Plants of the Month: September

Shrubs

Our Plants of the Month are shrubs. There’s a variety to fit your needs whether you would like one as a focal point, to create privacy with a hedge or provide a backdrop for flowering plants.

Shrubs range from tall and architectural to low growing. Some will flower every year, and some have berries. Choose evergreens if you would like them to have leaves all year round. Many will do well in a container, especially more compact shrubs. A lot of shrubs are low maintenance and attract wildlife.

Daphnes blooms in late winter and early spring with scented flowers. They need dappled shade rather than full sun, and prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Position them close to your house where you can appreciate the fragrance.

Extend the flowering season and add interest in shaded spaces with shrubs that love shade or semi-shade. Choose plants such as sarcococca and skimmia. Low growing shrubs like vinca and Gaultheria procumbens provide great ground cover and suppress weeds.

Bird-friendly shrubs can make excellent hedges, as well as helping wildlife. Planting native hedges including hazel, dogwood and holly can encourage a host of wildlife, bringing nature and diversity into your garden. Mediterranean shrubs are often drought tolerant.

When planting a shrub, soak it first in its plastic pot for about an hour in a bucket of water. Get it off to a good start by adding slow-acting fertiliser or lots of compost to the planting hole. Once planted, firm it in well to get rid of air pockets around the roots, which can lead to rot and the plant moving around in the wind. If it needs to be staked, add the stake at the same time as planting so the roots aren’t disturbed later. Remember to water new shrubs during dry spells.

Garsons has a vast selection of hardy shrubs ready for you to plant. Garsons card holders can save 20% from the Plant of the Month range, so you can stock up on all shrubs for 20% off in September. If you don’t already have a card, it’s free to register.