A deciduous tree, which on a clear stem can grow to 30ft tall, though can also have a low bushy habit, a native of the Eastern Mediterranean it requires dry sunny sites to grow well and is better suited to southern England than the north. The leaves are rounded and heart shaped and late to appear in the UK.

The flowers appear when the tree is leafless, the rosy pink blossom is so profuse that it gives the impression of a pink mist in the distance.

The popular name Judas tree is commonly believed to be derived from the legend that this was the tree that Judas Iscariot hanged himself upon after the great Betrayal.  Though the name could also be a corruption of ‘Tree of Judea’

Malus Rudolf

A small tree of upright habit, the leaves emerge a deep bronze red, as they open and develop they become a dark bronze green.

The flowers are deep red in bud opening to large, single, strong rose red covering the tree in late April and early May.

Weeping trees are always a good option for a small garden. One of the most spectacular  is the Kilmarnock Willow,  Salix Caprea Pendula.   As the weeping branches are top grafted onto a stem of native pussy willow  it has a beautiful umbrella form and doesn’t grow bigger than the height of the stem normally 6-8ft.

Its stand out feature are the beautiful  catkins in late winter/early spring that cover the tree, offering a  cascade of siver and gold in bud which fades to grey.

This grafted willow that is a weeping form of our native  Goat or Pussy Willow is quite happy in wet ground.

Plants that flower throughout the winter are far from common and trees that flower in the winter are even thinner on the ground.

One exception to this rule is Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’, winter flowering cherry.  A small ornamental tree that will only grow to 8m/26ft and can be found in flower on and off from November through March offering a bit of excitement when there is little else on offer in the garden. Its flowers of pale pink turning white can be cut and used to add a touch of colour to the house. In the spring it has small dark green leaves that do not provide too much shade in the summer, then in the autumn  they turn lovely shades of red and orange before giving way to the flowers in winter.