Shrubs and climbers
CAMELLIA
Glossy-leaved, evergreen shrubs (you can even spark them up with houseplant leaf shine) with single and double flowers in late winter and spring. Shade from early morning sun protects the flowers from frost damage. Recommended: ‘Lavinia Maggi’ (white/cerise flowers).
● Best in pots of lime-free (ericaceous) compost.
● No pruning usually needed unless to improve the shape.
CORNUS (DOGWOOD)
Variegated dogwoods provide a long season of spring-to-summerto-autumn foliage interest, plus winter stems in crimson, scarlet, orange or yellow to decorate with tiny white Christmas lights. Recommended: ‘Hedgerows Gold’ (red stems, variegated).
● Cut back by half in early spring create a large and colourful plant.
● Keep consistently moist, especially in autumn or the leaves may drop early.
HEDERA (IVY)
Ivies make fine self-clinging climbers for shaded walls or tree trunks. Silver variegated varieties work best as silver goes well with most flower or foliage colours. Recommended: ‘Glacier’ (green/grey/white leaves).
● Tape the young shoots to the wall or tree trunk to set them climbing in the right direction.
● You can also allow shoots to trail over the sides of pots or creep as ground cover.
PIERIS
Colourful evergreens with dark, glossy foliage, bright red new spring growth and long strings of lily-of-the-valley-like spring flowers. There are some attractive variegated varieties but their flowering tends to be poor. Recommended: ‘Mountain
Fire’ (red to chestnut leaves, white flowers) AGM.
● Grow in lime-free, ericaceous compost and feed with rhododendron food.
● Pruning is rarely necessary, perhaps a li thoughtful shaping.
SARCOCOCCA (CHRISTMAS BOX)
A tough and dependable evergreen with discreet white or red-and-white winter flowers, carrying the most powerful sweet scent of almost any shrub, followed by red or black berries. Often self sows. Recommended: Sarcococca confusa (white flowers/black berries) AGM.
● Does well in pots, even when neglected.
● Site the container near where you pass by to appreciate the scent.