Rowan
(Sorbus aucuparia)
The vibrant orange-red berries can be used to make jams and jellies.
Growth and size
Mature height: 15m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Host plant for moth caterpillars such as the larger Welsh wave and autumn green carpet.
Berries are eaten by thrushes.
Soil and conditions
Grows in most soils.
Prefers light, well-drained and humus-rich conditions.
Hazel
(Corylus avellana)
Golden-brown nuts ripen in autumn and are best picked in September and October.
Growth and size
Mature height: 8m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of early pollen for bees.
Host plant for moth caterpillars such as the large emerald and barred umber.
Nuts are a favourite food of birds and mammals, including hazel dormice.
Soil and conditions
Tolerates shade in non-acidic, well-drained soils.
Can be planted as part of a native hedgerow.
Dog rose
(Rosa canina)
The glossy rose hips can be used to make syrups, jellies and teas.
Growth and size
Mature height: 1.5m.
Supplied as 20-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of nectar for insects.
Hips are eaten by birds and mammals.
Soil and conditions
Prefers full sun and moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil.
Tolerates poor soil.
Apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late winter or early spring.
Blackthorn
(Prunus spinosa)
The purple-black sloes can be used ot make sloe gin, cordial and jam.
Growth and size
Mature height: 4m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.
Food plant of lackey, magpie, swallow-tailed and yellow-tailed moths, as well as black and brown hairstreak butterflies.
Birds often nest among the dense, thorny thickets.
Soil and conditions
Grows in moist, well-drained soil.
Prefers full sunlight.
Elder
(Sambucus nigra)
A small tree, popular with gardeners, with clusters of fragrant flowers in spring and juicy black berries in late summer.
Please note: all parts of the plant are mildly poisonous and should be cooked before eating.
Growth and size
Mature height: 10m.
Growth rate: 30-60cm per year.
Supplied as 15-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care
Value to wildlife
The flowers provide nectar for insects.
The berries are eaten by birds and mammals.
Dormice and bank voles eat the berries and flowers.
Food plant of moth caterpillars, including the white spotted pug, swallowtail, dot moth and buff ermine.
Soil and conditions
Grows everywhere, except on sand.
Prefers rich, fertilised soils.
Crab apple
(Malus sylvestris)
The small, crunchy, tart autumn apples are perfect for jams and jellies.
Growth and size
Mature height: 7-9m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of early pollen for bees and other insects.
Apples are eaten by birds including thrushes.
Also enjoyed by mammals including badgers, voles and mice.
Soil and conditions
Tolerates most soil types and dryness.
Prefers sun or semi-shade.
