Blackthorn – Prunus spinosa ~ Spiny shrub of roadside and hedgerow, blackthorn forms dense scrub cover where it is left untrimmed and ungrazed. It bears dense clusters of small white flowers, which contrast with the dark bark of its twigs, very early in the year. Blackthorn hedges can appear to be covered in white. After the flowers, the small oval leaves appear, and then in autumn the harvest of sloes develops. These look like small damsons, but are very sour and are not eaten directly by people, although birds take them. Sloes have traditionally been used for flavouring gin or poteen.
Broom – Cytisus scoparius ~ Broom is sometimes confused with gorse, because the yellow flowers are a similar shape. However broom has a few soft leaves on the long straight stems, not spines; it grows on light sandy soils, and it only flowers in mid summer. The flowers are followed by seeds in miniature pea pods which dry and split open to scatter the seeds. On the right soil, broom can spread rapidly, for example disused sand and gravel quarries. On light soils, it is a good shrub component of woodland on a sunny south facing bank. If it is to be grown as an ornamental shrub in gardens, it needs to be cut back or after a few years becomes too leggy and tends to collapse.
Gorse – Ulex gallii ~ Perhaps the best known and most widely distributed of our native shrubs, gorse is also known as whin or furze. There are two types, the common or European gorse, and the western or mountain gorse. The common gorse is a very suitable shrub component along the edge of new woodland, and also makes an excellent hedge. Gorse is well known for flowering almost all the year round, and its spiny 'leaves' are evergreen. Gorse supports many insects and spiders which in turn provide food for small birds, which may nest in the excellent shelter provided by these dense spiny bushes. It is often under-estimated as a wildlife resource. The flowers were traditionally used to colour Easter eggs, and may even be used in wine.
Fuchsia Pink & Red Onagraceae ~ Fuchsias are popular garden shrubs, and once planted can live for years with a minimal amount of care. Fuchsia can be listed as of the "hardy" variety and have been proven to survive a number of winters throughout Britain and to be back in flower each year flowering continuously nearly all summer. Extremely popular with bees and other insects with the bright red or pink flowers sometimes known as the dancing fairy with their elegant structure. Fuchsia is a wonderful edition to any garden and creates a superb wind-break.
Hebe - Scrophulariaceae ~ Hebe is a popular hardy evergreen shrub easily grown in most soil types, and suitable for a wide range of sites, including a mixed shrub border, or a rock garden. In mild areas, particularly on the coast, they are useful as hedging and ground cover also with the perfectly formed flowers they attract butterflies. Hebes are also good container plants. The genus is named after the Greek goddess of youth, Hebe.
New Zealand Daisy ~ The New Zealand Daisy provides an explosion of colour into your garden from June – August. An evergreen, ideal as part of a shrub border and very popular with insects.
Escallonia ~ Another wonderful evergreen addition to any garden, classed as 'hardy' and will thrive in most soils and positioning. Perfect for hedging or as part of a shrub border, flowering from May to August.
PRICES FOR ALL SHRUBS
3 - 6ltr pots ~ £3 - £5
