The varieties available are virtually limitless. From tall and upright through broad features and down to ground cover, there are shrubs to suit every purpose. Planting mature shrubs prevents the common situation whereby some shrubs begin to obscure others from view as they reach maturity. Mature shrubs will create the backdrop to a garden without the experimentation.
The Abelia are elegant shrubs with varieties of both deciduous and evergreen available, with its trumpet or tubular shaped pink or white flowers lasting throughout summer. They have dark green leaves on arching canes, they reach 1.8m in height and grow in any free draining soil in full sun.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
Most Acers are trees (see deciduous tree section) but the Japanese maples are both attractive and slow growing shrubs. The Japanese Maples are grown for shape and colour of their foliage. They prefer neutral or acid soil and partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Snowy Mespilus can grow up to 4m in time, with its frequently changing colour, young coppery leaves turning green then yellow in autumn and red berries turning black. It will grow in most soils except chalk and thrives in sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 2m in height plus.
* Please click plant name to show more varieties and pictures.
The hollow canes and grass like leaves make the Bamboo easily recognisable, all varieties are easy to grow and have heights ranging from 1m to 6m. The Bamboo will grow in any reasonable soil and thrives in partial shade.
Sizes available from 3m in height plus.
The Aucuba has large colourful evergreen leaves, the females produce large clusters of red berries in autumn. The Aucuba is very shade tolerant and will grow in any garden soil in the sun or deep shade.
Sizes available from 1.25m in height plus.
The Buddleia has both evergreen and deciduous varieties, all have small tubular flowers on dense spikes, sometimes in clusters on the branches or at the tips of the branches. The colours range through pinks, mauves to orange or yellow. The Buddleias will grow in any type of soil if it is well drained including chalky soils and prefers a sunny position.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Box is grown for its dense evergreen screen. They have small, neat leathery leaves and produce small clusters of greenish yellow flowers in spring. The cultivated Box with the exception on the dwarf varieties are known as shrubs. The Box will grow in any reasonable garden soil in sun or shade, very good in exposed sites.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus
The Camelia is one of the most popular flowering shrubs available, most of the varieties produce white, pink or red colours in March to May with some other varieties producing yellow to bronze flowers. The Camelia has glossy leaves all year round and prefers well drained soil enriched with organic matter preferable slightly acidic. Light shade is best but will grow in full sun.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Dogwood has both evergreen and deciduous varieties, all with smoothed edged simple leaves. Some of the species produce brightly coloured stems and branches often bright red or yellow giving decoration through the winter months. The Dogwood will grow in most chalk free garden soils and will grow in sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Hazel is both a tree and a shrub with both yellow and purple leaved varieties available, it produces attractive catkins in early spring. Some of the popular garden varieties are grown for there unusual branches. The Hazel will grow in any reasonable well drained soil, very good in exposed wind swept sites.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
An amazing plant from Australia used for its architectural properties. The fronds of the tree ferns are very large and the young fronds emerge in coils that uncurl as they grow. The trunk is supported by a fibrous mass of roots that expands as the Tree Fern grows. The Tree fern will grow in any reasonable soil and in full sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Oleaster is grown for its foliage with the young leaves having a metallic sheen. This easy to grow shrub is useful in exposed sites as hedging, the small flowers are tubular at the base with 4 spreading petals. The fruits edible in some species are pale fleshy in colour. The Oleaster will grow in any reasonable garden soil and thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Escallonia can grow up to 1.8m in height and is mostly evergreen, the leaves are small, toothed and normally shiny. The Escallonia bears clusters of white, pink or red flowers from June to early autumn and fruits that are small round capsules full of fine seeds. The Escallonia will grow in any reasonable soil, in sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Euonymus has both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, all have simple leaves and inconspicuous small groups of greenish or yellowish flowers. Some of the deciduous varieties produce fantastic autumn foliage colour. The main attraction is in the fruits which split open in the autumn revealing bright yellow, red or orange seeds. The Euonymus will grow in any reasonable soil in sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 50cm in height plus.
The Fatsia has large deeply lobed leaves and can reach heights of 3 metres and is related to the Ivy. The candelabra like white creamy flowers appear in October followed by small black berries. Fatsias will grow in any reasonable soil and prefers partial shade and sheltered spot.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
The Forsythia produces a mass of early spring colours ranging from brilliant yellow to gold 4 petalled flowers. The narrow bluntly toothed leaves appear after the flowers. The Forsythia is fully frost hardy and will grow in garden soil, thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 2m in height plus.
The Laurus is a ornamental evergreen shrub with dark green glossy leaves, smooth and leathery to touch a small star-shaped, fragrant yellowish flower is produced in late spring early summer. It will grow in any reasonable soil, thrives in both sun and shade.
Sizes available from 2.5m in height plus.
The Pheasant Berry has tall Bamboo like stems which are covered in a waxy coating, it will produce new shoots from the base in spring. In July and August the small flowers appear followed by the berries which are purple in colour. The Pheasant Berry will grow in any reasonable soil and thrives in sun or shade.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
* Please click plant name to show more varieties and pictures.
The Magnolia leaves are usually oval and smooth edged. The flowers are normally large, fragrant and solitary, come in white, yellow, pink or purple and varying shapes. Magnolias like deep, rich well drained soil and thrive in sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Mahonia is known for attractive holly like foliage and attractive fragrant yellow flowers. The fruits resemble miniature grapes and can be dark red, purplish or blue in colour. The Mahonia will grow in any reasonable garden soil and thrives in shady positions even under trees.
Sizes available from 1.25m in height plus.
The Phormium has a bold clump of sword like leaves 60cm to 1.5m long. Is used widely in landscape design for its architectural properties, with colours ranging from yellow to purple. They produce small colourful flowers on long stalks. Requires well drained, moist soil in full sun.
Sizes available from 1.25m in height plus.
The Photinia has brilliant red foliage on its early spring growth, and can reach heights of 3 to 3.5m. The flowers mostly white are followed by red or dark blue berries. The Photinia will grow in any reasonable soil except heavy clay and need to be in a sunny position.
Sizes available from 1.5m in height plus.
The Pieris is known for its year round colour, the foliage produces bright red new growth in the spring. The flowers buds are kept throughout the winter months before open into long sprays of flowers in May or June. The Pieris can reach heights of 1.8m to 3.5m. The Pieris requires moist peaty acidic soils in part shade.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
* Please click plant name to show more varieties and pictures.
There are around 800 different species of Rhododendron, with deciduous and evergreen available. They are mainly broad leafed usually deep green in colour. The flowers are flat, funnel, bell or trumpet in shape, and are a spectacular sight. The Rhododendron needs to be grown in acid soil and partial shade.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
The Viburnum has species of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous varieties available producing all round colour. Some of the cultivated varieties produce fragrant showy flowers whilst many have colourful berries. The Viburnum prefers good soil with plenty of humus present. Thrives in full sun.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
The Yucca is slow growing and usually evergreen, their leaves are stiff and sword like with a sharp tip. The Yuccas flowers are drooping white or cream, bell to cup shaped flowers. The Yucca will grow in soil where there is good drainage with no heavy clay and thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Sizes available from 1m in height plus.
