At a Glance

• Mature Height (?):

  What does this mean?

  Mature Height

  You can expect the height to reach somewhere within this estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

  For Conifers and Trees this may be the height in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this height.

  Prune to size
• Mature Spread (?):

  What does this mean?

  Mature Spread

  You can expect the plant to spread somewhere within this range estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

  For Conifers and Trees this may be the spread in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this.

  Prune to size
• Flower Colour (?):

  What does this mean?

  Flower Colour
  

  Flowers come in a vast variety of colours from pure white to almost black. Colour can be affected by a number of factors including environment and diet. Use the photographs as a guide and expect variations.

  Mixed
• Flowering Time (?):

  What does this mean?

  Flowering Time
  

  A plants development is synchronised with the changing seasons and flowering is one of several changes that occur at the appropriate time of year dependent on the specific plant. While our meteorological seasons are defined by specific dates; there can be two or the weeks difference in the start and end of the horticultural 'season' between the north and south of the UK.

  Spring
• Foliage (?):

  What does this mean?

  Evergreen
  

  Plants that have leaves all year round are classified as evergreen. They can however lose leaves sporadically throughout the year.

  Deciduous
  

  Deciduous plants drop their leaves in autumn, look bare in winter and put out new leaves again in spring. Some plants such a Beech retain their dead leaves until the new spring growth.

  Semi-evergreen
  

  There are exceptions, some plant drop their leaves in cold winters but keep them if it is mild. These are classified as Semi-evergreen.

  
  
  

  Deciduous
• Fragrant (?):

  What does this mean?

  Fragrant

  For plants that are fragrant the level of fragrance may vary, results may improve by planting in larger blocks. The fragrance may come from flowers or foliage.
  

  No
• Growth Rate (?):

  What does this mean?

  Growth rate of a plant will determine how fast the plant reaches it ultimate height and is affected by four main factors: temperature, nutrients, light, and water.

  Average
• Hardiness (?):

  What does this mean?

  Fully Hardy
  

  Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (to -15)

  Half Hardy
  

  Hardy throughout most of the UK (to -10)

  Frost Hardy
  

  Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of UK (to -5)

  Fully Hardy
• Position (?):

  What does this mean?

  Full Sun
  

  Six or more full hours of direct sunlight but don't forget to water.

  Partial Shade
  

  Two or three hours either in early morning or late evening sun. Very limited exposure to midday sun.

  Dense Shade
  

  Usually no more than two hours direct sunlight. Usually under dense trees, shurbs or in shade cast by buildings/fences etc.

  Full sun, Partial shade
• Soil Moisture (?):

  What does this mean?

  Well Drained
  

  Well-drained soil allows water to percolate through reasonably quickly without pooling. Well drained soil can often be dry and lack nutrients.

  Poorly Drained
  

  Poorly Drained soil is usually saturated periodically during the growing season and remains wet for several days at a time. Saturated soil can deprive roots of oxygen.

  Moist Well Drained
  

  A moist well drained soil is the best of both worlds by combining high permeability with the ability to retain moisture. Adding well rotted organic matter to dry or wet soil will help improve both these characteristics.

  Moist Well-drained, Well-drained
• Soil PH (?):

  What does this mean?

  Acid
  

  Soil with a pH between 1 and 7 is classed as acid, ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons need acid soil.

  Neutral
  

  A neutral pH which is around 7, will be suitable for most plants. Clay soils tend to be neutral.

  Alkaline
  

  Soil with a pH between 7 and 14 are refereed to as Alkaline. Chalky soil is usually Alkaline.

  Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
• Soil Type (?):

  What does this mean?

  Chalk
  

  Chalky or lime-rich soils may be light or heavy, largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline.

  Clay
  

  Clay soils are potentially fertile and hold a high proportion of water. They drain slowly and take longer to warm up in spring.

  Loam
  

  Loam soils are s mixture of clay, sand and silt that avoid the extremes of clay or sandy soils. Fertile, well-drained and easily worked.

  Sand
  

  Sandy soils have a low clay content, drain quickly, easy to cultivate and work. They can dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients. Often very acidic.

  Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand