Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’ (Japanese maple) £11.99
Position: partial shade Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained neutral to acid soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Hardiness: fully hardy This gorgeous Japanese maple has a dense, compact habit, which makes it particularly well suited to pots and containers (provided they are kept well watered). Each spring, its new foliage emerges with an intense, claret-coloured flush that fades as the leaves mature. Throughout summer, the leaves retain a fresh green colour, then take on yellow and orange overtones in autumn before they fall. Its colourful foliage provides a long season of interest, and this will also make it a stand-out specimen in the shrub border. Garden care: Add a top-dressing of a well-balanced fertiliser around the base of a recently planted tree in late spring and keep it well watered. No routine pruning is required, just remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter when they are fully dormant. Protect from drying winds.

Allium hollandicum (syn aflatunense) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size:10/12 They look spectacular grouped in a pot, or in a sunny border, dotted in groups among ornamental grasses, or as part of a Mediterranean scheme. Alliums look best planted between medium-sized herbaceous plants, which help to mask the strap-like leaves, which fade by the time the flowers appear. Garden care: Plant bulbs 15cm deep and 15cm apart to enjoy the full effect of the flowers. Avoid excessive soil moisture, and split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.