Dig into the joy of a life outdoors
Find peace and purpose by reconnecting with nature, creativity and the joy of making things in your own patch of paradise.
Discover extraordinary, unusual, and beautiful plants from around the world — each with growing and care tips to help you cultivate these weird and wonderful species in your own space.
Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam
Tough native tree with ribbed leaves, superb as a clipped hedge that keeps its brown leaves…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 12–25 m (39–82 ft)
- H7 · Zone 5
Corylus avellana
Hazel
Multi-stemmed native shrub with dangling yellow catkins in late winter and edible hazelnuts in autumn.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 4–6 m (13–20 ft)
- H6 · Zone 6
Fagus sylvatica
Beech
Majestic native tree with smooth grey bark and silky green leaves that turn copper; also a…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 2–3 m (66–98 ft)
- H6 · Zone 6
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Goliath’
Goliath southern magnolia
A free-flowering evergreen magnolia with glossy leaves and enormous, lemon-scented, creamy-white flowers from a young age.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 6–15 m (20–49 ft)
- H5 · Zone 7
Ilex aquifolium
Holly
Classic evergreen with glossy, spiny leaves and bright red winter berries on female plants; superb for…
- Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- 8–15 m (26–49 ft)
- H6 · Zone 6
Calluna vulgaris
Heather
Low evergreen shrub for acid soil, smothered in spikes of pink, purple or white bells in…
- Full sun
- 20–60 cm (8–24 in)
- H7 · Zone 5
