Thornhayes Nursery Advice and Aftercare for Ornamental Trees, Specimen Trees and Fruit Trees
Tree Selection lists to help customer selection
| Acer griseum | The Paperbark Maple with its peeling red and cinammon bark. Good autumn colour |
| Aesculus pavia | A handsome shrubby tree with glossy foliage and crimson flowers in June/July |
| Alnus glutinosa ‘Imperialis’ | Very graceful, deeply cut leaved form of our native alder |
| Amelanchier alnifolia | A large shrub with masses of white fragrant flower and black fruits.Very lime-tolerant. Good autumn colour |
| Betula utilis jacquemontii | The white-barked Himalayan Birch |
| x Chitalpa tashkentensis | A rare hybrid of Catalpa forming a small tree with abundant large flowers of pink and white in late summer |
| Cornus florida | A small bushy tree, with attractive white bracts in May and rich autumn colour |
| Crataegus persimilis prunifolia | A striking small round headed tree with showy fruits and good autumn colour |
| Magnolia ‘Yellow Fever’ | An upright growing tree with creamy-yellow scented late flowers |
| Malus transitoria ‘Thornhayes Tansy’ | A very dissected leaved form of this species. Discovered in the same batch as Malus ‘R.J. Fulcher’ (5) |
| Nothofagus antarctica | A distinctive small- to medium-sized tree, with small glossy leaves that colour well in autumn |
| Photinia villosa | A small deciduous tree with hawthorn-like flowers, large red fruits and bright gold autumn colour |
| Prunus ‘Shogetsu’ | An attractive small flat-topped tree with white blossom. One of the latest Japanese cherries to flower |
| Pterostyrax hispida | A dainty small tree with pendant scented flowers in summer. Good autumn colour |
| Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ | Probably the best Rowan for Autumn colour, glowing red studded with large bunches of fruit |
| Sorbus vilmorinii | A dainty species with feathery foliage turning burgundy in autumn. Fruits pink at first turning white |
| Tilia henryana | A beautiful slow-growing Chinese species, with downy pink young leaves. Flowers in autumn |
| Ulmus minor ‘Dampieri Aurea’ | A small upright tree with golden leaves. DED resistant |
| Acer x conspicuum ‘Phoenix’ | A small tree with dazzling red and amber stems |
| Betula pendula ‘Fastigiata’ | A columnar form of the native Silver Birch |
| Cupressus sempervirens ‘Totem’ * | The distinctive Italian Pencil Cypress |
| Eucryphia cordifolia * | A columnar evergreen small tree with large white scented flowers in August/September |
| Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’ * | A medium sized columnar evergreen tree with large white flowers in August/September |
| Magnolia ‘Gold Star’ | One of the new yellow hybrids. An upright small tree.Very hardy. Flowers like a yellow M. stellata |
| Malus ‘Marshall Oyama’ | A narrow upright tree with large white blossom and yellow-flushed red |
| Malus tschonoskii | A vigorous upright species with striking autumn colour (5) |
| Populus tremula ‘Erecta’ | A tightly fastigiate form of the native Aspen |
| Prunus ‘Spire’ | A small upright cherry with soft pink flowers and good autumn colour |
| Sorbus ‘Hillings Spire’ | A handsome totally fastigiate rowan. Much more vigorous than S. aucuparia ‘Fastigiata’ |
| Sorbus hupehensis | A strong growing upright tree. Silvery blue foliage and large clusters of white fruits |
| Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ * | The distinctive columnar Irish Yew, of churchyards and formal gardens |
Weeping Trees
| Alnus incana ‘Pendula’ | A vigorous but graceful weeping tree of medium size |
| Betula pendula ‘Tristis’ | A distinctive elegant medium-sized tree.The branchlets hang in graceful curtains |
| Betula utilis jac. ‘Knightshayes’ | A form with an unusual habit of growth similar to B. pendula ‘Tristis’ |
| Carpinus betulus ‘Pendula’ | A large vigorous graceful weeping tree. Not a dwarf as described in ‘Hilliers Manual’ |
| Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Amazing Grace’ | A beautiful tree with spreading cascading branches |
| Euonymus europaeus ‘Thornhayes’ | Our own selected form.An outstanding large shrub with a more pendulous habit than ‘Red Cascade’.Autumn colour is bronze with prolific persistent pink fruits |
| Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ | A handsome large weeping tree |
| Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’ | |
| Ginkgo biloba ‘Pendula’ | An unusual weeping form of this popular tree. Gold autumn colour |
| Morus alba ‘Pendula’ | The Weeping White Mulberry. Sweet edible fruits produced on a small very pendulous tree |
| Picea breweriana | |
| Populus tremula ‘Pendula’ | A very graceful weeping tree with nodding foliage |
| Prunus cerasifera ‘Pendula’ | A rare form with broad weeping head of green leaves and white flowers in early spring |
| Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’ | The popular Silver Weeping Pear |
| Quercus robur ‘Pendula’ | |
| Salix x pendulina ‘Elegantissima’ | A medium-sized, very weeping, willow, with blue/green narrow leaves |
Evergreen garden hedges
| Ilex aquifolium and cultivars | The native Holly Tree. Makes an excellent hedge |
| Quercus ilex | The well known Evergreen or Holm Oak |
| Taxus baccata | The well known native Yew Tree. Excellent for formal hedges |
| Thuja plicata | The Western Red Cedar.A handsome vigorous evergreen tree, tolerant of wet sites. Makes a rapid attractive hedge |
Deciduous garden hedges
| Acer campestre | The native Field Maple |
| Carpinus betulus | An attractive native tree with good autumn colour |
| Crataegus monogyna | The native Hawthorn or Quickthorn of hedges |
| Fagus sylvatica and cultivars | The native beech tree |
Trees for autumn foliage colour
| Acer (most) | |
| Aesculus (most) | |
| Amelanchier (all) | |
| Betula (most) | |
| Carpinus (all) | |
| Cercidiphyllum japonicum | A handsome medium-sized tree with pretty foliage that smells of ‘candy floss’ when it turns gold in the autumn |
| Cornus (most) | |
| Crataegus crus-galli | An attractive wide-spreading small tree with large thorns. Masses of white blossom in June followed by large red persistent fruits |
| Crataegus pedicellata | A spreading thorny tree with good fruits and autumn colours |
| Crataegus persimilis prunifolia | A striking small round headed tree with showy fruits and good autumn colour |
| Crataegus phaenopyrum | The Washington Thorn is a handsome tree up to 10 m, with striking autumn fruits and foliage and maple-like leaves |
| Fagus sylvatica and cultivars | The native beech tree |
| Fraxinus americana ‘Autumn Purple’ | A selection with a broad conical crown and spectacular red, purple and gold autumn colour |
| Fraxinus angustifolia ‘Raywood’ | A striking vigorous tree.The delicate tracery of foliage turns plum coloured in autumn |
| Fraxinus excelsior ‘Jaspidea’ | A form with striking yellow young stems. Excellent on bright winter days |
| Gingko biloba and cultivars | The Maidenhair Tree. An ancient species with distinctive lobed leaves that turn rich gold in autumn |
| Larix spp and cultivars | |
| Liquidamber styraciflua and cultivars | |
| Liriodendron spp and cultivars | |
| Malus hupehensis | Plentiful scented white flowers. Small red fruits. One of the finest crabs |
| Malus transitoria and cultivars | A beautiful small tree with profuse white blossom, amber fruits and good autumn leaf colour (5) |
| Malus tschonoskii | A vigorous upright species with striking autumn colour (5) |
| Ostrya carpinifolia | The Hop Hornbeam.A medium sized tree with attractive toothed leaves that turn gold in autumn.Attractive catkins |
| Photinia villosa | A small deciduous tree with hawthorn-like flowers, large red fruits and bright gold autumn colour |
| Prunus ‘Beni Yutaka’ | A newly introduced Japanese cherry.A vigorous tree with good autumn colour and deep pink semi-double flowers in early spring |
| Prunus ‘Okame’ | A small tree, flowers deep pink in February/March. Good autumn colour |
| Prunus sargentii | Spectacular autumn foliage. Small pink flowers |
| Prunus x yedoensis | A beautiful garden tree. Flowers early, pale blush, almond scented. Fiery autumn colour |
| Pseudolarix amabilis | The Golden Larch is a hardy, slow-growing rare Chinese species, with foliage that turns a beautiful clear gold in autumn |
| Pyrus callyreana ‘Chanticleer’ | A narrow-growing flowering tree with glossy foliage |
| Pyrus ussuriensis | A medium-sized tree with masses of white blossom and rich-red autumn colour |
| Quercus coccinea and cultivars | The Scarlet Oak. Spectacular in autumn |
| Quercus palustris | The American Pin Oak.A large elegant tree with good autumn colour |
| Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’ | Probably the best Rowan for Autumn colour, glowing red studded with large bunches of fruit |
| Sorbus ‘Hillings Spire’ | A handsome totally fastigiate rowan. Much more vigorous than S. aucuparia ‘Fastigiata’ |
| Sorbus sargentiana | A large magnificent Chinese species. Sticky red winter buds, good autumn colour and huge bunches of red fruits |
| Stewartia pseudocamellia | A small tree with attractive peeling bark. Small white cupped flowers. Red and yellow autumn colour. Does best in deep acid soils in some shade |
Trees for avenues
| Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’ | A rare fastigiate form. Bright red autumn colour |
| Acer platanoides | |
| Acer pseudoplatanus and cultivars | |
| Aesculus hippocastanum | The common Horse Chestnut or Conker tree |
| Calocedrus decurrens | The distinctive, fastigiate Incense Cedar.A striking large cypress-like tree |
| Carpinus betulus and cultivars | An attractive native tree with good autumn colour |
| Cedrus spp and cultivars | |
| Corylus colurna | The Turkish Hazel.A handsome large pyramidal tree with attractive fissured bark |
| Fagus sylvatica and cultivars | The native beech tree |
| Fraxinus spp and cultivars | |
| Gingko biloba | The Maidenhair Tree. An ancient species with distinctive lobed leaves that turn rich gold in autumn |
| Liquidamber styraciflua and cultivars | |
| Liriodendron tulipifera and cultivars | The Tulip Tree is a large handsome species with butter-gold autumn colour |
| Metasequoia glyptostroboides | The Dawn Redwood.A vigorous deciduous conifer, with red sinuous stems pink/red autumn colour. Very tolerant of moist or wet sites |
| Ostrya carpinifolia | The Hop Hornbeam.A medium sized tree with attractive toothed leaves that turn gold in autumn.Attractive catkins |
| Pinus nigra nigra | Austrian Pine.A large majestic, lime-tolerant tree, suitable as a specimen or in shelter planting |
| Platinus spp and cultivars | |
| Prunus avium and cultivars | |
| Prunus padus and cultivars | |
| Quercus spp and cultivars | |
| Sequoiadendron giganteum and cultivars | The famous Giant Redwood, or Wellingtonia, supposedly the largest growing tree in the world |
| Tilia spp and cultivars | |
| Ulmus glabra cultivars |
Trees for screening and wind shelter (S = suitable for near the sea)
| Acer campestre | The native Field Maple |
| Acer platanoides | |
| Acer pseudoplatanus (S) | |
| Alnus spp (S) | |
| Amelanchier canadensis | A large suckering shrub, tolerant of damp sites. Attractive white blossom and good autumn colour |
| Arbutus unedo | The Killarney Strawberry Tree.A handsome native evergreen tree or large shrub, with persistent strawberry-like fruit.Withstands coastal erosion |
| Betula pendula | The graceful native Silver Birch–The Lady of the Woods |
| Carpinus betulus | An attractive native tree with good autumn colour |
| Crataegus monogyna | The native Hawthorn or Quickthorn of hedges |
| Cupressus macrocarpa | The Monterrey Cypress. Excellent for coastal shelter planting |
| Eucalyptus spp | |
| Fagus sylvatica | The native beech tree |
| Fraxinus spp and cultivars | |
| Ilex spp | |
| Nothofagus antarctica | A distinctive small- to medium-sized tree, with small glossy leaves that colour well in autumn |
| Pinus nigra | |
| Pinus sylvestris | Scots Pine.The beautiful native species with silver/blue foliage and attractive stems |
| Populus (most) | |
| Quercus robur | The native Pedunculate Oak |
| Salix (most) | |
| Sorbus aria and cultivars | |
| Sorbus aucuparia and cultivars | The native Rowan |
| Sorbus intermedia | A vigorous healthy tree with large crops of red fruits |
| Thuja plicata | |
| Ulmus glabra ‘Gittisham’ | A DED resistant clone of the ‘Wych Elm’ found near the village of Gittisham, Devon |
| Ulmus procera | The English Elm.This clone is resistant to DED |
Trees for heavy clay soil
| Acer campestre cultivars | The native Field Maple |
| Acer platanoides cultivars | |
| Acer pseudoplatanus cultivars | |
| Aesculus (most) | |
| Alnus (all) | |
| Carlinus (all) | |
| Catalpa (all) | |
| Crataegus (all) | |
| Eucalyptus (all) | |
| Euonymus (all) | |
| Fraxinus (all) | |
| Ilex (all) | |
| Liquidambar (all) | |
| Malus (all) | |
| Metasequoia | |
| Nyssa (all) | |
| Platanus (all) | |
| Populus (all) | |
| Prunus avium and cultivars | |
| Prunus maackii | A pretty tree with shining gold/amber stems.White racemes of flower |
| Prunus padus and cultivars | |
| Pyrus (all) | |
| Quercus (all) | |
| Salix (all) | |
| Sorbus torminalis | The native Wild Service Tree. Leaves maple like, fruits russeted |
| Ulnus (all) |
Trees for wet soils and waterside
| Alnus (all) | |
| Amelanchier (all) | |
| Betula Nigra | The North American River Birch. Shaggy peeling bark of mixed white, grey and brown |
| Liquidamber styraciflua and cultivars | |
| Metasequoia glyptostroboides and cultivars | The Dawn Redwood.A vigorous deciduous conifer, with red sinuous stems pink/red autumn colour. Very tolerant of moist or wet sites |
| Nyssa (all) | |
| Populus tremula and cultivars | |
| Salix (all) | |
| Taxodium distichum and cultivars | An attractive large deciduous conifer, with good autumn colour.Tolerant of wet and dry sites |
Trees for poor dry soils
| Acer campestre and cultivars | The native Field Maple |
| Acer platanoides and cultivars | |
| Acer pseudoplatanus and cultivars | |
| Ailanthus altissima | The Tree of Heaven, with large pinnate leaves |
| Alnus cordata | The Italian Alder. Excellent for rapid screening and shelter.Tolerant of all soils |
| Betula (most) | |
| Castanea sativa and cultivars | The Sweet Chestnut is a large distinctive tree, first introduced to Britain by the Romans |
| Cedrus | |
| Cercis | |
| Crataegus | |
| Cupressus glabra and cultivars | |
| Cupressus macrocarpa | The Monterrey Cypress. Excellent for coastal shelter planting |
| Ilex | |
| Laburnam | |
| Platinus | |
| Populus alba and cultivars | The common white poplar. Felted white leaves on a striking vigorous tree |
| Populus tremula and cultivars | The native Aspen |
| Pinus | |
| Prunus padus and cultivars | |
| Quercus robur and cultivars | |
| Sorbus intermedia | A vigorous healthy tree with large crops of red fruits |
| Taxus baccata and cultivars | |
| Thuja plicata and cultivars |