Architectural Plants
Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Stand GPE068
Celebrating 35 Years
A SITE OF HORTICULTURAL EXCELLENCE
SINCE 1990
Destination Nursery, Garden Design, Pioneering Propagation, Growing & Training – AP Homegrown
“The Chanel of Nurseries“
Paolo Moschino
Explore Our Chelsea Flower Show Garden
Our mission is to train and educate the next generation of horticulturalists. So come and explore an exciting and immersive garden, created using plants grown by our nursery experts with the help of our apprentices and curated by our Garden Design Team. Discover an extraordinary mix of unique, exotic and architecturally dramatic plants, including some rarely seen in UK gardens: Trochodendron aralioides, Ginkgo biloba, Acacia pravissima, Myrtus apiculata and Pseudopanax ferox to name a few.
Hanging amongst the trees and plants, you will find our Plant Hunter Guides. These hold fascinating information on each plant species; providing you with a brief introduction to each, the botanical Latin name and care information.
With so many varieties of plants to grow, train, shape and look after on the nursery, we choose to categorise and name our plants using the correct botanical Latin. Taxonomy is an essential practice to help us understand and properly care for the plants. It also means we can share that information with you in the most reliable and detailed way – essential for educating and training the next generation of Plant Hunters.
Homegrown Highlights
Acacia pravissima
HOMEGROWN BY US
A small weeping evergreen Mimosa tree with unusual triangular leaves and yellow flowers in March. Best in full sun (to get the lovely shape) and reasonably well drained, but not chalky, soil. These plants are grown from seed so they will need to mature for about 3-7 years before they flower. When the flowers do appear they are yellow, fragrant and copious.
Myrtus apiculata – Niwaki
HOMEGROWN BY US
Homegrown Niwaki. In Chile it’s called the Bambi tree because of the bark. The idea of growing our own Niwaki – rather than continuing to import from Japan – was highly appealing. But which of our many small leafed evergreen trees were suitable candidates? With little trouble, we chose Myrtus apiculata (for it’s beautiful bark, fragrant white flowers, colourful new growth and it’s ability to take any amount of clipping). We made that decision in about 1998 and have stuck with it ever since.
Trochodendron aralioides
HOMEGROWN BY US
We like revitalising your interest in plants that have for a variety of reasons often come to be ignored by UK growers and are rare to find in the broader commercial horticultural industry. Trochodendron aralioides is one of Guy’s favourite re-discoveries in recent years. Described to him years ago by Angus White as ‘the loneliest plant in the world’, this is a very old form of plant and it has no other living relatives.
Pseudopanax ferox
HOMEGROWN BY US
It’s worth reading our write up on Pseudopanax crassifolius as there are many similarities between these two trees. This one is considerably rarer in its native New Zealand but goes through the same extraordinary metamorphosis from stick with strange brown narrow saws hanging off it through to 14ft tall lollipop surmounted by a mass of shorter slightly greener leaves. To give it the full New Zealand treatment, grow in groves.
Lyonothamnus floribundus ‘Aspleniifolius’
HOMEGROWN BY US
We propagate the plants ourselves from seed as – unfortunately – there seems no other way.
One day, we might figure out how to reproduce the perfect specimen (they do exist) – to produce this in the laboratory (by micropropagation) but for now, growing this tree must be treated as a horticultural adventure; predictability is just not its style.
Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’
HOMEGROWN BY US
This variety from East Asia is the darkest and deepest we’ve seen.
Left alone as a dense shrub it can reach around 4 metres in height and spread but don’t do that. It clips and trains so well that it would be criminal not to maximise those qualities and that’s why it makes a cracking Niwaki and that’s the finest way to grow them. We are Architectural Plants, after all.
The Complete Homegrown Chelsea Collection
Growing the Next Generation
A Site of Horticultural Excellence, Architectural Plants proudly runs the AP Homegrown Apprenticeship Scheme. This nurtures young talent with hands-on training and mentoring, giving them access to a wide spectrum of roles. This equips them with real-world skills and a creative mindset for a career in horticulture. Our apprentices have made a considerable contribution to our exhibit this year and we will be celebrating their achievements with you.
Homegrown Production
We are committed to breaking new ground with homegrown production in the UK. We want to produce more of the plants that we love so much and make rarer and exciting plants more easily available for customers to enjoy in their gardens. We want to develop as a grower of remarkable plants and import less.
Fundamentally, we are driven to become self-sustainable through developing new facilities like our laboratory. We have a team of experts already doing this but we also invest in new and young nursery members who will develop into fantastic growers. We want to create a legacy of knowledge that will inform how we propagate, train & grow on our plants and share this with others in the horticultural industry.
Tripled Homegrown Production Since Brexit
Find Out More About Our Cutting Edge Prop Laboratory & Growing Facilities
Of course, the more plants and trees we grow the more space we will need. So our development of the nursery remains an ongoing project as does our investment in our younger trainees with our AP Homegrown Apprenticeship Scheme.
Traffic Light System
Have you seen our traffic light hiding between the Wollemia Pines? We take an enormous amount of pride in our displays on the nursery and in the quality of our plants. On our nursery and in our show garden you will find everything clearly laid out and labelled with our traffic light hardiness rating system.
Green Light
Hardy anywhere in Britain below approximately 1000ft (300m).
Amber Light
Hardy in the Home Counties if sensibly sited (avoiding severe frost pockets, for example). Many Amber labelled plants are grown using cuttings from well established plants that have survived many harsh winters in South East England.
Red Light
Hardy in Atlantic coastline gardens, The Channel Islands, gardens in Central London and other large cities and conservatories.
The Plant Hunters’ Hut
The main gathering point for our RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden 2025: Our Plant Hunters’ Hut, built by Phil, our Master Craftsman.
Design & Innovation informs everything we grow, plant, make, and build. Our hand-crafted garden hunters hut was built as a welcoming point on the nursery to meet our team for conversation, information and horticultural discussion and by bringing it into our Chelsea Flower Show Garden we hope to continue these discussions with our visitors.
An intricate weathered Corten steel pathway runs through our show garden and was designed by Garden Designers Amy and Guy and created by the brilliant team at SH Metal Craft. This leads visitors on a journey through the garden into different display areas and informative spaces that demonstrate our pursuit of aesthetic excellence and education through form and flow.
Throughout our garden you will find our pots from the nursery, we’ve used a variety of styles from our Terraneo Pot Range, which we are proud to be sole distributors for in the UK.
Design & Innovation informs everything we grow, plant, make, and build.
The Help-O-Meter
Designed by the founder of Architectural Plants, Angus White in West Sussex, the help-o-meter, was created as a play on seaside games you might find on a pier, to engage visitors at the nursery and help us to accompany them on their journey, whether it be planting, garden design or creative maintenance.
Each section, lit up by spinning the wheel, shows which stages a visitor may journey through, from brainstorming to a garden visit and design.
Terraneo Pot Range
The Curated Collection
Explore our new exclusive range of terracotta pots from Terraneo in Greece. Individually hand finished with unique detail. Sumptuous helpings of terracotta with a 10 year frost resistant guarantee.
Garden Design
Transform Your Garden
Large or small, all our Garden Designs are inspired by an obsession with the sculptural qualities of plants, where strong, eye-catching outlines and exciting textures combine with differing shades of green and pertinent pops of colour.
It all starts with a conversation. Contact our Design Team today. Or scroll down to find out all about of garden designs, our convenient and rapid process, the planting and how to start your journey with us.
Visit Our Nursery
Hunt For Plants
It all begins here at our nursery with an inspiring collection of the most stunning plants & trees. There’s every shape, size and variety imaginable. All lined-up to transform your garden instantly. Fill your senses with flourishing form, texture, structure, colour & fragrance. Come and explore at your leisure or with the help of our team. We’re open to Retail & Trade Customers. Monday to Saturday. 9am to 5pm.
If you’re passing by and want to drop in, call the gate intercom and we’ll buzz you in.
ALL ABOUT OUR GARDEN DESIGN & PLANTING
The Garden Design Team here at Architectural Plants believe that the most captivating gardens are created with distinctive sculptural ideas and a fusion of the most stunning plants from around the world. These might reflect the influences of the local area, blending traditional garden aesthetics with contemporary design. Then again, they might be very personal and exceptional spaces inspired by individual taste and garden situation.
Conveniently, everything you might need to create your new garden is here at our nursery. With over 40,000 plants to choose from, our designers will help you create a unique scheme from our collection of topiary, screening, mature and juvenile trees, exotics, rarities, hedging, shrubs and border plants. You’ll discover a broad and inspiring selection which is suited to your garden space as well as its climate and soil. We venture further to suggest you might even uncover alternatives you’ll have never considered before.
With a highly personal and collaborative approach, your designer will advise, guide and inspire you with their expert knowledge. They use a 3-Step process honed over the last 30 years to eliminate all the kerfuffle that can come with other design and planting methods. Tailored to meet your personal requirements and surpass your expectations (however impossible or daunting you think the task might be initially). The result will be an expertly curated and planted transformation full of the plants you love, in a garden design you can immerse yourself in and enjoy all year round.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Embark on a journey to transform your garden with us. Complete our enquiry form and let our Garden Design team get an idea of your plans. Attach photos of your garden -from all relevant angles- and any other plans you might have. Let us bring your dream garden to life.
You might be looking to re-imagine your beds and borders or have plans for a compact space such as a courtyard or front garden. You might have a more expansive garden area, a complex and unusual layout or a large estate garden. Your time might be extremely valuable and you might require rapid results expertly managed, curated and planted with the minimal amount of fuss. This might be your first garden or you might be looking to fulfil a life time’s dream and immerse yourself in the adventure. We can tailor an approach that works for you.
For all other general plant enquiries visit our contact page.
Our garden design service form
OUR 3-STEP GARDEN DESIGN PROCESS
What will set your garden apart?
The variety and fusion of plants you can choose from. Their quality and provenance. Their shape and form. Their capability to transform any space. Our West Sussex nursery is at the heart of your journey and provides the inspiration. A visit here is a pivotal step in our design process. However, if you are unable to visit, our designers can help you explore your choices with video calls and photos. They’ll prompt you to think creatively – even audaciously: dramatic topiary, undulating & meandering blobberies, smart avenues, intricately planted screening, defined hedges, lush groves, and exciting, exotic, rare or jungly environments. If you love our plants then you will love your garden. Our expertise spans a diverse range of spaces, from small gardens and intimate courtyards to large gardens, complex layouts, city roof terraces and country estates; no project is too grand or modest. Whether you’re thinking of a formal setting or a more contemporary fusion, your garden will be both elegant and exciting.
What sets our process apart?
The convenience, continuity and efficiency of having everything you’ll need in one place. Over 30 years’ experience designing and planting exceptional gardens for our customers. A combined Nursery, Design, Planting & Creative Maintenance service that gets the job done. An enjoyable, exciting, collaborative and personal journey with the expertise to manage the whole process for you should you prefer. A momentum and swiftness steering away from conventional drawings, sourcing dilemmas and other frustrating factors that we know can inhibit your involvement and peace of mind. Here’s how we’ll transform your garden:
From Our Nursery to your garden in 3 Steps
Before
1. Complete our Garden Design Enquiry Form or pop into our nursery to discuss your ideas with one of our team directly.
2. Jay, our Head of Garden Design, will then contact you to discuss your requirements in more detail and put you in touch with one of our designers.
3. They will visit you for a modest fee, based on their time (including travel).
4. A proposal follows, including a summary of your meeting, plant suggestions and the total cost of the plants, planting and irrigation (where applicable).
5. At this point we will invite you to the nursery to go through the design in greater detail and show you the actual plants that we will be using.
6. If you agree, a planting date is set, the plants are selected and you’re invoiced (just for the plants at this stage).
During
7. The designer and planting team will arrive on the specified day and the plants will be positioned – a bit like designing on the ground, instead of on a piece of paper.
8. Once you’re happy with the arrangement, the beds will be reshaped where necessary and the planting will begin.
9. Once planted, an irrigation system is installed (this is optional, but we always recommend it), new edges are cut, mulch is applied and everything is left looking lovely.
After
10. You’re invoiced for the planting, irrigation system, mulch, etc., and left in peace to enjoy your garden.
11. We remind you that it doesn’t necessarily end there: creative maintenance, plant advice and horticultural expansion are all right up our street.
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