Tibetan Whitebeam 'John Mitchell'

'John Mitchell' is a magnificent and bold evergreen whitebeam. It is most notable for its exceptionally large, almost circular leaves that are a dark, glossy green on top and covered in a dense, vivid white felt on the underside. When a breeze catches the tree, the silver-white undersides are revealed, creating a dramatic shimmering effect. In spring, it produces large heads of creamy-white flowers, followed by clusters of brownish-green fruits that ripen to an orange-red in autumn. This tree has a very neat, upright, and broadly conical habit, which makes it feel incredibly substantial and structural in a garden design. It is fully hardy (H6) and remarkably tolerant of urban conditions, including pollution and wind. It grows well in most soil types, including heavy clay and alkaline soils. It is a superb choice for a medium-to-large garden, providing a unique architectural presence and a different leaf texture than most common UK trees. It is relatively slow-growing but very long-lived.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Most soils, including heavy clay and lime.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May.