National Trust Tree & Hedgerow Collection
As part of the collaboration with the National Trust, Blue Diamond has introduced a range of trees and hedgerows, which include some of the unsung heroes of the tree world. Trees and hedgerows are nature’s highways and are essential for providing wildlife with places to nest and feed.
Following World War Two, the UK saw a decline in the number of its hedgerows and many that survive are in poor condition. It is therefore vital to address this and encourage people to plant hedgerows which will, in turn, encourage more wildlife.
Trees and hedgerows, such as viburnum, hawthorn and elderberry, form part of the collection.
They are the reason our wildlife is able to survive. They make great shelter and the berries, flowers and nuts are a fundamental food source.
Our trees and hedgerows are grown in peat free compost and potted in kerbside recyclable pots. The best time to plant and establish trees is November through to March.
The Trust has an ambition to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030.
National Trust trees and hedgerows will be available to buy in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Watch our video
©National Trust Images/John Miller
Every garden needs a tree: they provide beauty, seasonal interest, shade and shelter – and they entice wildlife in.
Shrub species like spindle and guelder rose can bring a colourful hint of our amazing ancient woodland to even the smallest space
John Deakin - Head of Trees & Woodland, National Trust
The National Trust Tree and Hedgerow Collection by Blue Diamond
Through sales generated from the National Trust Collection by Blue Diamond, a minimum of 10% of the retail sales price per product will be given to the National Trust to help look after nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever.
Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
This British native tree is an important source of food and shelter to wildlife that thrives in moist soils.
Sticky buds open to rounded, glossy, green leaves with paler undersides. These leaves are some of the last to fall in Autumn.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Alder Buckthorn (Frangula Alnus)
A bushy shrub with glossy green leaves, turning yellow in Autumn. Produces plentiful berries along the stems which ripen from green and red to a dark, glossy purple.
A superb choice for wildlife gardens, as it attracts many pollinators including the Brimstone butterfly.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Aspen (Populus tremula)
A vigorous, deciduous tree with a broad crown.
The toothed leaves have long stalks and create an attractive shimmering effect when the wind blows, giving the common name of 'quaking' Aspen. Rapid growth makes this an excellent choice for hedging or screens.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
A small thorny tree or large shrub. Blackthorn is deciduous, native and very important for wildlife.
Abundant, nectar-rich white flowers are borne on bare stems in early Spring. Ripe black berries appear in Autumn and these can be used to make Sloe Gin.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Bird Cherry (Prunus padus)
This useful native is great for wildlife. A large deciduous tree with toothed, ovate leaves turning yellow in Autumn.
Pendant racemes of fragrant white flowers in late Spring, followed by small, bitter black fruits.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Elder (Sambucus Nigra)
A fast growing and robust large shrub or small tree that's smothered in large saucers of frothy, creamy, sweetly scented flowers in early Summer.
Clusters of deep purple berries follow in Autumn. It's often seen in native hedgerows and it works well on its own or as part of a hedge.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
A vigorous British native shrub with flat clusters of white flowers appearing in Spring and Summer.
These are followed by bright red berries in Autumn which are an important food for wildlife including the Bullfinch and Mistle thrush. The three-lobed leaves turn into a riot of rich Autumnal colours before falling.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Goat Willow (Salix caprea)
Beloved by wildlife, the Goat Willow is excellent for attracting all sorts of pollinators to the garden.
In particular, it is the main food source for the beautiful Purple Emperor butterfly. In Spring it bears silvery, fuzzy catkins which turn golden, and then broad, oval, mid-green leaves in Summer. Will thrive in wet soils and tolerates exposed locations.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
A strong growing rambler smothered with heavy clusters of fragrant, shell-pink double flowers in early Summer which provide nectar for insects and pollinators.
Small, red rose-hips are a feature in Autumn and these are a food source for birds such as Blackbirds and Redwings. Ideal for screening a bare wall, fence or unsightly shed.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
A deciduous shrub prized for its unusual berries in electric-pink cases that split open to reveal bright orange seeds within.
These stay on the branches well into late Autumn to provide a welcome pop of colour at an otherwise dull time of year. The leaves provide a food source for many types of moths and the Holly Blue butterfly.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
A native tree with a long season of interest. Its distinctive feathered leaves emerge from hairy buds in Spring.
Great for wildlife, the frothy white flowers provide a rich source of nectar for insects and are followed by clusters of bright orange-red berries, a food source for many birds including Blackbird, Redstart, Redwing and Thrushes.
Available in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres
Hawthorne (Crataegus Monogyna)
Small, attractive, dark green leaves help to enable hawthorn to create one of the most impenetrable, densely branched hedges possible.
It is a valuable habitat and food source for wildlife and can support more than 300 types of insects and pollinators.
The branches are covered in long, very sharp thorns making this an excellent and very secure boundary hedge
Deazle Wood, New Forest, Hampshire ©National Trust Images/John Miller
National Trust Woodland Walks
The National Trust cares for a variety of woodland habitats including ancient and landscaped woodlands and tree-lined avenues.
This includes some of the UK’s most important trees, such as Newton’s Apple, which triggered the great scientist to form his laws of gravity, the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Tree, under which the first trade union was formed, and the original Irish Yew, which has produced every other Irish Yew in the world!
There are lots of woodland walks to enjoy and as you explore you can learn more about how you can help woodlands and discover the history of trees.
Blickling Estate
Stroll beneath the autumn leaves at Blickling Estate on this woodland walk.
You’ll visit points of interest along the way, such as Long Plantation, Great wood, The Tower, Brickyard and Mausoleum.
Image: Blickling Woodland Walk - ©National Trust Images/John Millar
Kingfisher walk at Quarry Bank
Meander through lush fields and acres of woodland where you will find huge redwood conifers, rare varieties of rhododendron and folly bridges, once used by the former owner Robert Hyde Greg to connect his home to the mill. If you are lucky, you may see a flash of blue as kingfishers dart over the water in their quest for small fish.
Image: Quarry Bank - ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Clumber Park
Discover the habitats of Clumber Park from majestic broadleaved woods with leaves which turn red, orange and brown in their autumn colours to regimented pine woodlands with evergreen foliage.
This short, circular walk around Clumber Park is perfect for families, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Discover glimpses of the estate's history and look out for wildlife along the way.
Clumber Park - ©National Trust Images/John Millar
Find the best places to walk all year round.
From coastal paths to tracks through ancient woodland and accessible trails, there’s something to suit everyone.
FIND A WALK
