5 Spring flowering wall shrubs
Decorate a dull wall with these early beauties
Chaenomeles ‘Geisha Girl’
Ideal for a shady north or cold, eastfacing wall, this flowering Japanese quince produces lots of pastel apricot-pink flowers just as the leaves unfurl. Suits any soil as long as it’s not constantly wet. TIP Prune off any forward-facing shoots to develop an ideal fan shape
Stachyurusy chinensis
Spreading shrub with arching, dark-red shoots producing stiff, pendulous spikes of soft yellow flowers in April. Site in sun or partial shade in soils that don’t dry out during summer. TIP Prune back new shoots by half after flowering once shrub fills the space it’s been allotted
Forsythia suspensa ‘Nymans’
Excellent form of the familiar forsythia with slender, ‘weeping’ shoots that are ideal for training against a framework on a wall or fence. Suits any soil in sun or partial shade. TIP Thin out wispy shoots and tie in the strongest to framework
Coronilla valentina ‘Citrina’
Long-flowered shrub with blue-green pea-leaves and sweetly scented flowers from December to April. Fragile shoots need careful training. Site in a sunny, well-drained soil in shelter.
TIP Grow next to a doorway to benefit from its fragrance
Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’
Spectacular display of bright blue blossom in late March and April set against a curtain of glossy, rich green leaves. Prefers neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil in sun. Easily clipped. TIP Combine with summer clematis for a second season of interest