Cloud Pruned Trees

Paramount Plants is one of the UK’s leading specialist nurseries for Cloud Pruned Trees. These amazing trees are more frequently found in Japan but here in the UK these trees are unusual and exceptional. Our specimen trees are mature and have been beautifully created over time, each one is unique and for this reason, we have created a completely separate section of our website dedicated to Unique Cloud Trees. Here you can browse and view the exact Cloud Tree for sale – each tree has a unique special code, ensuring that the one you buy online is the exact tree you’ll be delivered. Skip to the end of this article to view video footage of our Japanese Cloud Tree Collection.

Specimen Cloud Trees at Paramount Plants, London UK

Specimen Cloud Trees at Paramount Plants | Unique Numbering, You Buy the Exact Plant in the Image

Niwaki, Bonsai or Topiary?
This type of cloud trained tree is often referred to as being a Niwaki or garden Bonsai, which is quite different from Topiary, in that traditionally, these cloud pruned trees are used describe a landscape, whereas Topiary is simply the art of clipping trees into ornamental shapes. Niwaki and Bonsai have yet another different set of characteristics determining them – whether they are planted in the ground or in a container, what size they are etc There are many many considerations to be made when creating a garden using Niwaki in Japan…

Cloud Trees for sale at Paramount Plants

Here in the UK, unless you are intent on creating an authentic Japanese garden, you are more free with your choices of how and where to use these fabulous specimen trees. Strictly speaking a Niwaki tree is never planted in a pot, it is always planted directly in the ground. So one of the biggest departures you’re allowed to make, is to grow your cloud pruned tree in a pot and they do look stunning – standing as sentinels on either side of an entrance they have huge impact and presence. As long as you water and feed and give an occasional trim these Ilex Crenata Cloud Trees will grow quite happily in a container.

Cloud Trees Growing in Terracotta Planters

There are many tree varieties that are used for the creation of Cloud Pruned Trees and we are constantly surprised as even more varieties lend themselves to this ancient technique. Just this week quite a range of new varieties have arrived at our plant centre in North London. Here is a small selection of specimen trees currently in stock. To view our full range please visit the
Unique Cloud Trees section and the Topiary section of our website.