Latin plant names explained

The entries in our catalogue have always been primarily in Latin, since this is the most accurate way of identifiying plant species and cultivars. We have often been asked to include an English to Latin translation for the most common and familiar trees and shrubs in our nursery, so here it is!

Common Name Latin Name
Alder, Common Alnus glutinosa
Alder, Grey Alnus incana
Alder, Italian Alnus cordata
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Aspen Populus tremula
Bay Laurus nobilis
Beech Fagus sylvatica
Beech, Copper Fagus sylvatica purpurea
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa
Box Buxus sempervirens
Box, Dwarf Buxus suffruticosa
Buckthorn, Alder Rhamnus frangula
Buckthorn, Purging Rhamnus cathartica
Cedar Cedrus
Cherry Plum Prunus myrobalana
Cherry, Bird Prunus padus
Cherry, Wild – Wildstar Prunus avium
Crab,Wild Malus sylvestris
Dogrose Rosa canina
Dogwood, Common Cornus sanguinea
Dogwood, Red Cornus alba
Field Maple Acer campestre
Golden Leyland Cupressocyparis ‘Castlewellan’
Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Hazel Corylus avellana
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus
Larch, European Larix decidua
Larch, Japanese Larix kaempferi
Laurel Prunus lauro. rotundifolia
Laurel Prunus lauro.‘Caucasica’
Leyland Cypress Cupressocyparis leylandii
Lime, Large leaved Tilia platyphyllos
Lime, Silver Tilia tomentosa
Lime, Small leaved Tilia cordata
London Plane Platanus hispanica
Lonicera Lonicera pileata
Norway Maple Acer platanoides
Oak, English Quercus robur
Oak, Holm or Evergreen Quercus ilex
Oak, Red Quercus rubra
Oak, Sessile Quercus petraea
Oak,Turkey Quercus cerris
Pear, Wild Pyrus communis
Pine, Austrian Pinus nigra Austriaca
Pine, Corsican Pinus nigra corsicana
Pine, Scots Pinus sylvestris
Poplar, Grey Populus canescens
Portuguese Laurel Prunus lusitanica
Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium
Purple-leaved Plum Prunus cerasifera nigra
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Rugose Rose Rosa rugosa
Rugose Rose, Red Rosa rugosa rubra
Rugose Rose, White Rosa rugosa alba
Silver Birch Betula alba
Snowberry Symphoricarpos alba
Snowy Mespilus Amelanchier canadensis
Snowy Mespilus Amelanchier lamarkii
Spindle Euonymus europaeus
Spruce, Norway Picea abies
Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa
Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus
Walnut, Common Juglans regia
Walnut, Hybrid Juglans regia x nigra
Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana
Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla
Western Red Cedar Thuya plicata
Whitebeam Sorbus aria
Whitebeam, Swedish Sorbus intermedia
Wild Service Tree Sorbus torminalis
Willow, Goat Salix caprea
Willow, Grey Salix cinerea
Willow, White Salix alba
Yew Taxus baccata