
Name | Family | Description | Flower/ seeds | Height/ spread | Soil/sun | Pruning | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beech Fagus sylvatica |
Fagaceae | Decidious tree Evergreen |
Apr to May | 30 m | Very tolerant Calcareous Shade |
Attract wildlife Edible seeds and leaves |
|
Common myrtle Myrtus communis |
Myrtaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul to Aug Oct to Nov |
4.5 m | Frost tender Well drained soil ![]() |
Very tolerant once established Mid to late spring | Good hedge Edible fruits and flower |
European elder Sambucus nigra |
Caprofoliaceae | Decidious tree | Jun to Jul Aug to Sept |
6 m | Very tolerant moist loamy soil ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant (ground level) | Herbal compost activator Edible fruits and flowers |
Spindle Euonymus europaeus |
Celastraceae | Decidious shrub | May to Jun Sep to Nov |
Tolerant Calcareous soil ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Toxic | |
Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata |
Elaeagnaceae | Decidious shrub | May to Jun Sep to Nov |
4 m | light sandy loam Tolerate maritime exposure ![]() |
Tolerant | Attracting wildlife Fix nitrogen Edible fruits and seeds Good hedge |
Elaeagnus Elaeagnus x ebbingei |
Elaeagnaceae | Evergreen shrub | Oct to Jan Apr to May |
5 m | Very tolerant (Maritime exposure) Well drained soil ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Fix nitrogen Good hedge |
Whitebeam Sorbus aria |
Rosaceae | Decidious tree | May to jun Sep to Oct |
12 m | Tolerant (maritime exposure) ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant Suitable for coppicing |
Attracting wildlife Windbreak tree Succeptible to fire |
Ramanas rose Rosa rugosa |
Rosaceae | Decidious shrub | Jun to Aug Aug to Oct |
2 m | Tolerant (maritime exposure) light well-drained soil |
Edible fruits | |
Comfrey Symphytum officinale |
Boraginaceae | Perannial | May to Jun Jun to Jul |
1.2 m | Tolerant Moist and deep rich soil ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Can be invasive Use as an instant compost and tea (potassium) |
Broom Cytisus scoparius |
Fabaceae | Decidious shrub | May to Jun Aug to Nov |
2.4 m | Tolerant (maritime exposure) Poor well-drained soil Calcifuge ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Fix nitrogen Attract wildlife |
Guelder rose Viburnum opulus |
Adoxaceae | Decidious shrub | Jun to July Sep to Oct |
5 m | Tolerant But ill adapted to poor soil and dry situations ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Alternative host for the broad bean aphid Good hedge |
Broadleaved dock Rumex obtusifolius |
Polygonaceae | Perennial | Jun to Oct Jul to Oct |
1 m | Good soil
|
Indicate a compact soil Attracting wildlife Invasive |
|
Field maple Acer campestre |
Aceraceae | Decidious tree | May to Jun Sep to Oct |
15 m | Tolerant Prefers a good well-drained soil and a PH above 6. Pollution tolerant ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant : Clipping |
Attracting wild life bad companion plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants |
Gean/Wild cherry Prunus avium |
Rosaceae | Decidious tree | Apr to May Jul to Aug |
18 m | Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Edible fruit Attracting wildlife Bad companion plant for potatoes, plums, wheat |
Bog myrtle Myrica gale |
Myricaceae | Decidious shrub | Mars to May Aug to Sep |
2m | pH between 3.5 and 6![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Attracting wildlife Fix nitrogen Repels moths and insects |
Meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria |
Rosaceae | Perennial | Jun to Aug Aug to Sep |
1.2 m | Alkaline and neutral soil Moist soil ![]() ![]() |
Attracting wildlife | |
Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo |
Ericaceae | Evergreen tree | Oct to Dec Nov to Dec |
9 m | Nutrient rich well drained soil![]() ![]() |
Edible fruit Tolerate maritime exposure Good hedge |
|
Yew Taxus baccata |
Taxaceae | Evergreen conifer tree | Mar to Apr Sep to Nov |
15 m | Very tolerant Lime stone ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Good hedge Tea of leaves: insecticide Toxic |
Hairy bitter cress Cardamine hirsuta |
Brassicaceae | Annual | April to Aug May to Sep |
0.3m | Very tolerant Moist soil ![]() ![]() |
Edible all winter Common garden weed |
|
Griselinia Griselinia littoralis |
Cornaceae | Evergreen shrub | May | 6 m | Tolerant![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Tolerate maritime exposure Good hedge |
Globe artichoke Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus |
compositae | Perennial | Aug to Sep Sep to Oct |
1.5 m | Rich and moist soil![]() |
Attracting wildlife Seems to be immute to the predation of rabbit |
|
Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens |
Ranunculaceae | Perennial | May to Aug | 0.3 m | moist loamy soil on the heavy side![]() ![]() |
Garden weed can be invasive | |
Juneberry/Snowy mespilus Amelanchier canadensis |
Rosaceae | Decidious shrub | Apr
Jul |
6 m | Tolerant But doesn(t like water logged or dry soil ![]() ![]() |
Trimming after flowering | Edible fruit Good hedge |
Bamboo Phyllostachys bissetii |
Poaceae | Evergreen bamboo but can sometimes lose his leaves | 1 m between 2 bamboo | Vigorous Doesn’t like too much lime ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant Can be kept at 2-3 m |
Can be invasive Good hedge |
|
Mallow Malva sylvestris |
Malvaceae | Biennal/perennial | Jul to Oct (sometimes more) | 1.2m | Very tolerant![]() |
Imune to the predationof rabbit | |
Gaultheria Gaultheria shallon |
Ericaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jun Sep to Oct |
1.2 m | Prefers acid soils![]() ![]() |
Tolerant after the flowering | Edible fruit Can be invasive |
Yarrow Achillea millefolium |
Asteraceae | Perennial | Jun to Aug Jul to Oct |
0.6 m | Tolerant Prefers a poor and lime soil ![]() |
Attracting wildlife Compost activator Good companion plant Tolerate maritime exposure Can be invasive |
|
Periwinkle Vinca minor |
Apocynaceae | Evergreen shrub | Mai to Sept | 1 m | Very tolerant Prefers rich soil ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Trimming it before it enters the active growing phase. | Stems for basketry Good ground cover |
Bugle Ajuga reptans |
Lamiaceae | Evergreen perennial | Mai to Jul Jul to Sep |
0.6 m | Prefers a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil![]() ![]() |
Attracting wildlife Good ground cover |
|
Common vetch Vicia sativa |
Fabaceae | Annual plant | Mai to Jul | Very tolerant![]() ![]() ![]() |
Green manure Good forage |
||
Tree lupin Lupinus arboreus |
Fabaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Aug | 1.2 m | Requires a well-drained dry or moist soil![]() |
Maritime exposure Good shelter (quick grown and fix nitrogen) |
|
Morning glory bindweed Convolvulus arvensis |
Convolvulaceae | Perennial climber |
Jun to Sep | 2 m | Dry moist soil![]() ![]() |
Can’t get rid of it by cutting it | Self-fertile Invasive and harbours tobacco mosaic virus of the Solanaceae |
Alpine strawberry Fragaria vesca 'Semperflorens' |
Rosaceae | Perennial shrub | May to Nov Jun to Nov |
0.3 m | Prefers a fertile well-drained soil![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Compost activator Tends to lose vigorous after 2-3 years Edible berries |
Sorrel Rumex acetosella |
Polygonaceae | Perennial | May to Aug Jul to Sep |
1 m | Tolerant moist moderately fertile well-drained soil and acidic ![]() |
Attracting wildlife Dioecious |
|
Elm Ulmus glabra |
Ulmaceae | Deciduous tree | Feb to March May to Jun |
30 m | well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil![]() ![]() |
Requires minimum pruning | Tolerate atmospheric pollution Maritime exposure tolerant |
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia |
Lamiaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul to Sep Aug to Oct |
1.2 m | Tolerant Prefers well-drained soil and not to acid ![]() |
Very tolerant | Attracting wild life Tolerates maritime exposure |
False box Lonicera nitida |
Caprifoliaceae | Evergreen shrub | 3 m | Very tolerant Well-drained soil and moist soil ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Layering in Autumn Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth | Good hedge Ground cover plant |
|
Chilean lantern Crinodendron hookeranium |
Elaeocarpaceae | Evergreen shrub | 4-8 m 2.5-4 m |
Grows well in a moist but well-drained acidic soil![]() ![]() |
Need little and no regular pruning | ||
Grape vine Vitis vinifera |
Vitaceae | Deciduous climber | Spring Autumn |
5 m | Neutral or lime soil Well-drained ![]() |
Very tolerant , less fruit but earlier and better | Edible fruit |
Kiwi Actinidia deliciosa |
Actinidiaceae | Deciduous climber | Jul to Aug Oct to Dec |
9 m | Prefers moist soil Prefers a sound loamy acid soil, Dislike alkaline soil ![]() ![]() |
any pruning is best carried out in the winter | Dioceous Edible fruit one male to five or six females is normally adequate. |
Chilean guava Ugni molinae |
Myrtaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jul Aug to Oct |
2 m | Tolerant Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained loam ![]() |
Layering | Self-fertile Edible fruits |
Apple Malus domestica |
Rosaceae | Decidious tree | Apr to Jun | 9 m | Tolerant moisture retentive well-drained loamy soil PH 6.5-6.8 ![]() ![]() |
best time to prune apple trees is in late winter or very early spring | Attracting wild life Edible fruits |
Devil’s bit scabious Succia pratensis |
Dispacaceae | Perennial | Jul to Oct Aug to Oct |
0.4m | Prefers damp conditions![]() ![]() |
Attract wildlife | |
Crimson clover Trifolium incarnatum |
Fabaceae | Annual | May to Sep Jul to Oct |
0.5m | well-drained circum-neutral![]() |
Fix nitrogen Green manure Self-fertile |
|
Dog rose Rosa canina |
Rosaceae | Deciduous shrub | Jun to Jul Oct to Dec |
3 m | Tolerant Prefers a circumneutral soil ![]() ![]() |
Tolerates trimming | Self-fertile Attract wildlife Good hedge |
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa |
Rosaceae | Deciduous shrub | Mar to Apr Oct |
3 m | Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil | Attract wildlife Resistant to maritime exposure Good hedge |
|
Pheasant berry Leycestria formasa |
Caprifoliaceae | Deciduous shrub | Oct Dec | 2.5 m 1.5-2.5 m |
Very tolerant Well-drained soil ![]() ![]() |
need annual pruning to encourage strong, healthy shoots and improve flowering | |
Ivy Hedera helix |
Araliaceae | Evergreen climber | Oct Nov May to Jun |
15 m | Very tolerant Dislikes waterlogged and very acidic soils ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Attracting wildlife | |
Holly Ilex aquifolium |
Aquifoliaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jun Nov to Mar |
9 m | Tolerant Dislikes watterlogged PH 3.5-7.2 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tolerate hard clipping | Attracting wildlife Good hedge Toleratesmaritime exposure |
Leylan cypress Cupressus x leylandii |
Cupressaceae | Evergreen tree | 40 m | Tolerant it prefers a moist fertile soil ![]() ![]() |
Pruning is recommended to preserve or improve tree structure, vigor and life-span | Attracting wildlife Good windbreak hedge Fact growing tree Tolerates maritime exposure |
|
Fuchsia Fuchsia magellanica |
Onagraceae | Deciduous shrub | Jul to Oct | 3.6 m | Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil![]() ![]() |
tolerant of trimming | Attracting wildlife Tolerate maritime exposure Good hedge Cuttings |
Laurel Prunus laurocerasus |
Lauraceae | Evergreen shrub | Apr to Jun Sep |
10 m | Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil![]() ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant of trimming | Attracting wildlife Excellent hedge Cuttings and layering |
Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum |
Ericaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jun | 5 m | Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those that are heavy or clayey PH 4.5-5.5 ![]() |
Tolerate hardy clipping | Can be invasive |
Privet Ligustrum vulgare |
Oleaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jun to Jul Sep to Oct |
3 m | Very tolerant Prefers a calcareous soil and succeeds in thin dry soil ![]() ![]() |
Attract wildlife Tolerate maritime exposure and atmospheric pollution Basketry Cuttings |
|
Potentilla Potentilla arenaria |
Rosaceae | ||||||
Rubus tricolor Rubus tricolor |
Rosaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul Aug to Sep |
2 m | Tolerant Prefers awell drained loamy soil ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Good ground cover plant Tip layering in July |
Holly-leaved olearia Olearia macradonta |
Asteraceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul
Aug |
6 m | well-drained moderately fertile soil but prefers a light loam or peaty soil![]() |
Tolerant to several pruning | Tolerates maritime exposure Good hedge |
Daisy bush Olearia traversii |
Asteraceae | Evergreen shrub | Jun | 10 m | well-drained moderately fertile soil but prefers a light loam or peaty soil![]() |
Very tolerant | Tolerates maritime exposure Good hedge |
Fishbone cotonesater Cotoneaster horizontalis |
Rosaceae | deciduous shrub | Jul to Aug Oct –Nov |
1 m | Well drained soil![]() |
They require little or no pruning and in fact may be spoilt by harder pruning. | Ground cover Hedge |
Bearberry cotoneaster Cotoneaster dammeri |
Rosaceae | Evergreen shrub | 40-60 cm | Prefers dry and calcareous soil![]() ![]() |
They require little or no pruning and in fact may be spoilt by harder pruning. | Attracting wildlife Good hedge Cuttings |
|
Figwort Scrophularia nodosa |
Scrophulariaceae | perennial | Jun to Sep Jul to Sep |
1 m | Moist soil![]() ![]() |
||
St John wort Hypericum perforatum |
Hypericaceae | Perennial | Jul | Very tolerant![]() ![]() |
Pruning at the beginning of spring | ||
Tustan Hypericum androsaemum |
Hypericaceae | Deciduous shrub | May to Aug | 70 cm | medium moisture, well-drained soils Rich, loamy, acidic soils are preferred ![]() ![]() |
Low hedge | |
Buddleja Buddleja davidii |
Buddlejaceae | Deciduous shrub | Jul to Sep | 3-5 m | Very tolerant![]() |
Early spring | Cuttings in autumn |
Laurel Laurus nobilis |
Lauraceae | Evergreen tree | Apr to May | 7 m | Succeeds in any soil of moderate fertility![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant but slow to recover | Dioecious Good compagnon plant against pest and diseases |
Red valerian Centranthus ruber |
Valerianaceae | Perennial | Jun to Sep Jul to Oct |
0.9 m | Grows well in ordinary moist, well-drained garden soil and on dry walls![]() |
Attracting wildlife Tolerant to maritime exposure |
|
Firethorn Pyracantha angustifolia |
Rosaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jul Oct to Nov |
3 m | Prefers a good well-drained, moisture retentive loamy soil![]() ![]() |
Do your pruning right after the flowers have finished blooming since the following year's buds will start forming later in the year | Good hedge Attract wildlife Tolerate pollution |
New zeland flax Phormium tenax |
Agavaceae | Evergreen perennial | Jun to Jul | 3 m | Prefers a rich loamy soil[1] but is not too fussy, succeeding in peaty soils and in boggy moorland![]() ![]() |
Tolerates maritime exposure Basketry String |
|
Daisy bush Brachyglottis greyi |
Asteraceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul to Oct Sep to Oct |
2 m | Succeeds in most well-drained soils![]() |
Tolerate maritime exposure Good hedge Cuttings |
|
Genista hispanica Genista hispanica |
Fabaceae | Deciduous shrub | Apr to Jun | 1.5 m | Easily grown in a light well-drained soil Prefers a rather dry stony or sandy soil and does better in one on the poor side![]() |
Very tolerant | Fix nitrogen |
Portugal laurel Prunus lusitanica |
Rosaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jun | 6 m | prefers a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant Any trimming is best done with secateurs in August | Good hedge |
Berberis Darwinii Berberis darwinii |
Berbericaceae | Evergreen shrub | Apr to May Jul to Aug |
3 m | Prefers a warm moist loamy soil Acids soils ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Self-fertile Attract wildlife Tolerate maritime exposure |
Hypericum Hypericum “Hidcote” |
Hypericaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jun to Oct | 1.7 m | Very tolerant Well-drained soil ![]() ![]() |
Beginning of spring | |
Escallonia Escallonia 'Langleyensis' |
Escalloniaceae | Evergreen shrub | Jul to Oct | 4.5 m | Well-drained![]() |
Attract wildlife | |
Ice plant Sedum spectabile |
Crassulaceae | Perennial | Sep to Oct Oct to Nov |
0.4 | Tolerant prefers a fertile well-drained soil ![]() |
Cut back after flowering to maintain shape or leave seedheads overwinter | Self-fertile Attract wildlife Immune to predation of rabbits |
Virbunum Virbunum tinus |
Adoxaceae | Evergreen shrub | Winter | 2 m | Grows well in most moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils![]() ![]() ![]() |
They require little or no pruning and in fact may be spoilt by harder pruning. | |
Oregano grape Mahonia aquifolium |
Berberidaceae | Ervergreen shrub | Jan to May Aug to Sep |
2 m | Very tolerant![]() ![]() ![]() |
Doesn’t need any trimming But very tolerant to pruning |
Self-fertile Edible fruit Good hedge |
Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla |
Hydrangeaceae | Deciduous shrub | Jul to Sep | 3 m | Tolerant but resenting dryness at the roots ![]() ![]() |
Very tolerant | Tolerate maritime exposure Leaves can be a substitute to sugar Good hedge The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil |
Hebe elliptica | Plantiginaceae | Evergreen shrub | Summer to early autumn | 1 m | Moist and well- drained soil![]() ![]() |
Pruning may be carried out during the growing season. | Tolerate maritime exposure |
Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana |
Poaceae | Evergreen perennial | Aug to Oct Oct to Nov |
3 m | Tolerant preferring a damp well-drained sandy or loamy soil![]() |
It should also be pruned each year to the ground. This is usually performed in late winter or early spring | Dioecious Tolerates strong winds and maritime exposure |
Lophomyrtus x ralphii | Myrtaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jun | 5 m | Succeeds in any soil of reasonably good quality![]() |
Tolerant of pruning in spring | Edible fruit Cuttings in autumn |
Dogwood Cornus alba |
Cornaceae | Deciduous shrub | Jun to Jul Aug to Oct |
3 m | Very tolerant![]() ![]() |
For the best colored stems, the plant should be cut back hard in the spring to about 5cm from the ground | Cuttings |
California lilac Ceanothus thyrsiflorus |
Rhamnaceae | Evergreen shrub | May to Jun Aug to Oct |
4.5 m | Tolerates some lime, but will not succeed on shallow chalk![]() ![]() |
Dislikes heavy pruning, it is best not to cut out any wood thicker than a pencil; after flowering | Fix Nitrogen Soap Tolerates maritime exposure Good hedge |
Winter Creeper Euonymus fortunei |
Celestraceae | Evergreen shrub | July | 4.5 m | Very tolerant Prefers a well-drained loamy soil ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant of clipping | Cuttings in spring |
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum |
Apiaceae | Biennial | May to Jun Jun to Aug |
1.2 m | Tolerant Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil ![]() ![]() |
Attracts wildlife | |
Scot pine Pinus sylvestris |
Pinaceae | Evergreen tree conifer | Mai Jun (2 years to ripen) |
25 m | Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam Acid soil ![]() ![]() |
Tolerant | Attract wildlife Roots candle substitute Wind and maritime exposure tolerant Atmospheric pollution tolerant |
Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta |
Pinaceae | Evergreen tree conifer | May Jan to Feb |
15 m | It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought![]() |
Tolerant | Tolerate maritime exposure |
Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis |
Pinaceae | Evergreen tree conifer | May Sep to Oct |
50 m | Likes abundant moisture at the roots PH 4-6 ![]() |
Tolerant | Tolerate maritime exposure Roots for basketry Good timber for construction and fire Cuttings early summer |
Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Pinaceae |
Evergreen tree conifer | Mach to May Sep to Oct |
75 m | Prefers a moist but not water-logged alluvial soil![]() |
Tolerant | Good fire and building timber |
Legend: ![]() ![]() ![]() |