Screening Trees – View our re-stocked Holly, Laurel, Ligustrum and Photinia trees for screening!
Screening Trees – View our re-stocked Holly, Laurel, Ligustrum and Photinia trees for screening!
Replacing a dead tree might seem straightforward. Remove the old tree, buy another one and plant it in the same spot.
However, that approach could lead to the same problem all over again.
Before you replace a dead tree, take some time to work out why the original tree failed. The soil might hold too much water, dry out too quickly or suffer from compaction. Poor planting, inadequate watering or an unsuitable species could also have caused the problem.
Once you understand what went wrong, you can choose a replacement tree that better suits the conditions and give it the care it needs to establish successfully.
Start by investigating the planting area.
If the old rootball remains in the ground, carefully dig down beside it with a spade or trowel. You can learn a great deal about the conditions the roots experienced by examining the surrounding soil.
Look for signs that the ground was:
Consider the tree’s planting and maintenance history too. Did you plant it too deeply? Did it receive enough water during its first summer? Were grass or weeds competing with it for moisture?
This investigation gives you the information you need for a successful dead tree replacement.
Moisture levels play an important role when replacing a dead tree.
A tree needs water to survive, but its roots also need air. Too much or too little moisture can cause serious problems.
Dig beside the old rootball and examine the soil.
Sticky, saturated or persistently wet ground could point towards poor drainage. Heavy clay soils often hold water after prolonged rainfall, while compacted ground can make drainage even worse.
Some trees cope with wet conditions better than others. Choosing a replacement tree that tolerates moist or heavy soil could therefore improve your chances of success.
However, a different species will not solve severe drainage problems on its own. Standing water around the rootball may require improvements to the site before you plant again.
Dry soil can cause just as many problems, particularly during the establishment period.
Don’t rely on the surface of the soil when checking moisture. Rain can dampen the top few centimetres while the soil around the roots remains dry.
Instead, dig down beside the rootball and feel the soil. A dry root zone could indicate that the original tree needed more frequent or deeper watering.
Newly planted trees need particular attention during warm, dry or windy weather. Their developing roots cannot immediately access moisture throughout the surrounding soil.
When replacing a dead plant, consider both the plant’s water requirements and the amount of moisture your garden naturally retains.
Sometimes the tree didn’t receive the wrong care. Instead, you may have planted the wrong tree for the location.
Every tree has its own preferences for soil, drainage, moisture, sunlight and exposure.
A tree that prefers well-drained ground may struggle in a wet border. Another species might need consistently moist soil but struggle in a sandy, free-draining position.
That makes replacing a dead tree with the same species a decision worth considering carefully.
Use the evidence from the failed tree to guide your next choice.
Wet ground requires careful plant selection.
Look for trees that tolerate moist or heavier soils, particularly if your garden regularly stays damp after rainfall.
Remember that moist soil and permanently waterlogged soil present very different conditions. Many trees tolerate occasional wet periods but struggle when their roots remain submerged for long periods.
Where water regularly collects around the planting area, investigate the drainage before choosing another tree.
A suitable replacement tree should match the actual conditions of your garden rather than simply looking good at the point of purchase.
Free-draining soil presents the opposite challenge. Water moves through it quickly, which can leave newly planted trees short of moisture during dry weather.
Drought-tolerant trees can perform better in these conditions, but you should also look at the reasons the site dries out.
Nearby lawns, hedges and established trees can all compete with a young tree for available moisture.
Adding a suitable mulch can reduce moisture loss from the soil and suppress competing weeds. A consistent watering routine will also help your replacement tree establish.
Your old rootball may provide clues about planting problems.
One common mistake involves planting a tree too deeply. Soil should not cover the trunk above the appropriate root flare.
Compacted soil can create another problem. Construction work, heavy machinery and repeated foot traffic can compress the ground and restrict root growth.
When you replace a dead tree, take the opportunity to correct these problems.
Prepare the surrounding soil rather than simply putting a new tree into the old hole.
Once you understand the cause of failure, start looking for a plant that suits the site.
Consider:
Think about the job you want the new plant to perform too.
Perhaps you originally planted the tree for privacy. Maybe you wanted shade, screening, flowers or seasonal interest.
A screening tree for a wet garden needs different qualities from one for a dry, free-draining site. Matching the plant to both the purpose and growing conditions gives you a much stronger starting point.
Replacing a failed tree also gives you an opportunity to reconsider its eventual size.
A tree can look perfectly proportioned when you buy it and become much larger over the following years.
Before choosing your replacement tree, check its expected mature height and spread.
Ask yourself:
Will this tree still suit my garden in 10, 20 or 30 years?
Think particularly carefully about planting near:
You might also discover a better solution while researching your options.
For example, a pleached tree or trained screening tree can create privacy above a boundary while taking up less ground space than a conventional tree with a large spreading canopy.
Don’t rush straight from removing the old tree to planting the new one.
First, remove the old tree and as much remaining root material as practical. Take extra care if you suspect disease caused the original failure.
Next, examine the soil again.
Break up compacted areas and improve drainage where necessary. On very dry ground, consider how you will maintain moisture around the new rootball.
Avoid simply filling the old hole with compost and dropping a new tree into it.
The new roots will eventually grow beyond the original planting hole. The surrounding soil therefore needs to provide suitable conditions for healthy root development.
Planting your new tree marks the beginning of its establishment, not the end of the job.
Watering plays a particularly important role during the first growing seasons.
Check the soil regularly, especially during warm, dry or windy weather. When the soil around the rootball starts to dry, water thoroughly so moisture reaches the developing root system.
At the same time, don’t water automatically every day.
Heavy soil can remain wet beneath the surface even when the top looks dry. Overwatering can create problems just as easily as drought.
Your watering routine should reflect the soil, weather and tree rather than follow a rigid calendar.
Mulching can help your replacement tree establish.
A suitable organic mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and gradually improve the soil as it breaks down.
Spread the mulch over the soil around the tree but leave a clear gap around the trunk.
Avoid piling mulch directly against the bark. Excess moisture around the trunk can create its own problems.
Grass and weeds compete with a young tree for water and nutrients.
Keep the area immediately around your new tree free from competing vegetation, particularly during the establishment period.
This matters even more on dry, free-draining soil, where several plants may compete for a limited supply of moisture.
Regularly check the planting area and remove new weeds before they become established.
Not necessarily.
A newly planted tree needs time to establish its root system. Heavy pruning immediately after planting can create unnecessary stress.
However, remove damaged, dead or diseased branches when necessary.
You can also use formative pruning as the tree develops to create a balanced structure. The correct approach depends on the species, growth habit and purpose of the tree.
Include pruning in your long-term maintenance plan for the replacement tree, rather than treating it as a one-off task.
Larger trees may need staking while their roots establish.
Check the stake and tree tie regularly. The support should hold the tree securely without restricting its natural movement or becoming too tight around the trunk.
Remove or adjust the support when the tree no longer needs it.
Regular checks can prevent a small maintenance issue from turning into damage.
Yes, sometimes.
The original species may still suit your garden if poor watering, incorrect planting or another correctable problem caused the failure.
However, the situation changes when the tree struggled because of unsuitable soil, poor drainage or limited space.
In those circumstances, choose a different species that better matches the conditions.
Disease also deserves careful consideration. If you suspect a plant health problem, investigate the cause before replacing a failed tree with the same species.
For many trees, autumn through to early spring provides a good planting window, provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Bare-root and rootballed trees typically suit the dormant season, while container-grown trees offer more flexibility throughout the year.
Spring and summer planting require particular attention to watering. Warm weather can quickly dry the soil around a newly planted rootball.
Whenever you plant, monitor the moisture around the roots and adjust your maintenance routine accordingly.
The answer depends on the reason for the original failure.
Wet soil may call for a tree that tolerates moist conditions, although severe drainage problems may require attention first.
Dry, free-draining soil could suit a more drought-tolerant tree alongside a reliable watering routine.
A tree that simply became too large needs a smaller or more compact replacement.
For privacy or screening, you might find that a hedge, pleached tree or trained screening tree works better than the original choice.
The best replacement tree is therefore not necessarily the same species you had before. Choose a plant that suits both the conditions of the site and the job you want it to perform.
A dead tree can feel like a wasted investment, but its failure can also tell you a lot about your garden.
Before you replace a dead tree, investigate the soil and rootball. Check whether the site stays too wet, dries out too quickly or suffers from compaction.
Then consider whether the original tree suited the soil, available space and purpose.
Choose your new tree based on those findings.
Finally, give it a clear maintenance plan covering watering, weed control, mulching, staking and pruning.
A little extra investigation before planting can give your new tree a much better chance of becoming a healthy, established part of your garden.
Choosing the right tree involves more than finding one that looks attractive.
At King & Co, we can help you choose trees and hedging suited to your garden, whether you’re replacing a dead tree, creating privacy from neighbouring properties or looking for screening plants for a particular soil type.
If your previous tree failed, don’t automatically replace it like-for-like.
Find out what went wrong first. Then choose a tree that’s better suited to the job.
Box has long been a favourite for formal hedging, topiary and garden structure. However, the rise of box tree caterpillar and box blight has left many gardeners looking for attractive, low-maintenance alternatives. Whether you’re replacing damaged plants or planning a new planting scheme, these box hedging alternatives provide excellent substitutes, offering a similar look while being less susceptible to the problems that affect box.
There are two main reasons gardeners choose to replace box: box tree caterpillar and box blight. Both can cause severe damage, resulting in defoliation, unsightly brown patches and, in many cases, the death of the plant.
Box tree caterpillars are the larvae of the invasive box tree moth. They feed almost exclusively on box, rapidly stripping plants of their foliage before attacking the bark. Heavy infestations can leave hedges and topiary looking bare within a matter of weeks.
Box blight is a fungal disease that affects box plants, causing leaves to turn brown and fall prematurely. Dark black streaks develop on the stems, and repeated outbreaks can weaken or kill plants. Once established, the disease is difficult to eradicate, making replacement the most practical solution for many gardens.
Fortunately, there are several excellent shrubs that provide a similar neat, evergreen appearance without the same susceptibility to box blight and box tree caterpillar.
1. Euonymus ‘Jean Hugues’. Closely resembles box with its small, slightly serrated dark green leaves. ‘Jean Hugues’ also has a naturally compact, upright habit and responds exceptionally well to regular clipping. It is an excellent choice for dense hedging, formal gardens, edging and topiary.
2. Euonymus japonicus ‘Albomarginatus’ offers dense, compact growth with attractive green leaves edged in crisp white. It clips neatly into formal shapes while bringing brightness and contrast to borders and pathways. A great choice if you’re looking to add a little more interest.
3. Hebe Sutherlandii forms naturally rounded mounds of fine grey-green foliage, making it ideal for informal low hedging or clipped shapes. Its silvery-blue tones and purple stems provide a softer look than box while still delivering year-round structure.
4. Ligustrum delavayanum has tiny, glossy dark green leaves and a naturally dense habit. It tolerates regular clipping exceptionally well and is widely used for low hedging, topiary and formal garden designs.
Planting trees before autumn gives them time to establish, allowing you to enjoy a stunning display of seasonal color as the leaves turn autumnal shades of gold, amber and red. Whether you are adding a focal point or enhancing an existing landscape, choosing the right tree is a great way to add interest to your garden throughout the season.
Choosing trees with striking autumn colour is an excellent way to extend seasonal interest and bring warmth, texture and vibrancy to your garden. While many plants begin to fade, trees with colorful foliage create a stunning display, adding depth and character to the landscape before winter arrives. These trees can also provide valuable habitats for wildlife and serve as eye-catching focal points for gardens of any size.
Our favourite varieties include…
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ (Sweet Gum) features attractive maple-like leaves that emerge fresh green in spring before transforming into a spectacular display of yellow, orange, red and deep purple in autumn. Its exceptional seasonal colour makes it a striking focal point as the seasons change.
Both green and purple beech are exceptional choices for adding year-round beauty, structure and wildlife value to the landscape.
Green beech. Glossy green summer foliage transforms into a spectacular display of vibrant gold, orange, and rich coppery-russet tones in autumn.
Purple beech. Deep purple spring and summer foliage gradually changes to warm shades of reddish copper, bronze, and golden brown in autumn, creating a striking seasonal contrast.
Both green and purple beech develop a dense branching structure, and many of their crisp, papery leaves remain on the branches throughout winter. These retained leaves provide valuable winter shelter, offering nesting sites and excellent protection for birds and other wildlife from harsh weather and predators. They also continue to provide screening and structure in the landscape long after many other deciduous trees have shed their leaves.
Japanese maples are widely considered some of the best trees for autumn colour. Their leaves transition into vivid shades of fiery red, brilliant orange, glowing yellow and deep purple.
‘Atropurpureum’ is a deep purple-red/burgundy tone throughout the spring and summer, turning spectacular, shades of fiery crimson-red before dropping for the winter.
‘Orange Dream’ is typically lime green with orange margins over summar. Transforming into a vivid mix of bright yellow-gold and rich crimson before the leaves drop.
Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) is one of the best trees you can choose for autumn. Its leaves shift through brilliant, vibrant shades of yellow, orange, crimson, and purple creating a spectacular, fiery display of seasonal colour.
Rowan/Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is a spectacular choice for autumn. It puts on a multi-sensory seasonal show with its leaves turning fiery shades of red, purple, and yellow, and heavy clusters of bright berries ripening in late summer and autumn.
Leylandii has earned a reputation as one of Britain’s fastest-growing evergreen conifers. Why choose Leylandii? Its rapid growth, evergreen foliage and remarkable versatility make it a popular choice for gardens of all sizes. While it’s best known for creating dense privacy screens, it can also be shaped into a variety of eye-catching, architectural garden features.
Leylandii is a classic choice for creating an evergreen hedge. Its dense branching structure quickly forms a thick living wall that provides privacy, reduces noise, and offers shelter from strong winds. Because it responds well to trimming, Leylandii can be maintained at a manageable height and width while keeping a crisp, formal appearance. It remains one of the quickest ways to establish a mature-looking boundary.
Ideal for:
Privacy screening
Windbreaks
Defining boundaries
Reducing traffic noise
Creating a green backdrop for planting
Rather than starting at ground level, the foliage begins on a clear stem, creating a lollipop style tree. This form introduces height without taking up excessive ground space, making it ideal where you want evergreen interest but don’t want a full hedge. Because the trunk remains visible, it also allows underplanting.
Perfect for:
Framing pathways
Driveways
Front gardens
Patio planting
Garden entrances
Formal gardens
Topiary plants are an excellent way to add architectural interest and visual impact to your landscape. Popular as statement pieces beside front doors, gateways, or garden paths, their evergreen foliage provides year-round appeal. With occasional trimming, their shapes remain crisp and attractive, naturally drawing attention throughout every season.
Common uses include:
Entranceways
Feature planting
Contemporary or Courtyard gardens
Formal planting schemes
Decorative patio displays
Container planting
Trees can be an effective way to create privacy, define boundaries and soften fences or walls while adding year-round interest to the garden. Choosing the right species from the outset is essential, as the best boundary trees combine manageable growth with attractive seasonal features and are suited to the available space.
Whether your priority is screening neighbouring properties, reducing noise or creating a greener backdrop, selecting a tree with the appropriate mature size and growth habit will help ensure it remains an asset rather than becoming difficult to maintain.
Before selecting a tree for a boundary, think about how it will look and perform in the years ahead rather than simply how it appears at planting.
Mature size. Selecting a species thats mature height and spread remains in proportion to the available space will reduce future pruning requirements and help prevent overcrowding or excessive shading.
Growth habit. The natural shape of a tree can make a significant difference when planting near boundaries. Upright or narrow-growing varieties provide privacy while occupying less space, making them ideal for smaller gardens or planting close to fences.
Root system. Most ornamental trees develop root systems that are suitable for domestic gardens. However, larger, vigorous species should be given more room to allow healthy root development.
Evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen trees retain their foliage throughout the year, providing continuous screening and structure in every season. Deciduous trees offer seasonal highlights such as spring blossom and vibrant autumn foliage. They also allow more light into the garden during winter.
If privacy is your main objective, evergreen trees are often the best solution. Their year round foliage creates a permanent screen while adding colour and structure to the garden throughout every season.
Photinia ‘Red Robin’. One of the most popular screening trees, Photinia ‘Red Robin’ produces vibrant red young foliage that gradually matures to glossy green. Its naturally dense growth responds well to pruning, making it ideal for forming an attractive screen.
Laurel (Prunus). Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) are two of our favourite varieties for screening. Cherry laurel is a dependable evergreen that quickly develops into a dense barrier of rich green foliage. It is particularly well suited for creating privacy along garden boundaries while remaining easy to maintain. Portuguese Laurel offers a more refined appearance with smaller leaves and distinctive burgundy-red stems. Its naturally neat habit makes it equally effective as a screening tree while providing an elegant architectural feature.
Chinese privet (Ligustrum japonicum ‘Superbum’). Chinese Privet is a compact, semi-evergreen variety with attractive cream-edged foliage that brightens the garden throughout the year.
Where complete year-round screening is not essential, deciduous trees can provide privacy during the growing season while introducing blossom and autumn colour.
Malus ‘Street Parade’. This upright ornamental crab apple is particularly well suited to narrow spaces. Its compact form, spring blossom and colourful ornamental fruits make it an excellent choice for boundary planting.
Prunus ‘Snow Goose’. A slender flowering cherry that produces masses of white blossom in spring. Its naturally upright habit allows it to fit comfortably into smaller gardens without overwhelming the space.
When creating a boundary screen, planting several trees at consistent intervals usually produces a more natural and effective result than relying on a single specimen. Always allow sufficient room for each tree to reach its mature size and leave adequate space from fences, walls and neighbouring structures to enable healthy growth and future maintenance.
By selecting trees that are appropriate for both the available space and the growing conditions, you can create a boundary planting scheme that delivers privacy, seasonal interest and lasting value for many years.
Learning how to choose the right tree for your garden is the first step toward creating a healthy, attractive landscape. Selection involves more than just aesthetics; the size of your garden, soil type, light conditions and the surrounding environment all play a critical role in determining which species will thrive. By matching the right tree to these specific conditions, you can encourage healthy growth, reduce maintenance and ensure your tree flourishes for years to come.
Before choosing a tree, take a few moments to assess the conditions of your garden. Considering the factors below will help you identify the species best suited to your space.
Focus on…
1. Garden Size. Consider the available space.
2. Garden Settings. Think about your surroundings.
3. Light conditions. Assess how much sunlight the planting area receives.
4. Soil Type. Understand your soil conditions.
When choosing your new tree, it is important to select a species that is in proportion to the available space. This will help ensure it does not overshadow, crowd or eventually outgrow the garden.
Smaller gardens. Trees with a naturally compact habit are ideal for limited spaces. Suitable choices include Amelanchier, ornamental cherry and Cotoneaster, to name a few.
Medium-sized gardens. These can accommodate a wider range of tree species, offering enough space for trees with a moderate mature height and spread to develop naturally. Suitable choices include Himalayan birch, Liquidambar and fruit trees on semi-dwarfing rootstocks.
Larger gardens. More generous spaces provide the opportunity to plant larger canopied trees that create a striking focal point. Smaller trees can sometimes appear out of scale when planted as isolated specimens, so grouping several of the same species in a loose triangular arrangement can create a fuller, more impactful feature.
It is important to consider the surrounding environment as well as the available space when choosing a new tree. Different garden settings present different growing conditions, so selecting species that are well suited to the site will help ensure healthy growth and long-term performance.
Urban. Urban gardens often benefit from species that tolerate pollution and confined growing conditions. Malus ‘Street Parade’ and Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ feature narrow, upright crowns, making them excellent choices for restricted spaces and street planting.
Coastal. Coastal gardens require trees that can withstand exposure to strong winds and salt-laden air. Quercus ilex, Crataegus ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ and Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’ are all excellent choices, as they are highly resilient to exposed coastal conditions.
Overlooked gardens. Consider trees with a dense or evergreen habit that can be planted at regular intervals to create an effective, uninterrupted screen. Popular choices include Photinia ‘Red Robin’, Cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel.
Consider how much sunlight the planting site receives throughout the day. Some species require full sun, while others are well adapted to partial shade or even heavily shaded locations. Selecting trees that are suited to the available light will help them establish well and perform at their best.
Full sun. Trees growing in full sun generally produce their best flowering, foliage colour and overall growth. Suitable choices include Olive and Magnolia grandiflora ‘Gallissoniere’, both of which thrive in bright, sunny positions.
Partial shade. Many species perform well with a balance of sun and shade, particularly where they are protected from the hottest afternoon sun. Acer palmatum and Acer griseum are excellent choices for these conditions.
Shade. Shadier areas require species that are adapted to lower light levels. Cherry laurel and English holly are reliable choices for these areas.
Soil conditions have a significant influence on how well a tree establishes and grows. Choosing trees adapted to your existing soil type encourages strong root development, reduces maintenance, and improves long-term health.
Dry. Free draining soils are best suited to species that can tolerate periods of drought once established. Yew (Taxus baccata) is a hardy and adaptable choice for these conditions.
Wet. Consistently damp soils require species that can tolerate high moisture levels. The Golden Weeping Willow (Salix ‘Chrysocoma’) thrives in these environments and is particularly well-suited for planting near ponds or streams. Please note that extremely stagnant or waterlogged conditions can still lead to root suffocation. This can result in weak, shallow root systems and eventually lead to root rot.
Clay. Hornbeam is an excellent choice for heavy clay or restricted root zones, as it handles compacted ground well once established. While it should not be planted in permanently waterlogged soil, it tolerates temporary winter waterlogging much better than most plants.
Regardless of the species, all newly planted trees require regular watering during their first few growing seasons while their root systems become established. Even drought-tolerant species need consistent irrigation during this initial period. Additionally, ensuring well-drained soil is vital, as prolonged waterlogging can damage roots. In areas with heavily compacted or poor-quality soil, some soil improvement may be necessary to facilitate healthy root development.
While many new build gardens start with little more than a lawn, fencing and a patio, they provide a perfect blank canvas for creating an outdoor space that suits your lifestyle. Without the burden of overgrown roots or outdated, immovable features, homeowners have the total freedom to design a layout from scratch that perfectly fits their lifestyle.
While new build gardens offer the creative freedom to design your perfect outdoor space, they can be limited in size and overlooked by neighboring properties. Choosing the right plants is a fantastic strategy to ensure your garden remains balanced as it matures.
Focus on…
1. Evergreen screening trees
2. Evergreen shrubs
3. Small ornamental trees
4. Multi-stem trees
You can create a beautiful outdoor space that maintains its shape and privacy all year round!
Evergreen screening trees. Offer an ideal solution for providing privacy above the fence line. These trees effectively screen overlooking windows, unsightly views, or nearby roads, and can even offer a level of noise protection. They also feature clear stems, which allow for underplanting!
Evergreen shrubs. Great for softening fence lines, which can often appear harsh in open or empty outdoor spaces.
Small ornamental trees. Choosing trees with spring blossoms and autumnal colour changes is an excellent way to add seasonal interest to your garden. Selecting a tree with a smaller mature height ensures that it will fit perfectly without outgrowing your available space.
Multi-stem trees. An excellent choice for adding texture and movement to a landscape without overgrowing the space. Because these trees share energy across multiple branches, their mature height remains limited. They are a great way to help new gardens feel established surprisingly quickly.
Creating a beautiful garden doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With the right mix of trees and shrubs, you can easily landscape your garden on a budget. Whether refreshing a space or starting from scratch, investing in plants is a great way to introduce lasting structure, colour and interest for years to come.
Trees are one of the best investments you can make for your garden, providing lasting structure, seasonal interest and increased privacy while improving kerb appeal.
If you’re looking to create an instant transformation, semi-mature trees are an excellent option. Typically supplied at heights of 3-3.5 metres, they provide an established look from the moment they’re planted, making them ideal for creating privacy, adding focal points or enhancing a newly landscaped garden.
For those looking to keep costs down, younger trees offer exceptional value. Usually supplied in 10-20 litre containers and standing around 2 metres tall, these trees are more affordable while still providing plenty of impact as they mature. With proper care, they will establish quickly and develop into impressive specimens over time.
A carefully chosen selection of ornamental trees can transform a garden on a modest budget. Trees provide year-round interest through striking bark, elegant form, seasonal flowers, and vibrant autumn color, while also creating valuable wildlife habitats. Whether used as focal points, boundary features, or to add height and structure, trees help a garden appear mature and professionally designed without the expense of extensive hard landscaping. Some of our favourite varieites include:
Himalayan birch (Betula jacquemontii). Loved for its brilliant white bark and graceful habit, this elegant tree provides light, deciduous screening, helping to soften and distract from unsightly views while allowing plenty of natural light to filter through its airy canopy.
Snakebark maple (Acer rufinerve). An attractive small tree with distinctive green-and-white striped bark and vivid autumn colours of gold, orange and red.
Cotoneaster cornubia. A hardy ornamental tree producing masses of white spring flowers followed by red berries that are loved by birds. Its a great way to encourage wildlife into the garden.
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’). A great option for seasonal colour, with stunning shades of yellow, orange, crimson and purple in autumn.
Golden Weeping Willow (Salix ‘Chrysocoma’). A fast growing specimen with cascading golden branches, its a great choice for structure and movement throughout the year.
Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’ (Whitebeam). With spring flowers and colourful berries, tree is another candidate for attracting wildlife.
Shrubs are an excellent way to add texture, color, and year-round interest to your garden. Choosing plants in 4.5 litre pots is a cost-effective strategy to fill borders, soften hard landscaping, and complement your planting scheme. This allows you to create a fuller, more established appearance without stretching your budget. Our selection includes evergreen favorites such as Choisya and Nandina, which provide reliable structure and foliage color throughout the year. We also offer flowering varieties like Ceanothus and Viburnum, which bring seasonal interest and valuable benefits for pollinators and wildlife.
Choisya
‘Goldfingers’. Finely divided golden-yellow foliage that adds brightness and contrast to planting schemes throughout the year.
ternata. Valued for its glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers, which often appear in spring and again later in the season.
‘Sundance’. Ideal for year-round colour, its scented white flowers that stand out beautifully against the bright foliage.
Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’. A favourite with bees and other pollinators, this low growing evergreen produces masses of vivid blue flowers in late spring.
Nandina domestica ‘Blush Pink’. Great for year-round colour and seasonal interest. It has delicate foliage that emerges pink and red before maturing to soft green.
Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’. Large clusters of white flowers in spring create a striking display.
Landscaping on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality or impact. By selecting a mix of tree and shrub sizes, you can create a beautiful, well-balanced garden that suits both your budget and your long-term goals.
Whether you are looking for instant results or are happy to watch your garden mature over time, achieving your vision is possible with thoughtful plant choices and a clear plan.
Browse our full range online and start your garden transformation today.
Although the dormant months may still seem a little way off, now is a great time to start preparing for the bare root season. Whether you’re planting a new hedge, creating a woodland area or gapping up an existing hedge, a little organisation now will help ensure a smooth and successful planting season later in the year.
One of the best ways to prepare for the bare root season is to plan your order early. Knowing what you’ll need before pre-orders open means you can secure the right plants before popular species begin to sell out.
Bare root trees and hedging are only available during their dormant season, typically from November through to March. As demand increases each autumn, some species and sizes can become limited, so planning ahead gives you the best choice and helps avoid disappointment.
Take some time now to consider:
The BN11 grant has been renewed for another year. Through the Countryside Stewardship scheme, eligible landowners can claim £22.97 per metre for planting new native hedges. This funding provides an excellent opportunity to enhance biodiversity, improve the landscape, and create valuable wildlife habitat while helping to offset planting costs.
Applications opened in July. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the 2026 guidance and application process and apply early. Last year’s Capital Grants offer were extremely popular. The grant reopened at the start of July and closed to new applicants in early August after the available budget was fully allocated. With demand expected to remain high, it’s advisable not to delay your application.
At King & Co, we supply native hedge packs that fully comply with BN11 requirements. Each pack contains a carefully selected mix of at least five native species, with no single species accounting for more than 70% of the planting. This makes it simple to meet the specification while establishing attractive, wildlife-friendly hedgerows.
If your BN11 application is approved, you’ll be ready to secure your planting stock as soon as pre-orders open. King & Co’s bare root pre-orders begin in late September. Allowing you to reserve the plants you need well before the busiest part of the season.
Even if you’re not planting through a grant scheme, pre-ordering your bare root trees and hedging is one of the best ways to prepare for the season. Many of the most popular species and sizes are in high demand each year, so reserving your stock early gives you the widest choice and the confidence that everything will be ready when planting conditions are right.
Pre-ordering also makes planning much easier. It allows you to arrange delivery for the ideal planting period between November and March (when bare root plants are dormant and ready to establish successfully).
Preparing for the bare root season now can make all the difference once autumn arrives. By planning your project, checking your grant eligibility where applicable and placing your order early, you’ll be able to make the most of the bare root planting season.
Low maintenance trees are an increasingly popular choice for busy homeowners, urban gardeners, property developers and anyone looking to create an attractive outdoor space without the need for constant upkeep. In this guide, we’ll explain what makes a tree low maintenance, explore the benefits of planting one and highlight some of our favourite varieties for gardens and landscapes of all sizes.
While every tree requires some level of care, maintenance needs can vary significantly depending on the species, growing conditions, and the experience of the person planting and managing it. As a general rule, low-maintenance trees tend to be slow to moderate growers with a naturally compact habit. These characteristics help minimise the need for regular pruning and reduce the likelihood of a tree outgrowing its space.
Before planting, it’s important to consider:
Selecting a tree that is well suited to its environment is one of the most effective ways to reduce future maintenance requirements!
1. Time Saving. Low maintenance trees generally require less pruning, shaping and ongoing care, making them ideal for busy homeowners.
2. Reduced Long-Term Costs. By choosing a tree that remains proportionate to its surroundings, you can avoid costly remedial pruning and reduce the need for professional intervention as the tree matures.
3. Better Suitability for Smaller Spaces. Many low maintenance varieties have compact growth habits, making them well suited to smaller gardens, courtyards and urban environments.
Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica). A versatile evergreen tree with glossy dark-green foliage and an elegant, compact form. Portuguese laurel generally maintains an attractive shape with minimal pruning.
Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ (Hornbeam variety). This narrow, upright cultivar is perfect for gardens where space is limited. Its columnar shape requires very little maintenance while providing excellent seasonal interest.
Malus ‘Street Parade’ (Crab apple variety). A compact ornamental crab apple producing attractive spring blossom followed by decorative fruits. Its manageable size and tight, narrow, upright crown make it excellent for streets or small gardens.
Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ (Ornamental cherry variety). An elegant flowering cherry with a slender growth habit and masses of pure white blossom in spring. Ideal for smaller gardens and urban planting schemes.
Himalayan birch (Betula jacquemontii). Renowned for its striking white bark, this beautiful birch delivers year round interest with little maintenance beyond occasional formative pruning.
Silver birch (Betula pendula). One of the UK’s most recognisable native trees, silver birch is graceful, adaptable and easy to grow. Its light canopy and elegant form require minimal ongoing management.
While low maintenance trees require less attention than many other varieties, a little care during the establishment period will help ensure they thrive for years to come. The main things to consider are:
Watering. Regular watering is essential during for the first few growing seasons after planting. Once established, many low maintenance trees only occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
General maintenace. Maintaining a weed and grass free circle around the base of the trees helps to remove competition for water and nutrients. You can also be in the practice of applying a layer of mulch around the base of the tree. This helps to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil health. Be sure to keep mulch clear of the trunk to prevent moisture related issues.
Pruning. One of the key advantages of low maintenance trees is that they require very little pruning. Occasional removal of dead, damaged or crossing branches is usually all that is needed to maintain a healthy structure and attractive appearance.
For more tips check out our Tree Care Guide!
Whether you’re looking to create an instant impact or are happy to watch your tree mature over time, we stock low maintenance trees in a wide range of sizes to suit every project and budget.
For customers seeking immediate results, our semi-mature trees are typically supplied at heights of 3-3.5 metres, providing an established appearance from day one. These larger specimens are ideal for landscaping projects, new build developments and homeowners looking to enhance their garden quickly.
For those working with a smaller budget, we also offer younger trees in 10 litre containers, which are typically supplied at heights of approximately 1.75-2 metres. These trees represent excellent value for money and, with proper care, will quickly establish and grow into impressive specimens.
By offering a broad range of tree sizes, we can help customers find the perfect low-maintenance tree regardless of budget, garden size or project requirements.
Choosing the right tree from the outset can save considerable time and effort in the years ahead. By selecting species that are naturally compact, well suited to their environment and slow to moderate in growth, you can enjoy the benefits of trees while keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum.
You can buy trees, hedging, shrubs and topiary online by browsing our website.
If you do not see a plant or size that is suitable for you then please call as we stock a wide variety of plants in our tree nursery. It’s worth noting that many other websites sell other people’s stock (i.e. they act as an agent) so you cannot view the products at their own site. At King & Co, all of our advertised plants are available for viewing at our tree nursery in Rayne, near Braintree, situated just over an hours drive out of London.
Our knowledgeable and experienced tree nursery staff are always contactable via phone on 01376 340469 or if you have any questions regarding any of our trees or accessories.
If you cannot see what you require on our website, please complete the enquiry form. We will give it our urgent attention and will get back to you shortly with a solution that meets your needs.
If you are looking for specific evergreen trees, Photinia, Leylandii hedging, Leylandii trees, instant hedging or shrubs, use the search bar at the top of the page
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