Choose the most suitable shrubs to plant now and you really will enjoy them forever more! Shrubs create gentle backdrops in the summer months, and then in winter take centre stage with their contrasting foliage. Now is a great time to plant shrubs, especially in containers. If you are planting shrubs in the ground, avoid planting them when the ground is waterlogged or frozen.
All of the shrubs listed below grow in most well-drained soils. We recommend planting in Coolings Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost and adding slow-release food.
If you live locally, one of our Coolings team members will deliver your order straight to your door from just £3.99. See our delivery information here.
Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’
Grows well in full sun or shade. Height and spread 2m x 2m.
Glossy green leaves with creamy-yellow speckles, produces small purple flowers. Females produce red fruit berries if a male clone is nearby.
Lonicera nitada ‘Baggensen’s Gold’
Grows well in full sun and partial shade. Height and spread 1.5m x 1.5m.
A dense shrub with colourful foliage, pale yellow in summer and a warm bronze in winter. Cream spring flowers may be followed by purple berries. Prune after flowering.
Ceanothus impressus ‘Victoria’ (California Lilac)
Grows well in full sun. Height and spread 2m x 1.5m.
Clusters of indigo blue flowers in late spring and early summer, loved by bees and butterflies. Prune after flowering.
Chaenomeles (Mixed Varieties)
Grow well in sun or partial shade. Height and spread approximately 1.5m x 2m.
Beautiful cup-shaped flowers in spring available in a range of different coloured varieties. Prune after flowering.
Hebe x franciscana. ‘Variegata’
Requires full sun. Height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.
Spikes of purple flowers emerge from their creamy yellow edged green leaves. Prune early spring.
Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’ 
Grows well in sun or shade. Height and spread 3m x 3m.
Simple leaves with clusters of small white or pink flowers, followed by dark, blue-black fruit. Prune late spring.
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’
Grows well in sun or shade. Height and spread 0.6m x 1m, ideal for small gardens.
Bright-gold, variegated leaves turning pinkish-red in cold weather. Prune after flowering.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Kathy’
Grows well in sun or partial shade. Height and spread 2m x 2m.
Glossy, green leaves edged with a silvery-white band. Prune after flowering.
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’
Grows well in sun or partial shade. Height and spread 1m x 1m.
A rounded evergreen shrub with fresh mint-green foliage. Flowers in early summer. Prune in early spring.
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Beach Ball’
Grows well in sun or partial shade. Height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.
A compact shrub with small and narrow, grey-green leaves. Small, fragrant, purple-brown flowers in late spring. Prune in early spring.
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Bannow Bay’
Grows well in sun and partial shade. Height and spread 1m x 1m.
A compact shrub with oval, grey-green leaves. Small, fragrant, purple-brown flowers in late spring. Prune in early spring.
Berberis thunbergii ‘Admiration’
Grows well in sun and partial shade. Height and spread 0.4m x 0.3m.
Glowing orange-red leaves with thin golden-yellow margins. Pale pink flowers in summer and crimson berries and leaves in autumn. Prune mid to late spring.
