Shrubs: A Buying Guide
From dense, thorny screening to fragrant borders and wildlife-friendly native hedgerows, this guide will help you choose the right shrub for your site, whether that's a single specimen, a colourful border, or a boundary planting scheme.
Shop Shrubs Start the guideBefore you order: what to consider
Shrubs cover more ground than any other category we sell, from low, fragrant border plants to shrubs that will eventually reach the size of a small tree. Here's what's worth knowing before you choose one.
Will it keep its leaves?
It's a genuine mix. Some of our shrubs, like Darwin's Barberry, Juniper, Gorse and Holly are evergreen and hold their structure year round. Others, Guelder Rose and the buckthorns, are deciduous and lose their leaves over winter. Check the type column in our comparison table before you order.
How big will it get?
Shrubs in this range vary from low, spreading ground cover to species that can eventually reach 10 metres if left unmanaged. Most are kept far smaller through routine pruning, but it's worth checking the mature scale of a species against your space before you commit.
Ornamental or wildlife-first?
Some shrubs are chosen mainly for colour, fragrance and structure. Others, like Blackthorn, Elder, and the buckthorns, earn their place through genuine wildlife value, supporting pollinators, birds and butterflies. Many do both.
Will it cope with my site?
Several shrubs here are notably tough. Sea Buckthorn and Gorse handle coastal exposure well, while Alder Buckthorn and Common Dogwood tolerate damp or heavy ground where less adaptable shrubs would struggle.
What will my delivery look like?
Your shrubs arrive safely boxed and ready to plant, so there's nothing special to prepare for when the order lands on your doorstep.
Shop by shrub category
Our shrubs fall into five categories. Choose one to see which species belong to it, then browse the full range to shop.
Dense, thorny plants combining ornamental colour and practical screening.
Shop Barberry ShrubsHardy, adaptable shrubs with genuine wildlife value across a range of UK growing conditions.
Shop Buckthorn ShrubsGenuine ecological value reflecting Britain's traditional hedgerows and woodland edges.
Shop UK Native ShrubsColour, fragrance and structure for borders, beds and difficult sites.
Shop Ornamental Garden ShrubsHardy, native plants valued for their clusters of spring flowers, autumn berries and reliable performance.
Shop Viburnum ShrubsWhat do you want to achieve?
Wildlife and native hedgerows
A mixed native planting supports far more birds, insects and pollinators than ornamental shrubs alone, and gives a more informal, natural look.
Screening and informal hedging
Dense, well-branched shrubs that hold a line and provide structure and privacy without the formality of a clipped hedge.
Colour and ornamental borders
Shrubs chosen first for foliage colour, fragrance or seasonal flowers, ideal for beds, borders and difficult sites needing reliable performance.
Exposed and coastal sites
Built to cope with wind, salt spray and poor ground where many other shrubs would struggle.
Shrubs at a glance
All species side by side, so you can quickly compare the traits that matter most before you buy.
| Species | Type | Scale | Growth pace | Soil | Wildlife | Best for | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin's Barberry Berberis darwinii | Evergreen | Compact | Moderate | Well-drained | High | Security and boundary | Shop Now |
| Alder Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula | Deciduous | Mid-size | Moderate | Damp, acidic | High | Wildlife and damp ground | Shop Now |
| Purging Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica | Deciduous | Large | Moderate | Chalk, clay, sandy | High | Wildlife and exposed sites | Shop Now |
| Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides | Deciduous | Mid-size | Fast | Sandy, well-drained | Medium | Coastal and windbreak | Shop Now |
| Blackthorn Prunus spinosa | Deciduous | Mid-size | Fast | Most soils | High | Wildlife and security | Shop Now |
| Elder Sambucus nigra | Deciduous | Large | Fast | Most soils | High | Wildlife and fast screening | Shop Now |
| Spindle Euonymus europaeus | Deciduous | Large | Fast | Most soils, free-draining | Medium | Autumn colour and wildlife | Shop Now |
| Common Dogwood Cornus sanguinea | Deciduous | Compact | Fast | Most soils, wet-tolerant | Medium | Winter colour and wet ground | Shop Now |
| Juniper Juniperus communis | Evergreen | Compact | Slow | Chalk, well-drained | High | Wildlife and native conservation | Shop Now |
| Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus | Deciduous | Mid-size | Fast | Most soils | High | Wildlife and hedgerows | Shop Now |
| Gorse Ulex europaeus | Evergreen | Compact | Moderate | Sandy, well-drained | High | Security and exposed sites | Shop Now |
| Dog Rose Rosa canina | Deciduous | Compact | Fast | Chalk, clay, loam | High | Wildlife and informal hedging | Shop Now |
| Holly Ilex aquifolium | Evergreen | Mid-size | Slow | Most soils, moist | High | Year-round screening and security | Shop Now |
| Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium | Evergreen | Compact | Slow | Well-drained | High | Shade tolerant and wildlife | Shop Now |
| Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana | Deciduous | Mid-size | Fast | Chalk, well-drained | Medium | Chalky soils and hedgerows | Shop Now |
| Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera | Deciduous | Mid-size | Fast | Most soils | High | Ornamental blossom and fruiting hedge | Shop Now |
Why cell-grown plants?
Plant all year round
The roots of cell-grown plants are contained within a root plug, which means there is no root disturbance during the grading process, and plants can be despatched all year round.
Protected root plug
The plants arrived packed securely to ensure rapid early establishment.
Arrives ready to plant
Stock arrives well-watered and in good condition and is wrapped into bundles to help retain moisture and reduce the risk of damage to the plugs during transportation. You don't need to plant immediately, and plants can be stored for a short period if your site isn't ready.
Consistent, biosecure quality
Every plant is grown at our own nurseries and never imported. As a Plant Healthy certified nursery, traceability and biosecurity are built in.
What to expect when your shrubs arrive
Knowing what to do in the days after delivery will make a real difference to establishment success.
Check your order
Open your delivery and check the species, quantities and condition of the plants. If you have any concern, get in touch within 7 days of delivery so we can take a look, often from photographs alone.
If you're not planting straight away
You don't need to plant immediately. Keep your plants in a cool, dry place and aim to get them in the ground within a couple of weeks. Dormant plants need little care before planting, but water them if the weather is warm.
Getting them in the ground
- Dig a hole twice the size and about an inch deeper than the root plug.
- Place the plant in the hole and hold it upright.
- Backfill the soil around it as you go.
- Firm the soil gently with your heel.
- Water well and keep the base clear of weeds.
What else you'll need
A common question we get is what to order alongside your shrubs. These three categories cover most planting projects, from a single border plant to a larger scheme.
Tree Protection
Guard young plants against deer, rabbits, hares and browsing animals while they establish. Spiral guards, Easywraps, Canes, Shrub Guards and Stakes are available.
Shop tree protectionPlanting equipment
A proper planting spade makes the job far easier, particularly for larger shrubs or compact, rocky ground.
Shop planting equipmentFertilisers
Give your shrub the best possible start, from controlled release fertiliser at planting time to top dressing that sustains growth once established.
Shop fertilisersFrequently asked questions
-
Both, it depends on the species. Darwin's Barberry, Juniper, Gorse, and Holly are evergreen and hold their structure year round. Most of the rest, including Guelder Rose and the buckthorns, are deciduous and lose their leaves over winter. Check the type column in our comparison table above for a species by species steer.
-
Check the mature, unpruned size rather than the size it arrives at. Some shrubs stay compact for years with routine pruning, while others can eventually reach 10 metres if left unmanaged. See our comparison table above, or get in touch and we can help you match a species to your space.
-
Blackthorn, Elder, Guelder Rose, Dog Rose and both buckthorns are all particularly strong choices, offering blossom for pollinators, berries for birds, or in the case of Alder and Purging Buckthorn, food for Brimstone butterfly caterpillars specifically.
-
Several will. Sea Buckthorn and Gorse are both noted for handling wind, salt spray and difficult ground. Alder Buckthorn and Common Dogwood are better suited to damp or heavy soils where more delicate shrubs would struggle.
-
It depends on the species, our shrubs range from chalk-loving Wayfaring Tree and Juniper to damp-tolerant Alder Buckthorn and Common Dogwood. See the soil column in our comparison table above for a species by species steer.
-
No. Keep them in a sheltered spot and out of any drying winds, water if required and plant within a couple of weeks.
- Dormant plants need little care before planting
- In summer, keep it watered until it's in the ground
-
We check every plant before it leaves the nursery, but mistakes happen.
- Contact us within 7 days of delivery
- Often diagnosed from photos alone
- Free replacement or refund where we're at fault
-
Yes. Every plant is grown at our own nursery in East Lothian; we never import stock. We're Plant Healthy certified, and traceability and biosecurity are assured.
Ready to choose your shrubs?
Browse the full range of UK-grown shrubs, or get in touch and our team will help you choose.