Shrubs should have a place in your garden, even if it’s in a container, says Chris Collins
Shrubs are the unsung heroes of the garden. They’re often associated with big spaces such as historic gardens and parks, but they can also be used in smaller areas, or container gardens really successfully.
With many deciduous and evergreen options to choose from, these stalwart plants can act as the building blocks of a garden, often taking a modest, background supporting role during summer to fabulous flowers and edibles as they take centre stage.While annuals fade, these shrubs remain and they can offer 12 months worth of interest if you don’t have much time or knowledge. They really are an ally for the small space grower.
In autumn, the fruits of the cotoneaster and holly (Ilex) provide food for the birds, while colourful winter dogwoods and the scents of sweet box (Sarcococa) will draw you into the garden during the darker months. The early flowering shrubs of forsythia and flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) will tell you spring has arrived, and in summer, British natives such as guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) provide cover and nectar for a myriad of wildlife.
As with all plants, a decent peat-free compost, attention to watering and feeding with an organic fertiliser during the growing season will keep these plants healthy – particularly if they’re in containers. But pruning is also key to keep them neat, compact and manageable in a smaller space.
A good pruning rule is that after a shrub flowers it’s time to go to work. A spring-flowering shrub, for example, will flower on the new wood it produces over the growing season. So, cut out the old flowering shoots to encourage new growth for next spring. Similarly, a summer or autumn-flowering shrub should be cut back to its original framework post bloom to give it time to produce new growth for next year’s display. Remember to cut out dead wood and crossing wood to keep the air flowing around the plant, which helps your shrub stay super healthy.
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Small Space Q&A
Q. What are the best evergreen shrubs for pots?
A. Evergreen shrubs can be clipped to suit the space and there are endless choices. I love tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans), strawberry tree (Arbutus unendo) and gorse (Ulex europaeus), all of which provide cover and privacy for wildlife.
Q. I’d like to attract more bees and butterflies. What shrub do you recommend?
A. Migrant plants introduced by Victorian collectors, such as the butterfly bush (Buddleja), are brilliant at entertaining and feeding butterflies, as the name suggests. And roses, especially the native dog rose (Rosa canina), are irresistible to bees.
Q. What’s the best time to plant a shrub?
A. Now! Bare root, or container-grown shrubs, will settle in very nicely when they are dormant between late autumn and spring. Choose a 30-litre container (smaller shrubs can go into 20L) paying careful attention to planting at the soil mark. Firm around the root ball to remove any air pockets. Top dress with compost a few months after planting to protect the vital surface roots.
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