Shrub

Azalea japonica 'Silver Queen'

With it's unusual white & green variegated foliage, this compact, evergreen azalea is a winner even when not in flower. It produces double light pink flowers in spring & prefers moist but well drained acidic soil in either full sun or full/part shade. HGT: 90cm

Buddleja 'Silver Anniversary'

This years must have plant! The stunning silver, woolly foliage of this miniature buddleja is the result of a cross between Buddleja crispa & Buddleja loricata. It produces slightly shorter than normal panicles of small white flowers with mustard coloured eyes and a sweet honey scent. Prefers well drained soil in full sun.  HGT: 1m

Calycanthus occidentalis 'Californian Allspice'

A highly aromatic, hardy, deciduous shrub with eliptical, dark green leaves & red brown flowers throughout summer, followed by red berries, which can be crushed & used as an alternative to cinnamon. Prefers full sun or partial shade & moist but well drained soil. HGT: 3m

Camellia japonica 'Moshe Dayan'

A vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub with rich green, leathery foliage providing the perfect backdrop for the exquisite double white flowers that can be produced as early as February! Prefers humus rich, lime-free soil & shelter from cold winds. Best grown in either a north or west facing situation. HGT: 2m

Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'

A vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub with rich green, leathery foliage providing the perfect backdrop for the exquisite double blush white flowers with darker pink outer petals that can be produced as early as February! Prefers humus rich, lime-free soil & shelter from cold winds. Best grown in either a north or west facing situation. HGT: 2m

Camellia japonica 'Peach Blossom'

A vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub with rich green, leathery foliage providing the perfect backdrop for the exquisite semi-double blush pink flowers that can be produced as early as February! Prefers humus rich, lime-free soil & shelter from cold winds. Best grown in either a north or west facing situation. HGT: 2m

Camellia 'Tristrem Carlyon'

A vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub with rich green, leathery foliage providing the perfect backdrop for the lovely rose pink, peony like  flowers that can be produced as early as February! Prefers humus rich, lime-free soil & shelter from cold winds. Best grown in either a north or west facing situation. HGT: 2m

Ceanothus griseus 'Yankee Point'

A lovely evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves and producing masses of powder-blue flowers from April to July with the light scent of honey. Fully hardy. Tolerates any soil as long as it's well drained. HGT: 1.8m

Chimonanthus praecox 'Wintersweet'

A vigorous shrub with pendant, very fragrant flowers on the bare branches during January/February, followed by glossy mid-green leaves.. Deciduous. Fully hardy. Prefers any decent soil in part shade. HGT: 3m

Choisya ternata - Mexican Orange Blossom

An evergreen shrub with glossy, green leaves that are fragrant when crushed and producing highly fragrant white, star shaped flowers in spring, sometimes followed by a second flush in autumn. Prefers well drained soil n full sun & is fully hardy. HGT: 2.5m

Cornus Eddie's White Wonder

A beautiful large, rounded, slow growing shrub with green leaves turning red and purple in autumn. Produces lovely white bracts in late spring. Good autumn colour. Prefers moist but well drained soil in part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 4m

Correa backhousiana 'The Velvet Correa'

A very pretty evergreen shrub with small rounded foliage - the upper side being dark grey-green and the underside being paler and slightly velvety.Produces tubular, bell-like yellowy-cream flowers from autumn until late spring. Prefers well drained soil in full sun/part shade. Hardy to -5. HGT: 1.5m

Corylopsis pauciflora

More commonly known as the 'Buttercup Hazel' there is nothing quite like catching sight of this graceful shrub in full flower in the winter sun. Originating from North Korea & Japan this lovely shrub produces pale yellow,  primrose scented flowers on bare stems from late winter/very early spring. Prefers well-drained soil in partial shade that is preferably ericaceous. HGT: 1.5m. 

Crinodendron hookerianum 'Chinese Lantern Tree'

A beautiful evergreen shrub famed for the profusion of deep carmine red, lantern shaped flowers produced from May to August. Initially slow growing, the Lantern Tree prefers moist but well drained, humus rich, acidic soil in partial shade. Frost hardy. HGT: 6m

Dianella nigra

Originating from New Zealand, this Dianella has narrow, strappy, green foliage and produces small white flowers on long stalks. These are followed by glossy blue/purple berries. Happy in most soils in either full sun or part shade. Fully hardy HGT:60cm

Dodonea viscosa Purpurea

A vigorous small tree or large shrub with evergreen, eliptical sage green foliage reminiscent of olive leaves, that turn a deep red as the temperatures drop. Bears insignificant yellow flowers in summer. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. Hardy to -5. HGT: 2m

Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride'

Commonly known as 'The Pearl Bush', this elegant shrub with graceful, arching branches produces large white flowers from April to May above soft green foliage. Prefers neutral soil in full sun or part shade. Deciduous. Fully hardy. HGT: 1.8m

Exochorda serratifolia 'Snow White'

A wonderful form of Exochorda with both larger leaves and larger flowers than 'The Bride'. Flowers are produced in profusion throughout spring and are unaffected by frosts. The deciduous leaves turn a delightful butter yellow in autumn. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 4m

Fatsia japonica - False castor oil plant

Although this evergreen shrub does flower, they tend to be a bit insignificant so instead, grow it for its wonderfully tropical looking, large, palmate leaves. The fatsia is happy in moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Fully hardy in most winters though the leaves do droop in the frost, but don't worry as soon as the frost melts they perk up again. HGT: 4m

Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset'

A vigorous evergreen shrub ideal for training on a south facing wall. Produces large, buttercup yellow flowers with a more intense colour than the more common Californicum, from May to Oct. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 3m

Fuschia riccartonii

An upright hardy fuchsia (though may need some protection in hard winters) producing masses of single scarlet & dark purple flowers amongst bronze tinted dark green foliage from June to October. May be trimmed to make an informal hedge. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun.HGT: 2m

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Great Star'

A beautiful hydrangea bearing masses of snow white flowers looking not dissimilar to small magnolia flowers. Fully hardy, deciduous. Prefers rich, moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Will tolerate full sun but the flowers will not last as long. HGT: 1.5m

Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom'

A very pretty hydrangea bearing large, domed heads of creamy white flowers with the tiniest hint of pink in summer. Fully hardy, deciduous. Prefers rich, moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Will tolerate full sun but the flowers will not last as long.  HGT: 3m

Hydrangea paniculata 'Vanille Fraise'

A stunning new introduction bearing large, domed heads of pure white flowers which age to a delicious raspberry pink in summer. Fully hardy, deciduous. Prefers rich, moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Will tolerate full sun but the flowers will not last as long.  HGT: 1.5m

Hydrangea quercifolia - Oak-leaved hydrangea

An unusual hydrangea with large toothed foliage resembling oak leaves that turn a gorgeous shade of pinky red in autumn. Produces large 'cones' of white flowers in late summer. Prefers full sun or part shade in well drained humus rich soil. Deciduous. HGT: 2m

Hydrangea seemannii

An unusual evergreen, climbing hydrangea first introduced into the UK from Mexico in the 1980s. Seemannii has dark green leathery foliage (though new shoots have a distinct coppery tone) and produces snow white 'lace caps' in summer. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full or part shade. Ideally should be protected from strong winds. Fully hardy. HGT: 10m

Ilex aquifolium 'Alaska'

A lovely compact, upright, holly whose dark green, spiny foliage is the perfect foil for the bright red berries produced from autumn until spring. (If the birds don't eat them). Happy in any humus rich soil in full sun or  part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 5.5m

Ilex aquifolium Argentea marginata

A lovely upright holly with dark green, spiny foliage edged with cream that are flushed pink when young. Produces bright red berries from autumn until spring. (If the birds don't eat them). Happy in any humus rich soil in full sun. This holly will make a large shrub or small tree. Fully hardy. HGT: 10m

Ilex aquifolium 'Madame Briot'

A striking upright holly with dark green, spiny foliage edged with irregular golden margins. This holly will hold its variegation even in the shade. Produces bright red berries from autumn until spring. (If the birds don't eat them). Happy in any humus rich soil in full sun or part shade. Makes a large shrub or small tree. Fully hardy. HGT: 10m

Lagerstroemia indica 'Petite Red' - Crepe Myrtle

Rarely offered in the UK, though popular in America, the Crepe Myrtle originated in southeast Asia before its introduction to the US in the early 1800's. A deciduous shrub, it produces clusters of rosy-red flowers with a texture similar to crepe paper (hence the common name) from early summer. Prefers well cultivated, well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant once established. Fully hardy. HGT: 1.5m

Leptospermum scoparium 'Apple Blossom'

A lovely upright evergreen shrub producing double, light pink flowers in spring & again in autumn. Fragrant tiny needle-like green leaves sometimes tinged with pink. Drought tolerant once established, prefers well drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 2m

Leucothoe axillis 'Curly Red'

An unusual medium sized, evergreen shrub having distinctly curly, ribbed foliage that is bright red when new , then turns green before turning red again in winter. Produces small white flowers in spring and will slowly spread. Leucothoe is happy in neutral/acid, moist but well drained soil in either full or part shade. HGT: 70cm

Loropetalum chinense 'Fire Dance' - Chinese Witch Hazel

A beautiful relative of the more commonly known witch hazel but with a difference. Rarely offered, this evergreen shrub has small, over-lapping, heart-shaped deep olive green leaves that are replaced in late summer with fresh deep plum pink leaves that retain their colour through winter and into spring before turning olive-green. Produces deep pink/red spidery flowers in winter. Prefers humus rich, moist soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. HGT: 1m

Lotus hirsutus 'Little Blue Boy'

Otherwise known as the 'Hairy Canary Clover', this beautifully tactile plant has lovely silvery grey semi evergreen to evergreen foliage that develops a blue tinge in winter. It produces clusters of small white or pale pink flowers in summer followed by mahogany brown seed pods in autumn. Happy in most soils in a sheltered, sunny position. Fully hardy. HGT: 50cm.

Magnolia stellata

Otherwise known as the 'Star Magnolia' this is a gorgeous variety, producing lightly scented, snow white 'star' shaped flowers on bare branches before the leaves open. Flowers from March to April. Happy on most soils & fully hardy. Very slow growing but eventually will reach about 3m.  

Magnolia Yellow Bird

In our opinion, the best of the 2nd generation yellow hybrids. Yellow Bird produces large, lightly scented, buttercup yellow, bowl shaped flowers mostly before the leaves, in early spring. Prefers a neatral to acid soil in full sun or part shade, though protect from strong winds. Fully hardy, will eventually reach about 6m

Melianthus comosus

A rarely offered, evergreen shrub with large highly serrated, grey-green leaves which smell strongly of Marmite when bruised. Produces small red-brown flowers at the base of its leaves in late spring followed by bladder like seed pods. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. May need a mulch in winter. HGT: 2m

Nandina domestica 'Fire Power' - Heavenly Bamboo

Although not actually a bamboo at all, this gorgeous little shrub is commonly planted next to doorways in Japan as it is believed to dispell bad dreams. Evergreen, it has bright yellow-green foliage that turns a striking orange-red in autumn/winter. Produces panicles of small white flowers in summer followed in hot summers by small red berries. Prefers moist but well drained soil in a sunny. sheltered spot. HGT: 50cm

Pieris japonica 'Katsura'

A stunningly beautiful new Pieris from Japan. Discovered on a wooded hillside near a shinto temple, this lovely evergreen forms a medium, dome-shaped shrub with large glossy, dark green foliage and truly eye-catching wine red new shoots that turn green with age. Katsura produces arching racemes of rose pink, bell-shaped flowers in spring. Prefers ericaceous, moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'

A lovely evergreen shrub with wavy green leaves each having a white margin tinged with pink. Bears scented small creamy-white flowers from late spring, Prefers well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 3m

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen'

A lovely evergreen shrub with sage green & silver variegated leaves. Sometimes bears scented small dark purple flowers from late spring, Prefers well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 3m

Polygala dalmaisiana

A gorgeous compact shrub with evergreen, glaucous leaves, Produces masses of deep rose pink, pea like flowers with white fringing. Frost hardy once established, however, if kept frost free, will flower all year. Prefers well drained, fertile soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 1.5m

Potentilla fruiticosa 'Lovely Pink'

A lovely, rounded shrub producing copious amounts of light pink flowers throughout spring & summer until first frosts. Small mid green leaves. Simply needs a small trim in autumn to keep its shape. Fully hardy. Prefers well drained soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 1m

Prostanthera cuneata

A small, highly aromatic evergreen shrub with tiny dark green, rounded leaves. Produces small white or pale lilac flowers with dark purple spots in summer. Prefers a sheltered spot in full sun with moist but well-drained soil. HGT: 1m

Prunus kojo no mai

Slowly forming a large shrub or small tree, this prunus has dintinctive 'zigzag' branches that, in spring, become clothed in bunches of soft white flowers. Deciduous, the foliage is a soft green turning red/gold in autumn. Prefers a moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun/part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 2.5m

Pyracantha Mohave Silver

An upright evergreen, thorny shrub with shiny green & white ovate foliage. Produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in spring followed by orange/red berries in autumn. Prefers moist but well drained soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 3m

Ribes sanguinium 'White Icicle'

An unusual form of Ribes producing very pretty creamy white clusters of flowers in spring followed by blue/black fruits in summer. Prefers moist but well drained soil in full sun/part shade. Fully hardy, deciduous. HGT: 2.5m 

Sarcococca confusa - Sweet Box

A much under rated evergreen shrub having glossy dark green small leaves similar but much nicer than box leaves and producing VERY sweet smelling white, spidery flowers along its stems in winter. These are followed by black berries. Grows happily in humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full or part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 1.5m

Skimmia x confusa 'Kew Green'

A compact dome-shaped evergreen shrub with dark green glossy foliage. During autumn Kew Green develops large panicles of creamy green buds that it holds until spring when they open as creamy white, star shaped, heavily fragrant flowers. Happy in most soils in sun or shade. Fully hardy. HGT 3m

Spirea arguta - Bridal Wreath

This deciduous shrub has elegant arching branches which, in spring, are smothered in clusters of small white flowers. The fine, pale green foliage gives good autumn colour too. Happy in any soil as long as it's moist and in full sun or part shade. HGT: 2.5m

Spirea japonica 'Shirobana'

A new form of spirea producing seperate heads of both pink & white flowers on the same plant from June to October. Fully hardy with mid-green deciduous foliage. Prefers fertile soils in full sun/part shade. HGT: 1m

Syringa vulgaris 'Prince Wolkonsky' - Red Lilac

A lovely form of the common lilac producing large panicles of double,  reddish purple, highly fragrant flowers in late spring/early summer. Has heart shaped, dark green foliage. Fully hardy, deciduous. Happy in most soils in full sun/part shade. HGT: 3m

Syringa vulgaris 'Souvenir de Louis Spath'

A very reliable form of the common lilac, producing large panicles of pure wine red, highly fragrant flowers in late spring/early summer. Has heart shaped, dark green foliage. Fully hardy, deciduous. Happy in most soils in full sun/part shade. HGT: 4m

Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

Most of the year this lovely shrub will fade into the background but just wait till winter! In mild winters this viburnum produces large clusters of rosy pink or blush white flowers, on the bare branches that have the sweetest scent from October to March (with just a short break), in harsh winters it produces them from January to March. The deciduous foliage also has good autumn colour. Fully hardy it prefers moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 3m

Viburnum carlesii 'Aurora'

As with the bodnantense 'Dawn' above, most of the year you probably won't notice this deciduous shrub, however, in spring it really comes into it's own producing tight clusters of red buds that open into pale pink flowers with an absolutely stunning fragrance. Happy in any soil in either sun or shade & fully hardy. HGT: 2.5m

Viburnum tinus Bewley's variegated

An unusual viburnum having evergreen foliage heavily splashed with creamy yellow markings. It produces large clusters of small white flowers from November to May that are followed by metallic black berries. Slow growing. Fully hardy it's happy in virtually any soil in sun or part shade. HGT:1.5m 

Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'

A lovely, rounded, evergreen shrub with dark green leathery foliage that provides the perfect backdrop to the large clusters of small white flowers opening from pink buds throughout winter. These are followed by metallic blue/black berries. Fully hardy. Happy in virtually any soil in sun or shade. HGT: 2m

Vitex agnes-castus

For over 2,500 years this shrubby herb has been used in the treatment of all sorts of gynaecological problems, from PMS to ovarian cysts & is still in use today. The five lobed, dark green leaves are produced late in spring and the fragrant lilac-blue flowers in midsummer followed by dark reddish berries. Prefers well drained soil in full sun.    HGT: 2m 

Weigelia middendorffiana

A rarely offered compact form of weigelia which has beautiful soft yellow, bell shaped blooms with dark orange markings inside during April/May. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in part shade. HGT: 1m