There are few sights and smells more arresting in the garden than a Katsura or ’Toffee Apple’ Tree in mid-autumn.

This elegant, ornamental tree is also known as Cercidiphyllum japonicum. Heart-shaped green leaves turn shades of yellow, purple, pink and red before falling to the ground and releasing a distinctive and alluring fragrance that’s similar to fairground candy floss or sweet toffee apple, hence its name, Heavenly!

Our Head Gardener Peter experienced this last autumn while walking in a lovely parkland setting, where the scent truly filled the air, as the autumn colours were at their very best and richest, and now he is a big fan too!

Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot, ready for planting out, the Katsura Tree will grow to around 5m in a decade, and can eventually reach 15m so should be planted where it has room to show off.  It will do well in either a really sunny spot or in light shade and for a breathtaking display of autumn colour, plant in moist, well drained soils.

Making a perfect specimen tree, plant Katsura trees for years of pleasure.