
JAPANESE MAPLE – ACER
POSITION – Partial shade
SIZE –4-10ft (1.2 x 4m)
STRENGTHS – Architectural plant
WEAKNESSES – doesn’t like wind and boggy ground
USES – Pots, Rockeries and gardens
GARDEN CENTRE RATING – 9/10

COTONEASTER
POSITION – Any
SIZE – 3” – 12ft (2cm to 5m)
STRENGTHS – tough as ‘old boots’
WEAKNESSES – None
USES – Screening, ground-cover
GARDEN CENTRE RATING – 9/10

VIRGINIA CREEPER – PARTHENOCISSUS
POSITION – Anywhere it can climb
SIZE – to the roof
STRENGTHS – self clinging to surfaces
WEAKNESSES – bare in the winter
USES – covering ugly walls
GARDEN CENTRE RATING – 7/10

PHORMIUM (NEW ZEALAND FLAX)
POSITION – Sun or partial shade
SIZE – average of 4ft (120cm)
STRENGTHS – tough evergreen
WEAKNESSES – not keen on really wet winters
USES – Architectural
GARDEN CENTRE RATING – 8/10