By Feature - Screening

The Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prinz Handjery' is a striking cultivar of the sycamore maple, prized for its unique and ornamental foliage. Originating from the broader Acer pseudoplatanus species, this particular variety stands out due to its distinctive purple and green leaves, making it a favourite among gardeners seeking an eye-catching addition to their landscapes.

This medium-sized deciduous tree typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 metres, with a spread of around 8 to 10 metres, making it a suitable choice for medium to large gardens. The tree's overall shape is broadly conical or rounded, and it features a dense canopy, providing ample shade beneath. The bark of the 'Prinz Handjery' is smooth when young, developing into a more rugged and fissured texture as it matures, with patches of grey and brown that add to its visual appeal, particularly in winter.

The standout feature of this cultivar is its foliage. The leaves emerge with a bronze or purple tint in spring before maturing to a dark green with striking purple undersides. This dual-tone effect creates a beautiful contrast, especially when the wind catches the leaves, revealing flashes of colour. In autumn, the foliage transitions to golden yellow, adding seasonal interest to the garden.

In addition to its ornamental value, the Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prinz Handjery' is a hardy tree, able to tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and chalk, and is resistant to pollution, making it well-suited to urban environments. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and proving resilient to pests and diseases.

Castanea sativa, commonly known as the Sweet Chestnut tree, is a majestic and long-lived species native to Europe and parts of Asia Minor. Belonging to the Fagaceae family, it stands as a symbol of strength and resilience in many cultures, with its towering stature and deeply furrowed bark.

The leaves of Castanea sativa are distinctively long and lance-shaped, with serrated edges that give them a rough texture. During the spring and summer, the canopy is adorned with clusters of creamy-white flowers, which give way to spiky green husks containing the prized sweet chestnuts in autumn.

Sweet chestnuts, often referred to simply as "chestnuts," have been a staple food source for centuries, cherished for their rich, nutty flavor and versatile culinary applications. Whether roasted over an open fire, boiled and mashed into a creamy puree, or incorporated into hearty stews and stuffing recipes, chestnuts are celebrated in both sweet and savory dishes throughout the UK.

Beyond their culinary significance, sweet chestnut trees play a vital ecological role, providing habitat and sustenance for a diverse array of wildlife. Birds, such as blue tits and nuthatches, feast on the tree's seeds, while small mammals like squirrels rely on them as a seasonal food source.

Despite their resilience, sweet chestnut trees face threats from various pests and diseases, including chestnut blight and ink disease, which have impacted populations in some regions. Conservation efforts aim to preserve these iconic trees and their valuable genetic diversity for future generations to enjoy.

Camellia japonica is an attractive variable evergreen shrub that counts over 300 000 cultivars. It has leathery, glossy, oval, dark green leaves and spectacular flowers that usually bloom in late winter to spring and last three to four weeks. Depending on the variety, flowers range from miniature to huge, and its colour from pure red. Camellia japonica thrives in fertile, rich, slightly acidic soil, moist and well-drained. It prefers partial shade and needs to be protected from the afternoon sun and the wind. It is slow to establish and slow to grow but once established it can live very long. Too much sun, shade, and cold weather can reduce blooming. It doesn’t like temperature changes, irregular watering, or to be moved. It’s susceptible to a number of fungal diseases. Camellia japonica is a stunning shrub great for cottage and urban gardens, for beds and borders, backgrounds, and informal hedges. Suitable for growing in containers. 

Acer platanoides 'Globosum' is a deciduous tree that is widely cultivated for its ornamental value. Commonly known as the Globe Norway Maple, this tree is prized for its striking rounded shape and attractive foliage.

The 'Globosum' cultivar is a compact, slow-growing tree with a well-rounded, dense crown that makes it ideal for small gardens, patios, and urban landscapes. The leaves of the Globe Norway Maple are large, palmate, and deeply lobed, with a glossy dark green color that turns to golden yellow in autumn, creating a beautiful display of fall foliage.

The tree is relatively easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of soil types and environmental conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.

With its symmetrical, globe-shaped form and vibrant foliage, Acer platanoides 'Globosum' is a popular choice for adding structure and color to garden designs. It is also commonly used as a specimen tree or as a focal point in landscape plantings.

The Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum, commonly known as the upright field maple, is a popular cultivar of the field maple tree, native to Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its compact and columnar growth habit, this tree is often used in urban landscaping, parks, and gardens due to its ability to thrive in various environments.

The 'Fastigiatum' cultivar is characterised by its narrow, upright form, making it ideal for smaller spaces or as a vertical accent in landscape designs. It typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 metres, with a width of about 4 to 6 metres. The tree's branches grow tightly together, giving it a dense, pillar-like appearance. This makes it a preferred choice for creating natural screens or for lining avenues and pathways.

The leaves of the Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum' are small, five-lobed, and dark green during the growing season, turning to a golden yellow in autumn, adding seasonal interest to any setting. The tree produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring, followed by winged seeds, known as samaras, that are typical of maple trees.

One of the advantages of this cultivar is its hardiness and adaptability. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, and is resistant to pollution, making it suitable for urban areas. The tree is also drought-tolerant once established, though it prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture.

Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum' requires minimal maintenance, with occasional pruning to maintain its shape. It is relatively pest-free and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. Overall, this upright field maple is a versatile and attractive choice for landscapes, offering structure, colour, and resilience.

Elaeagnus angustifolia, commonly known as the Russian olive or silverberry tree, is a deciduous tree native to Eurasia that has been widely introduced to other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and for erosion control.

The tree can reach up to 30 feet (9 meters) in height and has a rounded, spreading canopy with silvery-gray branches and leaves that are dark green above and silvery-gray beneath. The leaves are lance-shaped and have a wavy margin, growing up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.

The tree produces fragrant, small, yellow flowers in the spring, which are followed by small, oval-shaped fruits that mature in the fall. The fruit is edible and has a sweet and tart flavor, often used for making jellies or jams.

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a hardy and adaptable tree that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, including drought, salt spray, and poor soil. It is often used for windbreaks, erosion control, and as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. However, it can also be considered invasive in some regions, particularly in North America, where it has escaped cultivation and can outcompete native plants.