This shrub has compact growth; dramatic autumnal colour; bright-yellow, variegated, evergreen foliage in spring; and white, slightly scented flowers attracting butterflies from midsummer to autumn.
Buy from garden centres or by mail order from Ashwood Nurseries.
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| Abelia x grandiflora'Kaleidoscope'
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| Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' autumn foliage
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Cercis canadensis Lavender Twist 'Covey'
Hailed as the first weeping Judas tree to be launched in Europe, this award-winning plant will be unveiled at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show. Perfect for pots and small gardens, with bright-pink flowers in early spring.
Available from garden centres, and 12-litre pots from Notcutts by April next year.
More plant details from Commercial Nursery.
For mail order try
Larch Cottage Nurseries.
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| Cercis canadensis Lavender Twist 'Covey'
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Cotinus coggygria Smokey Joe 'Lisjo'
Smaller than other Cotinus varieties with bright-green foliage. It flowers dramatically in summer.
Buy from good garden centres or by mail order from Ashwood Nurseries or
The Potted Garden Nursery.
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| Cotinus coggyria Smokey Joe 'Lisjo'
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| Gingko biloba 'Gnome'
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Cydonia oblongata
This fruiting quince makes a small, gnarled tree and huge, decorative, golden fruits appear in profusion each year.
Buy the variety 'Serbian Gold' mail order from DT Brown Exotic Fruits' section.
The Agroforestry Research Trust will have another variety, 'Krymsk' in 2008.
Ginkgo biloba 'Gnome'
The introduction of dwarf cultivars means we can grow Ginkgo biloba in small gardens. This dwarf tree can be grown in a pot or in a border. Ginkgos turn a lovely butter yellow colour in autumn.
More availability next year, or more plant details from Commercial Nursery.
Hypericum
I've seen various striking fruiting hypericums this autumn, such as Hypericum Magical Beauty 'Kolmbeau', for sale in our local garden centre at £5.99 for a 3-litre pot. In recent years breeders have developed Hypericum with resistance to rust through St John's wort hybrids such as H. androseanum and H. x inodorum. Look out for varieties from the Magical series.
Buy Hypericum Magical Beauty 'Kolmbeau' by mail order from Larch Cottage Nurseries.
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| Hypericum berries
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Photinia x fraseri 'Little Red Robin'
A compact form of Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin', it's ideal for small gardens. The red colouration of the young foliage is as good if not better than the parent.
Buy now from garden centres, or by mail order from New Row Farm Nurseries.
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| Photinia x fraseri 'Little Red Robin'
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Physocarpus opulifolius Lady in Red 'Tuilad'
A seedling from Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo', Lady in Red is more compact than the parent shrub, with redder foliage and pinker flowers.
Widely available next year from garden centres, or try mail order from Hardys Cottage Garden Plants or
The Potted Garden Nursery.
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| Physocarpus opulifolius Lady in Red 'Tuilad'
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Rhus typhina Radiance 'Sinrus'
This tree is a sport of the stag's horn sumach with bright-red and orange tinted autumnal foliage and distinctive salmon-orange young growth in late April and May.
Buy now from garden centres or by mail order from Ashwood Nurseries.
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| Rhus typina Radiance 'Sinrus'
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Skimmia japonica 'Magic Marlot'
Evergreen and compact, skimmias provide year-round interest in borders and patio pots. Skimmia japonica 'Magic Marlot' has cream autumnal buds which turn pink gradually and open into fragrant white flowers finally in spring.
Buy limited supplies from garden centres now, with more available in 2008, or by mail order from Hillier's new online shop.
Or view the Skimmia 'Magic Marlot' website.
Adapted by Sarah Brocklehurst.
* For more on trees and shrubs with propagation tips and recommended varieties for attracting wildlife, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
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