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Shrubs
What is a Shrub?
A shrub is a woody plant with several branches coming from the base, unlike a tree which has just one stem. They can be deciduous (lose their leaves in winter) or evergreen.
Why are shrubs so useful in the garden?
Shrubs come in many shapes and sizes and provide form and structure in the garden. They can also add colour through their flowers, stems, berries and foliage, and scent.
They can be used on their own as a feature plant or in a mixed group of other shrubs, trees, perennials, bulbs etc.
Evergreen shrubs add some interest in the winter whilst deciduous shrubs offer a wider variety of ornamental qualities. Therefore, it is best to include a combination of the two in a garden.
There are shrubs available that provide interest at all times of year, some in spring, some in summer etc so by carefully selecting the plants, you can have interest in your garden all year round.
Some good shrubs
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Spring interest
Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin' is an evergreen shrub. In the spring, clusters of bright red, new leaves emerge. It can be used as large shrub or trimmed regularly as a hedge.
Forsythia x intermedia has bright yellow flowers in early spring, it is one of the first shrubs to add colour to the garden.
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Summer interest
Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile' is a pretty shrub with white fragrant flowers in summer.
Hypericum ‘Hidcote' is an evergreen shrub with bright yellow flowers in early summer. It is useful to brighten up a shady corner.
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Autumn interest
Abelia x grandiflora is a large semi-evergreen shrub with small flowers in the autumn on arching branches. It should be grown in a sheltered spot.
Cotinus coggyria ‘Royal Purple' is a deciduous shrub with attractive deep purple foliage. It has plumes of flowers in summer which give it a common name of ‘Smokebush'. The foliage turns bright red in the autumn.
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Winter interest
Mahonia x media - A lovely evergreen shrub with spiky leaves and scented yellow flowers in winter.
Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire' - This shrub has bright orange/red stems through the Winter. It looks good underplanted with Snowdrops.
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 All year interest
Choisya ternata ‘Sundance' - An evergreen shrub with yellow foliage that tolerates shade so is useful for lighting up a dull corner. It also produces white scented flowers in spring.
Fatsia japonica - this evergreen shrub has a striking form with large, glossy, distinctly shaped leaves.
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Wall shrubs
 Training a shrub against a wall is a good way to show off its features and is good for shrubs that can look messy if not supported.
NB Any planting at the base of a wall or fence will be more likely to dry out, so keep an eye on them.
Pyracantha - This wall shrub has white flowers in Spring and red or orange berries in the Autumn. It has very sharp thorns so don't plant it too close to paths or entranceways.
Hydrangea anomala subsp.petiolaris is a deciduous wall shrub which bears attractive white flowers in summer. It has aerial roots so it will attach to the wall or fence itself. It prefers a shady spot. It will take a couple of years to get established but will become more vigorous over time.
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