Cell Grown Plants

Wildflowers are a beautiful addition to a woodland setting and they also provide a valuable food source for invertebrates.

The species in our wildflower plug plant mixture have been carefully selected to tolerate the semi shaded conditions of woodland edges. All species are hardy perennials which will grow year after year.

Supplied as a mixture of 100 ready to plant, robust jumbo plug plants from at least six of the species listed below.

• Achillea millefolium - Common Yarrow
• Centaurea nigra - Common Knapweed
• Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove
• Knautia arvensis - Field Scabious
• Lotus corniculatus - Bird's foot Trefoil
• Primula veris - Cowslip
• Ranunculus acris - Meadow Buttercup

Abies alba - Silver fir is a long-living conifer upright-growing evergreen conifer with dark green needles that are silver underneath. The yellow-green cones which appear in late spring are cylindrical in shape and ripen to brown.

The strong, lightweight timber is mainly used for construction, furniture, plywood and pulpwood. Young trees are also popular as Christmas trees. Ecologically, the tree is important for maintaining high biodiversity in forested areas. The tree’s deep taproots offering stability, alongside its easily biodegradable needle litter, are key in the establishment and management of silvicultural systems.

Silver fir is shade-tolerant and able to act as a “seedling bank” under the canopy of older dominant trees for decades.

Iris pseudacorus - Yellow Flag Iris is a British native marginal plant that has tall, sword like leaves and striking yellow flowers. 

Water loving and often found along the margins of canals, ponds and in wet woodlands. 

Acer campestre - Field maple is a versatile and resilient fast growing small to medium sized tree that is also suitable for hedgerow planting.

It is a colourful species; the attractive five lobed leaves are flushed red in Spring, turning green and then yellow / gold in the Autumn. Deciduous. Native to the UK

Our cell grown Field Maple plants are often used for hedge planting either on their own or mixed with other species such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel etc. Usually at a planting density of 6 plants per metre.

Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a small to medium size perennial herbaceous plant of the buttercup family. Often found growing alongside streams or ponds, it produces a wonderful ball of yellow flowers between April and August. 

Native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland, the striking golden flowers are know for being pollen rich and beneficial for attracting bees and other pollinators. 

Phragmites australis - Common Reed is a vigorous reed able to grow to 3m in height.  A fast growing plant able to form an extensive colony of erect stems.   It forms extensive, yellow-brown reedbeds in wetlands across the UK which are important habitats for birds, including rare and threatened species.  It grows from creeping underground stems and flowers from August to October.

The common reed is also one of the main wetland plants used in phytoremediation water treatment. This process filters water through the root system to remove toxic substances or excess nutrients. This process is often used to clean up contaminated ground water through planting directly in the contaminated site or through removing the contaminated water and providing it to these plants in an off-site location. 

Abies fraserii - Fraser Fir is a fast growing, large evergreen with dark green needles that have a silver grey underside.

Originally from the USA, this species is most frequently planted in the UK for Christmas tree crops as it has a dense, busy habit when young. Fraser Fir has a narrower and more compact shape than Nordmann Fir so is often suited to smaller rooms in houses if it is grown to then be supplied as a cut Christmas tree.

We grow several other species of cell grown conifers which are all suited for Christmas tree production.

Calluna vulgaris - Native Wild Heather is the dominant heath plant in many parts of the UK. It has a wide range and is widely distributed throughout Europe as far North as the Faroe Islands.

Mauve pink flowers bloom from July to September which create a colourful scene in the countryside. 

Native heather is an important source of food for butterflies and bees with hives often located on heather moorland in the Summer where the bees can easily obtain the nectar from the heather flowers to produce a very distinctive and much sought after ‘heather honey’.

The majority of the plants that we supply are used for heathland restoration projects in the countryside or on golf courses. 

The majority of the Buxus sempervirens - Box plants that we supply are used for hedging as it makes a fabulous formal hedge, but our clients also use it for planting as an understorey species in mixed woodlands or for game cover.

Evergreen with small, shiny dark green leaves. It is a very long lived species and can live for several hundred years.

Acer platanoides - Norway Maple is a beautiful fast growing tree of large stature which is best suited to parkland or settings where its superb autumn colour can be fully appreciated.

Deciduous. Native to Central / Eastern but widely adapted to the UK. Norway Maple has a typical maple shaped leave which turns bright yellow in the autumn.

Carex acutiformis is a tough native grass like plant with attractive black seed heads and a course greyish green foliage. Its native habitat includes river banks, pond margins and marshy areas and it is notably shade tolerant. It can grow as high as 1.5m tall and forms dense clumps which provide excellent protection for invertebrates and small amphibians.

Typha latifolia - Common Reed Mace, also known as Bulrush is a native marginal plant that has long sword like leaves and distinctive dark brown seed heads that are cylindrical in shape. It is very prolific so requires plenty of space!

Abies grandis - Grand Fir is a very large and stately evergreen conifer that has a very fast rate of growth.

It is one of several north west American species discovered by the well known plant hunter, David Douglas who sent seeds back to the UK in 1831.

Needles are dark green and grooved on top with two white bands. A very shade tolerant species that is ideally suited for underplanting in continuous cover forestry but it is equally as impressive when grown as a specimen tree.

Cornus sanguinea - Common Dogwood is a native shrub that grows well is wet soils and is normally found along woodland edges and in hedgerows. It is a good choice for game cover.

Deciduous with fresh green leaves that have distinctive curved veins. The leaves turn a rich crimson colour in the Autumnn.

Creamy white flowers are produced in clusters which once pollinated by insects develop into small black berries which are eaten by birds and mammals.

Our cell grown Dogwood plants are often used for hedge planting either on their own or mixed with other species such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dog rose etc at a planting density of 6 plants per metre.

Acer pseudoplatanus - Sycamore.  The marmite of forestry that needs little or no introduction. Undemanding, tolerant, and productive. 

Deciduous. A native to central and southern Europe but is considered by some to be an honorary native to the UK. Simple, large green leaves and interesting grey, flaky bark.

Digitalis purpurea - Common Foxglove, is a shade tolerant biennial or short-lived perennial.

It is commonly found in hedge banks, open woods and woodland clearings, on heath and moorland margins, riverbanks, montane rocky slopes and sea-cliffs.  Digitalis purpurea is a native European woodland plant with spikes of tubular purple flowers with a spotted throat. It can appear in many guises, some dwarf and others very tall, with flowers in shades of pink, purple, white and red. Digitalis purpurea self-seeds freely and will quickly naturalise.

Digitalis purpurea is known for attracting bees and butterflies​/​moths. It is a caterpillar food plant and has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Alnus cordata - Italian Alder is a fast growing, medium sized tree which grows in most soils except heavy clay. Tough and hardy with nitrogen fixing qualities. Often used on reclamation or hostile sites.

Bright green glistening foliage preceded by yellow catkins that appear in late winter. Ideal for forming a windbreak or for companion planting with species such as Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce.

We are specialist growers of Ammophila arenaria - Marram Grass plants from British seed for coastal erosion projects.

Marram Grass is our native coastal grass and it does a fantastic job of helping to stabilise sand dunes protecting coastal defences.

It grows from a network of underground rhizomes which give it a sturdy anchor to the sand and allow it to spread upwards.

Growing in stiff, hardy clumps the foliage is grey green in colour and it produces light brown flowerheads.

Suggested planting density: 5 plants per square metre.

Abies nobilis - Noble Fir is a well regarded evergreen conifer that has a very high tolerance of exposure and it is often planted in the uplands.

It is one of several north west American species discovered by the well known plant hunter, David Douglas who sent seeds back to the UK in 1831.

Needles are blue grey in colour and are upcurved. A popular species for Christmas tree production due to its steady growth, attractive shape, good needle retention qualities and desirable foliage colour.

We grow several other species of cell grown conifers which are all suited for Christmas tree production.

Filipendula ulmaria - Meadowsweet is an attractive plant which is idea for growing in damp soil and boggy areas such as the edge of a pond. It is mostly grown for its foliage, which emerges a fresh golden-green, fading to gold in summer, especially when grown in strong sun.

The plant puts much of its energy into developing its flower spikes and if allowed to flower the blooms have a strong sweet scent.  During the flowering period of June to August the creamy white blossoms provide a sweet scent and the rich pollen attracts bees, hoverflies and small beetles. 

Eriophorum angustifolium - Cottongrass (often referred to as bog cotton) is an evergreen perennial that forms vigorously spreading clumps.  It enjoys the harshest of environments - boggy, open, peat areas where there is little other competition.

Pure white silky haired seed heads form after flowering.  Cottongrass seeds and stems are edible and can used for medicinal purposes.  The fluffy seed heads have also been used as a substitute to stuffing pillows.

It provides an excellent habituate for wildlife and is a pond essential. 

Abies nordmanniana - Nordman Fir is the best selling species for Christmas tree production.

It has luscious soft dark green needles, a symmetrical shape, and excellent needle retention qualities.

We grow several other species of cell grown conifers which are all suited for Christmas tree production.

Cytisus scoparius - Broom is a large, native shrub that is often found on heathland, woodland and coastal areas.  

It thrives in poor soil and is a useful plant for stablising soil.

It produces bright yellow flowers in the Spring which smell of vanilla. The flowers then ripen into seed pods which crack open in the Summer.

There are many different varieties of Broom but we produce the native type from seed.

Cotoneaster lacteus - Milkflower Cotoneaster is a dense evergreen shrub that can be used for an informal hedge or screen.

Its main attraction is the clusters of creamy white flowers which persist all summer and then masses of red berries are produced in the autumn and stay on the plant until the winter.

This species has a wide arching habit with large leathery leaves with deep veins which have a furry underside. 

Alnus glutinosa - Common Alder, is a medium to large sized tree liking a natural habit of damp ground near rivers and lochs, but it is equally found in mixed woodlands on drier ground.

Cedrus atlantica - Atlas Cedar is a large evergreen conifer with silvery blue needles. The branches are horizontal and stiff.

Native to Morocco and Algeria in the Atlas Mountains where it is often grown as a pure stand. It is the only African tree that thrives in the UK, and most of the plants that we produce are used by our customers in the Southern and Eastern areas of the UK, as it is capable of withstanding periods of drought once established.

It produces strong and durable timber that is renowned for its strong and persistent fragrance.

Learn more about Atlas Cedar by reading our factsheet.

Spindle hedging plants provide a wonderful array of autumn colour. The four-lobed capsules burst into life with a vibrant shade of pink, opening to reveal orange fruits in the autumn. Euonymus europaeus hedging plants have dark green foliage that transforms into rich shades of red and yellow in autumn, adding another layer of colour to your garden.  Spindle produces a dense hard wood that was traditionally used for making spindles and small implements.

A fast-growing species, Spindle is ideal for giving an array of colour to a hedge and is an excellent attractor of wildlife.

Alnus rubra - Red Alder shares many of the features of our native Common Alder and is ideal for forming a windbreak or for companion planting with species such as Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce.

Leucanthemum vulgare - Oxeye Daisy, is a perennial wildflower that will do very well and endure year after year when given the right growing conditions.  It is often found growing in grassland and wildflower meadows. It will often colonise open ground if left to its natural devices and are particularly rampant in fertile soil. Leucanthemum vulgare bears a medium to tall un-branched stem topped by a solitary daisy flower from May to September. A very tolerant wildflower, it will grow in a wide range of soils but prefer rich, moist, loamy soils for the best results. 

Leucanthemum vulgare is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies​/​moths and other pollinators. It has nectar-pollen-rich-flowers, has seeds for birds and is a caterpillar food plant.

Cryptomeria japonica - Japanese Red Cedar is a large evergreen tree with green, dense foliage that turns bronze in Winter. 

Introduced into Britain in 1879, the Japanese Red Cedar has demonstrated its ability to produce a yield that is comparable to other commonly used conifers in the UK such as Douglas Fir & Western Red Cedar.  It’s expansion into UK is likely to be in areas with a warm, moist maritime climate such as W. Scotland, Wales and SW England.

There is limited experience of processing the timber in the UK but in its native range it is highly regarded as a major construction timber and is also often used in exterior, ground contact applications as the timber has good natural durability.

Learn more on this Fact Sheet.

A classic, native evergreen hedging plant, Ilex aquifolium - Holly growth rate is fairly slow at about 10-20cm a year, but what these hedging plants lack in speed, they make up for with seasonal interest and colourful foliage.

As a native hedging plant, Ilex is great for providing food and shelter to British wildlife. Birds such as blackbirds, chaffinches, robins and waxwings feast on the bright red berries and Holly plants provide a good source of nectar and pollen for bees. Holly hedging is the most beneficial to wildlife when left to grow naturally, as the bushy habit provides a safe, protected habitat

Betula pendula - Silver Birch is one of the UK’s most well-known and hardiest native trees which offer so much interest due to its graceful habit and papery/peeling white bark with brown contrast.

Deciduous. A true pioneer species which rapidly colonises open areas and supports over 300 species of insect. Silver Birch is one of the most productive broadleaves species in Scandinavian countries and a multifunctional species for the UK. Excellent planted as a mixture with other species, superb as a windbreak and provides excellent quality firewood!

Lychnis flos-cuculi, is found growing naturally in damp places in Europe, Caucasus and Siberia. It is an understated hardy perennial perfect for growing in damp borders.  With an upright or spreading habit, ragged robin forms a rosette of low growing blue-green, lance-shaped leaves at the base of the plant, becoming more rounded further up the stem. Flower stems can vary from 20cm-90cm tall. In summer loose, flat flower heads carry star-shaped flowers with deeply cut petals, which vary in colour from purple-pink to white. Blooms are generally present from May – August and butterflies and long-tongue bees like to feed on the flowers nectar.

Leylandii is a large evergreen conifer that is most commonly utilised for hedging or screening purposes.

Tough, Fast growing and tolerant of most conditions.

The foliage is dense, dark green in colour and flat in shape. We also produce Golden Leylandii.

If you are planting for hedging/screening you may also wish to consider Western Red Cedar. This species is equally as fast growing but has a tighter shape and a richer shade of green.

Betula pubescens - Downy Birch is probably one of the toughest native species.  Its range extends into the artic, more northerly than any other broadleaved species!

Deciduous.  It is similar in appearance to Silver Birch but has a more upright habit and a darker bark.

Primula veris - Cowslip, is one of the most striking native primula species. It has fresh green rosettes of crinkly oval leaves from which several flower stems are produced.  Each stem is crowned by a one-sided cluster of long, funnel-shaped blooms, rich yellow and sweetly fragrant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Primula veris in moist soil in partial shade. It is best grown in groups, especially if naturalised in grass, such as around the edge of a pond. Let plants self-seed after flowering, and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.

Primula veris is known for attracting bees, butterflies​/​moths and other pollinators. It nectar-pollen-rich-flowers and is a caterpillar food plant.

Cupressocypairs leylandii Castlewellan Gold - Golden leylandii is a large evergreen conifer that is most commonly utilised for hedging or screening purposes.

Tough, Fast growing and tolerant of most conditions.

The new growth is strikingly golden yellow in colour. We also produce Green Leylandii.

If you are planting for hedging/screening you may also wish to consider Western Red Cedar. This species is equally as fast growing but has a tighter shape and a richer shade of green.

Carpinus betulus - Hornbeam is an excellent versatile species which can either be used for forestry purposes or for hedging. If grown for hedging the leaves will stay on throughout most of the winter. 

Primula vulgaris - Primrose, is one of the most familiar signs of spring. Typically found in woodlands and beneath hedgerows, it thrives in damp shade in a variety of situations. It provides an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators and is used as a caterpillar foodplant by several species of moth.

It grows particularly well in a cool, shaded spot such as a woodland border. It associates particularly well with daffodils, which flower at the same time.

Juniperus communis - Juniper is a small evergreen conifer that is native to the UK.

Small green needles with a prickly point. Juniper is dioecious so the male and female flowers grown on separate plants.  Once pollinated by wind the female flowers develop into fleshy purple berries.

The berries are popular for flavouring gin but they are equally favoured birds who eat the berries. Juniper is also an important habitat for small mammals and nesting birds due the dense cover that it provides.

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut is a good example of a multi functional species. Excellent as a parkland tree, great for coppicing, and the chestnuts provide a tasty treat for red squirrels!

Native to Southern Europe but thought to be introduced by the Romans, Sweet Chestnut is found throughout the UK and is commonly associated with Southern England. Deciduous with long, narrow glossy leaves.

Prunella vulgaris - Selfheal, is a 5–30 cm high creeping grassland perennial with a square stem and bright green oval leaves, borne in opposite pairs. The flowers are violet, hooded and two lipped and are arranged into a dense slightly oblong head. Flowering is from June to September.

Selfheal is found on a wide range of grasslands such as meadows, pasture, lawns, roadsides and woodland clearings but has a particular affinity for moist, moderately fertile neutral or calcareous soils. A short rather slow growing plant it is often dominated by taller vegetation but can persist due to its tolerance of moderate shade.

It is particularly attractive to bees.

Larix decidua - European larch is one of the few deciduous conifers.

It has a lot to offer. It is tough and robust, provides strong durable timber and offers fantastic landscape value in the Autumn when its foliage changes to a golden yellow colour.

Its native range is the mountainous regions in Central and Eastern Europe where it grows well at high elevations. It has grown successfully in the UK since it was introduced in the early 17^th century.

The timber is noted for its hardness, strength, and natural durability so it is often used for exterior purposes. The seeds are a tasty treat for red squirrels!

We also produce Hybrid Larch.

Corylus avellana - Hazel is a small shrubby tree which is often found in mixed native woodlands and hedgerows.

It is well known for its long yellow catkins which appear in the Spring and then produces hazelnuts in the summer. Native to the UK.

Our cell grown Hazel plants are often used for hedge planting either on their own or mixed with other species such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Dog Rose etc. at a planting density of 6 plants per metre.

Silene dioica - Red Campion is an attractive, medium to tall perennial or biennial plant with a downy stem.  A distinctive pink-red in colour with five petals that are fused at their base to form a tube surrounded by a purple-brown protective sheath. This plant is dioecious, meaning the male and female flowers grow on separate plants.

Larix x eurolepis - Hybrid Larch is a cross between European Larch and Japanese larch. It is hardier and has a faster growth rate than its parents.

Larch has a lot to offer. It is tough and robust, provides strong durable timber and offers fantastic landscape value in the Autumn when its foliage changes to a golden yellow colour.

Its native range is the mountainous regions in Central and Eastern Europe where it grows well at high elevations. It has grown successfully in the UK since it was introduced in the early 17^th century.

The timber is noted for its hardness, strength, and natural durability so it is often used for exterior purposes.

The seeds are a tasty treat for red squirrels!

We also produce European Larch.

Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn is the backbone of most British hedgerows and is one of the first species to produce new leaves in the Spring. If left untrimmed it will grow into a small tree with a very dense crown.

A very showy native species with fragrant, creamy white flowers in the Spring followed by green haws (berries) turning red in autumn.

Spiny, dense deciduous foliage which provides an excellent habitat for birds and insects.

Our cell grown Hawthorn plants are often used for hedge planting either on their own or mixed with other species such as Crab Apple, Blackthorn, Dog Rose etc. at a planting density of 6 plants per metre.