Shrubs

Generally smaller than trees with either a very short main stem or multiple stems. They are long term plants grown for their flowers, foliage or fruits. They come on many shapes and sizes and can be grown in almost any part of the garden. Shrubs can be evergreen or deciduous.

Forsythia

Ribes

Pieris

Rhodedendron

Cistus

Weigela

Cotoneaster

Pyracantha

Before planting dig the soil thoroughly, remove all weeds and incorporate lots of well-rotted organic matter. Add fertiliser and improve the drainage if required. Make a hole two or three times the width of the plant and deep enough to to keep at same level as in the pot.

Hedges

Hedges are trees or shrubs which are planted close together to form a continuous row. They are usually cut to maintain a particular shape and height.

Berberis

Ceanothus

Euonymus

Forsythia

Holly

Lavender

Thuja

Viburnum

Choose healthy plants either bare rooted or container grown. Clear the ground of all weeds. The addition of organic matter or fertilisers is not required unless the soil is particularly sandy. Water the plants well before planting, the plant at regular intervals in holes big enough not to constrict the roots. Water in well and apply a mulch. Some species benefit from being pruned immediately after planting. Shoots should be reduced to about 10cm. Most deciduous plants should be reduced to about one-third in the autumn after planting. Evergreens and informal hedges should not be cut-back until they until they are at least a year old

Climbers

Climbers are shrubs which are adapted to growing up vertical structures. Climbers add a vertical element to a garden, they can be trained against a wall, fence or trellis, over arches and pergolas, through trees or used as ground cover. There are many different types of climbers from annuals, deciduous perennials and evergreens. Choose one to suit your soil type, aspect and climate.

Clematis

Sweet Peas

Hedera (Ivy)

Honeysuckle

Wisteria

Most climbers do not require any pruning however, clematis and wisteria perform much better when strict pruning is carried out. Wisteria: once a framework has been established and flowering is over, cut-back the long whippy growth to about 15cm followed by a further pruning to 2-3 buds in mid-winter. Clematis: early large flowering species should have some of the old growth cut back after flowering. Early flowering species such as montana and alpina can be cut back hard every few years. Late flowering species should be pruned to 15-30cm from the ground during January/February. Do not plant climbers too close to a structure and prepare the ground well. Clematis should be planted deeper than it was in the pot to avoid clematis wilt.

Ground Cover

Low growing, spreading shrubs which can cover a large area of ground. They suppress weeds and require very little attention.

Ivy

Vinca

Hellebore

Nepeta

Cistus

Clear the ground of weeds and dig over the soil. Add well-rotted organic matter and fertiliser if required. Water the plants thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole twice as big as the pot. Plant at the same level as it was in the pot. Firm well, water and mulch.

Hybrid Tea:

· The most popular group; available in bush and standard forms

· Long flower stems

· Shapely medium to large sized blooms with many petals forming a central cone

· Single blooms or with side buds

· Habit is upright and rigid and they are often ruined by bad weather

· Blooms less often and less colourfully than Floribunda roses and the number of blooms is often disappointing

Floribunda:

· Flowers in trusses with several blooms being open at one time on each truss

· Very colourful, reliable, long-lasting blooms

· Provides excellent colour for the garden

· Hardy and easy to care for

· Blooms are smaller and usually less fragrant than the Hybrid Tea

Patio:

· A relatively new group; originally small varieties of Floribunda

· Low growing, approx. 50cm high

· Ideal for pots or the front of a border

· Both flowers and leaves are in keeping with the size of the plant

Miniature:

· Both leaves and flowers are small

· Maximum height of 40cm

· Ideal for growing in pots or a rockery

· Can be grown as a houseplant

Ground Cover:

· A spreading rose

· Repeat flowerer

· Resistant to disease

· Some varieties are very low growing

· Good for growing between taller shrubs or used to cover banks

Climbers:

· Stiff stems which bear large flowers

· Many are repeat flowering

· Require to be tied into strong supports

Ramblers:

• Long pliable stems
• Small flowers on large trusses
• One single summer flush
• Require to be tied into strong supports

Shrub:

· Shrub roses consist of a large group of bush roses which are neither Hybrid Tea nor Floribunda