Trees & Specimens

Red Maple
Acer rubrum 'October Glory' is one of the most popular varieties, best known for its vibrant autumn colour. A dense, round headed form that has three-lobed glossy dark green leaves which are whitish beneath. They turn into stunning shades of scarlet red, orange and yellow in the autumn; holding on to its leaves quite late. A reliable and often spectacular autumn tree. Small crimson flowers appear during the spring followed by winged green fruits.

History:
An American selection introduced in 1964. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988.

Acer Growing Tips:
Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Cappadocian Maple

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum' is an excellent specimen and garden tree of medium size. The fiery blood-red young leaves turn green in the summer and later assume stunning golden yellow autumn tints. Its attractive rounded canopy shape makes this variety perfect for smaller gardens or small spaces.

History:
Introduced in 1838. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Acer Growing Tips:
Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Red Maple

Acer rubrum 'Brandywine' is probably one of the best Acer rubrum varieties for reliably intense autumn colour in the UK climate. Upright and oval in shape, ideal for restricted spaces. The leaves emerge pale yellow, darkening green in the summer and then turn into a brilliant, long-lasting red-purple which creates a spectacular display of autumn colours. Small flowers appear in the spring adding all year round interest.

History:
Introduced by the US National Arboretum, Washington DC in 1994. Cross between 'October Glory' and 'Autumn Flame'.

Acer Growing Tips:
Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Variegated Maple

Acer platanoides 'Drummondii' is a very popular striking, medium sized garden tree with globe headed green variegated leaves and a striking white marginal band. The foliage turns yellowish orange in the autumn, making it a fantastic seasonal garden tree. In the spring before the leaves emerge, the tree provides attractive yellow flowers. The occasional branch can revert to plain green leaves and should be pruned out. An excellent foil for purple and gold leaved shrubs. Introduced in 1903. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1956.

Acer Growing Tips:
Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Shrimp Leaf Sycamore

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' is a distinctive small mop-headed, slow growing tree. Spring foliage opens salmon pink, turning greenish yellow marbled during the summer. Displays greenish yellow flowers in the spring and winged red fruits in the autumn. The symmetrical shape of this tree makes it suitable for small gardens as a lawn specimen or to add height in borders.
Received an Award of Garden Merit in 1925 and a First Class Certificate in 1977 from the Royal Horticultural Society.

10L - Top grafted - 140 cm

Acer Growing Tips:
Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
4m x 3m

Common Alder / Cut Leaved Alder
Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis' also known as the Cut Leaved Alder, makes the most attractive and graceful selection of Alnus. Deep, fine cut leaves gives the tree a slightly oriental appearance. Purple male catkins appear during the spring followed by false cones, which are very popular with the birds! Stunning yellow autumn colours. Has many uses for making clogs, boats, building materials, gun powder charcoal, poles for fencing (also used for the underpinning of Venice), tanning and pigments of hides and for the treatment of malaria and rheumatism. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1973.

Alnus Growing Tips:
Will tolerate almost any soil condition except shallow chalk. Fast and easy to grow, thriving even in waterlogged soil. Excellent for shelter belts. Respond well to coppicing and heavy pruning at any stage. Should be encouraged as shelter trees on poorland as they are effective nitrogen fixers for other symbiotic plant life.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Amelanchier 'La Paloma', previously distributed as Amelanchier laevis, is a wonderful cultivar that deserves to be widely planted. The pure white, pendulous racemes look sensational against the copper-red young leaves in April. Forms a round headed small tree with rich reddish orange autumnal tints. Perfect for smaller gardens. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Amelanchier Growing Tips:
They will thrive in moist, well-drained, lime-free soil. The best autumn colour is achieved when they're planted in a full sun position but they do tolerate partial shade.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
4m x 3m

Juneberry

Amelanchier laevis 'R J Hilton' is a free-flowering cultivar with similar foliage to 'La Paloma'. Distinctively pink when in bud opening to large, white flowers, having a stunning contrast to the deep copper coloured emerging leaves. Excellent tints of red and yellow autumn leaf colours are followed by blue-black berries. A stunning addition to any garden.

Amelanchier Growing Tips:
They will thrive in moist, well-drained, lime free soil. The best autumn colour is achieved when they're planted in a full sun position but they do tolerate partial shade.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
4m x 3m

Amelanchier lamarckii is a small tree or large shrub with a bushy, spreading habit. Leaves are oval shaped, coppery red and silky when young. Profusion of small white flowers in spring scatter along the branches as the young leaves unfold. Edible fruits are black followed by beautiful orange-red autumn colours. Similar if indistinguishable from Amelanchier Canadensis. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1976.

Amelanchier Growing Tips:
They will thrive in moist, well-drained, lime-free soil. The best autumn colour is achieved when they're planted in a full sun position but they do tolerate partial shade.

Height and Spread (after 10 years):
4m x 3m

The multistem version of Betula utilis jacquemontii is hugely popular for its aesthetically pleasing, year round interest. The glossy, green foliage turns yellow in the autumn before falling and giving centre stage to the delightful, peeling white bark and branches that stand bare and elegant against a frosty background. Hardy and tolerant of virtually all conditions.

Height and Spread (after 20 years):
6m x 5m

Birch

Betula utilis 'Snow Queen', also known as 'Doreenbos' is an exceptional tree, one of the most popular varieties! The showy white, exfoliating bark develops it's colour within three years; revealing the orange underlayering exposed. This upright form is ideal for planting as a specimen, multi-stemmed or in clumps for any sized garden. The ovate, mid-green foliage is complemented by yellowish-brown catkins in the spring. Strong, attractive yellowish-golden tints in the autumn. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Betula Growing Tips:
They will succeed on most soils with certain species happy even in wet sites. Although tolerant of chalk soils they will not reach a maximum size in these conditions. Best planted in a full sun position.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

Contorted Birch

Betula pendula 'Spider Alley' is an unusual, elegant birch with pretty twisted branches and a symmetrical narrow head. The peeling bark is predominantly silver with patches of pink and brown on the younger wood before becoming totally white with age. Heart shaped serrated leaves cover the tree in spring followed by small catkins. When autumn arrives, the foliage turns to a warm golden shade.

Betula Growing Tips:
They will succeed on most soils with certain species happy even in wet sites. Although tolerant of chalk soils they will not reach a maximum size in these conditions. Best planted in a full sun position.

Height and Spread (after 10 years) :
6m x 4m

A fast-growing evergreen climber with glossy bright green leaves on twining stems, oval leaves often turning deep red in winter.

Clusters of flowers with an exotic, sweet scent cover the plants through the Summer months.

Plant near a patio or pathway where the scent can be enjoyed.

H: Up to 9m.
Needs a sunny sheltered site.

A fast-growing evergreen climber with glossy bright green leaves on twining stems, oval leaves often turning deep red in winter.

Clusters of flowers with an exotic, sweet scent cover the plants through the Summer months.

Plant near a patio or pathway where the scent can be enjoyed.

H: Up to 9m.
Needs a sunny sheltered site.

Adds a rustic Mediterranean look to a sheltered spot. An untrained form, bringing a natural feel to the garden with a low canopy covered in year-round silver-grey foliage. Small green flowers are followed by olives when grown in favourable conditions. Great to grow in a big pot in a sunny spot.

Height & Spread: 7m x 3m
Position: Likes full sun

Small, beautifully formed and bursting with wonderfully vibrant spring colour, this tree is real eye candy for your front garden, or anywhere else for that matter. Early spring brings graceful yellow catkins turning pink as they mature
Flamingo pink foliage glows through the early spring
Throughout summer this Flamingo tree is covered in pink, green, white and variegated leaves, displaying a true rainbow of colours. Autumn will reveal reddish stems adding another season of interest.

This tree grows to 2m x 1.5m making it ideal for small gardens

Easy to maintain and hardy tree, thriving in all moist and well-drained soils.

Eventual Height & Spread: 2m x 1.5m
Flower Colour: Yellow to pink
Habit: Upright
Hardiness: Fully hardy

Black Bamboo

4.5m (15')

Tall arching canes become polished black in their second year.

Slowly forms a non-running clump.

Good soil - add compost.

Sun/part shade.

Shelter.

Beware pots drying out.

4.5m x 2.4m (15' x 8')

Large evergreen shrub, narrow and open at first, becoming denser after 3 years.

Leaves glossy and red when young, becoming deep green.

Good as specimen or hedge.

Sun.

Average soil.

Some shelter.

4.5m x 2.4m (15' x 8')

Large evergreen shrub, narrow and open at first, becoming denser after 3 years.

Leaves glossy and red when young, becoming deep green.

Good as specimen or hedge.

Sun.

Average soil.

Some shelter.

Height & spread 3m x 2m

An improved type of 'Red Robin', new leaves emerge brilliant red in early Spring with the colour persisting for longer and further flushes of colour through the season.

Growth is strong, bushy upright and fast, making this evergreen shrub great for screening.

Any moist well drained soil.

Full sun or partial shade.

Height & spread 2 - 2.5m

A compact, erect, evergreen shrub with glossy, lanceloate leaves, brilliant red when young, later turning dark green.

Panicles of small, creamy-white flowers appear in Spring.

But well-drained soil.

Full sun or partial shade.

1.2 m

Form of New Zealand Flax.

Bold evergreen red & pink striped leaves in a large round clump.

Tall stems bear reddish beack-like flowers, July.

Sun.

Good in sea wind.

Good soil - add rotted manure/compost.

Height & spread: 1.5m
An upright, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with linear, slightly arching to erect, dark reddish-brown leaves and, on occasion, tiny tubular, red flowers borne on erect stems in Summer.
Moist, well drained soil
Sun or partial shade
Mulch the soil in frosty areas

Originally from the far East the Magnolia Honey Tulip bloom very early in the Spring, usually before putting the leaves, some bloom in summer.
Full Sun - Half Shade
Minimum temperature: 10 - 15 degrees
Maximum Height: 6-7 metres
Foliage: Deciduous Tree
Soil: Fertile, cool, not limestone