Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery

Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom'

2019-10-13T16:03:00.000+01:00

A ground of five Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' by our office. They have been in flower since late June and the flower heads are now turning pink. Will probably last until November before going over.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom'

Betula utilis 'Doorenbos'

2019-10-12T17:14:00.001+01:00

Our beautiful white stemmed Betula utilis 'Doorenbos' in early autumn 2019.

The gardens in autumn

2017-12-01T20:05:00.003+00:00

Several photos of the gardens earlier in the autumn this year.

Catalpa ovata

Euonymus alatus 'Little Moses'

For more photos see our facebook page or look at our website

Prunus 'Pandora'

2017-03-25T13:31:00.000+00:00

A lovely cherry tree with an upright habit and masses of pale pink to white flowers in spring. The leaves are usually bronze in colour when they emerge in spring, turning green in summer with orange and yellow tints before falling in autumn.

This video shows a 4 - 5 year old Prunus 'Pandora' flowering in mid to late March.

Size (in video:)
Height: 3 - 4 m (10 - 13ft)
Spread: 1.5 - 2 m (5 - 6 ft)

Cornus alba 'Aurea'

2016-10-01T11:48:00.000+01:00

A shrub with beautiful soft-golden foliage from spring until late summer which do not burn in strong sunlight. These leaves gradually turn lovely shades of pink and red in autumn.

In late autumn and winter the new shoots turn a fine, bright-red and these stems provide a great deal of winter colour until the following spring when the leaves re-emerge.

The plant in this video is a 3 - 4 year old Cornus alba 'Aurea' in mid September 2016. The stems are bright red in winter.

This plant is pruned back hard to 1ft above ground level each March.

Size (in video - a full years growth after being pruned in the Spring)
Height: 1.2 m (4ft)
Spread: 1 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky'

2016-09-25T16:05:00.000+01:00

A medium sized shrub with long-lasting, rose pink flowers throughout late summer. The flowers open as creamy white, before turning pink as they age giving a two toned appearance on the mature flower heads.

This video shows a 3 - 4 year old Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky' flowering in our woodland gardens in late September 2016.

This plant is pruned back hard to 1ft above ground level each March. It usually flowers from July to October.

Size (in video)
Height: 1 - 1.2 m (3 - 4ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft)

Sarcococca confusa (Christmas Box)

2016-02-18T14:55:00.001+00:00

Popular evergreen shrub native to western China, Sarcococca confusa has glossy, dark-green leaves and masses of fragrant, cream-coloured flowers in midwinter. These flowers are exceptionally well scented and flowering twigs may be cut and taken into the house for their lovely perfume.

Suitable in size for even the smallest of gardens and a particularly good choice of shrub for an area near a door where the flowers fragrance can be appreciated, it will also grow well in a large container or pot.

This video shows masses of scented white flowers in mid Feb on a 4 - 5 year old plant growing in our woodland gardens.

Height (in video): approx 1 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)

Betula albosinensis 'Chinese Ruby' (Chinese Red Birch)

2016-01-29T08:48:00.000+00:00

Lovely pink stemmed Chinese birch which judging by the ten year old specimen in our gardens does not grow to vigorously and is therefore suitable for gardens with limited space. The bark is bronze/brown initially on young trees, gradually peeling and becoming more colourful after 3 - 4 years in the ground. The leaves are dark green turning shades of yellow before falling in autumn.

7 - 8 year old Betula alobsinensis 'Chinese Ruby' growing in our woodland gardens. This video shows the pink winter bark in January.

Height (in video): approx 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 2 m (6 ft)

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Limelight'

2016-01-26T10:56:00.000+00:00

A subtle selection, Hamamelis x intermedia 'Limelight' has unscented flowers with very pale yellow, almost tinged with green petals in late winter and early spring. Although not as instantly eye-catching as some of the other cultivars, the flowers are perhaps the most pale yellow of any Hamamelis hybrid and very interesting in their own right.

4 - 5 year old plant growing in our woodland gardens. This video shows the handsome pale yellow flowers in January.

Height (in video): approx 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft)

More info:
http://www.bluebellnursery.com/catalo...

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Jermyns' (Himalayan Birch)

2016-01-22T14:27:00.000+00:00

A fine cultivar, named after Jermyns House, around which has been created the superb Hillier Arboretum by the late Sir Harold Hillier. It is a vigorous, medium sized tree with mahogany coloured young branches that turn dazzling-white with long horizontal lenticels as the peeling bark matures.

This video shows the handsome silver bark of a 16 - 18 year old tree growing in our woodland gardens on a frosty January morning.

Height (in video): approx 15 - 16 m (50 - 55 ft)
Spread: 8 m (26 ft)

More info:
https://www.bluebellnursery.com/trees/3011-13-Betula-utilis-Doorenbos.html

Malus 'Rosehip' (Crab Apple)

2015-09-25T14:44:00.000+01:00

An attractive small tree with masses of white flower in spring followed by large numbers of large, rounded red fruit in late summer/autumn which look very like rosehips. These fruit can be used in cooking or for making jams and jellies.

A young Malus 'Rosehip', approx 3 - 4 years old already fruiting well at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK.

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)

Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' (Coral Bark Maple)

2015-09-19T14:24:00.002+01:00

A sensational maple, Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' has bright red winter stems and golden-green leaves in summer which turn a dramatic shades of apricot-yellow in autumn.

One of our favourite maples and an excellent all year round garden plant! After the leaves fall the eye-catching, red and pink, coral coloured bark becomes visible and this lasts all winter until the new leaves emerge in the following spring.

Video shows late summer foliage

12 - 13 year old specimen growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2 m (6 ft)

Rubus phoenicolasius (Japanese Wineberry)

2015-09-14T16:44:00.000+01:00

A beautiful Japanese briar with rich coppery or burnished-red, bristly stems in winter and tasty, bright red, edible fruits in late summer. In our opinion, it is well worth cultivating simply as a fruiting plant, but it also happens to be very ornamental and makes an attractive garden feature. The fruits may be used to make delicious jellies, pies or cakes.

The Rubus phoenicolasius in this video is a six year old specimen growing at
Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK). Video made in mid September.

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2 - 2.5 m (6 - 8 ft)

Leycesteria formosa (Pheasant Berry)

2015-09-11T12:35:00.001+01:00

A handsome shrub originating in Western China and Eastern Tibet, Leycesteria formosa has trailing white and claret flowers in mid to late summer. These lovely flowers are followed by dark purplish-black fruit in autumn, popular with wildlife and pheasants in particular.

It is not particularly invasive or vigorous here in Derbyshire and this makes an unusual and lovely garden shrub, excellent as part of a low maintenance border or for planting in a woodland garden. Leycesteria formosa can be pruned hard if required for growing in a garden with limited space.

The plant in this video is a five year old specimen growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 2 m (6 ft)
Spread: 2 m (6 ft)

Platanus orientalis 'Digitata' (Cut-leaf Plane)

2015-09-09T14:57:00.000+01:00

An unusual cut-leaf tree originating from south-eastern Europe, Platanus orientalis 'Digitata' has very interesting, green, deeply cut leaves with 5 distinctive lobes. The leaves turn attractive shades of mustard yellow and bronze before falling in autumn.

Once established, it develops the familiar, eye-catching, flaking grey bark which can be seen on many London Planes in large cities throughout the country. A majestic large garden or parkland tree. Another tree with good yellow autumn colour here is Cladrastis kentukea which has bright yellow leaf colour in October.

This video shows the 7 - 8 year old specimen in our gardens colouring up in October.

Height (in video) : approx 4 - 5 m (13 - 16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)

Sorbus hupehensis 'Pink Pagoda' (Chinese Rowan)

2015-09-08T11:48:00.000+01:00

Sorbus hupehensis 'Pink Pagoda' is known for producing a very good display of berries in autumn . The leaves are fine, greenish-grey in colour and develop excellent red tints in a good, crisp autumn.

Clusters of small white flowers in early summer that are followed by masses of long lasting, pink-tinged white berries which last well into winter.

6 - 7 year old tree growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 2 - 2.5 m (6 - 8 ft)

Quercus cerris 'Argenteovariegata' (Variegated Turkey Oak)

2015-09-06T11:50:00.000+01:00

A true gem of the plant world, Quercus cerris 'Argenteovariegata' is a small tree with exceptionally pretty, cream variegated foliage from spring until autumn. These leaves are dark green with a striking creamy-white border.

A 14 - 15 year old tree growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Approx Size (in video)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 5 - 6 m (16 - 20ft)

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

2015-09-05T13:10:00.000+01:00

A beautiful flowering shrub, Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' has large, cool lime-green flower heads in mid to late summer. These can last for more then a month and during this time the bracts fade to cream with a hint of pink as they age.

Small group of 3 year old plants growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Size (in video)
Height: 1 - 1.2 m (3 - 4ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft) each

Hydrangea paniculata 'Butterfly'

2015-09-04T08:54:00.000+01:00

A lovely new selection with handsome white flower heads covered with large bracts. The flower heads emerge in mid to late July here and last until September or October. Hardy shrub suited for a position in sun or light, dappled shade.

The plants in the video are approx 2 - 3 year old and are growing in the gardens at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK)

Plant Size (in video)
Height: 1 - 1.2 m (3 - 4ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft) each

www.bluebellnursery.com

Acer palmatum 'Skeeter's Broom'

2015-09-03T16:23:00.001+01:00

Handsome and distinctive, Acer palmatum 'Skeeter's Broom' grows with a slender, upright habit when young, with deeply cut maroon-red summer leaves. These leaves turn lovely shades of bright red or orange in autumn before falling.

Approx 5 year old plant growing at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery (South Derbyshire, UK). Video shows habit and late summer foliage colour.

Size (in video)
Height: 1.5 - 2 m (5 - 6 ft)
Spread: 1 m (3 ft)

Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii'

2015-06-18T17:55:00.002+01:00

A short video of the Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii' in our gardens in full flower this June. A fantastic flowering plant.

Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai' (Fuji cherry)

2013-11-24T15:50:00.000+00:00

Stunning autumn colour this October on our Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai'. The dark green summer leaves have really coloured up well this year!

Prunus incisa 'Kojo-no-mai' is a hardy shrub or in many year, very small tree and will usually produce its best display of flowers & autumn colour in a position with plenty of sunlight and some shelter from strong winds.

Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'

2013-09-27T15:15:00.003+01:00

A popular and eye-catching shrub native to China, Callicarpa bodinieri var giraldii 'Profusion' has clusters of pink flowers, followed by masses of metallic-purple berries in autumn.

The young leaves are an attractive bronze and purple when young, turning pale green in the summer and developing purple / bronze tints in autumn before falling. The combination of the foliage and vibrant berries makes Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' a good choice for use in flower arranging.

Also handsome at this time of year are the white fruit of the similar Callicarpa japonica 'Leucocarpa'.

Actinidia kolomikta (Variegated Kiwi)

2013-06-29T10:19:00.001+01:00

A short video of the beautiful Actinidia kolomikta in our gardens. The leaves emerge dark green in spring, with large patches of white variegation gradually emerging, turning pink as the season progresses. Best in full sun, our plant nevertheless colours up reasonably well with a little shade.

In the wild Actinidia kolomikta can be found growing in the temperate mixed forests of the Russian Far East, Korea, Japan and China.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' (Witch Hazel)

2013-01-15T12:05:00.001+00:00

A sensational and popular witch hazel, Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' has lovely, scented yellow flowers that are borne in abundance in late winter and early spring. The specimen plant in our gardens has flowers with a wonderful citrus fragrance to them currently.

The leaves when they emerge are dark green in colour turning vivid shades of golden yellow in the autumn before falling.

Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' is a cracking plant for a winter border where its fragrance can be appreciated and in my opinion is best planted next to paths, doors or parts of the garden which will see some use through the winter.

Also Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' and other witch hazels can be grown very successfully in a large container if required, we tend to repot our show plants into a larger size every year or two.

Although hardy, Hamamelis may sometimes benefit from frost protection when young once the new leaves have emerged. Also, they do not generally grow well in wet soils and despise water logging and so should be planted in a well drained position if possible.

If planting in a winter border, they compliment other trees well, in-particular snakebark maples such as Acer tegmentosum and Acer davidii.