Willow (Salix alba britzensis and Salix alba vitellina)

Weeping Willow is well-known to visitors to Coy Pond and gardens.  We now have more willow species on the island, planted for winter colour.

They should grow up to 6m (10 ft) tall with deep red (britzensis) and golden yellow (vitellina) new growth.

Left unpruned willow develops into a substantial tree forming an impressive feature in the winter landscape.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

Hawthorn is a thorny, much-branched shrub or small tree, up to 10m high, a native in scrub and woodland.

The stem is grey, but the youngest twigs can be red.

The 5-petalled white flowers are arranged in clusters, and the deep red fruits are 8-10mm across with a single stone inside.

The fruits called 'haws' provide winter food for many birds, including thrushes, fieldfares and redwings.

It is one of the most important shrubs for wildlife, generally providing food for 150 different insects, including Duke of Burgundy butterflies.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn is a deciduous, much branched shrub, up to 4m high, often found in lowland woodland margins, scrub and hedgerows.

The buds are tiny (<2mm), often in clusters of 3-5, on a dark (blackish) stem.

The white 5-petalled flowers open in March and April before the leaves which follow in late April.  The fruits, like small plums, become the blue-black 'sloes' which are ripe in September and October.

The low-growing thorny bush is an excellent protection for shy nesting birds such as nightingales. The leaves are the food of the caterpillars of brown and black hairstreak butterflies.

Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)

Vigorous native shrub or small tree with flat heads of heavily scented white flowers May and June followed by masses of translucent red berries in autumn. Any good moist soil but will thrive in wet or boggy situations.

Grows well at exposed & wet sites.

Ultimate height 13ft (4m), grows approx 1ft (30cm) per year.

Buddleia davidii (Butterfly Bush)

Also known as Summer Lilac.  A native of China, rather than the UK, but a popular choice.  A deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with a weeping form that can get 6-12ft (1.8-3.7m) tall and have a spread of 4-15 ft (1.2-4.6m).  A rather unkempt growth habit, but can reach 5' or more in a single season.

Grows in full sun or light shade. The blossoms appear in late summer, attracting numerous butterflies.

Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)

Native hedgerow shrub. Good for underplanting and in mixed hedges.  Clusters of white flowers in June and mid-green leaves, which turn orange-yellow in autumn before falling to reveal splendid, red-tipped, orange-yellow winter stems. This exciting variety of dogwood provides a bold splash of colour in winter.  Any soil, thrives in a damp position. 

Good informal hedge, 8ft x 6ft (2.4m x 1.8m). 

Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula)

Also known as Alder Dogwood, Purging Buckthorn and Waythorn.  A thornless tree (despite its name) with five-petalled green flowers; should form a dense undergrowth. Found in damp woodland, hedgerows and marshes, its name comes from the Greek "rhamnos", meaning branch. Small white flowers are followed by pendulous red berries which turn black in September.

The Brimstone butterfly lays its eggs under the leaves in early spring and the hatching caterpillars feed on the emerging leaves and shoots. Field mice also like to eat the berries.

Berries that are picked unripe are called Sappe berries and are steeped in alum water to give a yellow dye used by painters, bookbinders and leather craftsmen.

English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

The bluebell is commonly found in deciduous woodland, especially in oak and beech woods, but we're hoping it will grow well beneath the high pine canopy of the island.

Our native bluebells are under threat from both the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and a hybrid (a cross between the English and Spanish bluebell) which has been cross-breeding with our native species and threatening its existence.