About this deal
Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal' AGM: deeply cut leaves and double white flowers from spring to early summer. Height 7.5-15cm (3-6in). Spread more than 30cm (1ft). See the list below for some of our suggestions. A much wider range of plants suited to planting under trees including other cultivars of those listed can be found at RHS Find a Plant. Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Limelight' (v): (e) metallic, silvery young leaves that become marked with yellow and pale green in the centres. Small, scented, creamy-white flowers in autumn. Height and spread to 3m (10ft) Lonicera fragrantissima: dark green leaves, withvery fragrant small white flowers from the leaf axils in winter and early spring. Height and spread 2m (6ft) Vitis coignetiae AGM: large, heart-shaped dark green leaves to 30cm(1ft)long have bright autumn tints. Height 10m (33ft) or more
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata Pendula' (f/v): (e) purple stems and spiny, cream-margined, dark green leaves that are purple when young.Red berries if pollinated. Height and spread 4m (12ft) Clematis montana var. grandiflora AGM: Single, pure white flowers from late spring to early summer with occasional later flowers. Height to 10m (33ft) Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Gnom' AGM: (e) forms a wide mat of glossy, lance-shaped leaves, with small white flowers in summer followed by red berries. Height 30cm (1ft). Spread 2m (6½ft) Daphne pontica: (e) glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant, yellow-green flowers, mid and late spring. Height 1m (3¼ft), spread 1.5m (5ft)Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea' AGM: (lesser periwinkle) (e) dark, glossy green leaves on trailing shoots and violet-blue flowers from mid-spring to autumn. Height 10-20cm (4-8in). Spread indefinite. Herbaceous perennials Erythronium dens-canis AGM: (dog’s-tooth violet) green leaves, heavily mottled with brown, and solitary, white, pink or lilac flowers with yellow and red-brown zones at base in spring. Height 10-15cm (4-6in). Spread 10cm (4in). Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' AGM: mounds of arching, bright-yellow leaves with green stripes, red flushed in autumn. Bears needle-like pale green spikelets in open panicles to 18cm (7in) long in late summer. Height 35cm (14in). Spread 40cm (16in) Forsythia × intermedia 'Lynwood Variety' AGM: rich-yellow flowers, early to mid spring. Height and spread to 3m (10ft)
Cyclamen hederifolium AGM: attractively marked foliage and pink to maroon flowers in autumn, seeds freely. Height 10-13cm (4-5in), spread 15cm (6in). Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign' AGM: clumps of dark green leaves and large blue-violet flowers in spring. Height 30cm (12in). Spread 45cm (30in)
RAINFOREST CANOPY BIRDS
Iris foetidissimaAGM: (stinking iris) (e) glossy, rich green leaves and small, yellow-tinged, purple flowers followed by large pods opening to show bright orange-red seeds, persisting into winter. Height and spread 40cm (16in). Polypodium vulgare: (common polypody) (e) native to the UK, spreads, but not invasive. Height 30cm (1ft). Spread 90cm (3ft). Grasses for shade
Rhododendron 'Gomer Waterer' AGM: (e) (*) (w) large dark green leaves; lilac buds open to large clusters of pinkish-white flowers. Height and spread to 2m (6ft) or more Rubus tricolor: spreading, arching shoots covered in red bristles.White flowers followed by raspberry-like, edible fruits. Height 60cm (2ft). Spread indefinite.
What are canopies made of?
Taxus baccata 'Standishii' (f) AGM: (e) narrow, columnar yew with golden-yellow leaves. Height 1.5m (5ft). Spread 60cm (2ft) Ground cover shrubs Gaultheria procumbens AGM: (*) (e) dark green, leathery leaves, aromatic when crushed, turning reddish in winter. Small, bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers are followed by scarlet berries. Height 15cm (6in). Spread indefinite. Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' AGM: (e) leathery dark green leaves and, from late winter, flattened clusters of deep pink buds opening to small white flowerheads. Berries deep metallic blue. Height and spread 3m (10ft) Smaller shrubs