Plants for Shade

Trachelospermum jasminoides - 4Litre Deep

This is one of the ultimate garden classics. This classy evergreen climber has self-twining woody stems and rounded, glossy deep green leaves which develop attractive red tones when the weather turns cold or, interestingly, when grown in a shadier position. Pure white flowers appear throughout summer, filling the garden with a wonderfully sweet scent. A fantastic choice for walls, fences and pergolas, where it provides year-round structure and interest. Leaf colour: Green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 4 litre deep

Mahonia japonica - 7.5Litre

Mahonias are fantastically tolerant plants, happily filling almost any space in the garden. Long sprays of attractive yellow buds are followed by bright yellow flowers throughout autumn and winter, providing valuable colour and nectar at a time when very little else is in flower. These are followed by glossy black berries, adding further interest and appeal. Mahonia's common name is Oregon Grape. This is because not only are the flowers edible (although I wouldn't bother, they're not the best bit), the black berries, which are funnily enough rather grape-shaped, can be made into a surprisingly good jam. I certainly wouldn't recommend eating them raw though. They are extremely sharp and really need plenty of sugar and cooking before they become enjoyable! Leaf colour: Green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Mahonia japonica Bealei Group - 7.5Litre

This Mahonia is a wonderfully tough and tolerant evergreen, thriving in those parts of the garden where many other shrubs struggle. Its bold, architectural foliage provides year-round structure, while sprays of attractive yellow buds open into fragrant yellow flowers throughout winter. The flowers are followed by glossy blue-black berries, adding further interest to the garden. Although edible once cooked, they're rather sharp when eaten fresh! An excellent choice for bringing colour, structure and valuable winter nectar to shady borders. Leaf colour: Green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Veronica ‘Moody Blues Blue Sky’ - 2Litre

This is a lovely perennial, deeply beloved by pollinators, with long lavender-blue flowers from early summer right through to autumn. Easy to grow and long flowering, it is a fantastic addition to sunny borders and wildlife-friendly gardens. Flower colour: Lavender-blue Leaf colour: Green Type: Perennial Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 2 litre

Cotinus 'Dusky Maiden' - 7.5Litre

This particular variety of Cotinus has an exceptionally bushy habit, staying marginally shorter than some of the other varieties.  C. 'Dusky Maiden' has rounded dark blue-green, wavy edged foliage with a heavy burgundy-purple flush. The wispy flowers which give it the common name 'The Smoke Bush' have a come through in early summer, followed by silver-grey wispy seed heads produced sparsely around the plant. In the Autumn the colourful leaves turn a riot of orange and red before falling.  If planted in a full sun position it really boosts the superb burgundy-purple leaf flush despite being happy in lower light level positions. Leaf colour: Dark green-blue with a purple-burgundy flush Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil Type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam

Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' - 7.5Litre

This Cornus is a lovely border shrub with lush green leaves and clusters of white flowers throughout summer, providing valuable nectar for pollinating insects. The foliage turns vibrant shades of orange, red and purple in autumn before falling to reveal striking olive-yellow stems that brighten the garden throughout the winter months. An excellent choice for adding colour and interest across every season, particularly during the darker winter months. Leaf colour: Green Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’ - 7.5 Litre

A lovely medium-sized evergreen shrub with clusters of bold pink-red buds that open into delicate pink flowers from winter through to spring. To be honest, they'll often continue to appear sporadically throughout the rest of the year too, especially if the plant is kept well fed and watered! This Viburnum provides valuable colour during the colder months. It is a reliable and easy-to-grow shrub that brings year-round structure and interest to the garden. Many people grow these in pots as low-maintenance plants. However, have you ever noticed they sometimes develop a black, sooty appearance on their leaves and start to look... well... a bit ill? That's usually because they haven't been kept on top of watering and feeding. Stressed plants are often more susceptible to aphids, and the sticky honeydew they produce encourages the growth of black sooty mould on the leaves. To keep your Viburnum happy, water it regularly when growing in a pot, even during winter if rainfall has been scarce. We also recommend feeding with a good shrub fertiliser (we like Vitax Q4) twice a year (spring and autumn) and occasionally giving it a boost with a liquid seaweed feed containing iron. Leaf colour: Green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun, partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Cotinus ‘Grace' - 7.5Litre

This purple-leaved Smoke Bush thrives in a sunny position, where the foliage develops its richest colour. Throughout summer, airy purple-pink wisps of flowers create the characteristic "smoke" effect, before the leaves transform into an intense display of purple, pink and red in autumn. A striking specimen shrub that provides interest across three seasons and makes a real statement in the garden. Leaf colour: Purple, dark green, red and pink Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre  

Aucuba japonica Marmorata - 7.5Litre

This delightful Spotted Laurel is one of the most heavily variegated Aucubas, with beautifully marbled yellow and green leaves. Its naturally rounded habit makes it an excellent choice for brightening even the deepest shade. One added bonus is that this female cultivar will produce glossy red berries, provided there is a male Aucuba growing nearby for pollination. A tough, reliable evergreen that brings colour and interest to those difficult shady corners where many other plants struggle. Leaf colour: Yellow and green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun, partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Cornus alba 'Elegantissima' (v) - 7.5Litre

This Cornus is a lovely shrub with soft pastel green leaves edged in pure white. In summer, it is covered in clusters of white flowers that are highly prized by pollinating insects. The leaves turn vibrant shades of pink, orange and red in autumn before falling to reveal colourful bright red stems, bringing welcome interest throughout the winter months. An excellent choice for adding year-round colour and texture to borders and mixed planting schemes. Leaf colour: Pastel green and white Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Nandina domestica ‘Blush Pink’ - 7.5Litre

This bushy, upright evergreen shrub has beautiful pink-red foliage through the winter months, gradually turning green as the season progresses. Sprays of small white flowers appear in summer, adding an extra layer of interest. A fantastic low-maintenance plant for borders and containers, providing colour throughout much of the year. Leaf colour: Green and pink-red Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Cornus alba ‘Miracle’ - 7.5 Litre

This Cornus is a lovely shrub with green leaves edged and splashed with bright pink variegation throughout the summer. In autumn, the foliage turns vibrant shades before falling to reveal the colourful red stems that provide interest throughout winter. A fantastic plant for year-round interest, bringing something different to the garden in every season. Leaf colour: Pink, green and red Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Parrotia perisca ‘Bella’ - 5Litre

This beautiful Persian Ironwood is a deciduous shrub with clusters of red flowers borne on bare stems in late winter and early spring. The leaves emerge green with a red flush before developing into a spectacular display of red, pink and orange tones in autumn. A wonderful plant for both spring and autumn interest, bringing colour to the garden from the first flowers of the year right through to the final autumn leaves. Leaf colour: Green, turning red, pink and orange Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 2 litre (P.S - The big tree in the photo is NOT the size plant you will receive)

Chaenomeles × superba 'Jet Trail’ - 7.5Litre

This Japanese Quince is a delightful wall shrub that flowers profusely throughout late winter and early spring. The pure white flowers appear in abundance along the bare stems, bringing welcome colour to the garden when very little else is in flower. Whilst technically deciduous, it can occasionally retain some foliage in a sheltered location. The flowers are regularly followed by quince-like fruits, which are edible once cooked. An excellent choice for training against walls and fences, where its early flowers can be fully appreciated. Leaf colour: Green Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Cornus alba ‘Nightfall’ - 7.5 Litre

This Cornus is a lovely shrub with dark green, almost black leaves throughout the summer. In Autumn the foliage turns vibrant shades before falling to reveal the colourful red stems that provide interest throughout winter. A fantastic plant for year-round interest, bringing something different to the garden in every season. Leaf colour: Black, green Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Podocarpus 'Chocolate Box' - 7.5Litre

This Podocarpus is a dwarf-growing, shade-loving conifer with small, slightly rounded green leaves that develop rich chocolate-brown tones after the first frosts. A fantastic evergreen ground cover for those difficult shady areas, providing year-round interest without taking over your garden! Leaf colour: Green, turning chocolate-brown Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Podocarpus 'County Park Fire' - 7.5Litre

This Podocarpus is a low-growing, shade-loving conifer with small, slightly rounded leaves. Fresh new growth emerges a rich red before maturing to green with attractive cream variegation, providing colour and interest throughout the year. Female plants produce attractive red berries in autumn and winter, provided there is a male variety nearby for pollination. A fantastic evergreen ground cover for those difficult shady areas, providing year-round interest without taking over your garden! Leaf colour: Green, cream and red Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Party Lights' - 7.5Litre

This holly-like evergreen produces a spectacular display of colourful new growth. Fresh leaves emerge a brilliant pink before gradually changing to cream and finally maturing to rich green, creating a wonderful mix of colours throughout the season. A tough and reliable evergreen shrub, perfect for adding year-round structure and bright foliage to borders, hedging and mixed planting schemes. Leaf colour: Green, cream and pink Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Berberis thunbergii ‘Florence' - 7.5Litre

This Japanese Barberry has fantastic coral-orange foliage in spring, gradually maturing before turning bold shades of red in autumn. Compact and easy to grow, it provides outstanding foliage colour throughout the growing season and is ideal for adding contrast to borders, containers and mixed planting schemes. Leaf colour: Red Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand, clay, chalk or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Podocarpus 'Killworth Cream' - 7.5Litre

This Podocarpus is a low-growing, shade-loving conifer with attractive green foliage edged in creamy white. Fresh new growth emerges with a delicate pink flush, particularly during spring, adding even more seasonal interest. A fantastic evergreen ground cover for those difficult shady areas, providing year-round colour without taking over your garden! Leaf colour: Green and cream with pink new growth Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre

Nandina 'Red Light'- 7.5Litre

Heavenly Bamboo is an attractive compact evergreen with elegant, pointed leaflets held along upright stems. Fresh new growth emerges an intense red before gradually maturing to an attractive blend of green with creamy variegation, creating colourful interest throughout the year. In summer, delicate sprays of white flowers are held above the foliage, adding another season of interest to this easy-to-grow shrub. A fantastic choice for bringing year-round colour to borders, containers and smaller gardens. Leaf colour: Red, green and cream Type: Evergreen Aspect: Full sun Soil type: Sand, loam, chalk or clay Pot size: 7.5 litre

Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Petticoat’ - 7.5Litre

The Enkianthus is a delightful plant with bold red stems and fresh green leaves. Pretty clusters of slightly green-tinted white bell-shaped flowers appear early in the year and are much loved by pollinators. While the flowers are charming, the vibrant autumn colour is often the real highlight, with the foliage turning brilliant shades of orange and red before falling. Leaf colour: Green Type: Deciduous Aspect: Full sun or partial shade Soil type: Sand or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre  

Podocarpus 'Blue Gem' - 7.5Litre

This Podocarpus is a dwarf-growing, shade-loving conifer with small, slightly rounded blue-green leaves that provide year-round colour. Female plants produce attractive blue-purple berries with a silvery bloom in autumn and winter, provided there is a male variety nearby for pollination. A fantastic evergreen ground cover for those difficult shady areas, providing year-round interest without taking over your garden! Leaf colour: Blue-green Type: Evergreen Aspect: Partial shade or full shade Soil type: Sand, chalk, clay or loam Pot size: 7.5 litre