Plants in 'Winter cheer' scheme

Acacia dealbata is the most widely grown Acacia in Ireland - commonly known as 'Mimosa'. It is a very fast-growing small tree with green, fern-like foliage and powder-yellow pom-pom like flowers in winter and spring. Acacia dealbata are excellent planted near the coast, but as they can grow rather fast, be prepared to cut it down to half its height within the first year or two, which will help it to mature into a more stable plant. An ideal plant for fast screening, but not for the very small garden as it can fill in after a few years. Plant in well-drained soil. 120-160 cms tall plants. 5L container.

One of Ireland's most unique and beautiful small trees. The Arbutus unedo is a very special native evergreen tree which bears round red edible fruit during the summer and winter. As well as its small, glossy-green leaves and red fruit, this tree has clusters of tiny white, pleasantly scented bell-shaped flowers throughout the summer and into autumn, as well as  attractive red bark. It thrives near the sea, and grows wild in south-west Ireland, to where it is native (along with an area of Portuguese coast). Requires acidic soil, and needs mild winters - therefore, best near the coast. Eventual size up to 4 x 4 m. Nice healthy plants in a 3 litre container:  See more Arbutus images...

One of the classic 'trees with interesting bark'. The bark on this unusual birch is flaky and prolific: shaggy, white, metallic, curling and quite unusual, making it a winter highlight in the garden. It makes a real feature in any garden. Native to the Eastern United States of America where it is frequently used as an ornamental garden plant, but only rarely seen in Ireland. Hardy and reliable and able to withstand moist (but not water-logged) soil. Good autumn colour too. Plant in sun or light shade. It makes a fine tree for a medium-sized garden and like most birches can be planted near to a house without causing damage. Note: bark takes 4-5 year to beome flaky! Maximum height 15 m tall x 7 m. Bare root plants, 60-90 cms tall. Available between November and March only.

A fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with dazzling white bark. This tree does well in most conditions, and is very adaptable and accommodating. It grows well in the city or near buildings, where it will cause no damage to foundations or drains, nor take any significant amounts of light from a house. Beloved by architects and designers for its clean white stems and light, airy form. It makes an impressive sight in winter when its pure white bark is at its most visible. Field-grown plants with well developed root system, 8-10 cms girth. Bare root plants min 200-225 cms tall. Available November to March only.

Great winter colour! A very popular plant and most often seen planted in mass plantings along roadsides where its red twigs bring much-needed colour to the winter landscape. This is a vigorous, suckering plant which should be cut down to a few inches above ground level in late winter / early spring to encourage new growth. This can be done every year or every second year - doing this also keeps it nicely bushy. Foliage in summer mainly hides the stems. There are small white, fairly insignificant flowers in spring, followed by small berries. A good plant for moist soils, though it is tolerant of many conditions, including exposed locations and hedgerows. Bare-root plants 60-90 cms tall. November to March only.

One of the most attractive variegated plants, attractive in both winter and summer. In the winter, when the stems are bare, it looks like the straightforward red twig dogwood (Cornus alba). When in leaf, however, it is one of the best and most refined variegated plants around, with an attractive and understated silver variegation. We have used this in our garden designs over the years, where it makes an easily-maintained and dense lower level mass planting which covers larger areas economically - perfect for planting in amongst tree specimens. Good for moist soil, though this isn't essential, in full sun or light shade. Cut down to a few inches above ground level in late winter to keep stems red and vigorous. Sturdy bare root plants, 60-90 cms tall.  Available November to March only.

The dogwood with the reddest twig of all - making it a plant with unrivalled winter colour. This is an extra-red variety of Dogwood which is used in gardens and occasionally along roadsides. It is tolerant of most soil conditions and environments, although the stems will have best colour when planted in full sun. To encourage vigorous, strongly-coloured stems, cut down about a third of the stems each year in late winter. In leaf, the stems disappear, and it makes an attractive suckering green shrub up to 2 m high. For a dense ground cover, plant 1 plant per 1.5 -2 square metres and mulch well while establishing. Sturdy bare root plants 60-90 cms tall. Available November to March only.

Bright, flame-coloured twigs which are visible throughout the winter. This is a plant that is best planted in sun in damp or moist soil, ideally in drifts or clusters of a number of plants. During the summer they have attractive oval green leaves and small white flowers in April or May. For the best winter twig display, cut back up to 50% of branches very hard (ie to within a few centimetres of the ground) in late winter to encourage new growth in the spring. Height and spread 2.5x2.5m. 3L container.

A most unusual plant, with curly ornamental stems - much loved by flower arrangers. This variant of our native hazel has wonderfully contorted stems which are at their most visible during the winter when there are no leaves on the plant. It prefers light shade and should be planted away from other shrubs so that its unusual form can best appreciated, surrounded by lower ground-cover plants. It can reach 3-4 metres, but is slow growing. Its size can be kept in check by removing older stems from the base - this will ensure that it has a steady supply of its prized stems, and makes it a suitable candidate for the small to medium-sized garden. Gorgeous catkins in spring and lush green leaves in summer, turning yellow in autumn. Only rarely produces nuts.  Healthy bushy plants in a large /10 litre container.

As the name suggets, Daphne odora is one of the most fragrant daphnes - plant near a door or gate so you will pass it regularly. Daphnes are increasingly hard to find, making them a very special garden plant. They grow best in shade or dappled sunlight and prefer some shelter from cold winds, especially those from the east. It is an upright, branching shrub with handsome evergreen leaves. The tubular pink flowers are small and deliciously fragrant, arranged in clusters at the shoot tips, and appearing early in the year in late winter - making it a seasonally-correct Christmas gift.  Plant in moist to well-drained soil in light or dappled shade. Add leaf-mould or compost to the soil to help the plants establish. Pruning not recommended. 2 litre container.