Plant Encyclopedia
Discover plants for your garden — filter by sun, water, bloom time and more.
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17 plants
ClimbersAkebia quinata
Chocolate Vine
The chocolate vine is a vigorous, twining climber with graceful five-lobed foliage and unusual chocolate-purple flowers appearing in April and May. The blooms release a subtle, sweet fragrance reminiscent of chocolate and vanilla. In warm weather, striking pear-shaped fruits may develop.
TreesBetula pendula
Silver Birch
Silver Birch is a graceful, fast-growing tree with striking white bark that peels in thin layers over the years. The fine, pendulous branches give the tree an airy, elegant silhouette. In autumn, the small triangular leaves turn bright yellow.
ClimbersClematis montana
Mountain Clematis
Mountain clematis is a fast-growing climber that becomes smothered in white or pink flowers during May and June. The plant can cover large surfaces in a short time, making it ideal for growing over pergolas, fences, and unsightly walls. The lightly fragrant blooms appear on the previous year's wood.
ShrubsForsythia × intermedia
Border Forsythia
Forsythia is one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring with an explosion of bright yellow flowers along bare branches. From March to April, this robust shrub turns the garden golden before the leaves appear. Forsythia grows quickly, is fully hardy, and makes a stunning specimen or hedge plant.
TreesGrevillea robusta
Silky Oak
The silky oak is a fast-growing, imposing Australian tree with finely divided, fern-like foliage and striking, one-sided orange-yellow flower plumes from April to June that are rich in nectar. As a young tree it can be kept as a container plant for its graceful leaf texture. In subtropical climates it grows into a majestic specimen.
ShrubsLigustrum vulgare
Common Privet
Common Privet is a versatile, semi-evergreen shrub with small, oval leaves and fragrant white flower panicles in June and July. The black autumn berries are a food source for birds. Excellent as a hedging plant thanks to its fast growth and good tolerance of pruning.
Ground coverLysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading, trailing ground cover with round, coin-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers in June and July. The plant spreads via long runners, forming a dense, green carpet. It is ideal for moist spots and pond margins.
HerbsMentha spicata
Spearmint
Spearmint is a vigorously growing culinary herb with bright green, aromatic leaves and small purple flower spikes in summer. Its refreshing menthol scent makes it indispensable for teas, cocktails, and desserts. Mint spreads rapidly via runners and should be planted within boundaries.
PerennialsMusa basjoo
Japanese Banana
The Japanese banana is the hardiest banana species in the world and brings a truly tropical feel to the garden with its enormous, fan-shaped leaves. The plant can reach up to four metres tall and grows at astonishing speed. The above-ground parts die back in winter, but the roots survive temperatures down to -15°C and reshoot vigorously in spring.
ClimbersPassiflora caerulea
Blue Passion Flower
The Blue Passion Flower is a fast-growing climber with exotic-looking blooms featuring a complex structure of blue, white, and purple filaments. It flowers from June to September and sometimes produces orange fruits. The plant clings with tendrils and quickly covers pergolas and fences.
TreesPaulownia tomentosa
Princess Tree
The Princess Tree is a spectacular tree that flowers lavishly in April and May with purple-blue, trumpet-shaped blooms before the leaves unfurl. The enormous, heart-shaped leaves can reach 40 centimetres across, giving the tree a tropical look. Princess Tree grows extremely fast and can add more than two metres per year in good conditions.
ShrubsPhotinia x fraseri
Red Robin
Red Robin is a popular evergreen hedging plant that dazzles in spring with bright red young foliage. White flower clusters appear in April and May, followed by small red berries. The plant grows quickly and forms a dense, opaque hedge.
TreesPlatanus × hispanica
London Plane
The London Plane is an imposing, fast-growing tree famous for its mottled bark that peels in large flakes, revealing a mosaic of green, yellow, and cream. The large, hand-shaped leaves provide dense shade. The plane tolerates urban pollution and extreme pruning, making it one of the world's most popular avenue trees.
ShrubsPrunus laurocerasus
Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is a popular, evergreen shrub with large, glossy dark green leaves. It bears white flower racemes in April and May, followed by black berries loved by birds. Widely used as a hedging plant thanks to its fast growth and dense, year-round screen.
TreesRobinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
Black Locust is a fast-growing, elegant tree with fine, pinnate foliage casting dappled shade. In May and June, hanging clusters of fragrant white pea-flowers attract bees. The tree is drought-tolerant and fixes nitrogen in the soil.
TreesSalix caprea
Goat Willow
The goat willow is a fast-growing small tree that stands out in early spring with its silver-coloured, velvety catkins that later turn golden-yellow with pollen. It is one of the first trees to provide food for bees after winter. The tree grows in virtually any soil type.
ShrubsSambucus nigra
Elder
Elder is a native large shrub or small tree bearing flat, creamy-white flower clusters in June that release a delightfully sweet fragrance. In autumn, glossy dark purple berries follow, beloved by birds. Both flowers and berries are edible and have been used for centuries in elderflower cordial and elderberry juice.