By Feature - Wildlife

The Ilex Crenata bonsai cloud tree stands elegantly at approximately six feet, showcasing a harmonious blend of aesthetic tradition and horticultural prowess. This Japanese holly variety is meticulously shaped, displaying 14 cloud-like arms, a distinct characteristic of "Niwaki," the Japanese art of tree sculpting. These cloud arms are spheres of lush, petite, dark-green leaves, arranged symmetrically, revealing glimpses of the sturdy, twisted branches underneath, each meticulously pruned and shaped to perfection. The compact leaves exhibit a glossy texture, reflecting light with a lustrous sheen, adding a serene ambiance to the surroundings.

The tree's sophisticated structure radiates a sense of balance and tranquility, embodying the timeless elegance inherent to bonsai cultivation. The Ilex Crenata's refined appearance is further accentuated by its smooth, gray bark, providing a subtle contrast to the vibrant green foliage, making it a captivating focal point in any landscape. This unique bonsai cloud tree is not merely a plant but a living sculpture, representing patience, dedication, and the harmonious connection between man and nature. Its breathtaking beauty and intricate design make it a living masterpiece, inviting contemplation and admiration from every viewer.

The tree in stock at Around Arboretum, you are welcome to come and have a look at it - it is a stunning sight. 

The Ilex Crenata bonsai cloud tree stands elegantly at approximately six feet, showcasing a harmonious blend of aesthetic tradition and horticultural prowess. This Japanese holly variety is meticulously shaped, displaying 15 cloud-like arms, a distinct characteristic of "Niwaki," the Japanese art of tree sculpting. These cloud arms are spheres of lush, petite, dark-green leaves, arranged symmetrically, revealing glimpses of the sturdy, twisted branches underneath, each meticulously pruned and shaped to perfection. The compact leaves exhibit a glossy texture, reflecting light with a lustrous sheen, adding a serene ambiance to the surroundings.

The tree's sophisticated structure radiates a sense of balance and tranquility, embodying the timeless elegance inherent to bonsai cultivation. The Ilex Crenata's refined appearance is further accentuated by its smooth, gray bark, providing a subtle contrast to the vibrant green foliage, making it a captivating focal point in any landscape. This unique bonsai cloud tree is not merely a plant but a living sculpture, representing patience, dedication, and the harmonious connection between man and nature. Its breathtaking beauty and intricate design make it a living masterpiece, inviting contemplation and admiration from every viewer.

The tree in stock at Around Arboretum, you are welcome to come and have a look at it - it is a stunning sight. 

Albizia julibrissin Evey's Pride, commonly known as the Persian silk tree or mimosa, is an ornamental tree prized for its feathery foliage and striking flowers. A cultivar of the Albizia julibrissin species, Evey's Pride stands out with its unique growth habit and aesthetic appeal.

This deciduous tree can reach heights of up to 5–6 metres, making it ideal for smaller gardens and landscapes. It has a spreading, umbrella-like canopy that creates a soft, dappled shade beneath. The delicate, fern-like leaves are a deep bronze to purple in colour, offering a striking contrast to the vibrant flowers.

The tree blooms from late summer to early autumn, producing clusters of fluffy, pink and white, fragrant flowers that resemble powder puffs. These flowers not only add beauty but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.

One of the key features of Evey's Pride is its adaptability. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils, and can thrive in full sun or partial shade. Additionally, it is fairly drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for warmer climates or areas prone to dry spells.

In terms of maintenance, the tree requires minimal care. Occasional pruning can help shape the canopy and remove any deadwood, though it generally maintains a pleasing form naturally.

Overall, Albizia julibrissin Evey's Pride is an elegant choice for gardeners seeking a distinctive tree with year-round interest. Its combination of vibrant foliage, eye-catching flowers, and ease of care make it a popular choice for both urban and rural settings. Its compact size makes it especially suitable for smaller gardens or as a feature in larger landscapes.

The Malus ‘Rudolph’ is an ornamental crabapple tree known for its striking visual appeal throughout the seasons. This small deciduous tree typically grows to a height of 4 to 6 metres (13 to 20 feet) with a similar spread, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a decorative focal point in larger landscapes. Originating from the genus Malus, which encompasses both ornamental and fruit-bearing trees, ‘Rudolph’ is prized for its aesthetic qualities rather than fruit production.

One of the most distinctive features of the Malus ‘Rudolph’ is its stunning display of deep pink to rose-red blossoms in late spring, typically appearing in May. These fragrant flowers, which emerge in clusters, are particularly attractive to pollinators, including bees. The flowers are followed by small, bright red to orange crabapples that add further interest to the tree in late summer and autumn. While these fruits are not commonly eaten raw due to their tartness, they can be used in making jellies or left on the tree for birds and other wildlife to enjoy.

In addition to its springtime blossoms, the Malus ‘Rudolph’ offers year-round beauty with its foliage. The leaves emerge as a rich purple-bronze in the spring, gradually maturing to a deep green as the season progresses, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant flowers. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow or orange, providing a final burst of colour before the leaves fall.

The Malus ‘Rudolph’ is hardy and well-suited to a variety of soil types, preferring a sunny position to fully showcase its blooms and foliage. It is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning. Overall, this tree is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add colour and structure to their garden throughout the year.

The Betula pendula 'Golden Obelisk' is a striking variety of the silver birch tree, prized for its elegant, columnar shape and vibrant foliage. A deciduous tree, it typically reaches heights of around 4-6 metres, with a narrow, upright growth habit, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, urban spaces, or as a vertical accent in larger landscapes.

One of the standout features of the 'Golden Obelisk' is its stunning foliage. In spring, the leaves emerge a bright yellow-green, gradually maturing into a rich, golden-yellow during the summer. This golden hue adds a warm and striking contrast to the garden. In autumn, the leaves turn a more subdued yellow before falling, marking the change of seasons in a striking way. The bark is also characteristic of the Betula genus, with the familiar white, peeling bark adding winter interest and texture to the landscape.

Betula pendula 'Golden Obelisk' is hardy and thrives in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Its tolerance for urban pollution and cold weather makes it well-suited for a wide range of environments in the UK. It also supports biodiversity, providing a habitat for insects and birds.

This low-maintenance tree requires minimal pruning, typically only to remove dead or damaged branches. Its graceful form makes it ideal for planting in tight spaces where a more expansive tree might be unsuitable, and its vibrant foliage can provide year-round interest in gardens, courtyards, or along avenues.

Overall, the Betula pendula 'Golden Obelisk' is a versatile and visually appealing tree, perfect for adding structure, colour, and texture to any garden or landscape.

The Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate', commonly known as the Persian Silk Tree or Mimosa, is a striking ornamental tree with unique, dark foliage. Native to Asia, this deciduous tree has gained popularity in gardens due to its dramatic appearance and relatively low-maintenance nature.

'Summer Chocolate' stands out for its distinctive leaves, which are deep burgundy to chocolate-brown, creating a bold contrast against the more typical green foliage seen in many gardens. The fern-like, feathery leaves give the tree an elegant, airy appearance, especially when they sway gently in the wind. These leaves can grow up to 45 cm in length and close up at night, a characteristic known as nyctinasty.

During the summer months, from June to September, the tree produces a profusion of fluffy, pompom-like flowers that are pale pink in colour, reminiscent of silk threads. These flowers sit in clusters atop the branches, providing a beautiful contrast to the dark foliage. They are lightly scented and attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making the tree a great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

In terms of growth, 'Summer Chocolate' can reach a height of 4 to 6 metres, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as a specimen tree. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types. Hardy in UK climates, it may benefit from some protection from harsh winter winds.

Overall, Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' is a visually stunning tree that combines beauty with the benefit of attracting pollinators, adding a sense of tropical elegance to gardens. Its unusual foliage colour and delicate flowers make it a focal point in any landscape.

Alnus cordata, commonly known as the Italian alder, is a medium to large deciduous tree native to southern Italy and parts of Corsica. It belongs to the Betulaceae family and is highly valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils and challenging environmental conditions. This species is often planted for ornamental purposes, soil improvement, and as a windbreak due to its robust growth and adaptability.

The tree can reach heights of up to 25-30 metres (82-98 feet) with a trunk diameter of about 1 metre (3.3 feet). It has a relatively narrow, conical crown, which makes it an attractive choice for landscaping in urban and rural environments. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown when young, developing shallow fissures with age.

Alnus cordata is noted for its distinctive heart-shaped (cordate) leaves, which are bright green and glossy, measuring 7-12 cm in length. Unlike some other alders, the leaves of A. cordata remain on the tree until late autumn, giving it an extended season of greenery. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous catkins, with male catkins being pendulous and yellowish, and female catkins more compact and upright. These develop into small, woody cones that persist on the tree through winter.

One of the key characteristics of Alnus cordata is its nitrogen-fixing ability. Like other alders, it forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Frankia, which allows it to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. This quality makes it an excellent species for improving soil fertility, particularly in degraded or nutrient-poor areas.

Overall, the Italian alder is a resilient and versatile tree, well-suited to a variety of landscapes, including wet or compacted soils, and is an important species for ecological restoration projects.

Alnus cordata, commonly known as the Italian alder, is a medium to large deciduous tree native to southern Italy and parts of Corsica. It belongs to the Betulaceae family and is highly valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils and challenging environmental conditions. This species is often planted for ornamental purposes, soil improvement, and as a windbreak due to its robust growth and adaptability.

The tree can reach heights of up to 25-30 metres (82-98 feet) with a trunk diameter of about 1 metre (3.3 feet). It has a relatively narrow, conical crown, which makes it an attractive choice for landscaping in urban and rural environments. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown when young, developing shallow fissures with age.

Alnus cordata is noted for its distinctive heart-shaped (cordate) leaves, which are bright green and glossy, measuring 7-12 cm in length. Unlike some other alders, the leaves of A. cordata remain on the tree until late autumn, giving it an extended season of greenery. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous catkins, with male catkins being pendulous and yellowish, and female catkins more compact and upright. These develop into small, woody cones that persist on the tree through winter.

One of the key characteristics of Alnus cordata is its nitrogen-fixing ability. Like other alders, it forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Frankia, which allows it to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. This quality makes it an excellent species for improving soil fertility, particularly in degraded or nutrient-poor areas.

Overall, the Italian alder is a resilient and versatile tree, well-suited to a variety of landscapes, including wet or compacted soils, and is an important species for ecological restoration projects.

Celtis australis, commonly known as the European nettle tree, is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It belongs to the family Cannabaceae, and it is closely related to the hackberry tree.

The Celtis australis tree can grow up to 25 meters tall and has a dense, rounded crown with a spreading habit. The bark is smooth and gray-brown when young, becoming rough and fissured with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with serrated edges. They are dark green on the upper side and paler on the underside, turning yellow in autumn before falling.

The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring or early summer, followed by small, round, edible fruit that resembles a cherry in size and shape. The fruit is initially green, turning yellow or brown when ripe, and is sweet and juicy, with a taste similar to a fig.

The Celtis australis tree is adaptable to a wide range of soils and can tolerate drought, air pollution, and salt spray. It is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens, parks, and urban landscapes due to its attractive foliage and distinctive bark. It also provides food and shelter for wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Additionally, the tree has cultural significance and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for various ailments.