By Feature - Wildlife

Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’ / Whitebeam Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’ is a small to medium sized deciduous tree. When young, it tends to grow erect, but as it matures it takes on a more spreading habit. The leaves emerge in spring with a silvery tinge to them and both sides are covered in tiny hairs. Their creamy-white scented flowers appear in abundance during April and May. The green berries ripen to orange-red in autumn. The leaves turn golden brown in the autumn, and this tree is one of the first to start to drop its leaves. Sorbus aucuparia / Rowan or Mountain Ash Sorbus aucuparia is a deciduous rounded tree with greyish-downy winter buds.  They open to dark green leaves, which turn red or yellow in the autumn. Sorbus aucuparia produces clusters of white flowers in late spring.  These are followed by orange-red berries. Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’ Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’ is a small to medium tree, with a narrow upright habit. White flowers are  followed by bright red fruits. Dark green leaves, silver beneath changing to red in the autumn. Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’ Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’ is a small tree with a unique upright habit. White flowers producing yellow-orange berries in the autumn. Green foliage producing good all round colour. Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ is a small tree with white flowers producing heavy bunches of glistening orange-red berries. Green foliage turning glowing red in the autumn. A very colourful tree. Sorbus vilmorinii Sorbus vilmorinii is a small tree, with arching branches with deeply dissected foliage of 11-13 small leaflets turning to red and purple in the autumn. The tree produces drooping clusters of small berries in the autumn.  They are glossy red at first, which slowly change to pink and finally turn white with a pink flush.  The berries will remain on the tree for a while after the leaves have fallen. Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ is a small tree with a superb autumn colour. White flowers followed by creamy-yellow berries turning amber-yellow. Sorbus commixta Sorbus commixta is a broadly conical tree with divided dark green leaves, which turn yellow to red or purple in the autumn.  It has clusters of white flowers in the late spring.  These are followed by orange-red to red berries. Sorbus cashmiriana Sorbus cashmiriana is a deciduous, spreading tree with divided dark green leaves.  Has clusters of white or pink flowers in late spring which are followed by white berries. Sorbus hupehensis Sorbus hupehensis ia a narrow, deciduous tree with divided blue-green leaves, turning red in the autumn.  The clusters of white flowers in late spring are followed by white berries. Sorbus hupehensis ‘Pink Pagoda’ Sorbus hupehensis ‘Pnik Pagoda’ is a compact, medium sized deciduous tree.  It produces creamy-white flowers in late spring which are popular with bees.  The flowers are followed by rose-pink berries which turn paler pink in the winter.  Sorbus hupehensis ‘Pink Pagoda’ foliage is blue-green which turns red-orange in the autumn.

Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ is a Japanese flowering cherry with an elegant spreading habit. Large double, delicate flowers hang down in large bunches in April-May. They open pink and fade to a bright white as the season progresses. Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ is pollutant tolerant and is therefore good for urban areas. The green foliage turns orange and red in the autumn. Prunus Shimidsu Sakura ‘Blushing Bride’ cannot tolerate wet or shallow chalky soils. Prunus ‘Pandora’ Prunus ‘Pandora’ is a small deciduous tree with a broadly vase-shaped canopy and upright habit. Single, very pale pink flowers appear in spring, which are followed by green leaves, which turn pale yellow in the autumn. The young bark is a radiant brown. Prunus ‘Pandora’ has an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 4-8m. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and can be planted in full sun in either a sheltered or exposed position. Prunus ‘Kanzan’ Prunus ‘Kanzan’ is a medium sized deciduous tree, with a broadly vase-shaped habit when young, but taking on a more spreading habit as the tree matures. In spring, large, purplish-pink double flowers appear which open from crimson buds. The bronze young foliage turns green in the summer. Prunus ‘Kanzan’ can be planted in full sun in either a sheltered or exposed position. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil and has an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 8m+. Prunus ‘Ukon’ Prunus ‘Ukon’ is a robust, ornamental cherry with a spreading habit.  It has creamy double flowers which open from pink buds in the spring.  The spring foliage is bronze which turns red and purple in the autumn.  Prunus ‘Ukon’ can tolerate most soils and will grow in full sun or partial shade, and is hardy.  It has an eventual height (in 20 years) of approximately 6m and a spread of approximately 4m. Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ / Winter flowering Cherry Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is a small tree with semi-double pale pink flowers from November to March on bare branches. The flowers are followed by small fruits, which are good for birds. Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ has green foliage which turns shades of orange/yellow in the autumn. It is ideal for small gardens and is pollution tolerant, so is a tree suitable for urban areas. It will thrive in most conditions, but does not like wet soil or shallow chalk. Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ can be planted in a sunny location, with little or no protection. Prunus serrula / Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrula is a small, deciduous spreading tree. The outstanding mahogany\red bark is the main feature of this tree in the winter when all the leaves are off. Prunus serrula  has mid-green leaves which turn orange\yellow in the autumn. Prunus serrula produces small clusters of white flowers in the spring but they are virtually concealed by the narrow, willow-like leaves. Prunus serrula will grow in a sheltered or exposed position. It has an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 8m+. Prunus ‘Okame’ Prunus ‘Okame’ is a splendid small tree with ascending branches. These are covered with an abundance of shell pink single flowers in March and April. The dark green leaves turn orange and red in the autumn. It has an eventual  height of approximately 4m and a spread of 4m. It can therefore be considered for a small garden. Prunus ‘Okame’ can be planted in full sun, in a moist, fertile soil. It will not, however be happy in waterlogged or permanently wet conditions. It is tolerant of pollution and popular with bees. Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ / Flagpole Cherry Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ is a small, narrow column tree with upright branches.  It is ideal for a small garden, with an eventual height of approximately 19′.  In April, Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ produces clusters of large fragrant single or semi-double shell pink flowers. The foliage is bronze-green in the spring, turning to mid-green during the summer months, turning orange\red in the autumn.  Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ is very tolerant of pollution, so it is an ideal tree for urban areas. Prunus avium ‘Plena’ / Cherry Prunus avium ‘Plena’ is a medium sized deciduous, spreading tree. It produces pendulous clusters of pure white double flowers in the spring. The mid green leaves turn red and orange in the autumn. Prunus avium ‘Plena’ can be positioned in full sun, in a sheltered or exposed spot. It prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is a noticeable specimen with an eventual height of 8-12m and a spread of 8m+. Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii Nigra’ / Purple-leaved Plum Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii Nigra’ is a  small purple leaved tree. It flowers in early spring. The pale pink flowers emerge from a mass of pink buds. Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii Nigra’ is a massed branched, deciduous tree which is sometimes used for screening. It is a very easy tree to grow and can withstand hard pruning. Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii Nigra’ can produce plums, but when it feels like it! It is not therefore, a regular fruiting tree. It has an eventual height of 8m and a spread of 6m. Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare Sakura’ / ‘Cheal’s Weeping’ Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare Sakura’ is an ornamental, deciduous weeping tree more commonly known as ‘Cheal’s Weeping’. It produces double pink flowers in spring. These are followed by coppery-green leaves that turn deeper into spring and summer. The leaves turn bronze and orange in the autumn. Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare Sakura’ is an ideal tree for a small garden, with an eventual height of 3-5m. However, it does require room to spread its pendulous branches. Its graceful crown shape gives an architectural shape to the garden, whether planted as a specimen tree or part of a border. It can tolerate most soils, but does not like very wet, shallow or chalky conditions. This tree is a tough little tree and tolerant of pollution. Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ is a small, spreading deciduous tree. It has deep wine\purple leaves which turn bright scarlet in the autumn. Double pink flowers appear in the spring. Prunus ‘Royal Burgundy’ has an eventual height of 5m and a spread of 3m. It will not thrive in very wet or chalky soils. Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ is a small deciduous flowering cherry. It is adorned in late spring with double pink\white flowers which emerge from pink buds. It is a vigorous and wide spreading tree. The leaves are coppery when young, turning green. These turn orange\red in the autumn. Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ can be planted in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. It has an eventual height and spread of 5-10m. Prunus ‘Shirotae’ / Mount Fuji Cherry Prunus ‘Shirotae’ is a small, deciduous  tree with wide-spreading horizontal or slightly drooping branches. This creates a spreading flat crown. The flowers are single to semi-double, fragrant snow white. They appear in large clusters and amass this beautiful tree. The young green foliage turn orange\red in the autumn. Prunus ‘Shirotae’ can be planted in full sun in an exposed or sheltered position. It has an eventual height and spread of 4-8m, and should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil. We are often asked what variety this tree is when its in its full state of flowering as it is so noticeable. Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ / Pink flowering Cherry Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ is a small deciduous tree. It has arching, pendulous branches which creates a weeping, graceful tree.  Single deep rose-pink flowers emerge in spring from red buds. The ovate green leaves turn orange and red in the autumn. This tree is ideal for a small garden and can be pruned to restrict its width. Prunus x subhirtella ‘Pendula Rubra’ can be planted in full sun in a sheltered or exposed position. It has an eventual height of 2.5m and a spread of 4m, and should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil. Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ / Great White Cherry Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ is a medium-large deciduous ornamental cherry tree. It has a broad, spreading crown. The young rich coppery-red leaves appear in spring, turning green in the summer. They turn yellow\orange in the autumn. Beautiful, large white flowers emerge in spring from pink buds. Prunus ‘Tai Haku’ can be planted in full sun in a sheltered or exposed position. It has an eventual height of 4-8m and a spread of 8m+. This tree is often known as the Great White Cherry. Prunus x yedoensis/Yoshino (Japanese) Cherry Prunus x yedoensis is a wide spreading deciduous tree. The ovate green leaves turn yellow\golden in the autumn. The flowers appear in spring and are almost white with pink stamens and a slight scent of almonds. Prunus x yedoensis can be planted in full sun in a sheltered or exposed position. It has an eventual height of 12m+ and a spread of 8m+ and should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil.  

Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ is a pretty, small deciduous tree.  It is ideal for small gardens and delivers interest all through the growing season. This starts in the spring when masses of large white flower emerge. The bronze-tinged leaves turn orange-purple-brown in autumn. The small red berries turn purple in autumn, which the birds love! Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ can be planted in full sun or partial shade. This tree can be planted in a sheltered or exposed area, and will grow on a moist, well-drained soil. It has an eventual height and spread of 4-8m.