The classic wild hedgerow fruit from our childhoods, fantastic in pies, crumbles, jams  and summer puddings.  There are around 2,000 micro-species varying from region to region. The fruit forms from July to October, and is initially green before turning a deep purple black. Blackberry can be quite vigorous so best avoided in really small gardens - pruning cannot be neglected. Often grown along a fence or as part of a hedgerow, although a single plant can take up anything from 3m to 4.5 m of space. Only partly deciduous.

Sold in: 3 litre pot

A beautiful small tree with pink and white blossom in spring, the crab apple is a widespread in woodland, hedgerows and scrub. It produces a bounty of small apples in autumn, enjoyed greatly by a range of birds and butterflies. Furthermore, it can be used for a variety of culinary uses. It's blossom can be used in fritters, whilst the small apples themselves (together with sugar) can be added to crumble and fruit pies to provide a more tart, appley flavour. Because they have a high level of pectin, they are also extremely useful when making jams and jellies using other fruit, such as blackberry. Crab apple grows best in well-drained fertile soil in full-sun to semi-shaded conditions. It can grow up to 8 metres in height with a spread of 5 metres in 20 years.

Sold as: Tree 80-120cm in height in 5 litre pot

A fast growing and extremely productive plant, elder is one of the most underrated of all small trees/shrubs. It produces large sprays of delicate creamy white and very fragrant flowers in June which transform many of the hedgerows around our village - one of the best and most memorable aromas of early summer. The flavour and fragrance of these flowers can be harnessed in a huge range of ways, from cordial, to sorbets, jams, jellies, purees and fritters, or to combine with other fruits, such as gooseberry. Not only this but elder produces clusters of small edible berries in autumn - useful when combined with other fruits in crumbles, or to make distinctively flavoured elderberry wine. If left uncut elder will grow up to 4 metres in height. Will grow in full sun or shaded conditions.

Sold as: Shrub 50-100cm in height, in 3 litre pot.

A lush native tree that was traditionally coppiced for its upright poles, hazel produces a fine display of yellow catkins to brighten the short new-year winter days. It produces large mid-green leaves, and edible hazel nuts in September-October, popular with squirrels and dormice (and humans!). Hazel can grow up to 6-7 metres in height if left uncut, and grows best in semi-shaded conditions.

Sold as: Tree 60-100cm in height, in 3 litre pot

A beautiful tree that grows in woods and hedgerows and has long been traditionally cultivated in this country, but it is not as common as it once was. Although it is unlikely to be a true native to Britain, many believe that all fruiting pears in this country originate from the wild pear. It produces a mass of beautiful white blossom in spring, followed by small edible fruit in autumn.  The Wild Pear is a medium sized tree that reaches a height of up to 10 metres in twenty years.

Sold as: Tree 80-120 cm, in 5 litre pot