Flowering Trees

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', commonly known as the Fernleaf Full Moon Maple, is a stunning deciduous tree cherished for its striking foliage and remarkable autumn display. Native to Japan, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves which provide a delicate, lacy texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden.

In spring and summer, the leaves emerge with a soft green hue, creating a serene and refreshing presence. As the seasons transition to autumn, 'Aconitifolium' truly shines. Its foliage transforms into a spectacular array of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it one of the most brilliant autumnal displays among maples. This transformation adds a dynamic and fiery focal point to gardens, capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

'Aconitifolium' typically reaches a height and spread of 3 to 4 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, and container planting.

This maple is not only admired for its foliage but also for its elegant, spreading habit and attractive branching structure, which provide year-round interest. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed border, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' brings a touch of elegance and seasonal drama to any garden setting in the UK.

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 Albizia julibrissin Ombrella, commonly known as the Persian silk tree or mimosa, is an attractive deciduous tree known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and striking, silky, pink flowers. Originating from Asia, this tree brings an exotic feel to gardens and landscapes, particularly appreciated for its light, airy appearance and graceful form. The 'Ombrella' variety is a popular choice, prized for its compact, umbrella-shaped canopy, which makes it an ideal focal point in smaller gardens or urban settings.

Reaching a mature height of around 5–6 metres, the Albizia julibrissin Ombrella offers a relatively modest growth habit compared to other trees, yet it spreads out widely, creating a dappled shade beneath its crown. Its leaves are bipinnate, folding in the evening or during cloudy weather, which adds an element of movement and interest to its appearance. In summer, the tree is adorned with fluffy, pom-pom-like flowers in shades of pink and white, which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. These blossoms create a lovely contrast against the soft, green foliage.

In autumn, the leaves turn yellow before falling, allowing the tree to reveal its architectural form during the winter months. This variety is reasonably hardy, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -10°C, making it suitable for much of the UK climate. It thrives best in full sun and well-drained soils, showing some drought tolerance once established.

The Albizia julibrissin Ombrella is often used as a specimen tree, valued for its beauty, elegant shape, and pollinator-friendly attributes. It is a low-maintenance plant, requiring minimal pruning and care, making it a perfect choice for those seeking an ornamental tree that adds a touch of exoticism and charm to their outdoor spaces.

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.

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen, ornamental, multi-stem, capriciously growing shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery, mid-green foliage. It is very unusual and stunning all year round. Clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers bloom from autumn to mid-winter. Round, yellow fruits appear in winter and slowly become ripe in the next 12 months, gradually turning red. They are still on the tree when new flowers show up in autumn. A grey-brown bark peels, revealing cinnamon-coloured inner bark. It can grow in all kinds of soils and climate conditions, but prefers acidic, moist and well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant to drought, disease-free and pest-free. Very resilient. This unusual, colourful and very attractive plant is perfect as a specimen plant, great for shrub borders, hedges, coastal gardens, and for growing in containers.

Arbutus unedo multi-stem is an evergreen, ornamental, multi-stem, capriciously growing shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery, mid-green foliage. It is very unusual and stunning all year round. Clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers bloom from autumn to mid-winter. Round, yellow fruits appear in winter and slowly become ripe in the next 12 months, gradually turning red. They are still on the tree when new flowers show up in autumn. A grey-brown bark peels, revealing cinnamon-coloured inner bark. Arbutus unedo multi-stem grows slowly in a multi-stem form. It can grow in all kinds of soils and climate conditions, but prefers acidic, moist and well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant to drought, disease-free and pest-free. Very resilient. This unusual, colourful and very attractive plant is perfect as a specimen plant, great for shrub borders, hedges, coastal gardens, and for growing in containers.