Mature evergreen trees

Cotoneaster x watereri, often referred to as Waterer's Cotoneaster, is a popular and versatile shrub that has become a cherished addition to many gardens and landscapes in the United Kingdom. This deciduous hybrid shrub is renowned for its attractive appearance, hardiness, and adaptability.

One of the standout features of Cotoneaster x watereri is its elegant form and foliage. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters, forming a dense and arching habit. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and glossy green, providing a lush backdrop to its other ornamental features.

One of the most captivating aspects of this shrub is its profusion of flowers and berries. In late spring and early summer, Cotoneaster x watereri bursts into a display of delicate white or pale pink blossoms. These small, star-shaped flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to local biodiversity.

As summer progresses into autumn, the shrub transitions into another phase of beauty. It produces an abundance of small, round, and brightly colored berries, typically red or orange. These berries not only add visual interest but also serve as a valuable food source for birds during the colder months, enhancing its ecological significance.

Cotoneaster x watereri is known for its adaptability to various growing conditions. It thrives in well-drained soil and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile choice for different garden settings. It is also remarkably hardy and resistant to many common pests and diseases, reducing the need for intensive maintenance.

Maintenance for this shrub is generally straightforward. Pruning can be done to shape the plant or remove dead or diseased branches, but it is often not required. Regular watering during dry spells, especially during its establishment phase, helps ensure its healthy growth.

In conclusion, Cotoneaster x watereri, or Waterer's Cotoneaster, is a cherished shrub in the UK that offers year-round appeal. Its graceful form, glossy foliage, profuse blossoms, and colourful berries make it a versatile and visually pleasing addition to gardens and landscapes. Whether used as a specimen plant, a hedge, or ground cover, this adaptable shrub adds beauty and ecological value to outdoor spaces in the United Kingdom.

The Juniperus horizontalis 'Icee Blue', often referred to simply as the Icee Blue juniper, is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant, frosty-blue foliage. This hardy, resilient juniper is well-suited to various landscaping applications, especially as a ground cover or in rock gardens, thanks to its dense, creeping growth habit.

Reaching a mature height of around 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) and spreading up to 1.5-2 metres (5-7 feet), the Icee Blue forms a thick, carpet-like mat that suppresses weeds and provides excellent coverage. The foliage boasts a silvery-blue hue throughout most of the year, turning a purplish-blue in the colder winter months, adding seasonal interest to the garden. This colour transformation makes it particularly popular in ornamental landscapes, where it creates striking contrast against darker foliage plants or brightly coloured flowers.

Juniperus horizontalis 'Icee Blue' is well-known for its hardiness and tolerance of poor soil conditions, making it a practical choice for challenging environments. It thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade, and it prefers well-drained soil, though it can endure dry conditions once established. Its resilience to cold weather and wind exposure is an added benefit, making it suitable for gardens across the UK, including coastal areas.

Low-maintenance by nature, the Icee Blue juniper requires little care once established. Occasional pruning can help maintain its shape and control its spread, but it generally grows uniformly and resists disease well. Its salt tolerance also makes it a reliable option for areas near roads or pathways treated with de-icing salt. Overall, Juniperus horizontalis 'Icee Blue' is a versatile, visually appealing, and low-effort shrub that adds year-round colour and texture to a variety of garden settings.

Cycas revoluta, commonly known as the sago palm or king sago palm, is a species of palm tree native to Japan. It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its attractive appearance, hardiness, and ease of cultivation.

The sago palm has a distinctive, symmetrical crown of large, feathery fronds that grow up to 3 feet long and 6 inches wide. The fronds emerge from a central point at the top of a thick, woody trunk that can reach heights of up to 10 feet. The trunk is covered in a layer of rough, brown bark that gives the plant a rugged, natural look.

Cycas revoluta is a slow-growing plant that can live for many decades with proper care. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. The sago palm is also tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, making it an ideal choice for growing indoors or outdoors in areas with mild climates.

In addition to its ornamental value, the sago palm has a long history of medicinal and culinary use in Japan and other parts of Asia. However, it should be noted that the seeds and other parts of the plant contain a toxic compound that can be harmful if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling the plant.

Cycas revoluta, commonly known as the sago palm or king sago palm, is a species of palm tree native to Japan. It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its attractive appearance, hardiness, and ease of cultivation.

The sago palm has a distinctive, symmetrical crown of large, feathery fronds that grow up to 3 feet long and 6 inches wide. The fronds emerge from a central point at the top of a thick, woody trunk that can reach heights of up to 10 feet. The trunk is covered in a layer of rough, brown bark that gives the plant a rugged, natural look.

Cycas revoluta is a slow-growing plant that can live for many decades with proper care. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. The sago palm is also tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, making it an ideal choice for growing indoors or outdoors in areas with mild climates.

In addition to its ornamental value, the sago palm has a long history of medicinal and culinary use in Japan and other parts of Asia. However, it should be noted that the seeds and other parts of the plant contain a toxic compound that can be harmful if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling the plant.

Cycas revoluta, commonly known as the sago palm or king sago palm, is a species of palm tree native to Japan. It is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its attractive appearance, hardiness, and ease of cultivation.

The sago palm has a distinctive, symmetrical crown of large, feathery fronds that grow up to 3 feet long and 6 inches wide. The fronds emerge from a central point at the top of a thick, woody trunk that can reach heights of up to 10 feet. The trunk is covered in a layer of rough, brown bark that gives the plant a rugged, natural look.

Cycas revoluta is a slow-growing plant that can live for many decades with proper care. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. The sago palm is also tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, making it an ideal choice for growing indoors or outdoors in areas with mild climates.

In addition to its ornamental value, the sago palm has a long history of medicinal and culinary use in Japan and other parts of Asia. However, it should be noted that the seeds and other parts of the plant contain a toxic compound that can be harmful if ingested, so caution should be exercised when handling the plant.

Daphne odora 'Perfume Princess' is a robust, bushy, semi-evergreen shrub with attractive, thick, glossy dark green leaves and abundance of lovely, long-blooming, highly fragrant, white to pale pink flowers from mid-winter to late spring. The earliest and the longest flowering Daphne with flowers not only on branch tips, but also along the stems. More fragrant than other varieties. Daphne odora 'Perfume Princess' can grow in almost any soil, but prefers fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. It is tolerant to hot and cold climates, but needs to be sheltered from winds. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. It doesn’t transplant well, but once established, it is easy to grow. Daphne odora 'Perfume Princess' is a lovely little shrub with beautiful fragrance. Perfect to grow in pots near the door or on patios to enjoy it. Great for shrubs and borders, for an evergreen hedge, or as a specimen plant. Suitable for cottage and woodland gardens.