Exotic Trees in Britain – trees that are rare but may be seen in botanical gardens, large parks or even domestic gardens.

During the Middle Ages plants were introduced from Europe, the Middle East, Russia and North Africa. Then explorers and plant collectors found new species from across the world. Commercial plant breeders often funded expeditions and then began to develop new cultivars from the acquisitions. From the mid 17th century, species  were brought in from North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and eventually India, China and Japan.

Click on a name in red to see a full description of the tree.