Unfortunately, shrubs don’t have the same ‘oooh’ factor as herbaceous flowering plants or trees. Ignored and sad-looking specimens in supermarket car parks and central reservations are to blame for the lowly perception of them as something boring and municipal. DIY stores and garden centre chains don’t help either, tending to stock only the most common cultivars of stalwarts like eleagnus, abelia, cotoneaster and euonymus.
However, the happy truth is, just like perennials and annuals, shrubs can bring colour, scent and interest to your garden. Some fulfil a crucial role in the winter garden, too, adding structure and form when all else has died back. The trick is to seek out interesting varieties from specialist nurseries, and to plant in groups to provide impact and a foil for the plants and flowers…
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The Simple Things (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2016 - Issue 52