This year’s theme for our Chelsea stand is to guide visitors into thinking about growing different, rarer and non-native species and varieties of trees which are likely to be more adaptable to climate change than some of our existing native species. Growing more drought tolerant trees from different parts of the world which are also disease resistant may well be the way forward for UK gardeners and arboriculturists.
Here is a selection of the best and most unusual trees which we will be exhibiting on our stand this year. Some will be in flower but others can be admired for their foliage.
Aesculus x mutabilis ‘Induta’ – USA
A slow growing, dome shaped small tree which is ideal for a smaller garden. Reddish and yellow flowers in May or June.
A slow growing, dome shaped small tree which is ideal for a smaller garden. Reddish and yellow flowers in May or June.
Cladrastis kentukea – Yellow Wood – S.E. USA
A handsome and drought tolerant tree producing long wisteria-like panicles of fragrant white flowers in June and gorgeous yellow autumn colour.
A handsome and drought tolerant tree producing long wisteria-like panicles of fragrant white flowers in June and gorgeous yellow autumn colour.
Cornus mas ‘Aurea’ ‘Cornelian Cherry – C&S Europe
A handsome and drought tolerant tree producing long wisteria-like panicles of fragarent white flowers in June and gorgeous yellow autumn colour.
A handsome and drought tolerant tree producing long wisteria-like panicles of fragarent white flowers in June and gorgeous yellow autumn colour.
Cornus x elwinortonii ‘Venus’
A vigorous small spreading tree growing up to 20 feet in height with exceptionally large and freely produced white bracted flowerheads.
A vigorous small spreading tree growing up to 20 feet in height with exceptionally large and freely produced white bracted flowerheads.
Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Silverana’ – Tasmania
A very hardy and drought tolerant tall tree. Young leaves are rounded and a startling silver-blue whole, in adulthood, they become more sickle shaped.
A very hardy and drought tolerant tall tree. Young leaves are rounded and a startling silver-blue whole, in adulthood, they become more sickle shaped.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Sunburst’ – C&E USA
An elegant medium sized tree that enjoys baking conditions and is very tolerant of air pollution. Striking bright yellow young leaves contrast with older dark green foliage.
An elegant medium sized tree that enjoys baking conditions and is very tolerant of air pollution. Striking bright yellow young leaves contrast with older dark green foliage.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides – Celery Pine – New Zealand
Fan shaped evergreen cladodes arranged in attractive fronds on this unusual small tree.
Fan shaped evergreen cladodes arranged in attractive fronds on this unusual small tree.
Populus purdomii – China
A large quick growing tree which will achieve up to 100 feet in height. Reddish new growth and broad ovate leaves with silvery undersides. Attractive grey bark.
A large quick growing tree which will achieve up to 100 feet in height. Reddish new growth and broad ovate leaves with silvery undersides. Attractive grey bark.
Pseudopanax ferox ‘Toothed Lancewood’ – New Zealand
A remarkable small, slender evergreen tree which enjoys full sun. The long, juvenile leaves, with hooked teeth hang down but, in more maturity, they become simple and upright.
A remarkable small, slender evergreen tree which enjoys full sun. The long, juvenile leaves, with hooked teeth hang down but, in more maturity, they become simple and upright.
Salix magnifica – W. China
Introduced in 1909, this small tree has large ovate magnolia-like leaves. Upright red catkins in spring. When Ernest Wilson first found it in the wild he thought it was a magnolia.
Introduced in 1909, this small tree has large ovate magnolia-like leaves. Upright red catkins in spring. When Ernest Wilson first found it in the wild he thought it was a magnolia.
Stewartia rostrata – China
Introduced in 1936 this tree grows to 40 feet in the wild. It has vivid scarlet autumn colours and the numerous flowers are white with tints of pink in June.
Introduced in 1936 this tree grows to 40 feet in the wild. It has vivid scarlet autumn colours and the numerous flowers are white with tints of pink in June.
Styrax japonicus – Japan, Korea
This beautiful but hardy small tree is best grown on a bank or slope so that its wonderful display of hanging bell shaped white flowers can be observed from below. Heavily scented and with fissured grey bark.
This beautiful but hardy small tree is best grown on a bank or slope so that its wonderful display of hanging bell shaped white flowers can be observed from below. Heavily scented and with fissured grey bark.
Styrax japonicus 'Fragrant Fountain'
A fast growing small tree with weeping branches. It produces a profusion of helping scented white flowers in June.
A fast growing small tree with weeping branches. It produces a profusion of helping scented white flowers in June.
Tilia henryana – China
A rare tree introduced in 1901 with conspicuous bristle-like teeth on its leaves. It flowers in the autumn.
A rare tree introduced in 1901 with conspicuous bristle-like teeth on its leaves. It flowers in the autumn.
Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum – S.E. USA
A beautiful columnar tree with slowly spreading branches. The branches are erect with incurred bright green leaves which turn a rich brown in autumn.
A beautiful columnar tree with slowly spreading branches. The branches are erect with incurred bright green leaves which turn a rich brown in autumn.