1
Trees for Cities Plants for Play Background Trees for Cities has been requested by London Play to provide a summary document on the following: • • •
the best types of trees, shrubs, grasses and bamboos and any other planting to facilitate the natural play project details of good quality suppliers and estimated costings details of how your project “does” community engagement and participation, and the parameters under which it is practical to plant with local community volunteers instead of paid contractors
Types of plants The table below lists plant ideas for three categories: trees; shrubs; grasses and bamboos; and perennials which demonstrate a high number of the required characteristics associated with children’s play, their suppliers and approximate cost: • • • • • • •
fast growing easy to maintain resilient/regenerate easily connect children with the seasons excite the senses attract wildlife good for climbing (in the case of trees)
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Tends to self seed rapidly
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Tends to self seed rapidly
Attract wildlife
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Acer sp.
Common name
Easy to maintain
Trees
Suitable species and cultivars
Fast growing
Genus
Excite the senses
2
prices @ 14-16cm girth unless stated
Acer platanoides
Norway maple
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
The Norway maple, as its name suggests, is a native of Norway southwards, but not of Britain. An imposing and fast growing tree of great size and the parent of many cultivars listed below. The yellow flowers appear in spring, ahead of the leaves which turn yellow and sometimes red in autumn. Used widely in parks and streets. It does well on most soil types, tolerates air pollution and resists drought. Mature height: 20m+ Sycamore wood has been used for making innumerable small items from violins to wooden spoons. It is a very large tree, and very fast growing for the first 20 years. It is also one of the very toughest. Many of its cultivars are smaller, but equally as durable. It tolerates air pollution
B
ÂŁ65
B
ÂŁ64
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
B
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Excite the senses
Tends to reproduce by suckering rapidly
Connect children with the seasons
Tree of Heaven
and thrives in most soils, and is particularly useful for coastal sites where it can make an effective defence against strong winds and salt-laden air. The success of this tree gives it an unfair tag of being considered rather a 'weed'. It is however an incredibly versatile plant that thrives in the most difficult of circumstances, so it most certainly should not be over looked. Improved clones such as 'Negenia' are widely used on the continent as a street/verge as it forms a more regular crown shape at maturity. Mature height: 20m+ The Tree of Heaven does well even in the most inhospitable of environments! This fast growing native of China was said to reach for the sky. It is certainly large and broadly columnar in habit. Although not botanically related, it produces long, ash-like foliage. Tolerant
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Ailanthus altissima
Common name
Fast growing
Ailanthus sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Attract wildlife
3 Genus
12-14cm ÂŁ56
Silver Birch
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Excite the senses
Betula pendula
Connect children with the seasons
Erman’s Birch
of air pollution and ideal for street plantings. It thrives in all soils. Mature height: 20m+ This birch is originally from north east Asia. An elegant and vigorous medium to large tree. The bright green, often heart shaped and prominently veined, leaves of which appear very early in spring and become clear yellow in autumn. It keeps a conical habit if the central leader is retained. A superb tree for city planting with peeling, creamy bark, tinted pink. It grows well on most soils. Mature height: 10-15m The Silver Birch is also known as the 'Lady of the Woods' - so called because of its slender and graceful appearance. A medium tree with a conical, but semi weeping habit, the bark is white with horizontal lines and large, diamond shaped cracks as the tree matures. Very good for
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Betula ermanii
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Betula sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Attract wildlife
4 Genus
B
£78
B
£65
Castanea sp.
Betula utilis var jaquemontii
Himalayan Birch
Castanea sativa
Sweet Chestnut
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
matures. Very good for parks and woodland, but not suitable for areas where soil becomes compacted. It grows well on most soils and can also be supplied as a lovely coppiced multi-stemmed tree for informal settings. Mature height: 15-20m No birch can surpass the beauty of this one's bark! Gleaming white and peeling, it is accentuated by dark lenticels lines. A native of the western Himalayas, it makes a large tree with ascending branches, and is very good for growing as a multi-stem. Its oval, dark green leaves turn golden yellow in autumn. Excellent for urban plantings. It grows well on most soils. Ultimately a hugely popular tree of outstanding merit. Mature height: 15-20m Chestnuts roasting on an open fire - or bought
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
5 Genus
B
ÂŁ81
B
ÂŁ71
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
B
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Excite the senses
Good for climbing
Connect children with the seasons
piping hot from a street vendor - so evocative of Christmas long ago! A versatile and beautiful, fast growing, large tree, which is particularly attractive in early summer when laden with its male and female catkins. Introduced to Britain by the Romans, the long, glossy leaves turn gold and bronze before falling. The timber is highly prized around the Mediterranean and in Provence much furniture is made from chestnut wood. A splendid tree for grouping and quite outstanding planted as an avenue. It thrives on most soils. Mature height: 20m+ Although part of the Elm family, this tree is immune to Dutch elm disease. A native of North America, it makes a medium sized tree in the UK. It is a vigorous tree with arching stems that support large heart
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Hackberry
Description
Easy to maintain
Celtis occidentalis
Common name
Fast growing
Celtis sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Attract wildlife
6 Genus
12-14cm ÂŁ66
Corylus sp.
Coryllus avellana
Hazel
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
B
B
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Excite the senses
Katursa
Connect children with the seasons
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
shaped soft green leaves. At maturity the bark becomes corky and rough and the tree produces small black fruits in profusion. A great tree for parkland and estates, it thrives on most soils. In the States on deep fertile soils they have been known to reach 35 metres on height and live for over 200 years. Mature height: 10-15m The Katsura Tree was introduced from the Far East in the early 1880s. Sometimes mistaken for Cercis siliquastrum, this has smaller leaves. It is of medium height and rounded habit, and in good seasons has yellow or pink autumnal colour and exudes a fragrant scent reminiscent of burnt sugar. A good choice for gardens. It does best on deep, fertile soil and can also be supplied as a coppiced multi-stem. Mature height: 10-15m Also known as the cobnut or filbert, this is our native
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Cercidiphyllum sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Attract wildlife
7 Genus
12-14cm ÂŁ97
2-2.5m
Coryllus avellana ‘Contorta’
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Contorted Hazel
or filbert, this is our native Hazel. A small tree with a rounded habit, it looks particularly striking in early spring when it is adorned with its long yellow "lambs tails". The nuts in autumn aren't bad either! We supply this tree as a multi-stemmed coppiced specimen that makes a great under plant for a woodland, or instant infill within a hedgerow. A very good choice for gardens, parks and woodlands. Mature height: 5-10m This Hazel is also known as Harry Lauder's walking stick, after the Scottish music hall performer who had a trademark "twisted" walking stick. A very small and slow growing tree that has strangely twisted and contorted branches, which create a dense and rounded habit. It is believed to have been discovered in a Gloucestershire
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
8 Genus
£68
B
2-2.5m £78
Cider Gum
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. Niphophila
Snow Gum
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Gloucestershire hedgerow in the 1860's. A real curiosity for parks and gardens. Mature Height: 5m This Gum is a native of the highlands of Tasmania and Australia. A very well known Eucalyptus - and a very hardy one - this large, rounded tree has smooth grey-pink to red-brown bark. The young leaves are grey-green and glaucous; indeed its cut foliage is one of the main reasons it is grown in Britain. Mature height: 20m+ A well known and lovely Eucalyptus with attractive grey, green and cream patchwork bark. The leaves of this specimen are narrow and grey-green when matured. A superb evergeen tree for parks and large gardens that will be available from Autumn 2008 onwards. It comes in both standard
Good for climbing
Things to be aware of
B
12-14cm £94
Don’t plant near buildings
B
12-14cm £267
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Attract wildlife
Don’t plant near buildings
Connect children with the seasons
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Eucalyptus gunnii
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Eucalyptus sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
9 Genus
White Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Common Ash
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Connect children with the seasons
Fraxinus Americana ‘Autumn Purple’
and mutli-stem bush forms. Mature Height: 10-15m A superb selection of White Ash which offers an alternative to Fraxinus Raywood for autumn colour, whilst not prone to falling apart! A fast growing, conical tree, Autumn Purple's dark green leaves turn reddish-purple in the autumn. A fine subject for parkland or verges. Tolerant of most soils types. Mature Height: 10-15m This is a very tough native tree that is well known for its timber uses. It is more variable in habit to the variety Westhof's Glorie so is often overlooked for avenue planting where uniformity is required. Ash is fast growing and produces vast quantities of fertile seed that can annoy gardeners! Best suited for parkland and highway verges.
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Fraxinus sp
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
10 Genus
B
£73
B
£64
Larix deciduas
Larch
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Connect children with the seasons
Golden Ash
It thrives on most soils and will tolerate windswept, exposed sites, coastal locations and air pollution. Mature Height: 10-15m The Golden Ash looks particularly beautiful in winter. This makes a large tree with a broad, pyramidal crown if the leader is retained. Like most ashes, it is fast growing and its branches stand out as golden in winter, preceded by stunning yellow autumn foliage. A good choice for parks and verges. It thrives in most soils and will tolerate windswept, exposed sites, coastal locations and air pollution. Mature height: 20m+ A Lovely deciduous conifer and underused in amenity plantings. Ideal for verges, as a specimen tree for parkland, or for woodlands, its crown is slender and conical when young.
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Fraxinus excelsior ‘Jaspidea’
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Larix sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
11 Genus
B
£72
B
£74
Tulip Tree
Paulownia tormentosa
Foxglove Tree
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Liriodendron tulipifera
At maturity the older branches droop. Glorious green foliage heralds the spring and the autumn colour of yelloworange provides good contrast. Mature Height: 20m The Tulip Tree is known as Whitewood in N America, where the timber is widely used in house interiors. A large and fast growing tree, it has a broad, pyramidal crown. The tulip shaped flowers, which appear only on older trees, are produced in June and July and are yellow-green with a band of orange at the base. It is deep rooted and wind resistant, and does well on most fertile soils. A splendid subject for parks. Mature height: 20m+ One of the most spectacular of ornamental flowering trees, the Foxglove Tree takes its name from the foxglovelike flowers, which are
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Liriodendron sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Resilient/ regenerate easily
12 Genus
B
ÂŁ73
B
ÂŁ67
Populus alba
White Poplar
Pterocarya sp.
Pterocarya sp.
Caucasian
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Needs moisture
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Don’t plant near to buildings
Attract wildlife
Connect children with the seasons
Populus sp.
formed in autumn, but do not open until the following spring. A fast growing, medium to large, round headed tree, it does best in a sunny, reasonably sheltered site, where it will produce a breathtaking display of violet-blue and yellow flowers in May once it is established. Its large, hairy leaves can reach 30cm or more across. Mature height: 15-20m The fast growing White Poplar is ideal for exposed and coastal plantings. Ultimately a large tree of fairly rounded form, this has green leaves, the undersides of which are silver-white, turning yellow in autumn. It is a tough tree, but it needs to be given plenty of space for its extensive root system to develop. A good choice for calcareous soils. Mature height: 20m+ The Caucasian Wing Nut is a relative of the Walnut,
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
13 Genus
B
£62
B
£72
B
£64
Needs moisture retentive soils
B
£64
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Golden Weeping Willow
Needs moisture retentive soils to do well
Supplier
Salix alba ‘Tristis’
Good for climbing
Scarlet Willow
Attract wildlife
Salix alba ‘Britzensis’
is a relative of the Walnut, originating from the Caucasus and Iran. A fast growing, large and broadly oval tree, which does well in most fertile, moisture-retentive soils, but is especially good for use close to rivers and lakes in a parkland setting. It has deeply furrowed bark and very long summer catkins, which produce two-winged nut fruits. Mature height: 20m+ A medium to large tree with a rather pyramidal crown, its young branches are a brilliant orange-red in winter, especially if severely pruned every other year to produce a multistemmed tree. It makes a very good park tree. Mature height: 15-20m A beautiful weeping Willow. Also known as Salix sepracalis Chrysocoma, this tree appears to have
Connect children with the seasons
Wing Nut
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Fraxinifolia
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Salix sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
14 Genus
moisture retentive soils
,
Sorbus sp.
Sorbus aria ‘Magnifica’
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Whitebeam
Don’t plant in paved areas where underside of leaves tend to scorch
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Needs moisture retentive soils to do well
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Dragon’s Claw Willow
Supplier
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
several botanical names! It is a large, weeping and wide spreading Willow, often seen close to water as it does so well in wet soils. The narrow, pale green leaves are early to flush in spring and slow to fall in autumn. A fast grower, well suited to parks. Mature height: 20m+ A weird and wonderful sight in winter when its framework of contorted and twisted branches can be best appreciated. It is a fast growing, medium to large tree with a rounded habit. Good for parks and for waterside plantings. Mature height: 15-20m This Whitebeam is also known as Decaisneana. A tree of medium height with a broad, dense, conical crown, it is of symmetrical form. It has notably large soft grey leaves and red fruits, and is a splendid choice for parks, streets and
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
15 Genus
B
£73
B
£66
B
£64
B
£64
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Resilient/ regenerate easily
16 Genus
avenues. Mature height: 10-15m
Sorbus aucuparis ‘Rossica Major’
Tilia sp.
Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Rowan
This Rowan (Mountain Ash) is rather similar to S. a. Edulis. A strong and fast growing tree, Rossica Major forms a broadly oval crown. Its dark green leaves are attached by red stalks, and it bears its dark red berries from August onwards. Very good for streets, urban plantings and gardens. Rowans readily tolerate highly acidic soils. Mature height: 10-15m Ideal for urban plantings, streets and avenues, this medium tree has a dense, conical habit, and very shiny, small leaves. Its compact and uniform growing qualities makes it ideal for avenue planting. It is usually a fast grower and should be planted more as it gets more well known. Mature height: 10-15m
Don’t plant in paved areas where underside of leaves tend to scorch
Ulmus sp.
Tilia tormentosa ‘Petiolaris’
Weeping Silver Lime
Ulmus ‘Dodoens’
Elm
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
B
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
The Broad-leaved Lime is a native of Britain. A large, fast growing tree with a roughly fissured bark, which remains relatively free of suckers. This is a good subject for parks and estates, and is also useful for avenue planting. The leaves are almost circular and dark green. Well suited to urban conditions. Mature height: 20m+ The Weeping Silver Lime is perhaps the most graceful of all large, weeping trees. It is fast growing and aphid resistant, and is an excellent subject for parks. The flowers are richly scented, while its dark green leaves have white, felt-like undersides. Mature Height: 20m+ This Elm was seed-raised in the 1950s. This tough tree, which is good for verges and avenues, is large and forms a broadly pyramidal
Excite the senses
Tilia platyphyllos
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
17 Genus
£69
B
£73
B
£66
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
18 Genus
C
£3
C
£5
crown. Fast growing, it is a good choice for windy, exposed locations. Mature height: 20m+
Shrubs Brachyglottis sp.
Cornus sp.
prices for 2L pots buying between 1-9 plants (prices reduce for 10+ plants) unless stated otherwise
Brachyglottis ‘Sunshine’
Shrubby Senecio
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
Dogwood
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Many grey shrubs better known as Senecio have been renamed Brachyglottis. They are mostly evergreen, sun-loving shrubs from New Zealand, almost fully hardy except on wet or poorly drained soils. This cultivar is a fine bushy plant, spreading and slightly untidy if allowed to flower, but neat and suitable for making into low hedges if kept trimmed. Clipping prevents bare woody stems at the base, and encourages the young growth this is very attractive, both stems and leaves are covered with white or silvery-grey felt that sparkles in the sun. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This deciduous shrub provides superb autumn colour, as well as winter interest, in the garden. The mid-green leaves turn a vibrant golden red in autumn
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
C
£3
C
£3
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Westonbir t Dogwood
Supplier
Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
Connect children with the seasons
Goldentwigged Dogwood
and stunning orange winter stems have vibrant red tips. Once the leaves have fallen the beautiful orange-yellow bare stems put on a fine winter display. It will eventually make a large plant if not pruned regularly. Pruning also helps to rejuvenate plants and replace old dull stems with brighter coloured young growth. In April, cut back the stems to within two or three buds from the base. 'Flaviramea' has stunning, bright yellowish-green stems which add colour to the winter garden. It contrasts perfectly with the foliage of evergreen shrubs and early springflowering bulbs. It's tolerant of a wide range of soils, and produces the brightest winter bark when planted in full sun. To keep the size of the plant in check and to encourage the most colourful bark, remove a third of the stems back to ground level each spring. Cornus alba 'Sibirica' has stunning bright red bark which adds colour to the winter garden. It has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
19 Genus
Cytisus x praecox ‘Warminster’
Warminst er Broom
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Cytisus sp
Supplier
Smoke Bush
Excite the senses
Cotinus ‘Flame’
outstanding excellence. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, it produces the brightest winter bark when planted in full sun. To keep the size of the plant in check and to encourage the most colourful bark, remove a third of the stems back to ground level each spring. All the smoke bushes are shapely rounded shrubs or small trees, once grouped with the sumachs (Rhus) and popular as specimen plants for their summer interest and autumn colour. There are green and purple-leafed forms, both kinds covered in summer with a smoky haze of soft open flower plumes, pinkish purple in the variety 'Flame'. This is a greenleafed variety with a showy display of flowers, followed in September and October by an incendiary change of leaf colour to an increasingly brilliant orange-red. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Cytisus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, ranging from prostrate to erect and almost tree-like, with small, simple or 3-
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Cotinus sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Resilient/ regenerate easily
20 Genus
C
£5
C
£3.50
Forsythia sp.
Forsythia x intermedia ‘Spectabilis’
Forsythia
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Japanese Aralia
Supplier
Fatsia japonica
parted leaves and pea-like flowers spring or summer. 'Warminster' is a bushy small deciduous shrub with small, mostly simple leaves and pale creamy-yellow flowers in great abundance in late spring All the smoke bushes are shapely rounded shrubs or small trees, once grouped with the sumachs (Rhus) and popular as specimen plants for their summer interest and autumn colour. There are green and purple-leafed forms, both kinds covered in summer with a smoky haze of soft open flower plumes, pinkish purple in the variety 'Grace'. This is a greenleafed variety with a showy display of flowers, followed in September and October by an incendiary change of leaf colour to an increasingly brilliant orange-red. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). The spring garden would be a much duller place without the bright yellow flowers of forsythia. F. x intermedia 'Spectabilis' is a vigorous variety that is covered in large
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Fatsia sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
21 Genus
C
£6.50
C
£3
Lavendula angustifolia
Lavender
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Lavendula sp.
Don’t plant in direct sunglight
Supplier
Batchelor’ s Buttons
Connect children with the seasons
Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’
deep yellow blooms in early to mid-spring. Plant in sun or partial shade, ideally in moist but well drained soil, although the plants are not very fussy. For the best blooms and to avoid your plant becoming a monster, cut back the branches that have flowered back to a pair of strong buds just after they have finished blooming. Also known as Jew's mallow or quite simply as Kerria, this is a popular spring flowering shrub, just a single species from China but with several lovely varieties. It will grow almost anywhere, and soon develop into a thicket of tall graceful stems as suckers grow from the creeping roots, but it is best kept out of direct sunlight to avoid bleaching the flowers. In this form these are fully double, like golden pompons, ideal for illuminating a dark corner or north-facing wall. Chop round plants annually to restrain their spread. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM Although commonly known as English lavender, the species actually hails from the
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Kerria sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
22 Genus
C
£3
C
£3
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Mallow
Supplier
Lavatera x clementii ‘Barnsley’
Connect children with the seasons
Lavatera sp.
actually hails from the Mediterranean, and can reach up to 1.8m (6ft) high, growing on dry, sun-baked hillsides. In gardens, therefore, it will benefit from a well-drained position in full sun. 'Hidcote' is a compact variety, suitable for growing in borders or as dwarf hedging and is one of the most popular lavenders with its dense silvergrey foliage, covered in fragrant, blue flower spikes in mid-summer. To encourage flowering and help retain its shape, remove dry flower stalks in late summer, then in early spring cut back shoots by 2.5cm (2in) or so, avoiding cutting into old wood. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Tree mallows or shrubby mallows are very fast growing plants that flower in their first year, and develop rapidly in size to form large bushy shrubs. They flourish in most freedraining soils in full sun. Throughout the summer they produce quantities of large, open, white to pale pink blooms with a bright red eye. 'Barnsley'
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
‘Hidcote’
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
23 Genus
C
£3
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Osmanthu s
Supplier
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Attract wildlife
Osmanthus sp.
Excite the senses
Winter Honeysuc kle
Connect children with the seasons
Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’
has a tendency to revert to the darker flowered parent plant, so shoots carrying deep pink blooms should be removed promptly. Stake plants in windy positions. The Royal Horticultural Society have given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). 'Winter Beauty' is one of the best of the winter flowering shrubby honeysuckle, with sweetly fragrant creamy white flowers that appear in late winter and early spring. It makes an attractive spreading deciduous shrub that will fill the spring garden with its rich scent. Plants look better without pruning, and so should be allowed plenty of room to develop. They tolerate shade, but they flower best in full sun. It can also be trained against a wall. Also known as X Osmarea burkwoodii, this high-quality shrub is a hybrid between two equally superb species, O. decorus and O. delavay, long cultivated as specimen shrubs and durable hedging. Their hybrid combines all their best qualities dense foliage and
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Lonicera sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
24 Genus
C
£5
C
£5
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Excite the senses
Supplier
Connect children with the seasons
bushy growth, making a solid hedge or screen in less exposed gardens. Its attractive dark colouring is ideal as a background, and the white, pretty, jasmine-like flowers have a sweet fragrance that carries for great distances. Protect from cold north-east winds which can scorch the foliage. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Grown in gardens for over 400 years, Phlomis fruticosa is a handsome Mediterranean species and a popular choice when a bold grey shrub is wanted for a warm sunny border. It is reliably hardy in all but the coldest gardens, although hard frost can cause passing damage to the shoot tips. Robust and impressive in well-drained positions, especially in limy soils, it can become leggy and bare at the base unless trimmed annually. As a younger plant, it does best in fertile ground, and benefits from propagating every few years. To propagate, take cuttings in summer. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Phlomis fruticosa
Common name
Fast growing
Phlomis sp
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
25 Genus
C
ÂŁ3
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Attract wildlife
Supplier
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Flowering Currant
Excite the senses
Ribes sanguineum ‘Pulborough Scarlet’
Connect children with the seasons
Buffalo Currant
its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). An unusual medium-sized shrub, it makes a pleasant change from the traditional brightly coloured flowering currants. It forms an arching shrub with mid- green leaves typical of the currant family. The pale yellowish-green flowers which appear in spring are held in small bunches. These have a rich spicy fragrance which travels on the warm spring air and will easily fill the whole garden. The pale flowers make this shrub ideal as a planting partner for bright yellow daffodils, tulips and pulmonaria. Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries. 'Pulborough Scarlet' is a medium-sized, bushy deciduous shrub with lobed, aromatic leaves and drooping clusters of small, deep crimson flowers, sometimes followed by
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Ribes odoratum
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Ribes sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
26 Genus
C
£3
C
£3
Salvia sp.
Salvia officianalis ‘Purpurescens’
Purple Sage
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Rosemary
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Rosmarinus officinalis
Good for climbing
Rosmarinus sp.
small, bloomy black berries. Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers followed by showy fruits.R. rubiginosa is a vigorous arching deciduous shrub with prickly stems bearing apple-scented foliage, and cupped single light pink flowers in summer, followed by ovoid red fruits. Rosemary is one of the oldest Mediterranean aromatic shrubs in cultivation. It is still regarded as an essential culinary and medicinal herb, with an invigorating spicy flavour. As a specimen garden plant it is handsome and impressive at all times, especially when covered with its lovely flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Plant against a warm wall to help it to gain extra height, and preferably in a position where it is brushed in passing to release its lingering scent. To keep plants in shape, trim after flowering. Sage was an old healing plant, sacred to the Romans, and it remains an important culinary
Attract wildlife
Sweet Briar
Excite the senses
Rosa rubiginosa
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Rosa sp.
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
27 Genus
C
£2
C
£3
C
£2
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Excite the senses
Supplier
Connect children with the seasons
remains an important culinary herb with a distinctive taste. But it is also a decorative evergreen shrub that deserves a place in flower borders, especially purple sage which has reddy purple young leaves. Purple sage has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of outstanding excellence. All kinds should be clipped annually to preserve their neat shape and encourage plenty of young foliage, which has the best flavour and colour. Older plants eventually become woody but are easily propagated from cuttings or by layering the naturally arching branches. Santolina or lavender cotton is a Mediterranean group of small or medium-sized aromatic shrubs that make neat, rounded bushes, with finely divided foliage. They enjoy warm sunny positions, and good drainage is essential. In colder areas, it will need protection in winter. It is worth taking a few cuttings in late summer to overwinter indoors as an insurance policy. S. chamaecyparissus is a choice dwarf species with soft,
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Cotton Lavender
Description
Easy to maintain
Santolina chamaecyparisus ‘Lemon Queen’
Common name
Fast growing
Santolina sp
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
28 Genus
C
£3
Grasses and bamboos Chusquea sp. Chusquea culeou
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Excite the senses
Supplier
Connect children with the seasons
woolly foliage, silver, white, or grey in the variety 'Lemon Queen', which is denser than the species and a more attractive plant for rock gardens and small beds. Sarcococca species are Chinese and Himalayan evergreen shrubs, related to the common box, buxus. Most are fairly small, slow-growing plants, broader than they are tall, and very shade-tolerant although they also grow well in full sun if the roots are kept consistently moist. S. hookeriana is a suckering shrub, winter-flowering with a powerful fragrance which compensates for the small size of the blooms. S. hookerianavar. digyna is a more shapely shrub than the species, with slim dense foliage, and very hardy in exposed positions. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Winter Box
Description
Easy to maintain
Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna
Common name
Fast growing
Sarcococca sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
29 Genus
C
ÂŁ4
prices for 2L pots buying between 1-9 plants (prices reduce for 10+ plants) unless stated otherwise
Foxtail or Chilean Bamboo
Chusquea are evergreen bamboos which form a compact clump of solid, rich green canes with 3 main branches at each
?
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Leaves have serrated edges
Supplier
with 3 main branches at each node, these branching freely and bearing copious small, dark green leaves. C. culeou is a large evergreen bamboo forming a clump of solid, green stems, wellfurnished with short spreading sprays of narrowly lanceshaped leaves up to 6cm in length. Pampas grass suffered bad press for a few years, following the trend of having them as lone plants in the middle of the lawn. They are now back in fashion, although this time they are firmly back in the border, planted alongside the swaying flower-heads of other ornamental grasses. 'Pumila' is a charming dwarf form that only reaches 1.5m (5ft) high. This may not sound very dwarf but, compared to the towering heights that other pampas grasses reach, it certainly qualifies for this description. Grow in any well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants are best tidied annually to keep them free from debris which otherwise builds up and chokes out new growth. The plumes
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Pampas Grass
Description
Easy to maintain
Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’
Common name
Fast growing
Cortaderia sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
30 Genus
C
£4.25
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Leaves have serrated edges
Supplier
can be cut and dried for flower arranging, but are superb left in the garden where they look lovely rimed with frost in the winter. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Pampas grass is traditionally grown as a specimen in the middle of a lawn, but also looks good grown in a shrub border as a giant ornamental grass. In a large garden it is also outstanding planted in informal drifts amongst trees, and it makes a good intruder-proof boundary due to its sharp edged evergreen leaves. Plants are best tidied annually to keep them free from debris which otherwise builds up and chokes out new growth. The plumes can be cut and dried for flower arranging, but are superb left in the garden where they look lovely rimed with frost in the winter. 'Sunningdale Silver' has strong stems and dense plumes which stand up to the worst of the weather The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Pampas Grass
Description
Easy to maintain
Cortaderia selloana ‘Sunningdale Silver’
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
31 Genus
C
£4.25
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
Maiden Grass
Miscanthus
Zebra
Miscanthus sp.
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Umbrella Bamboo
Supplier
Fargesia murielae
Fargesia are densely clumpforming evergreen bamboos with slender arching canes bearing copious narrow leaves. F. nitida is an elegant bamboo forming a compact clump of erect to arching, purple-flushed canes, with slender leaves to 9cm in length. Fargesia are densely clumpforming evergreen bamboos with slender arching canes bearing copious narrow leaves. F. murielae is a large, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo with arching yellowgreen canes. Leaves lanceolate, to 10cm in length, bright green. This clump-forming grass bears arching, silvery green leaves with a central white stripe. The plant flowers late, in August and September, when it sits well with vividly coloured perennials. The white flower heads turn from white to reddish brown, and the foliage is tinted deep bronze in autumn. Plants retain their structural presence throughout winter. Cut back stems before new growth appears in spring. Miscanthus is a deciduous, clump-forming, perennial grass.
Good for climbing
Fountain Bamboo
C
3L £10
C
3L £10
C
3L £4.50
C
3L £4.50
Attract wildlife
Fargesia nitida
Connect children with the seasons
Fargesia sp.
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
32 Genus
Yellow Groove Bamboo
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. aureocaulis
Supplier
Golden Bamboo
Good for climbing
Phyllostachys aurea
clump-forming, perennial grass. It has upright or arching bluishgreen leaves with pale yellowish horizontal bands across them. Maroon-purple leaves appear in autumn complementing the rest of the plant, which turns a russet colour. Plants look good either as specimen plants or planted in groups in herbaceous borders. In autumn, it may carry awned, hairy, pink-white sipkelets in fan-shaped panicles. This plant prefers full sun or very light shade, is drought-tolerant, and grows in most well-drained soils. This is a decorative bamboo with bright golden-yellow canes and contrasting darker-green foliage. It makes a striking addition to the back of the shrubbery and also makes a good specimen plant. Several clumps grown together can also be used to make a informal garden screen. It will tolerate most soil conditons and is particularly at home in a damp but free-draining spot. This decorative bamboo originates from China. It is grown for its sulphur-yellow canes, which feature occasional
Slowly spreading but not invasive
C
10L £30
Indefinite spread so may need to be contained
C
10L £30
Attract wildlife
Grass
Connect children with the seasons
sinensis ‘Zebrinus’
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Phyllostachys sp
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
33 Genus
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
be contained when planted
Excite the senses
canes, which feature occasional green stripes at their bases. It makes an excellent backdrop for border planting, and is useful for screening. Planted alone, it makes a strong architectural statement. The sound of its leaves rustling in the wind is also very appealing. Although this is one of the less invasive types of bamboo, precautions may be taken to restrict spread, such as planting in a large container or limiting the roots with a non-perishable barrier A striking bamboo to use as a specimen plant, this naturally forms a dramatic tall, fairly upright shape. As the fingerthick canes mature, they become glossy jet black, showing up well against the frieze of airy evergreen foliage. Plants look good growing with shrubs, particularly evergreens in a large border or foliage garden, but can also be grown as a single clump in a lawn. Bamboos associate particularly well with water where they make striking reflections, although they do not like wet or waterlogged soil. The Royal
Connect children with the seasons
Things to be aware of
Supplier
Black Bamboo
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Phyllostachys nigra
Common name
Easy to maintain
Suitable species and cultivars
Fast growing
34 Genus
C
10L ÂŁ35
Stipa sp.
Stipa arundinacea
New Zealand Wind Grass
Stipa tenuissima
Mexican Feather Grass
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
S. arundinacea is a tall, evergreen grass, with arching, green leaves turning orangebrown in winter and panicles of purple-green flower spikelets that emerge in summer. A neat, compact, perennial grass, this has lots of closepacked, stiff, thread-like stems forming a strongly horizontal shape about 60cm (2ft) tall. In summer, plants are covered with masses of elegant pale feathery seed-heads which are held a little above the foliage. These can be cut and dried when first opened for use in winter arrangements indoors. Alternatively they make a useful
Indefinite spread so may need to be contained when planted
Good for climbing
C
£11
C
3L £4
C
£4.25
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Veitch’s Bamboo
Supplier
Sasa veitchii
Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Sasa are small bamboos with vigorously running rhizomes, forming a thicket of erect stems bearing relatively broad leaves. S. veitchii forms spreading clumps of erect, slender canes, bearing broadly lance-shaped leaves soon becoming papery light brown on the margins.
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Sasa sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Connect children with the seasons
35 Genus
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
C
£1
J
Bulb £2.50 for 10
Attract wildlife
Supplier
Good for climbing
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
36 Genus
winter food source for finches and other seed-eating birds. Plants like a sunny well-drained spot and associate well with compact alstroemerias, rock plants and other grasses that enjoy similar growing conditions. To propagate, divide plants from mid-spring to early summer.
Herbaceous perennials and bulbs Achillea sp. Achillea filipendula ‘Gold Plate’
Allium sp.
Allium cristophii
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
prices for 0.5L pots buying between 1-9 plants (prices reduce for 10+ plants) unless stated otherwise
Yarrow
Star of Persia
Achilleas are traditional border flowers valued for their feathery foliage and striking flat, circular heads of flowers throughout the main summer season. They team well with other perennial flowers and are a vital ingredient of a traditional herbaceous border. They are also at home in island beds, cottage gardens and other perennial planting schemes. The cultivar 'Gold Plate' has mid-green to grey-green leaves with bright golden yellow flowerheads that are 15cm (6in) across. There are several ball-headed kinds of flowering onion, and this is the largest and perhaps the most eye-catching of them all. Sometimes called the 'Star of Persia,' it is a native of Turkey and Iran, and loves a
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Excite the senses
Supplier
Connect children with the seasons
Turkey and Iran, and loves a warm sunny site where it will tolerate competition from tree and hedge roots. Each huge, spherical flower-head contains up to 80 purple flowers with slightly flattened petals that emphasise the perfect ball shape. As these fade, they resemble brown stars, and the complete stem will last for many weeks as part of a dried flower arrangement. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). An invaluable foliage plant, 'Powis Castle' is unique in carrying multi-branched stems of silver filigree foliage, which acts as a superb foil to mediumsized flowering perennials such as pinks or scabious. It lacks the distracting yellow flowers of so many of the family which make it necessary to clip or prune them to remove the flowers. Outstanding with pastel colours the dense silver colour is held through the summer but is perhaps at its very best in mid-summer, just right for the bulk of the season's flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Mugwort
Description
Easy to maintain
Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’
Common name
Fast growing
Artemesia sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
37 Genus
C
2L £3
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Crocrosmi a
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
C
£1.50
C
2L £3
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Crocrosmia sp.
Supplier
Aster or Michaelm as Daisy
Connect children with the seasons
Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’
has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Probably one of the top ten border plants, this traditional lavender-blue aster offers several advantages over other Michaelmas daisies. It has a longer flowering season, beginning earlier, in mid summer, continuing into autumn. It does not need staking (except in windy gardens), and is mildew resistant. It is also exceptionally free-flowering, with an attractive colour that is easy to place as it associates well with so many summer and autumn flowers. Aster is best grown in a sunny or partially shaded position with fertile, well-drained soil. It requires adequate moisture throughout summer. The Royal Horticultural Society have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Crocosmias produce dense clumps of upright iris-like foliage. In midsummer this makes a good background for the small, profuse flowers. 'Lucifer' is an aptly-named variety because its flowers are the hottest coloured of all - a
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Aster sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
38 Genus
Coneflowe r
Echinops sp.
Echinops ritro
Globe Thistle
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Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
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Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Connect children with the seasons
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’
searing paprika red. The individual blooms are not as big as other crocosmias', but smallflowered varieties such as this are the hardiest which makes them a wise choice in cold districts. Grown in a flower border, they provide structure and colour. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). 'White Swan' is a popular variety that produces white flowers with bronze centres from July to October. This white coneflower is shorter than other varieties, making it a great midborder plant. Easy to grow, it will thrive in any decent soil and does not require staking. Bees love its flowers. The spiky leaves and bristly metallic blue flowers of this plant make it a great architectural plant for the back of a summer border. The spiny, cobwebbed leaves provide interest from spring until the blooms appear in late summer. It associates well with other tall striking late summer plants such as cardoon and echinacea or tall miscanthus grasses in an
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Echinacea sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
39 Genus
£1
C
£1
'Ben Ledi' is a low spreading evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves. In summer, it bears rose pink flowers, darker towards the centre, with a yellow eye.
Helichrysum sp.
Helichrysum italicum
Curry Plant
Kniphofia sp.
Kniphofia ‘Royal Standard’
Red Hot Poker
As the common name suggests, the narrow, silvery-grey leaves of this dense, dwarf sub-shrub smell strongly of curry. The small, everlasting, bright yellow flowers are produced in summer. This plant prefers a sunny, sheltered position on well-drained soil. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain a compact plant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit. Kniphofia may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials, with linear or strap-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing a dense raceme of tubular, usually pendent flowers.
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Rock Rose
Supplier
Helianthemum ‘Ben Ledi’
Good for climbing
Helianthemum sp.
Attract wildlife
Connect children with the seasons
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
40 Genus
C
1L £2
island bed. It has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of outstanding excellence.
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
£2
C
2L £3.50
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
C
£1
C
£1
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Perennial Sage
Supplier
Salvia nemerosa ‘Ostfriesland’
Connect children with the seasons
Blackeyed Susan
'Royal Standard' is a robust herbaceous perennial to 1m, with narrow, dark foliage and stout stems bearing bicolored spikes of bright yellow, tubular flowers opening from scarlet buds The 13cm (5in) wide, blackeyed, single, yellow daisy flowers of Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullvantii 'Goldsturm' are what make it one of many gardeners' top ten perennials. This variety has an incredibly long flowering season, from mid-summer right through to the middle of autumn when the first severe frosts arrive. The plant is short enough not to need staking, and does not spread so fast that frequent division is necessary, making it a very easy-care plant. Use it between other plants in a flower border, as it tolerates light shade, to extend the flowering season late into the year. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Sometimes known as 'East Friesland', 'Ostfriesland' is a lovely variety of this clumpforming perennial, producing
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Rudbeckia sp.
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
41 Genus
Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’
Lamb’s Ears
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Good for climbing
C
2L £2.50
C
2L £2.50
Attract wildlife
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Stachys sp.
Supplier
Stonecrop
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Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant’
spikes of violet-blue from summer through to autumn. Grow it in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect plants from excessive winter wet and shelter from cold, drying winds. In colder gardens, it is well worth taking a few cuttings in late summer and early autumn to overwinter indoors. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This is an old-fashioned perennial forming blue-green rosettes of succulent foliage throughout summer. Towards mid-summer, flat tightly-packed heads of green buds form, opening later in the year to reveal masses of tiny bright pink flowers. Sedum is highly attractive to butterflies and insects, and several species can be found crowding over the flowers, making an additional attraction in the autumn garden. This plant has been given the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the RHS. Lambs' ears is a well-known ground-covering perennial, popular for its soft, fluffy foliage. Big Ears' has particularly large
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Sedum sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Excite the senses
42 Genus
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Verbena
Supplier
Verbena bonariensis
Attract wildlife
Verbena sp.
Excite the senses
Mullein
Connect children with the seasons
Verbaschum ‘Gainsborough’
leaves, up to 25cm (10in) long. The flowers appear in midsummer, and the thick silveryfelty stems with knotty buds are quite a feature. The flowers are not very conspicuous, being hidden among the felt. Once established, plants are reasonably drought-tolerant, making this a good choice for a dry sunny border or gravel garden. To propagate, divide plants as soon as growth in spring A fun, stately plant, it sends up a tall spike covered in pale yellow, saucer-like flowers in summer, high above a rosette of semi-evergreen, grey-green leaves. When planting, make sure that there is a contrasting or complimentary colour behind, because being a see-through plant the background is as important as its immediate neighbours. All Verbascums tolerate a wide range of soils, but an excellent sunny position is vital. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society. Tall, narrow, sparsely-leafed stems bear flattened heads of bright lavender-purple flowers
Things to be aware of
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Verbaschum sp.
Description
Easy to maintain
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Good for climbing
43 Genus
C
2L £2.75
C
1L £2
bright lavender-purple flowers that provide useful height in a herbaceous border. This is a short-lived perennial, and because it is borderline hardy, plants may be damaged by winter frosts. This may be avoided by leaving the dead stalks until spring, when new growth is evident, before cutting them back. A protective mulch should be added around them in the autumn with leaf mould or compost. They do, however, self-seed liberally and resulting seedlings are stronger and more drought-tolerant than those that are transplanted. This is a superb butterfly plant, rivalling even buddleja. The Royal Horticultural Society have given it the Award of Garden Merit.
For further information and photographs look at: http://www.barcham.co.uk/trees http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/#adv_search http://www.rhs.org.uk/RHSPlantFinder/plantfinder.asp
Poisonous trees, shrubs, and vines from http://yardener.com/HomeGardening
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
Approx cost exc. VAT (trade)
Supplier
Good for climbing
Attract wildlife
Excite the senses
Things to be aware of
Connect children with the seasons
Description
Resilient/ regenerate easily
Common name
Fast growing
Suitable species and cultivars
Easy to maintain
44 Genus
45 PLANT
TOXIC PART
SYMPTOMS
Azalea (Rhododendron)
All parts
Nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, loss of balance.
Bittersweet (false)
All parts-
Black Locust Tree
Bark, sprouts, foliage
Children have suffered nausea, weakness and depression after chewing the bark and seeds.
Boxwood
Leaves
Gastric
Buck Thorn
Leaves, Fruit
Intestinal
Buckeye (Horse-chestnut)
Leaves, branches, flowers, fruit, young sprouts, seeds
Nervous system, inflammation of mucus membranes
Cherries; Wild and cultivated
Twigs, foliage
Fatal. Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement and prostration are common symptoms.
Chinaberry
Leaves and fruit
Gastric, intestinal, paralysis, respiratory
Chokecherry
Leaves and pits
-
Clematis
Seed and young plants
Gastric, nervous system, depression
Daphne Shrub
Berries
Fatal. A few berries can kill a child.
Elderberry
All parts, especially roots
Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea and digestive upset.
English ivy
Leaves and berries
Nervous system, respiratory
Golden Chain Tree
Bean-like capsules in which the seeds are suspended
Severe poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions and coma. May be fatal.
Holly (Yaupon)
Berries
Gastric, intestinal
Hydrangea
Leaves, buds
Gastic, intestinal,
Jasmine
Berries
Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.
Lantana Camara (Red Sage)
Green berries
Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. And in moderate climates.
Laurels
All parts
Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.
Mountain laurel
Leaves, twigs, flowers
Gastric, paralysis, convulsion
Oaks
Foliage, acorns
Affects kidneys gradually. Symptoms appear only after several days or weeks. Takes a large amount for poisoning.
Wisteria Vine
Seeds, pods
Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant.
Yew
Berries, foliage
Fatal. Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms.
Trees for Cities Plants for Play
46
Suppliers (Trade Only) Trees Barcham Trees (Ref B) Eye Hill Drove Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 5XF sales@barchamtrees.co.uk Tel: 01353 720748 www.barcham.co.uk
Hillier Nurseries Ampfield House Ampfield Romsey Hampshire SO51 9PA Tel: 01794 368733 www.hilliertrees.co.uk
Shrubs, grasses, bamboos, perennials The following nurseries can often also supply standard trees Coblands Nurseries (Ref C) Trench Road Tonbridge TN11 9NG plants@coblands.co.uk Tel: 01732 770 999 www.best4plants.co.uk
Palmsteads Nurseries Harville Road Wye Ashford Kent TN25 5EU sales@palmstead.co.uk Tel: 01233 813340 www.palmstead.co.uk
John Woods Nurseries Main Road Pettistree WOODBRIDGE Suffolk IP13 0HH sales@johnwoodsnurseries.co.uk Tel: 01728 745145 www.notcuttsnurseries.co.uk
Bulbs
Delivery
Jacques Amand (Ref J) The Nurseries Clamp Hill Stanmore Middlesex HA7 3JS bulbs@jaquesamand.co.uk Tel: 020 8420 7110
Delivery costs vary from supplier to supplier. For example, Barcham Trees will deliver to London free of charge if the order is over £350 but Hillier Nurseries will always charge around £150 for delivery to London. Other suppliers charge between £25 and around £100 for delivery of stock orders to London and they will have a minimum order value that they will apply.
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Community engagement and participation Although all programmes are adapted to suit the project location, our strategy for community engagement on a standard project involves: 1. Map the community; get an idea of the demographics, pubic services and organizations that are there, particularly resident groups, community organizations, schools and community facilities. Information should come from a range of sources; site visits, internet searched, discussions with key stakeholders and project partners and inspections of local newsletters or notice boards 2. Outline the scope of the project allowing lots of room for adapting to consultation. Identify the area and possibilities for planting, identify key stakeholders and consultation catchment area, identify who will have the authority on final decisions and how you will remain accountable to the community 3. Design the consultation. Create a range of opportunities to ensure people have access to the process. For example a community consultation may include an open public meeting, consultation workshops with local groups e.g. youth groups or parent and toddler groups, interviews with key stakeholders, user survey days, leaflet through doors, door knocking with a questionnaire, local media coverage or posters with a variety of contact details (email, phone, address). Be clear about the deadline for participation and how the responses will be used. 4. Sign off the final design. Invite key stakeholders to comment on and improve the design created through landscape expertise and community consultation results. 5. Create an education programme with local schools about the project, including a whole school assembly, classroom workshops and finally planting workshop to fulfill the landscape design. 6. Involve other groups in art and planting workshops e.g. youth groups or faith groups 7. Hold a community planting day/event to celebrate project completion and provide opportunity for people to get involved in planting. Event will include a display summarizing the project including consultation, publicity to raise awareness including a press release, entertainments, refreshments, planting and any local groups that have already been involved. 8. All activities should include some kind of evaluation and monitoring to enable a report to be completed of the project and a review of it’s success. It is possible to involve volunteers in almost all aspects of the project taking into account the following guidelines: Consultation: The amount of power handed over the community through consultation should be clearly agreed with the landowner/project in advance e.g. its no use letting residents chose a variety of tree species if the council has decided they want a uniform avenue of trees. Consultation: Local people have great inside knowledge but views will also be subjective try and ensure you get a wide representation of comments from the community Planting/Education: Volunteers should not be in a supervisory role particularly when working with children and vulnerable adults Planting: Volunteers should not use tools without health and safety training Planting: Volunteers should not plant street trees For further information see Trees for Cities Best Practice Guidelines for involving Young People, Volunteers and Ethnic Minorities: http://www.treesforcities.org/files_reports/tfc_bestPractice_volunteering.pdf http://www.treesforcities.org/files_reports/tfc_bestPractice_youngPeople.pdf http://www.treesforcities.org/files_reports/tfc_bestPractice_ethnicMinorities.pdf
Trees for Cities Plants for Play