Corylus avellana is a wonderful shrub or tree that in the UK is commonly known as hazel. I absolutely adore Corylus avellana, it’s one of my favourite plants; I’d encourage almost anyone to grow this fantastic shrub, tree, or hedge! A native tree of many countries in Europe, Corylus avellana is a superb plant for a wildlife garden or an edible garden.
Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ forms a tree with pendulous branches that stretch outwards and then hang rather decoratively. The boughs grow out from the top of the trunk, they become further outstretched as the tree matures, but even the branches of young plants reach all the way down to the the ground. Every branch is adorned with handsome leaves. Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ is commonly known as the Weeping Beech.
Juniper is also known by its botanical name, Juniperus communis. Juniperus communis is an evergreen conifer with spiky needles. Plants are very hardy and they flourish in exposed and sheltered locations. These plants need a bright and sunny position; Juniperus communis is happy growing in almost any moist but well-drained soil, including stony ground and chalk. When choosing where to plant Juniperus communis, avoid shaded areas and soils that are prone to water-logging.
In the UK, Pinus sylvestris is often known as the Scot’s Pine. However, Pinus sylvestris trees’ native range is extensive, this tree’s majestic kingdom stretches across Northern Europe and further afield, so goodness only knows how many common names this handsome tree has attracted – thank goodness for botanical names, which remain the same – wherever in the world you are.
Fagus sylvatica is the botanical name for Beech trees. Beech are one of our UK native trees; they can be found across Europe. Fagus sylvatica forms majestic trees that can be used as hedging or as very handsome specimen trees. Although these trees are deciduous, trimmed Fagus sylvatica specimens will retain their leaves throughout the autumn and winter months. However, any hedges or trees that are left untrimmed will drop their leaves the same autumn.
In the UK, Sambucus nigra is known as Elder. These small trees and shrubs must have many common names, as they’re a wild plant that frequents many countries across Europe, as well as places as far afield as Western Asia and North Africa. Sambucus nigra is a deciduous plant with green pinnate foliage. In late spring and early summertime, Sambucus nigra produces huge flat circles of cream coloured, scented flowers that are popular with insects.
Yew is also known by its botanical name, Taxus baccata. This is a glorious evergreen that’s versatile and accommodating. Taxus baccata is happy to grow as a specimen tree or a hedge; plants are content to grow naturally as unpruned trees but are equally happy to be pruned and clipped into spheres, pyramids, corkscrew twists, hearts, or whichever shape your heart desires.
The Silver Birch (Betula pendula) is one of our most recognisable UK native trees with its glorious silvery-white bark and dainty green leaves. We’re not the only ones to have an affinity with Betula pendula, this stunning tree is a native plant of many countries in Europe and Northern Asia. Betula pendula is a deciduous tree, its leaves turn from green to a buttery yellow before falling in autumn.
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’ is a small tree with a slim and naturally upright habit that’s a popular choice for small gardens – thanks to this plant’s fastigiated, narrow vertical growth.
A number of years ago, I planted this lovely tree in my own garden; I’ve found Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’ is a pretty tree that’s easy to accommodate – it thrives in my garden’s well-drained, sandy soil.
In the UK, Prunus spinosa is usually known by its common name – Blackthorn. I am sure that Prunus spinosa has many common names, as this is a widespread plant that can be found growing in the wild across Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Prunus spinosa can be grown as a shrub, a hedge, or a tree. These plants are very spiny and they often form thickets.
Ilex aquifolium is the commonest holly we have in the UK; plants can be found growing both in the wild and as cultivated, garden plants. This holly species can be used as container plants, for hedging, or grown as specimen trees. Ilex aquifolium is native to the UK (Ilex aquifolium is absent from the Outer Hebrides, the Shetland Isles, and Orkney) but this is also a native plant of West Asia, North Africa, Southern and Western Europe.
Ilex is the latin name for the genus of plants we often refer to as hollies. This is an interesting and diverse group of plants, that includes evergreen and deciduous plants, that form small shrubs, tall trees, and everything in between – depending on the Ilex species or cultivar grown.
Ilex are native plants of the United Kingdom, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Americas, China, North America, South East Asia, and other areas around the globe.
Prunus serrula is a rounded tree, famed for its polished, gleaming reddish-brown bark – a redeeming feature that looks good and offers interest on every single day of the year. Also known as the Tibetan cherry, Prunus serrula produces clusters of single, white flowers in April or May. This is a deciduous tree, with narrow green leaves that turn a buttery yellow colour, before falling in autumn.
Wisteria is a genus of tall, climbing plants, that originate from China, Eastern America, and Japan.
Wisteria plants produce beautiful racemes of flowers from April to August. The flowering time and flower colour vary somewhat for each Wisteria species or cultivar grown. Some Wisterias produce their flowers before their leaves, or the blooms and foliage may be produced simultaneously, or the flowers can be produced after the leaves.
Apples, also known by their botanical name of Malus domestica, are a group of deciduous fruit trees, which originate from Asia and have been cultivated for a great many years.
In the UK, apples are commonly divided into two groups: culinary or cooking apples and dessert apples. Other countries do not group, or consider apples in this way, they treat apples as one group.
Figs, also known by their botanical name of Ficus carica, are wonderfully beautiful shrubs or trees, that produce delicious, parthenocarpic fruits in summer and early autumn. In the UK, figs grown outdoors produce one crop of figs a year, but when the same fig plant is grown in warmer climates it can crop at least twice a year.
Fig shrubs or trees are very attractive, their large, beautiful leaves are very handsome indeed, these plants can add a pleasing character and charm to the garden.
In his early forties, Hajime Matsunaga, a Japanese plant breeder, started a breeding programme to breed a dwarf mulberry. Mr Matsunaga’s dream was realised at 89 years of age, when he grew Morus rotundiloba ‘Charlotte Russe’ (‘Matsunaga’).
Mulberry ‘Charlotte Russe’ differs from other mulberries – this is a truly dwarf form of mulberry, which can be grown in a small garden.
Dr Alan Warwick, a keen amateur gardener, found that one of the Malus × purpurea ‘Aldenhamensis’ plants he had grown from seed displayed a weeping habit, contrasting with the naturally upright habit of the parent plant. Dr Warwick took the tree to Hillier Nurseries, who confirmed that this was indeed a new cultivar.
Betula pendula FASTIGIATA JOES (‘Jolep 1’) is a tall – 16.5ft (5m) or more, yet very narrow tree, which produces upright growth, which will grow no wider than 3ft (1m) across, making this tree a super choice for a small garden.
All too often, I see gardeners with small gardens making the mistake of choosing too many dwarf plants that are small in size and stature, creating a garden that is very low, with the area of interest at eye level being non existent.
Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is a small deciduous tree, that grows to about 4 meters in height and about the same (4m or 13ft) wide. This tree is a lovely addition to the garden, as it flowers intermittently from December until March.
