Plants in 'Plants for the smaller garden' scheme

A beautiful smaller tree which gives any garden a Japanese feel. A particularly attractive maple, with gorgeous leaves and super autumn colour.  As with most maples, grows best when sheltered from strong winds and full sunlight, either in a woodland setting or in a sheltered spot in light shade in moist but well-drained soil. This rounded, bushy tree can grow to a height and spread of over 3-4 m. It is slow growing, can be carefully pruned or shaped if necessary, and is ideal for the smaller to medium-sized garden. Lovely specimens, grown outdoors in Ireland. 5 L container / 50-60 cms

One of our favourite small trees - and very easy too. A small and elegant tree which has masses of pretty small white flowers in early summer, followed by dark purple berries in late summer - delicious for humans and birds, and loved by children - they taste something between a blueberry and an ugni berry. Plant in well-drained to moist soil in full sun or light shade - a tough and resilient plant. Ideal for the small garden, garden border or informal hedgerow. Ideal when planted with bulbs, ferns or other natural groundcovers. Great autumn colour, when the leaves turn bright red. Bare root plants, available only between November and March. 60- 90 cms tall..

Aralia elata are small trees or large shrubs with interesing 'architectural' leaves. Very striking and unusual, they are deciduous and have green leaves. The good autumn colour coincides with sprays of creamy white flowers. Aralias are fully hardy, but they should be planted out of strong winds. The branches are covered in small thorns, and during the winter months the plants can look bare and somewhat unattractive. A most unusual plant for anyone who likes plants with striking habit and foliage. Plant in moist but well-drained soil or sandy soil, in sun or dappled shade. Mature height and spread 5-8 m. Sold as good strong rootball plants 90-100 cms tall.

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.

This deciduous tree is a variety of Hornbeam which grows with a tight, upright shape. It is extensively planted as a street tree due to its neat shape and ability to survive in challenging conditions. Grows well in most soils, including heavy clay and dry soils. Grow as a specimen, a focal point in a formal garden or an area with challenging soil conditions. It makes a good tree for a smaller or medium-sized garden and can be trimmed or clipped to keep it at a required size. Good autumn colour (yellow) and can hold its leaves well into the winter. These plants are over 2.5 metres in height and are feathered - ie branched all the way down the stem. You can choose to trim off lower branched or to leave the trees branched to the base. Planted approximately 1 metre apart they can grow to be an excellent formal hedge.  Other sizes available in our 'Mature Trees' section. Bare root plants with well-developed root system and a 8-10 cms girth. Available November to March only.

A low-grow or ground-hugging evergreen plant which has masses of blue flowers in early summer. This is a useful and attractive shrub for dry sunny slopes, for trailing over the top of a wall or for a low-maintenance garden. We have seen it used in those small front gardens which are only a few feet wide between house and the railings, where it makes an excellent low-maintenance groundcover. The flowers are attractive to bees. It grows to a maximum height of approximately 50 cms and has a spread of 2-3 metres. It requires well-drained or even gritty soil and full sunlight. 2 litre container

A very special tree, suitable for a small to medium-sized garden. A small, multi-stemmed tree with large, heart-shaped dark red leaves and very small deep pink flowers in early spring. This striking and unusual plant grows best in sun or light shade in moist but well-drained soil. It has good sea-side tolerance. Makes an interesting specimen, but also associates well with other plants or in a woodland setting. Field-grown rootball plants 8-10 cms girth supplied by Annaveigh plants, Bord Bia Nursery of the Year 2010. Larger specimens available - please enquire. November to March only.

Flowering quinces are easy-to-grow and very hardy shrubs, mainly planted for early spring flowers. The plants flower best in sun or part shade. They are best planted up against a fence, railing or wall, where they will spread as vertical shriubs or woody climbers.  Pruning or trimming may be necessary - do this after flowering. 'Crimson and Gold' is one of the most pretty varieties, with masses of red flowers with yellow centres in spring and early summer. Fruits are edible and nicely scented. Tolerant of most soil conditions, they prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil. 2 L container.

A sensational small tree when in bloom. A small elegant tree with very large creamy-white four petalled flowers or bracts in late spring and early summer - 'Eddie's White Wonder' is one of the choicest dogwoods with the biggest and most prolific flowers. The leaves have great autumn colour too, making it a valuable plant that well deserves a place in the garden. Perfect for the smaller garden as it doesn't grow above four or five metres and is not wide-spreading. It prefers sun or dappled shade and soil that is moist but well-drained and has plenty of organic matter. Mulch with leaf-mould, garden compost or Gee-up once a year to keep the soil around it in perfect condition. Only available while stocks last. 3 litre pot / 90 - 120 cms tall.

A true garden classic, this supremely elegant tree has tiered branches bearing creamy-green variegated leaves. Its branch structure, which may give the impression of masterful pruning, is natural, and the branches and twigs themselves are a shiny, glossy red. It is un upright  deciduous tree, suitable for small to medium-sized gardens, though it requires some shelter from wind to really thrive. Plant in fertile soil which is moist, well-drained and fertile, rich in organic matter, in full sun or light shade. Some careful and sensibly judged pruning in early life may be necessary to get it growing in the correct shape. 4 litre container / 60-90 cms tall.