Explore species

A fast-flowering pioneer that covers ground quickly and pumps out cheerful daisies for pollinators while slower plants establish. Frost-tender and short-lived — a gap-filler.

A tough perennial grass that stabilises the harshest ground — saline, gypsum, degraded — where nothing else will grip. A soil-anchoring pioneer rather than a crop.

A drought-hardy nut tree that thrives on dry, well-drained ground and blossoms beautifully in late winter. That early bloom is its weakness — a late frost can take the crop.

A thorny, drought-proof wild pear for wildlife fruit and pear rootstock — it thrives where orchard pears would fail. Slow and small-fruited, but bomb-proof.

The orchard staple — familiar, productive and endlessly varied on the right rootstock. Most need a pollination partner and some winter chill, so pick cultivars to suit your climate.

A sun-loving stone fruit that crops early and generously in warm, sheltered spots. Its very early blossom is the catch — a late frost can wipe out the year's fruit.

A fast, shimmering pioneer that suckers into groves and pumps out quick biomass and light shade. Great for establishing a system — just know it spreads by root, so give it room.

The avocado — fast, evergreen and hugely rewarding, but only in frost-free spots with perfect drainage, as it hates wet feet. Plant an A and a B type for good fruit set.

A drought-hardy Mediterranean hawthorn grown for apple-flavoured haws and stockproof, thorny hedging. Tough and wildlife-friendly; the fruit is small but tasty.

A shade-tolerant evergreen that gives you bay leaves for the kitchen and clips into handsome hedges or topiary. Slow, drought-hardy, and hard frost can scorch it.

The cold-hardiest common citrus and the standard citrus rootstock — grown for marmalade fruit and fragrant neroli blossom. Too sour to eat fresh, but tough and useful.

The nitrogen-fixer for wet feet — it thrives in soggy ground where most trees drown, feeds the soil and coppices hard for mulch. Your go-to for stream edges and boggy corners.

Your free fertiliser factory: a fast, tough nitrogen-fixer that feeds the soil, gives rot-proof stakes and floods spring with bee forage. Keep it in check — it suckers and spreads, and it's thorny.

A long-lived fruit tree prized for intensely flavoured berries — plant it once and harvest for a lifetime. Slow and worth it; the fruit stains everything it touches.

A fast, thorny pioneer that protects young seedlings in a living fortress and hands you heaps of fruit. Aggressive to a fault, so cut old canes yearly or it'll take the whole plot.

The powerhouse of the system: the fastest way to throw up height and shade. Pollard it hard for endless mulch and let climax trees rise under its scaffold — but manage it tightly or it bullies its neighbours.

A fast nitrogen-fixer that stabilises sand and pumps out biomass on the driest ground. Highly invasive in Mediterranean climates, so keep it firmly contained.

A drought-hardy Chilean evergreen grown for its aromatic, medicinal leaves — undemanding and shade-tolerant. Slow, dioecious and a touch frost-tender.

A fast nectar pioneer that draws clouds of butterflies and fills gaps quickly. A powerful self-seeder, so deadhead it or check local rules, as it can escape and spread.

A drought-proof Mediterranean stalwart that crops sweet, protein-rich pods on almost no water. Slow and long-lived — just remember it needs a male and female to fruit, and it's frost-shy.

A dramatic, lightning-fast biomass plant, often grown as a cut-back annual for quick mulch and shade. Its seeds contain ricin and are deadly — never plant near children or livestock.

A tough coastal pioneer that fixes its own nitrogen and shrugs off salt and wind — superb for hard, exposed sites. Its fine needles give light shade and quick-rotting mulch.

A majestic, centuries-long climax tree for the patient — deep-rooted, drought-hardy and built to anchor the system for generations. Give it space and time; it earns its keep slowly.

The custard apple — a semi-deciduous subtropical treat for the mildest, frost-free coastal pockets. Delicious but demanding: it's frost-shy and usually needs hand-pollination to fruit.

A tough, early-blossoming little plum that feeds spring pollinators and serves as common plum rootstock. It blooms so early that frost often takes the fruit, and it self-seeds freely.

A fast, open-canopy shade tree with a natural insect-repelling streak (a neem cousin). Easy and quick — but its berries are toxic, so keep it clear of livestock.

A system accelerator: fast, deep-rooting and endlessly coppiceable for mulch and quick shade. A workhorse for the early years rather than a long-term keeper.

An easy, evergreen culinary sub-shrub that feeds bees and covers dry ground. It goes woody with age, so trim it lightly and don't cut hard into old wood.

A tough little ground-hugger for the hottest, driest edges. It knits the soil surface, feeds pollinators and gives you a kitchen herb — happiest where most plants sulk. Rots in wet ground.

A silvery, aromatic pioneer that repels pests and covers rough ground fast. Powerful stuff — its roots suppress nearby plants, so keep it away from beds you want to seed.

A true long-term anchor: slow, deep-rooted and built to outlive the line. Gives shade, acorns and harvestable cork, and asks little once established — plant it for the decades.

A tough, long-lived shrub-tree that flowers in late winter — one of the earliest bee plants — then gives tart, cookable fruit. Slow to establish but shade-tolerant and dependable.

A silver, aromatic edging plant that repels pests and shrugs off drought — neat, useful and pollinator-friendly. It goes woody with age, so shear it after flowering.

The classic Mediterranean sentinel — a narrow, dense evergreen that makes an unbeatable windbreak and boundary screen. Slow and permanent, and it casts hard shade, so keep it to the edges.

The desert-oasis palm — 'feet in water, head in fire' — deeply drought-hardy once established. It's dioecious and needs blistering, long summers to ripen dates, so it's for the hottest sites only.

A fast pioneer that gifts you elderflowers and elderberries while it coppices hard for biomass — happiest on rich, damp ground. Cook the berries; raw, the plant is toxic.

A catch-all fast biomass tree — plant it to pump height, shade and mulch early, and manage it hard with the saw. Vigorous and thirsty, so keep it on a tight pruning leash.

A long-lived, drought-proof shade tree with sweet little edible berries — a dependable canopy backbone for hot climates. Deep roots, so keep it clear of paving and drains.

A long-lived, upright fruit tree that rewards patience with heavy crops. Most need a pollinating partner and are prone to fireblight, so choose resistant varieties.

A reliable, hardy fruit tree that crops heavily with little fuss on most soils. Prune it in summer, not winter, to dodge silver leaf — and some need a pollination partner.

A hardy nitrogen-fixing shrub that feeds poor soil and stabilises banks, coppicing well for mulch. Watch it though — it's invasive along waterways in many regions.

A sticky, aromatic pioneer that colonises bare, poor ground and shelters beneficial insects — a natural pest-control reservoir. Ruderal and spreading; a soil-first-aid plant, not a keeper.

An evergreen that doubles as a fruiting hedge and windbreak, with edible flowers and aromatic fruit. Plant more than one for good fruit set, and give it summer heat to ripen.

A drought-proof classic that crops sweet figs on almost no care and pollards happily for size. Its roots seek water aggressively, so keep it clear of drains and walls.

A pollinator magnet for hot, dry, slightly acid banks — aromatic, evergreen and buzzing with bees. Frost-shy and short-lived, so replace it every few years.

A long-flowering, aromatic lavender that feeds pollinators for months in mild climates. Frost-tender and thirsty for drainage, so keep it lean, sunny and sharp-draining.

A living fossil: a deep-rooted, near-indestructible climax tree with edible nuts and famous autumn colour. Slow to start but almost immortal once away.

A dramatic, edible perennial that doubles as a chop-and-drop biomass factory — big leafy growth you cut for mulch, plus artichokes to eat. It can self-seed enthusiastically.

A vital early-spring bee tree — its fuzzy catkins are one of the first pollen sources — plus fast coppice biomass. Tolerates drier ground than most willows; the males feed bees best.

A deep-rooted, drought-hardy climber for grapes and shade — train it up a pergola, trellis or living support. It needs hard annual pruning and a watch for mildew, but it's endlessly productive.

A fast wetland biomass and early bee-forage shrub that coppices hard for mulch and basketry. It wants wet ground — no good on dry sites, and weedy where it's happy.

A fast, fire-adapted pioneer that covers bare ground and feeds pollinators while conditioning poor soil. Short-lived and flammable when dry — nature's first-responder plant.

The ultimate wildlife hedge — thorny, stockproof, smothered in blossom then haws, and buzzing with life. Tough as old boots; just keep it away from fireblight-prone fruit trees.

A brilliant multi-stem understory plant: nuts for you, poles from coppicing, and happy in partial shade. Plant two or more for pollination, and expect to share with the squirrels.

A rock-solid Mediterranean anchor: an evergreen oak that shrugs off heat and drought and feeds wildlife with acorns while holding the high canopy for the long haul. Slow, and its shade is dense.

A fast biomass sprinter — plant it to pump out mulch and quick shade while slower trees establish, then coppice it hard every year or two. Thirsty and short-lived, so treat it as a workhorse, not a keeper.

A fast, fern-leaved shade tree that casts soft, filtered light (and famous purple flowers) — good over crops that want gentle shade. Frost-tender, especially when young.

A fast nitrogen-fixer with a wispy green canopy for the hottest, driest, saltiest ground. Thorny and frost-shy — and invasive in some arid regions, so check first.

A gorgeous small tree that erupts in edible pink blossom straight from the bark each spring — a pollinator feast. A legume, but note it does not fix nitrogen, so grow it for beauty and bees.

A wildly underused fruit tree that thrives in fierce heat and drought yet shrugs off cold winters too. Thorny and suckering, and it needs a long hot summer to fruit well.

A shade-tolerant evergreen that flowers through winter, feeding pollinators in the lean months — brilliant for hedging and structure. Its berries are mildly toxic if eaten in quantity.

An everbearing lemon that fruits nearly year-round in mild climates — endlessly useful. It's the most frost-sensitive of the common citrus, so protect it from any real cold.

A fast, lemony pollinator herb that fills gaps and tolerates a bit of shade. Cheerful and useful — just deadhead it before it self-seeds across the whole plot.

A tall, lemon-scented biomass tree that shoots skyward fast and drops fine, quick-rotting mulch. Great for height and dappled shade; a touch frost-tender while young.

A phenomenal nitrogen-fixing fodder and biomass tree — fast, generous and endlessly coppiceable. But it's one of the world's most invasive trees and toxic to non-ruminant livestock, so handle with real care.

A tough, city-proof shade tree that pollards beautifully and hands you giant leaves for soil cover. Big and long-lived — a solid canopy backbone.

An evergreen fruit tree that flowers in autumn and ripens early — lovely and productive in mild spots. In cold areas its winter blossom gets frosted before it can set fruit.

A drought- and lime-tolerant little cherry for wildlife, aromatic seed and cherry rootstock. Tough and pretty in blossom; the fruit is mostly for the birds.

The hardiest of the everyday eating citrus — compact, sweet and productive on the right rootstock. Still frost-tender, and prone to biennial cropping, so thin in heavy years.

A pioneer for the poorest sandy, acidic ground — it colonises where little else will and makes a sturdy coastal windbreak. Its needles acidify the soil, so pair it thoughtfully.

A bomb-proof evergreen shrub for hot, dry, exposed edges — it clips into hedges, resprouts after fire and yields fragrant mastic resin. Slow but nearly unkillable.

A tough evergreen filler that clips into dense screens and takes sun or shade — great structural glue between other plants. Birds spread its berries, so check its status locally.

A characterful, self-fertile little tree with gnarled charm and unusual fruit you eat after it softens ('bletting'). Shade-tolerant and undemanding — a heritage curiosity worth growing.

A tough, drought- and salt-proof evergreen that clips into dense screens and windbreaks — the reliable structural glue of a dry-climate line. Slow, undemanding, near-indestructible.

The miracle tree — outrageously fast, with edible leaves and pods packed with nutrition, plus quick biomass. Very frost-tender, so in cool climates grow it as a cut-back annual.

An aromatic evergreen that clips into fragrant hedges, feeds pollinators and gives edible berries. Lovely and useful — a little frost-tender in hard winters.

A fast, airy biomass and shade tree that loves moist ground and coppices vigorously — ideal along water. Check for ash dieback in your region before planting widely.

A fast, salt- and wind-proof coastal screen that establishes quickly on exposed sites. Its foliage is toxic to livestock and it can be weedy, so site it with care.

An indestructible evergreen screen for hot, dry, polluted or coastal sites — it flowers for months and asks for nothing. Every part is highly toxic, so keep it well away from livestock and children.

The icon: a drought-proof, near-immortal tree for fruit and oil that thrives on heat and neglect. Slow to mature and biennial in cropping, but it will outlive you.

A vigorous mulberry famous for its extraordinarily long, sweet fruit — a real conversation piece that crops heavily. More frost-tender than other mulberries, so give it warmth.

A near-instant biomass and timber tree — huge leaves, light strong wood and endless coppice. Brittle and vigorous, so give it deep soil and a firm pruning hand.

A fast, generous stone fruit that fruits on last year's wood, so it wants firm annual pruning to keep cropping. Short-lived and prone to leaf curl, but quick to reward.

A fine-leaved nitrogen-fixer that casts soft, dappled shade — ideal over crops that want filtered light. Beautiful and useful; it self-seeds and can spread in warm climates.

A handsome, fairly hardy fruit tree that crops heavily and glows in autumn — often self-fertile and easy. Thin the fruit, though, as its brittle branches snap under a heavy load.

A fast, weeping shade tree that drops pink peppercorns and handles brutal drought with ease. Handsome and useful — but allelopathic and potentially invasive, so site it thoughtfully.

A fast nitrogen-fixing shrub that gives edible peas and quick chop-and-drop while your trees establish. Short-lived and frost-tender — the perfect throwaway pioneer.

A heat- and drought-loving nut tree for the hottest, driest spot you've got — it needs baking summers to fill its nuts. Dioecious and slow to bear, so plant males and females and be patient.

A drought-hardy fruiting shrub-tree that thrives on heat and rewards you with jewel-like fruit. It needs a long, hot summer to ripen but is easy and forgiving otherwise.

A near-indestructible cactus grown for its fruit, edible pads and living-fence duty — it laughs at drought. Handle with care (spines and tiny barbed glochids), and check it's not invasive where you are.

A hardy native oak that endures dry summers and cold winters with ease — a slow, dependable anchor for long-term resilience. Patience required, as exotics will outpace it early.

An easy, hardy little fruit tree that tolerates heavier, damper soil than most — plus it's the classic dwarfing rootstock for pears. The fruit's for cooking, not eating raw.

A colossal biomass and shade tree that handles both flood and drought — a proper heavyweight. Big, thirsty and limb-dropping, so keep it well away from buildings and small crops.

An evergreen kitchen and pollinator shrub for hot, dry, sharp-draining edges — aromatic, useful and near-indestructible in the right spot. It rots in wet soil and sulks if cut hard.

A hardy nitrogen-fixing windbreak with edible berries that shrugs off drought, salt and cold. A superb support tree — but invasive along waterways, so plant with care.

A low, fire-adapted pioneer that blankets poor, dry ground with white flowers and pollinator forage. A short-lived soil-builder — plant it to hold the surface early.

A cheerful, salt-proof coastal ground cover that carpets hot, sandy edges with yellow daisies and pollinator forage. Frost-shy — it wants sun and sharp drainage.

A double-duty star: a nitrogen-fixing, salt- and wind-proof shrub that also gives vitamin-packed berries. Plant males and females for fruit, and expect it to sucker and spread.

A long-lived heritage fruit tree, drought-hardy and dependable, with fruit you blet before eating. Slow to bear and it resents hard pruning — a true plant-for-the-grandkids tree.

An iron-tough biomass and windbreak tree that endures brutal cold, heat and drought. Weak-wooded and a weedy self-seeder, so keep it cropped and watch for spread.

An ultra-hardy nitrogen-fixing windbreak with edible pods and great bee forage — it laughs at cold and drought. A brilliant support and hedge species for tough sites.

A subtropical high-flyer that grows straight and fast, gives nitrogen-rich mulch and breaks wind without heavy shade. Frost-tender when young, so mind cold inland sites.

A silver-leaved coastal ground cover that thrives on salt, heat and drought and knits sandy edges together. Toxic to livestock, so keep it out of grazing.

A fast nitrogen-fixer with early bee forage and quick biomass — brilliant in principle, but highly invasive in Mediterranean Europe. Only where you can keep it firmly in check.

The easier cherry — compact, mostly self-fertile and shade-tolerant, with tart fruit for cooking and preserving. More forgiving than sweet cherry in tricky spots.

A fast nitrogen-fixing pioneer that clothes poor, dry banks in golden, scented flowers and builds soil as it goes. Its seeds are toxic and it can spread, so use it as a starter.

The umbrella pine — a handsome long-term tree grown for its prized pine nuts. Its broad crown eventually shades a wide area, so give it room at the top of the canopy.

A handsome evergreen that fruits and flowers at the same time in autumn, feeding you and late pollinators together. Tolerates shade and poor soil; slow but rewarding.

A drought-hardy nitrogen-fixer with intensely fragrant flowers (a perfume source) and great bee forage. Thorny and frost-shy — a tough, useful support species for hot, dry ground.

A vigorous tree for sweet cherries — glorious in blossom and fruit, and best kept in check on a dwarfing rootstock. Most need a pollination partner, and the birds will fight you for the crop.

A dual-purpose giant — chestnuts from the mature tree, durable poles from the coppice. It demands acidic, well-drained soil though, and will sulk or die on limestone.

The classic sweet orange — evergreen, glossy and generous in frost-free spots. Tender to cold and thirsty when fruiting, so it needs a warm, sheltered microclimate and steady water.

A fast nitrogen-fixing fodder shrub that feeds soil and livestock alike and cuts endlessly for chop-and-drop. Frost-tender when young and dislikes wet feet.

A hardy maquis shrub for wildlife and resin, and the classic rootstock for grafting pistachios. Very drought-tolerant and slow; it needs both sexes to fruit.

A fast nitrogen-fixing shade tree with a light, airy canopy — great for quick fertility and filtered shade in warm climates. Frost-tender and can self-seed.

A silver-leaved, blue-flowered pollinator shrub that clips into fast, informal hedges and loves hot, dry spots. Frost-tender and hates wet soil — otherwise trouble-free.

An evergreen nitrogen-fixing shrub that feeds soil and livestock and cuts freely for chop-and-drop. Frost-tender and short-lived, but a workhorse while it lasts.

A grand, long-lived nut and timber tree that anchors a system for generations. Beware: its roots and leaves release juglone, which stunts many plants, so don't underplant sensitive crops.

A nitrogen-fixing pioneer broom that colonises poor, dry ground and feeds the soil while smothering weeds. Short-lived and flammable when dry — a starter, not a keeper.

A fast, generous tree grown for fruit and leaf fodder — it pollards endlessly for mulch and animal feed. Vigorous to the point of weedy, so keep it cropped.

A fast, silvery biomass tree for wetter or heavier ground — it roots easily, pumps minerals up and gives quick shade. Coppice it and watch the suckers, as it spreads if stressed.

A wild, drought-hardy almond used as tough rootstock and for early pollinator blossom. Its kernels are bitter, so grow it for resilience and flowers rather than the table.

The wild olive — smaller and even tougher than its cultivated cousin, thriving on rock and drought. It resprouts hard from the base, so it takes shaping well; slow to get going.

A hardy culinary thyme that flowers through winter, feeding early pollinators when little else does. A low, tough carpet for dry, stony ground.

A silver, intensely aromatic lavender for baking-hot dry banks — a pollinator favourite that revels in poor soil. Frost-tender and hates damp, so keep it lean and sunny.