A leading UK nursery has unveiled some of the nation’s favourite landscaping trees this month to link in with National Tree Week 2014.
The top ‘old faithfuls’ that nearly every landscaping project involves include Acer campestre ‘Elsrijk’, Betula utilis ‘Jacquemotii’, Prunus avium ‘Plena’, Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ and Tillia cordata ‘Greenspire’ says Wyevale Nurseries.
Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, Adam Dunnett said: “These are tree varieties that just seem to appear on every list sent through to us each year and are so well-known and well-loved they probably always will do!
“But although they remain the firm favourites for landscaping projects we’re also seeing some other interesting developments and requests coming through. For example, trees in the rosacea family, such as Amelanchier, Malus, Prunus and Sorbus, are becoming more popular because these tend to be quite ornate and reasonably compact, so suit urban planting schemes where space is at a premium.
“We’ve also been asked for other varieties that are not as commonly grown and so offer something a little different, such as Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’ and ‘Columnare’, Alnus glutinosa ‘Imperialis’, Betula albosinensis ‘Fascination’, Corylus colurna, Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’, Quercus palustris and rubra, Sorbus commixta ‘Olympic Flame’ and Zelkova serrate ‘Green Vase’, which is an excellent alternative to elm.”
National Tree Week takes place from November 29 until December 7. It initially took place in 1975 and is the UK’s largest tree celebration annually. It also signals the start of the winter tree planting season.
Adam continued: “Although there is a trend towards the tried and tested, we are also seeing increasing requests for ‘something a little different’ and as a result are offering improved selections of old favourites such as Betula pendula ‘Select’, Carpinus betulus ‘Lucus’, Prunus padus ‘Select’, Quercus robur ‘Wonder’, Sorbus ‘Blackberry’ and Tilia cordata ‘Select’.”
Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.
The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.
The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.
Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.
For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk