Gardening Articles

In order to create a nice background in our garden we need shrubs that will offer something to see even over the winter months, when everything else is sleeping. To do this effectively you should know that half to two-thirds of your shrubs should be evergreen. Include in your garden shrubs with a variety of different leaf colors and textures as well as good flowering shrubs and the effect will be guaranteed. This way your garden will never loose its interest.

Himalayan laurel or Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica) is grown for its bold, variegated foliage and adaptability to shade, so use it to brighten up a gloomy corner. Though it has a tendency to revert, it does not take much effort cut away green shoots as they appear. This is a dioecious plant, having separate male and female plants.

A good garden planning means that you are able to enjoy colors in your garden even in the depths of winter. Even if winter blooms are smaller and paler than their summer rivals, they can be often sweetly scented and still bring joy on a winter day.

There are some shrubs that still look amazing even if the weather outside is cold and unwelcoming. Some of them even flower over this period while others bring interest in your garden with their unusual bark.

White forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum) is a shrub that worth cosseting for its precious display of delicate, flagrant, slightly off-white flowers that appear against the leafless stems during late winter to early spring. Plant them in a sheltered position, against a warm wall or fence, to protect their bloom from frost.

Autumn is a precious season with all the glorious colors and fruits, beautifully illuminated by the lowering rays of sun. Many shrubs are looking gorgeous during autumn, showing great foliage colors and bearing colorful fruits, after they have already impress un with spring or summer flowers.

We will present some of the most interesting shrubs that you could use in your garden for autumn interest, some of them having beautiful foliage colors while others will offer colorful berries.

Ling or Scots heather (Calluna vulgaris Spook) is a beautiful shrub with downy grey foliage and tall spikes of mauve flowers that appear from late summer to early winter. The faded flowers can be left on the plant over the winter, as they look good especially when shimmering with hoar frost. Shear off the dead flowers stems in spring. Plant them in acid soil, in a place with full sun.

If you plan your garden well, you will benefit from a succession of colorful and interesting flowering shrubs, performing from early summer to autumn. Most of the shrubs are able to look after themselves once they are established, but they will benefit from an annual pruning, which will improve their flower quality and helps control their shape and size.

We will present you some shrubs for summer interest that you can chose to plant in your garden. Some of them might be already in your garden because they are commonly used, while other might be new to you. Chose the one that fit your garden design.

Butterfly bush (Buddleja x weyeriana) is a reliable summer flowerers that will bloom the whole summer. The honey-scented flowers are held in clusters towards the ends of shoots. 'Sungold' variety bears bright golden-yellow flowers. Prune them hard every spring to control their height. Plant in a place with full sun.