As we face worldwide declining biodiversity, a great way to contribute positively to the environment is by upping the biodiversity in our own wonderful gardens. A biodiverse garden can help support lots of of plant, animal and fungus species. This in turn keeps insect numbers at balanced levels. It can also increase pollination for your flowers, … Read more
Poplar trees are common in the UK and there are several different species and hybrids here and worldwide. Examples of species are Grey Poplar, White/Silver Poplar and the related Aspen, while examples of hybrids are Black Poplar and Lombardy Poplar. The Lombardy Poplar is a variety that is tall, straight and elegant, and is common … Read more
Hawthorn is a classic deciduous tree and hedge in the UK. We are lucky to have a large Hawthorn tree in our back garden, and as I write this the white flowers are amazing. They will soon turn to pink. The whole tree buzzes with bees and other pollinators. Hawthorn is quite thorny which makes … Read more
Elder trees or Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) as they are also known, are native to Europe and the UK. They are deciduous and have a very open structure, with numerous thin stems. The black berries can be used for jams and medicines after processing, in their raw state they are toxic. The white flowers can be … Read more
The Whitebeam, or Sorbus, is native to the UK and a very attractive medium to large tree. They have white flowers, orange to red berries and the underside of the leaves is a lighter, more silvery green than the top surface. They are deciduous and can live up to 200 years. Sometimes they can start … Read more
Silver Birch trees are one of my absolute favourites. Their open canopy, small delicate leaves, trailing catkins and of course the beautiful white bark, make them a showstopper in any garden. They can be susceptible to pests and diseases however, as well as adverse environmental conditions. So if you have asked the question “Why Is … Read more
The Acer is also known as the Japanese Maple, and is a stunning deciduous tree. They come in an amazing variety of colours – red, green, yellow, purple and orange. There are also different varieties of form, with weeping, dwarf and full size trees to choose from. They need the correct conditions to thrive however, … Read more
Laburnums are a stunning ornamental flowering tree from central and southern Europe. An important thing to note is that all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals. It is even recommended not to have them next to unlined ponds as the poison can harm any fish, frogs or newts living in the … Read more
The tree or shrub known as Photinia Red Robin is a brilliant addition to the garden. Not only is it evergreen, but the white flowers and bright red hues of the foliage in spring and summer provide a fabulous colour splash to borders. Despite being evergreen, a small amount of leaf drop is normal. If … Read more
Monkey puzzle trees are fascinating plants. At their biggest they can reach 50 metres in height, and can live for up to 1000 years! Although they survive well in many locations, sometimes they can struggle if they do not have the right conditions for optimum growth. This can show in the discolouration of the spines … Read more