spectacularly scarlet-red in autumn. Tiny, inconspicuous, greenish flowers bloom in spring and summer, and are followed by highly ornamental purple and red fruits in autumn and throughout the winter. Bare winter branches are attractive because of their “corky” wings. Euonymous alatus can grow in a wide range of soils, but thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun and the best leaf colour is achieved in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Generally, pest-free. Attractive to birds. It can withstand severe pruning, and has a tendency to be invasive. Euonymous alatus is a stunning shrub with beautiful fiery red autumn foliage, hence the name Burning Bush. It is perfect as a specimen plant, great for informal hedges and screens, wall-side borders, and shrub borders. Best-looking when planted against evergreens.

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.

Nandina domestica ‘Obsession’ is a small, neat, compact, dense, evergreen shrub with a beautiful, colourful bamboo-like foliage - fiery red when it emerges, deep green in summer, and again red in autumn. The conical clusters of small, white flowers bloom in summer. It doesn’t produce fruit.

Nandina domestica ‘Obsession’ can easily grow in a wide range of soils, but thrives in fertile, hummus-rich, consistently moist, well-drained soils. It prefers full sun with some afternoon shade. Once established, it can withstand some drought. It is resistant to frost, but may need some protection from harsh winds. Generally, pest-free and disease-free, low maintenance plant, doesn’t require pruning.

Heavenly Bamboo 'Seika' is a very ornamental shrub with all year interest, great for informal, cottage, and urban gardens. It is most effective when planted in groups or masses. Perfect for shrub borders, foundations, informal low hedges, or as a groundcover. Suitable for growing in pots and containers.

Celtis australis, commonly known as the European nettle tree, is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It belongs to the family Cannabaceae, and it is closely related to the hackberry tree.

The Celtis australis tree can grow up to 25 meters tall and has a dense, rounded crown with a spreading habit. The bark is smooth and gray-brown when young, becoming rough and fissured with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper side and paler on the underside, turning yellow in autumn before falling.

The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring or early summer, followed by small, round, edible fruit that resembles a cherry in size and shape. The fruit is initially green, turning yellow or brown when ripe, and is sweet and juicy, with a taste similar to a fig.

The Celtis australis tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils and can tolerate drought, air pollution, and salt spray. It is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens, parks, and urban landscapes due to its attractive foliage and distinctive bark. It also provides food and shelter for wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Additionally, the tree has cultural significance and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for various ailments.

Cotoneaster 'Rothschildianus' is a medium-sized, vigorous, semi-evergreen shrub or small, shrubby tree with arching branches. Its long, narrow, bright green leaves hold all year round in mild winters. Tiny, white, fragrant flowers bloom in summer and are followed by pendant clusters of golden yellow berries in autumn and winter. The berries provide food for birds during the winter. Cotoneaster 'Rothschildianus' grows well in any kind of soil, as long as it is well-drained, but does best in neutral to alkaline. It doesn’t like marshy and waterlogged soils. It prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Low maintenance and easy to grow. Once established, tolerant to cold and drought. In colder areas, it needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Cotoneaster 'Rothschildianus' is an interesting plant, great for banks and slopes, flower beds and borders, informal hedges and screens. Perfect for informal, cottage, and wildlife gardens. Suitable for growing in pots and 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.

The Albizia julibrissin Ombrella, commonly known as the Persian silk tree or mimosa, is an attractive deciduous tree known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and striking, silky, pink flowers. Originating from Asia, this tree brings an exotic feel to gardens and landscapes, particularly appreciated for its light, airy appearance and graceful form. The 'Ombrella' variety is a popular choice, prized for its compact, umbrella-shaped canopy, which makes it an ideal focal point in smaller gardens or urban settings.

Reaching a mature height of around 5–6 metres, the Albizia julibrissin Ombrella offers a relatively modest growth habit compared to other trees, yet it spreads out widely, creating a dappled shade beneath its crown. Its leaves are bipinnate, folding in the evening or during cloudy weather, which adds an element of movement and interest to its appearance. In summer, the tree is adorned with fluffy, pom-pom-like flowers in shades of pink and white, which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. These blossoms create a lovely contrast against the soft, green foliage.

In autumn, the leaves turn yellow before falling, allowing the tree to reveal its architectural form during the winter months. This variety is reasonably hardy, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -10°C, making it suitable for much of the UK climate. It thrives best in full sun and well-drained soils, showing some drought tolerance once established.

The Albizia julibrissin Ombrella is often used as a specimen tree, valued for its beauty, elegant shape, and pollinator-friendly attributes. It is a low-maintenance plant, requiring minimal pruning and care, making it a perfect choice for those seeking an ornamental tree that adds a touch of exoticism and charm to their outdoor spaces.

Dappled willow is a deciduous tree with a bushy, compact growth habit, making it a popular choice for smaller gardens or as a striking focal point. Its most distinctive feature is the variegated foliage, which emerges in spring with a vibrant pink and white tinge on young growth, gradually maturing to green and cream variegated leaves as the season progresses. This colour transition gives the tree a constantly changing appearance throughout the growing season. The dense, twiggy growth habit creates a rounded, bushy form that responds well to pruning, allowing it to be shaped and maintained at a manageable size. New growth, which produces the most vivid pink colouration, can be encouraged through regular pruning, particularly in late winter or early spring. This tree is particularly attractive during spring and early summer when the pink-tinged new foliage is at its most pronounced, providing colour and interest before settling into its green and white variegated summer appearance. Dappled willow performs well in moist, well-drained soil and tolerates a range of conditions, including slightly wet or boggy areas, making it suitable for planting near ponds or in areas with damp soil.

Osmanthus aquifolium (often known as Osmanthus heterophyllus) trained as a multi-stem shrub is an excellent choice for adding year-round structure and evergreen interest to a garden. With its holly-like, glossy, dark green leaves, it provides a strong architectural presence while also offering a refined, ornamental quality.

This shrub is particularly well suited to sheltered positions in full sun or partial shade, thriving in well-drained soil. It is highly adaptable and tolerant of urban pollution, making it ideal for town and city gardens as well as more traditional settings. As a multi-stem specimen, it creates a more open, sculptural form compared to standard shrubs, making it perfect as a focal point or for adding height and layering within planting schemes.

In autumn, Osmanthus produces small but highly fragrant white flowers, which release a sweet, jasmine-like scent, adding a sensory element to the garden when little else is in bloom. Reaching around 3–4 metres over time, it remains manageable and responds well to pruning if shaping is required.

Hardy, low maintenance, and evergreen, it is an excellent choice for structure, screening, and year-round interest.

Rhododendron 'Marie Fortier' is a graceful, evergreen shrub admired for its elegant habit and early spring blooms, making it a charming addition to gardens of all sizes. It typically grows to around 1.2–1.5 metres in height and spread, forming a compact, rounded shape that provides structure and year-round greenery.

In early spring, ‘Marie Fortier’ produces trusses of delicate, pale pink flowers with soft shading and subtle spotting, creating a gentle and refined display. Its flowers emerge before many other shrubs, offering early-season interest and attracting pollinators such as bees, helping to support garden biodiversity.

This rhododendron thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter and prefers a sheltered position in partial shade or dappled sunlight. It is particularly well suited to woodland-style gardens, shaded borders, or mixed shrub plantings where it can complement other acid-loving species like azaleas, camellias, and heathers.

With its compact size, dependable flowering, and evergreen foliage, ‘Marie Fortier’ works beautifully as a specimen plant or in groupings for massed colour. Its understated charm, early bloom, and low-maintenance growth make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking elegance and seasonal interest.

Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' is a robust, evergreen shrub admired for its bold, vibrant flowers and reliable growth, making it a striking addition to a wide range of gardens. It typically grows to 1.5–2 metres in height and spread, forming a dense, rounded shape that provides year-round structure and visual interest.

In late spring, ‘Nova Zembla’ produces large trusses of deep crimson-red flowers, often accented with darker markings in the throat. The vivid blooms create a dramatic focal point in borders, woodland gardens, or as a specimen plant, and they attract pollinators such as bees, enhancing biodiversity in the garden. Its glossy, dark green leaves maintain structure and colour throughout the year, ensuring evergreen appeal even outside the flowering season.

This rhododendron thrives in moist, well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter and prefers a sheltered position in partial shade or dappled sunlight. It benefits from protection against strong winds and hot afternoon sun to maintain healthy foliage and maximise flowering.

‘Nova Zembla’ is perfect for woodland-style gardens, mixed shrub borders, or as a standout specimen. Its striking colour, compact growth, and dependable performance make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking dramatic spring interest and year-round structure.

Sweet Gum Gum Ball is a deciduous tree, grown here as a quarter standard with a compact, rounded head of dense branching on a short clear stem. The star-shaped, glossy green leaves are a key feature, each with five to seven pointed lobes resembling a maple leaf. In autumn the foliage transforms into a striking display of orange, red and purple tones, providing strong seasonal colour and making the tree a particular feature during this period. The dense, rounded crown gives a neat, well-proportioned shape, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a specimen tree where space is limited. The tree produces small, spiky, ball-shaped seed pods which can persist into winter, adding textural interest once the leaves have fallen. This compact form retains the ornamental qualities of the species while offering a more manageable size, making it a good choice for planting where a full-sized sweet gum would be impractical. It performs well in moist, well-drained soils and benefits from a position in full sun to ensure the best autumn colour development.

Eriobotrya japonica, also known as the loquat tree or bush, is a small evergreen tree that is native to southeastern China. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes due to its attractive foliage and bushy, fruiting habit.

The loquat tree grows to a height of 10 to 20 feet and has a spread of 10 to 15 feet. The leaves are large, glossy, and dark green, with a distinctive shape that is reminiscent of holly leaves. The tree produces fragrant, white or yellow flowers in late autumn or early winter, which are followed by small, yellow or orange, pear-shaped fruits in the spring.

The loquat fruit is sweet and tangy, with a flavor that is similar to a mix of peach, citrus, and mango. It is high in vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, and is commonly used in desserts, jams, and juices. The tree is also highly valued for its ornamental qualities, as its attractive foliage and fruit make it a popular choice for landscaping.

The loquat tree is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is relatively cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree can be pruned to maintain a compact shape, and is also adaptable to growing in containers.

Overall, Eriobotrya japonica is a versatile and attractive plant that is prized for both its ornamental and edible qualities. Its bushy, fruiting habit makes it a great addition to any garden or landscape.