With increasingly dry summers becoming more common across the UK, choosing plants that can cope with periods of limited rainfall is becoming an important part of garden design. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice colour, structure or seasonal interest to create a more drought-tolerant garden. There are plenty of hardy shrubs and architectural plants that can thrive once established…
are great for adding year-round greenery and seasonal blooms to your garden. Here are some of our top picks Shrubs 1. Camellia • Blooms: Late fall to early spring. • Colors: Pink, white, red. 2. Azalea (Evergreen varieties) • Blooms: Spring, sometimes reblooms in fall. • Colors: White, pink, red, purple. 3. Gardenia • Blooms: Summer. • Colors: White,…
Pieris japonica Evergreen Spring Beauty Pieris japonica produces attractive white or pink flowers in late winter and early spring, often accompanied by colourful young foliage. Where to plant Pieris needs acidic soil and partial shade. A sheltered woodland-style position is ideal. Care Keep the soil moist but well drained. Use rainwater where possible in hard-water areas. Mulch with leaf…
Choisya Fragrant Evergreen Flowers Choisya, or Mexican Orange Blossom, is one of the most useful fragrant evergreen shrubs for a sheltered garden. Its white flowers have a pleasant citrus fragrance and appear in spring, with some varieties producing a second flowering period in autumn. Where to plant Choose sun or light partial shade. A sheltered position near a wall…
Winter Flowers, Evergreen Foliage and Berries Mahonia Mahonia is an excellent plant for bringing colour to the winter garden. Its bright yellow flowers appear from late autumn through early spring depending on species and variety, followed by dark blue berries. Where to plant Mahonia performs particularly well in partial or light shade. It can tolerate relatively difficult conditions and…
Evergreen Flowers and Excellent Hedges Escallonia Escallonia is an excellent evergreen shrub for hedging, screening and adding summer colour. Its flowers can be pink, red or white and often continue appearing into autumn. Where to plant Escallonia likes sun and shelter, although it can tolerate some partial shade. It is especially useful in coastal gardens and exposed areas. Care…
Summer Flowersand Pruning for Bushy Growth Fuchsia Hardy fuchsias produce colourful flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white from summer into autumn. Some varieties retain foliage in mild climates, while others die back during winter. Where to plant Hardy fuchsias generally enjoy partial shade, particularly afternoon shade in warmer climates. They prefer fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil….
EvergreenFragrance on Walls and Trellises Star Jasmine Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, is an evergreen climber with glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant white flowers. Where to plant Give it a warm, sheltered, sunny or partially shaded position. A south- or west-facing wall can provide useful additional warmth in cooler climates. Provide a trellis, wires or another climbing support. Care Water…
Huge Summer Flower Heads Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ produces enormous rounded flower heads that beginwhite and gradually fade towards pale green. Unlike evergreen shrubs, it loses its leaves in winter, but its summer display makes it well worth growing. Where to plant Choose partial shade or morning sun with some afternoon protection. It can tolerate more sun if the…
Growing and Pruning Heavenly Bamboo Nandina Nandina domestica is commonly called Heavenly Bamboo, although it isn’t actually a bamboo. It provides fine evergreen foliage, white flowers in late spring or early summer and red berries later in the year. Where to plant Nandina is adaptable and grows in sun or partial shade. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil. It is…
