Let planting commence!
The new planting season is upon us! Here at English Woodlands we are celebrating the arrival of a luscious selection of new trees and shrubs, including both native and non-native varieties. Our specialists can provide the advice you need regarding the most appropriate species selection for your site. Please do come and ask so that we can assist you in your choice. There are specimen trees suitable for the smallest garden through to the widest landscape. Also shrubs and hedging plants including pleached tree forms which can create a high screen.
Looking for something for a courtyard, a pot or a small space? Who would think that a Eucalyptus could be considered? We are now able to offer these rather delectable Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' trees that are no more than a shrub! They grow to a height of only around 3 metres and can easily be pruned to suit your space. The roots are non-invasive and the foliage is captivating, with silvery-blue tones, fluttering in the breeze. Available while stocks last, but they are bound to be popular!
If you are looking for something beautiful for spring, but you're not in love with pink blossom, there's few trees more glorious than Prunus padus 'Watereri', the bird cherry. It is covered in pendulous racemes of fragrant white flowers in May, followed by small glossy blue-black stone fruit readily eaten by birds. It is likely to reach an ultimate height of up to 12m.
You might want more from a tree than foliage, flowers and leaves, perhaps? Stunning bark is an unusual feature that provides a glorious sight, all-year-round. One of the top favourites is Acer griseum, the paperbark maple. You'll have to hurry as stock of these is always limited. This slowly grows into a spreading tree and it features peeling ,orange/cinnamon-coloured bark. The green leaves turn orange to red in the autumn, making a fiery show. Ultimate height can eventually reach up to 10m, with a similar spread.
We are delighted to have new stock of the glorious Amelanchier lamarkii, also known as A. canadensis, together with Amelanchier 'Robin Hill'. Providing interest throughout several seasons, there's probably nothing that keeps on giving quite so much! It is just beginning to show signs of its autumn fireworks, which is second-to-none. The Juneberry also produces black berries which are loved by birds, then glorious starry flowers in the spring.
There's a golden glow here on the nursery at Cross in Hand, East Sussex. Some of the brightest foliage belongs to Liriodendron tulipifera, the tulip tree. This is a stunning tree with highly unusual leaves. They are saddle-shaped, as though the tips have been cut off. It's known as the tulip tree because of the wonderful spring flowers. Give it space, it would like to grow to an ultimate height of 20m or so.
More beautiful foliage is adorning branches of many different types of Cercis at present too. On the left is Cercis 'Forest Pansy', just in the process of displaying magical colouring. Then there's a lime-green-leafed variety that turns golden at this time of year: Cercis 'Hearts of Gold'
There's no prizes for guessing which of these is called Cercis 'Eternal Flame'!
You can't beat a Malus, crab apple, for eye-catching, luscious fruit at this time of year! Take a look at our new stockof Malus 'Red Sentinel (left), Malus 'Jelly King' and Malus 'Golden Hornet' (Bottom).
These fruits are loved by birds at a time of year when food is scarce. They can also be used for crab apple jelly too!
There are many more varieties of trees and shrubs available!
Our new stock includes hornbeam, oaks, hawthorns, chestnuts, conifers, Dogwood, Azaleas, Rhododendrons and many more. If you are looking for hedging and screening, we can help! Our Bare Root stock will be available soon.
Take a look at the website, or come for a visit. We are situated near Heathfield in East Sussex and are open six days per week.
