Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan-sugi'
A smallish, slow-growing, 1930 American version of the giant Crytomeria japonica, it makes a beautiful small conical evergreen. The new, creamy yellow spring foliage stands out against the dark old leaves; it's greenish-yellow in winter. ... [... more]
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Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'
Also known as Jew's mallow or quite simply as Kerria, this is a popular spring flowering shrub, just a single species from China but with several lovely varieties. It will grow almost anywhere, and soon develop into a thicket of tall graceful ... [... more]
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Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'
Best in acid or neutral soils, pieris are essential spring border shrubs. Elsewhere, they will grow exceptionally well in containers of lime-free, ericaceous compost. They are mountain forest plants, originally from the Far East, and appreciate a ... [... more]
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Cryptomeria japonica 'Compressa'
There are relatively few conifers that can truly be called dwarf. This cultivar is one, however, as it rarely grows larger than a football and has the same rounded shape. This conifer has dark green leaves in summer that turn a rich red-bronze in ... [... more]
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Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia'
A versatile evergreen shrub for almost anywhere in the garden. Slow-growing, it will only reach 1.8m (6ft) after ten years if left unpruned. Like all aucuba varieties, 'Crotonifolia' will grow in shade - although its gold-blotched and ... [... more]
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Kerria japonica 'Simplex'
This hardy shrub from China and Japan is usually seen in its stiffly upright, double flowered form, 'Pleniflora'. However the species is a more delicate, arching shrub with flowers like large buttercups. It will thrive in most situations. Find ... [... more]
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Camellia japonica
One of the classic spring flowering shrubs with colourful waxy flowers over fine glossy foliage. Even after flowering it is a decorative evergreen for the remainder of the year. It does need an acid soil but even if your soil is limy, it grows ... [... more]
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Cryptomeria japonica Elegans Group
Valued for its dense solid foliage and rich colouring, this form of the Japanese cedar forms a conical shape that is naturally slow growing and compact, but eventually a medium-size tree. It makes a good architectural shape to team with craggier ... [... more]
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Camellia japonica 'Grand Slam'
Camellias are classic spring-flowering shrubs with colourful waxy flowers and glossy foliage. 'Grand Slam' has vivid, dark red, double or semi-double flowers and superb glossy leaves. It should be positioned in a sheltered position to avoid cold ... [... more]
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Bletilla striata var. japonica f. gebina
Find out how to grow Bletilla striata var. japonica f. gebina This lovely half-hardy orchid has long, dark green leaves and sprays of pure white flowers from spring to early summer. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered site with ... [... more]
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Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'
Find out how to grow Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' Cultivar: 'Rubella' There are numerous lovely skimmias, generally from the Himalayas and the Far East, and these form evergreen shrubs of varying heights. Most are dioecious, meaning they have male ... [... more]
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Sophora japonica
Also known as the Chinese scholars' tree, Sophora japonica comes from China and Korea and, in many ways, resembles the false acacia, Robinia pseudoacacia. It grows fairly slowly to make a large rounded tree with an open structure of twisting ... [... more]
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