Plants & Trees

Grow your own Japanese edible plants and trees

British weather is closer to Japan's than most people realise, and it's why our Japanese edible plants settle in here so readily. Real wasabi thrives in a shaded, cool corner where the soil stays damp. The sort of spot most gardens have going spare. We were the first in Europe to cultivate it, and the plants we sell come from the same Dorset stock we grow for chefs.

Beyond wasabi, the collection covers the fragrant, tingling and citrus-sharp notes that define Japanese cooking. Sansho pepper trees produce the aromatic berries used in shichimi and unagi seasoning – lemon-scented and gently numbing on the tongue. Szechuan pepper trees give the deeper, buzzing tingle you know from mapo tofu. Shiso plants bring their unmistakable minty-basil scent to sashimi, tempura and pickles, whether you grow the green, red or bi-colour variety. Myoga ginger shoots taste bright and softly peppery, sliced raw over tofu or dropped into miso soup.

Every plant arrives with a growing guide so you know exactly what light, water and shelter it needs.

Japanese citrus and rare fruit trees for UK gardens

Our Japanese citrus trees suit British conditions better than you might expect. Yuzu, Buddha's hand and Meyer lemon carry the aromatic peels that lift ponzu, marmalades and dressings. Finger lime beads pop like caviar over oysters or sashimi. Japanese bitter orange (Poncirus trifoliata) is the hardiest of the lot and will hold its own outdoors through a UK winter.

For fruit beyond citrus, the collection includes date plum persimmon, Japanese medlar (loquat), and Japanese plum yew. Each tree chosen because they crop reliably in UK gardens. Japanese wineberry lends summer puddings a wine-like tang, while honeyberry brings a bright, berry sweetness to the garden and the kitchen.

Availability is seasonal. If a plant you want is out of stock, sign up on the product page and we'll email you when the next batch is ready.