Ornamental Trees in stock

September 20, 2024 / Emma Emmerson

We have had several deliveries of new plants this week, including ornamental trees, to get us all stocked up ready for the autumn planting season.

How to Plant Ornamental Trees

Sarah and Joanne have  unloaded our main delivery of ornamental and fruit trees, and these are  ready for their new homes. Now is a great time to plant whilst there is still a bit of warmth in the ground and also plenty of moisture. Trees should be planted with compost to improve the soil structure, a handful of Bonemeal as fertiliser and Rootgrow to aid establishment. You’ll also need a stake and tie to secure them, and consider a tree guard if rabbits and deer are likely to be a problem. Remember to water them in well, and keep an eye on them for supplementary watering during dry spells of weather – particularly in their first spring as they are becoming established. Its a huge delivery we’ve just had, so too many to list, but particular highlights are:

Fruit trees

  • Apple trees
  • Damsons (Farleigh’s Prolific, Merryweather, Shropshire Prune, Sweet Prune)
  • Gages (Dennistons Superb, Cambridge)
  • Pears
  • Plums (Victoria, Marjories Seedling, Jubilee)
  • Quince Vranja
  • Fan trained fruit trees available for smaller spaces, for growing against a fence or wall, or for screening.

Recommended Ornamental Trees

  • Amelanchiers – these are really lovely trees suitable for smaller gardens. They have really pretty white blossom in spring and develop good autumn colour. The varieties Obelisk and Glenform Rainbow Pillar are upright varieties so are great for a feature plant or a small space, and Amelanchier laevis “Snowflakes” is a stunning small tree with white flowers appearing at the same time as the coppery coloured leaves in spring.
  • Betula (Birch) – very hardy trees with attractive bark and providing excellent wildlife habitat for insects and birds. Dalecarlica, also known as the Swedish Birch, has dissected feather-like leaves and white bark, Jaquemontii (Himalayan Birch) is one of the best birches for its white bark and graceful habit, and albosinensis Pink Champagne has distinctive pale pink peeling bark
  • Malus (Crab Apples) – these are great trees with so much to offer: flowers in springtime, edible and attractive fruits in late summer, and good autumn colour
  • Parrotia (Persian Ironwood). Persian Spire is a narrow upright form with purple emerging leaves in spring, which develop into green with purple edges in summer, finally providing a display of oranges and yellows in autumn. These are fully hardy and do well in sun or partial shade in a moist, but well-drained soil.
  • Sorbus (Rowans, Mountain Ash) . Superb trees with spring flowers, late summer berries that can persist right through into early winter, and good autumn leaf colour. Super hardy, and does well in difficult sites. We have plenty of varieties available with a choice of berry colour – red, pink, white and yellow.
  • Styrax japonicus – (Snowball). A small tree with spreading branches, with small white bell-shaped white flowers in summer. Plant in acid soil or ericaceous compost in a spot sheltered from the cold north-easterly winds
  • Ulmus x hollandia Wredei (Upright Golden Elm) . An upright form of elm with crinkled edged leaves that are yellow where exposed to the sun, and greener in the shaded parts giving an interesting textured appearance. Tolerant of most soils and a good feature tree.
  • Xanthocyparis nootkatensis Pendula. This is a large growing weeping conifer with a shaggy habit and grey-green foliage. A superb specimen tree for a large garden or parkland
    Firstly we have a fresh batch of bedding plants for you, including wallflowers, primroses, polyanthus, violas, pansies and myositis. These are all perfect for replanting tired looking containers and for filling up autumn gaps in the garden.

Winter Bedding Plants

Firstly we have a fresh batch of bedding plants for you, including wallflowers, primroses, polyanthus, violas, pansies and myositis. These are all perfect for replanting tired looking containers and for filling up autumn gaps in the garden.

We’ve also had a batch of Hellebores delivered. Some of you will know what a fan I am of these hardy garden plants. Whilst they’re not the cheapest of purchases, they offer such good value for money as they flower for months on end. One Hellebore in my own garden flowered from October right through until May, and then I cut it back and it’s flowering again! I think there has only been about two months in the last year when it hasn’t had any flowers. Plant Hellebores in partial shade in a humus rich soil. Add some garden mulch to enrich your soil if it’s a bit thin and poor. They do really well under deciduous trees and shrubs as long as it doesn’t dry out too much.

Choice of Hellebores

Our choice of Hellebores this week is mainly from the “Viv” series. These have been bred specifically for their long flowering period and their abundance of blooms. They are very hardy and hold their flowers facing outward (rather than downward like many traditional Hellebore varieties) so you can really appreciate their beauty.
Varieties we have in now are:
Amalia – A crisp double white with a lemon green centre
Dorisa – White single flowers with distinctive red speckles
Luisa – Rich maroon red double flowers
Maeva – Pale yellow with red speckles
Serafina – Striking pale lemon/white petals with a strong purple red blotch
Victoria – Opens as cherry red and matures to aubergine purple.
In addition we also have two other popular varietes:
Walberton’s Ivory Prince – Creamy flowers flushed with pink and green
Walberton’s Rosemary – Gorgeous dusky pink

Autumn is always a lovely time in the garden as you replenish pots and beds for all around colour and for planning ahead to next summer.