Ligustrum, or 'Privet Laurel', is the absolute gold standard in topiary and standard form trees and shrubs. The exceptionally small and tight growing leaves create a dense network of stems, making for easy cutting and shaping. Ligustrum, in fact, form the basis of the most exotic and stunning topiary creations, yet also make wonderful standards, lollipops and globes too, as a better alternative to Box (Buxus). Very forgiving of all weathers, they may lose an odd leaf in coldest winters, but recover quickly in spring. Trim regularly in growing season, or allow them to grow a little and they will produce sweet scented cream flowers, followed by berries. Perfect in pairs aside doorways, gates and paths, or allow them to grow and get creative and make your own shapes too.
With its dramatic, greyish-green leaves narrowly margined with creamy-white this is a decorative shrub that illuminates duller corners of the garden. Occasionally it will also produce dainty deep purple flowers, further adding to its allure. Easy to grow and care for and the perfect plant for less experienced gardeners, Pittosporum makes a good specimen tree or can be trimmed into neat hedges as it lends itself perfectly to topiary shapes. Not only does 'Silver Queen' make the perfect garden plant, it's also ideal for using in flower arrangements as the foliage lasts well when cut, making it a good foil for bright flowers. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come.Supplied as an established plant in a 2L pot, ready for planting straight out.
Grown for its attractive, variegated dense foliage, the leaves of Pittosporum 'Silver Ball' are carried on striking dark stems. One of the hardiest pittosporums, it's perfect in a gravel garden or container to which its compact shape is ideally suited. A compact, rounded evergreen with creamy edged grey-green leaves will form a neat mound with very little effort on your part. 'Silver Ball' lends itself well to topiary and its natural shape makes it an interesting alternative to Box balls. During May and June small, honey scented bell shaped darp purple flowers appear, contrasting well against the pale shades of the foliage. Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot ready for immediate planting, 'Silver Ball' will reach approx. 1m in 10 years.
An incredible tree, particularly when in full flower, Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the 'Judas Tree', is a small deciduous tree with ancient origins from Southern Europe and Western Asia. It has lovely heart-shaped leaves and is noted for its prolific display of clusters of deep-pink flowers in the spring. The flowers are produced on year-old or older growth and even grow on the trunk. The foliage appears shortly after the first flowers emerge. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Also, Cercis is recommended by the RHS as a 'Plant for Pollinators' with the flowers being favourite with butterflies and bees. Cercis is easy to care for, and is drought tolerant, thriving in most soils in sun are partial shade, and also does well in exposed locations, slowly forming a well-rounded tree. Supplied as 3 x established trees in 9cm pots, ready to plant, growing to a height of 12m (40ft) and width of 7m (23ft) in 20 years.
Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) or Golden Privet is robust and very popular choice for topiary and hedging, and this golden form 'Aureum' is a colourful variation of the more usual green plants. Easy and reliable, privet is fairly quick growing and soon forms a decent hedge and will grow virtually anywhere from sun to shade. The glossy leaves are edged in golden-yellow and stay on the plants all year, except during periods of extreme heat or cold - so Aureum is a semi evergreen in nature although soon bounces back to lush growth in the spring, coming back bigger and bushier. When plants are allowed to grow untrimmed, they produce pretty creamy clusters of fragrant flowers in summer as an added bonus, which are attractive to butterflies and birds and these are followed by glossy black berries. The densely packed, small leaves mean that it is easily trimmed into shape so ideal for different shapes and sizes of hedge - trim it a couple of times during the summer to encourage the formation of a dense, formal garden hedge. The slim branches also mean that you can run over it with a pair of shears or light cutting equipment to get it into shape. Plus, if you leave your hedge and it gets out of hand, you can give it a good chop back and it quickly recovers. Privet will grow well virtually anywhere (although dislikes sitting in wet soil) and is suitable for coastal situations (although it may defoliate a bit in winter). Plants are resistant to pollution and so a really great choice for town gardens where other plants may not thrive so well. Supplied as 3 x established plants in 9cm pots, ready to plant out. For hedges plant 40cm (16') apart