Twelve shrubs for twelve months

If you want colour in your garden throughout the year, these are the shrubs to plant, says Walter F. Wood, as he lists 12 shrubs that perform for 12 months of the year

PLANNING and planting a new garden, although an adventure, can at times become perplexing when all one can see is a plot of land and a stack of catalogues. All one gets from these is a meaningless jumble of names and lavish descriptions of the plants to make one wish there were acres – and an unlimited bank balance – instead of a few square yards to be filled. However, when one has decided just how much space can be allocated to shrubs, half the battle is over and the real business of selecting the species can begin.

Ideally, one should have colour in some form apparent in the garden throughout the year, and this can be accomplished with a dozen shrubs – a convenient number and one that can be added to should more space eventually be found. One cannot always rely upon flowers, of course, but wonderful displays may be had from autumn foliage and berries.

Protection and support

During certain months of the year it may be necessary to use the walls of the house to give protection and support to the plants. Most of those in bloom during January come into this category, and the choice lies mainly between Jasminum nudiflorum and Chimonanthus praecox. For general purposes the jasmine is probably the best as it will defy virtually any weather to put on a good show of its bright-yellow flowers.

To follow this in February, one could plant a corylopsis – a shrub not so often seen but completely hardy. This bears bright-yellow catkin-like flowers that are sweetly scented and last for many weeks. C. spicata is the best for most gardens as it grows to around 3ft (90cm).