China. Evergreen compact shrub, dense rich green glossy leaves. Small cream summer flowers. Excellent for low hedges and topiary. Prefers sunny frost free site, tolerates some dry. Trim to maintain shape. Planting spacing 150mm.

Broadly spreading, deciduous. Grown for timber in Europe and widely used for hedging. Clips well. Light green in spring, golden copper in autumn and brown leaves retained all winter. Apply a heavy dressing of lime on clay soils. 2 years old - HEDGE spacing 40-60cm

Britain, Europe, Caucasus & Alborz Mts. (Iran). Broadly columnar, deciduous tree with stout greenish-grey shoots with jet black buds. Leaves with 7-13 coarsely serrate leaflets, late into leaf & early to fall. Flowers before the leaves, developing into bunches of 'keys'. Vigorous grower, best on deep moist to wet soils but tolerates much drier soils, enjoys limestone. Valuable light coloured hardwood timber for tool handles, sports goods, and joinery. Steams and bends well. Coppices readily, producing straight poles and rods. Great firewood, burns cut green.

Manna ash - from south Europe and southwest Asia. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Bark is dark grey remaining smooth. Leaves with 5-9 broad ovoid leaflets, autumn colours yellow or purple. Conspicuous clusters of small fragrant white flowers, insect pollinated, developing into bunches of slender samaras. Sap produces a sugary extract 'manna'. Very drought tolerant and used as a street tree.