Category: Complete guides

Golden variegated euonymus shrub in a garden border

Complete guides

How to Grow Euonymus: A Complete UK Guide to Evergreen Spindle Shrubs and Hedging

Evergreen euonymus keeps its leaves through winter, making it useful for low hedges, shady borders and patio containers. Emerald Gaiety has white-edged foliage, while Emerald 'n' Gold brings warmer yellow margins that can develop pink or bronze tones in cold weather. Both cope well with ordinary UK garden conditions, provided the soil drains freely. Here is how to choose a suitable variety, plant it correctly and keep it healthy.

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Shady garden border with hydrangeas, conifers and flowering plants under trees

Complete guides

Garden Plants for Shade: The Best Shrubs, Evergreens and Outdoor Plants for UK Gardens

A north-facing border, the ground beneath a mature tree and a sheltered courtyard can all be difficult places to plant. The challenge is working out how much daylight reaches the soil and whether tree roots or nearby walls make it unusually dry. English yew, holly and some laurels tolerate substantial shade, while pieris, azaleas and rhododendrons generally flower better where daylight filters through. These planting and care tips will help you choose suitable shrubs and evergreens for shaded UK gardens.

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Hebe shrub covered in purple flower spikes

Complete guides

How to Grow Hebe Shrubs: A Complete Guide for UK Gardens

Hebes are evergreen shrubs with compact foliage and spikes of white, pink, purple or blue flowers. They grow well in sunny UK borders, sheltered coastal gardens and patio containers, provided their roots have good drainage. Some varieties flower well into autumn, attracting bees and butterflies. Choosing a suitable variety and avoiding wet winter soil are the keys to growing healthy hebes.

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Red azaleas in full flower in a landscaped garden

Complete guides

Azalea: How to Grow and Care for These Spring-Flowering Shrubs in UK Gardens

Azaleas bring dense clusters of pink, red, purple or white flowers to UK gardens in spring, often during April and May. They belong to the Rhododendron genus and need acidic, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Compact evergreen varieties grow particularly well in pots and sheltered borders. Choose the right position, keep the shallow roots moist and prune at the right time to protect next spring's flowers.

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Garden path lined with rhododendrons in pink and white bloom

Complete guides

How to grow and care for rhododendron: the complete UK guide for beautiful spring blooms and healthy shrubs

Rhododendrons are long-lived, spring-flowering shrubs that thrive in acidic soil and dappled shade. Getting the soil and planting position right makes a considerable difference to their growth. The advice below explains how to choose a suitable variety, establish its shallow roots, encourage flowering and deal with common problems.

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