Landscape Plants
A guide to species and cultivars of popular or useful plants for landscaping or use in public green spaces, with tips on how to use them.
Prunus part 1 - flowering cherries for the garden
Flowering cherries are a quintessential harbinger of spring in the UK - probably more so than crab apples, hawthorns, rowans and whitebeams combined
Rowan and whitebeam (Sorbus) — kaleidoscopic colours
Regularly overlooked in favour of the more flamboyant flowering cherries and crab apples, rowans and whitebeams should be given much greater consideration when choosing a tree for the garden.
Native trees and shrubs - part five
Natives can add high ornamental and wildlife value in parks, urban gardens and rural estates, writes Sally Drury.
Native trees and shrubs - part four
Knowing your native Sambucus and Sorbus can help to unlock a variety of potential income opportunities, Sally Drury explains.
Hawthorn (Crataegus) — fragrant flowers and tasty haws
One of the great joys of May is coming across our native hawthorn Crataegus monogyna (below), bedecked in her frothy, fragrant flowers.
Native trees and shrubs – part two
Continuing our series of articles covering British native trees and shrubs, Sally Drury turns the spotlight on oaks and roses.
Native trees and shrubs – part one
In the first part of a special round-up, Sally Drury details native trees and shrubs that can attract grants and potential income.
Acer
These trees and shrubs grow to a range of different heights and produce distinctive foliage in many colours, Sally Drury finds.
Tsuga
From bonsai, rock garden and ground cover to dense hedges and extremely elegant trees up to 50m tall, the small genus of Tsuga may only have 10 species of evergreen conifers but it has variety and versatility.
Vaccinium
Pretty flowers, shiny leaves and delicious berries make this an appealing choice for garden designers, writes Sally Drury.
Lupinus
Bold flower spikes bring a wide mix of colours to the garden and add height to traditional borders.
Corylopsis
Bright flowers and sweet scent merit a higher profile in garden design for these undervalued shrubs, Sally Drury insists.
Magnolia
Good pictorial labelling and effective use of point-of-sale material is crucial for these showy flowers, says Sally Drury.
Japanese cherries
Spectacular spring blossom makes these trees highly valuable in garden designs and urban landscapes, writes Sally Drury.
Cornus
This diverse and ornamental genus presents opportunities for retailers as well as landscapers, writes Sally Drury.
Malus
An abundance of spring blossom ensures flowering crab apple trees’ reputation as jewels of the landscape, notes Sally Drury.
Cotoneaster
Their wide diversity makes these plants ideal and popular for many garden and landscape purposes, Sally Drury finds.
Carpinus
These trees are ideal for parks and gardens and many will tolerate pollution in urban areas, notes Sally Drury.
Calluna vulgaris
These plants survive severe exposure and make good ground cover in cityscapes to wildlife gardens, writes Sally Drury.
Hebe
These plants are enjoyed for their dense spikes, panicles or racemes of flowers and for their foliage, writes Sally Drury.
Quercus
Oak trees are iconic, produce spectacular autumn foliage and benefit the natural environment, Sally Drury reports.
Spiraea
With a wide variety in habit, flowers and foliage, these ornamental plants ensure months of enjoyment, says Sally Drury.
Crataegus
These shrubs and trees have for centuries been used as boundaries and are also important for wildlife, Sally Drury finds.
Leptospermum
These long-lasting pretty flowers add a splash of colour to borders in spring and summer, says Miranda Kimberley.
Hebe
These colourful, undemanding and versatile evergreen shrubs offer year-round interest, Miranda Kimberley finds.
Olearia
Attractive colours and simple daisy-like flowers make these little-used shrubs very appealing, Miranda Kimberley finds.
Corokia
These underrated evergreen shrubs or small trees can be good alternatives to box hedging, writes Miranda Kimberley.
Hedera
Ivies can clothe walls or provide ground cover and are ideal for brightening a dark corner, says Miranda Kimberley.
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