Japanese Tree Peonies really are on of the most majestic garden plants you can grow when inb full Summer flower - their huge papery flowers covering the tree. Yet depsite their fine foliage and paper-thin flowers, they are very robust and very hardy, and suprisingy easy to grow - although patience helps too, as they can be slow to really get going for a year or two after initial planting. Modern varieties are grafted, and all produce their classic huge flowers, up to 20cm *(8') across in late Spring and summer. Plant sraight into deep, well-drained soils (avoid growing in pots for best results), they are fairtly fuss free, and will produce flowers from 2-3 years time.
You really can't get a more striking plant for your late winter and spring garden than this beautiful Salix gracilistyla 'Mount Aso'. Also known as the Japanese Pink Pussy Willow, it is simply exquisite with its gorgeous pink fluffy catkins. These fuzzy bunny tails burst from the tight maroon buds as the temperature warms in early spring, bringing a splash of vibrant colour to your garden. Perfect for a winter garden, the pussy-willow catkins start to appear from late winter and last well into the spring, and the stems are truly impressive when cut and brought into the house for an early flower display. This variety was bred for the cut-flower market, by a cut-flower arranger, so you know that the stems will make a great visual impact. As the season progresses, the tiny pink powder puffs gradually turn golden as the pollen emerges, bringing a subtle shift of colour to the whole bush, before the blue-green leaves emerge and form a magnificent backdrop to other plants and flowers in the garden. Not just a pretty face, 'Mount Aso' is also known for its ability to tolerate pollution, salt sea air and damp areas - a truly versatile and useful plant! Supplied as an established plant in a 15cm pot, ready to plant out. Growing to a height and spread of 2m, but it can be restricted by pruning.
This close relative of the raspberry is really something special and is perfectly suited to UK gardens as it loves moist soils and will easily withstand the coldest winter weather. You'll get masses of fruit which ripen in July and August and have a rich raspberry taste which is enhance with a sherberty zing! They are delicious eaten fresh and make a great addition to summer puddings. This is an ideal plant to train against a wall or fence where it will quickly establish giving coils of attractive stems with pink hairs and bold lime green leaves. Treat as you would a summer raspberry, pruning out old fruiting stems to make room for new ones to grow for the following years crop.
Squash ?Kabocha? comes from Japan and you will not be able to resist these. They are small but might in nutrients and delicious flavour.
Also known as a snakebark Maple, the Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Phoenix' is a dazzling ornamental tree, noted for its bright red young stems. In winter, the bright red shoots have been likened to the red-stemmed dogwoods which are renowned for their amazing seasonal colour, and the bark on older stems is striped silvery white, which accentuates their red colouring even further. The perfect addition to any garden looking to bring in some vibrant colour, 'Phoenix' is definitely one of the most striking of the snakebark maples, and its natural vigour makes it easy to grow and reliable. With a kaleidoscope of colour through the year, new leaves emerge tinted pink and develop a green-veined middle before turning a golden-yellow in the autumn. In addition, its tiny yellow flowers are followed by winged, sycamore-like fruits in early summer. Supplied as an established young tree in a 9cm pot, ready to be potted on or planted out. Mature plants will reach up to 6m and prefer a partially shaded spot in well-draining soil.