Vinca spp.; Periwinkle

I found this Periwinkle just outside Trafford Park, early April. The perennials appear to have self-seeded as they are amongst various other self-seeding, ruderal plants. Despite finding these Periwinkle perennials in an un-maintained, wild environment, periwinkles are often used ornamentally due to their bright purple flowers. In the winter, these evergreen plants can be found without their iconic flower. 

Periwinkle thrives in both shade and sunlight, making them tolerant to most weather conditions. The soils were well drained, however, Vinca spp. can be seen to thrive in poorly drained soils too. 

Choisya ternata

I found this Choisya ternata in Fletcher Moss gardens, Didsbury, mid-March.

The evergreen shrub was deliberately planted amongst other evergreens as part of the 'Muriel Faulkner shade borders'. Surrounding the Choisya ternata are species including; Hypericum androsaemum, Daphne laureola and Ruscus aculeatus. Despite being within the 'shade borders', the Choisya thrives in sunlight and receives plenty of it here. The plant has strong visual aesthetics, particularly when it blooms white flowers in the Autumn, Spring and Winter.

Euonymus fortunei

I came across this evergreen shrub just outside Longford park, Chorlton, in a residential street mid-March. The plant presents yellow and green foliage throughout the year, offering a consistent visually appealing shrub - but lacking in seasonal diversity. This particular shrub was planted deliberately as an ornamental plant to bring softness to the harsh architectural surroundings. 

The shrub sits in an alignment of various other evergreen shrubs, to provide contrast of form and to contribute towards the ornamental setting. 

Eunonymum fortunei is tolerant to sun and shade, and thrive in well-drained soils. 

Pachysandra terminalis

I came across this Pachysandra terminalis just outside Exchange Quay, Salford (early April). The plants were planted here deliberately within a planting bed as an ornamental asset to the space. These evergreens are particularly endearing in the summer when they present white flowers. 

It would seem in this context, the plants were used to contrast with the otherwise harsh stone materials surrounding these planters. The Pachysandra was planted with other evergreens, adding a contrast of height and form to the area.

These perennials are shade tolerant and the soils were moist but well drained. 

Pyracantha coccinea; Firethorn

I found this Firethorn in Longford park (Chorlton), mid-March. It is quite common to find this evergreen used as a hedgerow, as it is easy to prune, is suitable for any moderately fertile garden and is tolerant to most weather conditions. The evergreen has sharp thorns along its stem, further stating its authority to mark out a boundary that intends to be kept. 

Despite the harsh visual impact of the thorns, Firethorn is considered to be a visually appealing evergreen as it has attractive flowers, and bright red, yellow or orange berries.  The plant can reach heights of up to 4m. However this hedgerow, despite meaning to be a physical barrier, does not intend on being a visual barrier and therefore is pruned to below a 2m height. 

Garrya elliptica; Silk Tassel Bush

This Garrya elliptica can be found in Dunham Massey; these pictures were taken early April. The silk tassel bush was planted intentionally for its ornamental benefits within the winter botanical garden. It is not uncommon for this plant to be planted for ornamental purposes, particularly as their catkins are a nice bright winter feature. Within this setting, the Garrya elliptica was planted for the sole appreciation of the plant, for this reason it is located within a large planting bed of various other ornamental winter plants. However, it is common for this plant to be found around buildings (usually if designers wish to hide the bad aesthetic qualities of surrounding architecture).

The plant can thrive in full-sun and partial shade, making them tolerant to most weather conditions. 

Hamamelis mollis; Witch Hazel

I found this particular Witch Hazel in Didsbury botanical garden (early April), however, I have since seen it in Parsonage gardens and Dunham Massey garden. These locations alone signify how this species is very much used ornamentally, in high status planting schemes. It is no surprise the tree is used in such a way, considering its bark is decorated with a beautiful white, patterned embossment and pink/purple flowers. When located beside other grand ornamental trees, the Witch Hazel can easily become overlooked with an ultimate height of 2.5-4m, however this adds to the delicate characteristics of the tree. 
The Witch Hazel was surrounded by evergreens, enabling it to stand out with its unique colour palette. The soil is moist but well drained, any excess water drains off to a pond directly opposite the Witch Hazel.  

Hebe spp.

I found this hebe in Salford Quays (late March), bordering a road on one side, and a car park on the other. Hebe is often quite popular amongst landscape architects due to its neat shape. Particularly when located off the side of a pedestrian walk way, it is important to choose a species that will not exceed beyond the space acquired for it.The hebe spp. is tidy and requires very little maintenance, making it low risk and cost effective in the long run.

Furthermore, the species has an intriguing three-dimensional texture making it aesthetically pleasing.

The hebbe spp. offers much variety in terms of heights and varieties, which means it is not difficult to find the right species to meet the exact needs required. Just meters away from this photo, were a much smaller variety in small planters, both purplish/brown and green. These planters were required to mark the edge of a car park, whereas the example below were most likely intended as visual and sound barriers from the main road.

The hebbe spp. are widespread and can be located in most public spaces. 

Pittosporum tenuifolium

This Pittosporum sits in South Norwood, London, these pictures were taken early March. Deliberately planted, the evergreen provides ornamental value to its surroundings. These ornamental qualities are heightened in the Spring and Summer, when they can be found to have purple flowers. 

The Pittosporum is tolerant to both shade and sunlight and thrive in moist but well drained soils. 

This particular shrub I found was pruned to keep a dome shape, and to maintain a reasonable height within its setting. However, if left, the Pittosporum can reach heights of up to 8m.

Helleborus orientalis

This Helleborus orientalis was one I came across in Longford park, mid-March. These perennials were deliberately planted, in a long planter of various other shade tolerant perennials and shrubs. The intentional planting of these plants becomes more evident with the convenient location of the large hedgerow behind blocking out sunlight.

The Helleborus blossoms with an elegant flower, which means they are often used ornamentally. The plant is surrounded by a constructed garden, with a clear geometric division of the space. This geometric pattern further demonstrates the intention of being an ornamental garden.

x. cupressocyparis leylandii; Leyland Cypress

This Cypress is one I found just outside Longford Park, mid-March. The large columnar, evergreens sit behind a steel fence bordering a sports ground. Presumably, these Cypress trees were planted deliberately, to provide privacy for those using the sporting areas. The height of the Cypress trees prevent any views into the architectural setting behind, and allow visitors of Longford park to feel entirely enclosed within a 'natural' environment. The columnar form means views are prevented even at ground level into what lies behind. The trees offer no seasonal diversity, which means they fulfill the same purpose throughout the year. Despite not flowering, the Cypress trees have aesthetic qualities with the texture of the green foliage.

At full maturity, the Cypress can be expected to reach heights beyond 12m. The soils are well drained.