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Our top 5 smaller shrubs for year round interest

Normally a third to a quarter of the shrubs in a border will be evergreen or semi-evergreen. This lends a strong structure, even in winter.

The shrubs listed below have been selected for seasonal interest which may be in the form of flowers, berries or autumn colour. It excludes rhododendrons and heathers but many great selections of these can be found on the 911±¬ÁÏ Find a Plant ;

Selection of small rhododendron size 0.1-0.5m
Selection of small rhododendron size 0.5-1m
Selection of heathers

See our additional advice page for a selection of larger shrubs for year round interest .

Before choosing a shrub it is important to understand your garden. Here are a few points to consider before making your choice;

A suitable soil test ( 911±¬ÁÏ Soil Analysis Service ) will help identify the soil texture and acidity or alkalinity which will influence the range of suitable plants. Acid-loving (lime-hating) or ericaceous shrubs grow best in a pH

This describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and widely available in garden centres and online. range of 4-6, and ideally pH 5-5.5.

• Note the number of hours of sunshine the position receives as the seasons change
• Consider the ultimate height and spread of the shrub as well as rate of growth
• Assess the microclimate of your garden and choose suitable plants

These shrubs range in height from 20cm-2m (8in-6ft) and are widely available. Plants are grouped by season of flowering or major interest such as autumn colour or berries.

Key

v = variegated

Variegated means having leaves or other plant parts with streaks, blotches or patches of different colours. Typically, these would be a combination of two colours, such as green and gold or green and white.

Spring

a) Evergreen
Andromeda polifolia 'Compacta' – Cultivar

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit. of native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since. to GB and Ireland
Berberis microphylla 'Pygmaea' : 30cm (1ft)
Berberis × frikartii 'Amstelveen' AGM: 1m (3ft)
Berberis × stenophylla 'Corallina Compacta' AGM: 30cm (1ft)
Berberis × stenophylla 'Irwinii' : 1.5m (5ft)
Berberis verruculosa AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens AGM: 1m (3ft)
Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' : 1.5m (5ft)
Skimmia japonica 'Nymans' (f) AGM: 1m (3ft)
Skimmia japonica 'Fragrans' AGM: (m) 1m (3ft)
Vinca major 'Variegata' AGM: 30cm (1ft)
Vinca minor 'Azurea Flore Pleno' AGM - Cultivar of archaeophyte to GB and Ireland. 20cm (8in)

b) Deciduous

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.
Berberis thunbergii 'Atropupurea Nana' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Berberis wilsoniae AGM: 90cm (3ft)
Chaenomeles × superba 'Knap Hill Scarlet' AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Cytisus × beanii AGM, C. × kewensis AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Daphne × burkwoodii AGM, D. mezereum - Native to GB. 1.2m (4ft)
Genista lydia AGM - Native to GB and Ireland. 60cm (2ft)
Genista pilosa 'Procumbens AGM - Native to GB and Ireland. 20cm (8in)
Genista tinctoria 'Flore Pleno ' AGM - Native to GB and Ireland. 35cm (14in)
Genista tinctoria 'Royal Gold' AGM - Native to GB and Ireland. 1m (3ft)
Prunus × cistena AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Salix hastata 'Wehrhahnii' AGM: 1m (3ft)
Syringa meyeri var. spontanea 'Palibin' AGM: 1.5m (5ft)

Summer

a) Evergreen
Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine' AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Cistus × pulverulentus 'Sunset' 60cm (2ft)
Convolvulus cneorum AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Cistus x sahucii AGM: 45cm (1½ft)
Cistus ocymoides : 60cm (2ft)
Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose' AGM: 30cm (1ft)
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' : 45cm (1½ft)
Phlomis fruticosa AGM: 1m (3ft)
Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri 'Cream Delight' AGM: 2m (6½ft)
Phormium 'Duet' AGM: 30cm (1ft )Rosmarinus officinalis 'Miss Jessopp's Upright' AGM: 2m (6½ft)
Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Santolina chamaecyparissus AGM: 50cm (20in)
Santolina chamaecyparissus var. nana AGM: 30cm (1ft)
Teucrium fruticans ‘A³ú³Ü°ù±ð³Ü³¾â€™ AGM: 80cm (2½ft)
Teucrium chamaedrys – Native to GB
Thymus serphyllum – Native to GB and Ireland
Veronica × franciscana : 60cm (2ft)
Veronica 'Great Orme' : 1.2m (4ft)
Veronica 'Midsummer Beauty' : 2m (6½ft)
Veronica 'Youngii' : 20cm (8in)

b) Deciduous
Artemisia 'Powis Castle' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Heavenly Blue' : 1m (3ft)
Cytisus purpureus 'Atropurpureus' : AGM: 45cm (1½ft)
Deutzia × rosea : 1.2m (4ft)
Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple' AGM: 1m (3ft)
Fuchsia 'Tom Thumb' AGM: 30cm (1ft)
Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' AGM: 75cm (30in)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Elizabeth' AGM - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland. 75cm (30in)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Manchu' - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland. 30cm (1ft)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland. 75cm (30in)
Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer' AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' AGM: 75cm (30in)
Spiraea japonica 'Nana ': 45cm (18in)

Autumn

a) Evergreen
Abelia schumannii : 2m (6½ft)
Cotoneaster conspicuus 'Decorus' AGM: 1.5m (5ft)
Gaultheria procumbens AGM: 15cm (6in) – lime hating
Veronica 'Autumn Glory' : 60cm (2ft)
Viburnum davidii AGM: 1.5m (5ft)

b) Deciduous
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides AGM: 45cm (1½ft)
Ceratostigma willmottianum AGM: 1m (3ft)
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘A±ô³Ù´Ç²Ô¾±²¹â€™ AGM: 1m (3ft)
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Perfecta' AGM: 2m (6ft)
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pia' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Hypericum 'Hidcote' AGM: 1.2m (4ft)
Hypericum × moserianum 'Tricolor' : 30cm (1ft)
Perovskia 'Blue Spire' AGM: 1.2m (4ft)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Katherine Dykes' AGM - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland. 1m (3ft)
Potentilla fruticosa 'Vilmoriniana' - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland. 1.2m (4ft)
Rosa 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' AGM: 1m (3ft)

Winter – all evergreen

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Vancouver Jade’ - Cultivar of native to GB and Ireland
Cotoneaster dammeri AGM: 20cm (8in)
Cotoneaster microphyllus AGM: 1m (3ft)
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' AGM: 1m (3ft)
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' AGM: 1.2m (4ft)
Gaultheria mucronata 'Bell's Seedling' AGM: 90cm (3ft) – lime hating
Mahonia aquifolium 'Apollo' AGM: 60cm (2ft)
Mahonia pinnata : 1.5m (5ft)
Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet' AGM, P. terminalis 'Variegata' AGM: 20cm (8in)
Ruscus aculeatus - Native to GB. 75cm (2½ft)
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis : 60cm (2ft)
Skimmia japonica 'Nymans' AGM: 1m (3ft)

Links

911±¬ÁÏ Find a Plant

The Timber Press Encyclopedia of Flowering Shrubs by Jim Gardiner (Timber Press 2011, ISBN 978-0881928235)

The book is made available through the 911±¬ÁÏ Lindley Library .