Many nurserymen and landscape contractors believe that on many landscape schemes the choice of plants is often optimistic, not to say unrealistic, given that site conditions are frequently hostile to plant establishment and growth. Factors including climate, poor drainage, wind, vandalism and even the long-term level of maintenance mean that many desirable plants, which in an ideal world would enhance the end result, in reality never have a chance to succeed.

If you are in doubt about the sustainability of a plant for a scheme, please do not hesitate to ask our advice. We would normally recommend playing safe on difficult sites. The following list of plants feature those which in our experience will establish and survive in all except the most extreme conditions - for which we recommend the various other lists within this section.