Nut trees are easy to grow, they're attractive and the nuts they produce can be delicious.

Smallholder's favourite varieties are:

Sweet Almond Sutane

Produces beautiful early spring flowers, then needs a hot summer for the fruit to develop properly. Suitable for any soil type and beds or borders. Prefers a sunny sheltered spot and will tolerate partial shade. Benefits from growing near a south or west-facing wall. Plant as a bare-rooted tree in November to March for harvest in September.

Purple Filbert

Also grown for its rich copper foliage purple catkins that are attractive to bees and butterflies, produces a good crop of moist hazelnuts with a strong flavour. Suitable for use as hedging or in beds and borders. Prefers full sun and will tolerate chalky soil. Plant as bare-rooted tree in November to March for harvest from August.

Walnut Europa

Naturally dwarf variety ideal for smaller plots in beds and borders, Makes a good specimen tree. First harvest after two or three years, when large, oval-shaped nuts will be produced. Plant as bare-rooted tree in November to March for harvest from early October.

Walnut Lara

Stunning tree best suited to larger plots, although it will also grow in beds and borders, producing creamy-flavoured nuts. Prefers full sun but will also tolerate full or partial shade. Plant as bare-rooted tree in November to March for fruit in September

Sweet Chestnut Regal

Female flowers mature into spikey green fruits that up to three excellent chestnuts when matured. First fruits can take up to four years to appear. Grows very well on light and acidic soils, butt dislikes chalky and heavy soil. Drought resistant. Plant as bare-rooted tree from November to March for harvest in September to December.