The “New Perennial movement”, or “prairie planting” style, has dominated the gardening scene for many years. There’s no doubt this style looks great from late summer onwards, often into winter too, but does this love of quick-growing perennial plants mean we sometimes overlook the slower-growing shrubs, plants that were once seen as the backbone of our gardens?
The word “shrub” doesn’t exactly get one drooling, and may conjure images of municipal or suburban low-maintenance planting, but I for one feel that gardens need a decent percentage of them to give it a sense of maturity, permanence and structure.
A “shrub” is simply a plant that develops a woody structure above ground but isn’t as big as a tree (well, OK, some shrubs can get bigger than trees but let’s not get too pedantic; they’re generally smaller and therefore perfect for the average garden). They can be evergreen or deciduous and many show their best qualities in the autumn months.
I think the most important thing with this group of plants is to let them be themselves, let them grow into interesting shapes and develop some character. Pruning them into lollipops is not the way forward. Unless they are topiary or part of a hedge, let them grow naturally into an open and elegant shape, with minimal pruning during the dormant winter period. Here are some of my favourite shrubs for this time of year, many with fabulous autumn foliage, some with late flowers and some with good scent — in no particular order.
Joe’s favourite autumn shrubs
Advertisement
1. Disanthus cercidifolius
This is an autumn gem, and quite unusual too, so if you see one, grab it. A multi- stemmed form, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow, orange, red and finally a deep purple in autumn. It’s then followed by spidery maroon flowers on bare stems from late autumn into winter, so it’s got the lot. Acidic soil. Height and spread about 2.5m.
2. Rhus typhina (stag’s horn sumach)
I feel a little guilty about this one because I went off it for a while but am now a fan again, in the right setting. Huge pinnate architectural leaves up to 60cm long held on hairy stems turn an intense orange-red in autumn. It’s a suckering shrub, so grow it only if you have enough room to let it spread and do its thing. Fruits are produced on male and female plants but one of each (or near by) is needed for fruit. Height 5m x spread 6m.
3. Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry)
The blueberry bush is an excellent all-round shrub for the garden, not only reliably providing plenty of delicious berries, but its autumn colour ensuring it’s right up on the list aesthetically too. I grow mine in large pots and water with rainwater only. Sun or light shade. Height 1.5 x spread 1m.
4. Cotinus obovatus (chittamwood or American smokewood)
Pinkish leaves in spring, green in summer and purple, orange and red tints in autumn. A large shrub reaching 8m in height, but by hard pruning in early spring each year you’ll not only keep it compact but encourage it to produce larger leaves too.
5. Euonymus planipes (Korean spindle)
There are many great deciduous euonymus (spindles) that are surely classier than the evergreen euonymus. This is one has a magnificent autumn colour, turning from pink to crimson, but it also has unusual fruit: pink capsules opening to reveal the vivid orange seeds that show up well against the dark brown branches. Height and spread 3m.
Advertisement
6. Elaeagnus x ebbingei (oleaster)
I know this is a very common plant, but it comes into its own in autumn for its small yet deliciously scented flowers. The sweet perfume cuts through the air even on a dull wet day. The evergreen leaves are dull matt green on top and silver on the underside, giving it depth and making it an excellent backdrop plant rather than the main event. You can clip this one into any shape, even a lollipop, but I think it’s best grown as a hedge, and it makes a good windbreak for coastal gardens. It’s as hard as nails. Yes, there are variegated gold and green forms, such as ‘Limelight’, but not for me. Height and spread 4m.
7. Abelia x grandiflora
A classy, evergreen arching shrub with small glossy leaves and masses of small, fragrant tubular flowers from pink buds. I’ve known it to flower all summer and right into a mild November. It prefers a sheltered corner in sun or light shade and may lose some leaves in a very cold winter. Prune a few stems right back to the centre of the plant in early spring to thin it out while maintaining its graceful shape. Height 3m x spread 4m.
8. Ceratostigma willmottianum
This is such a good plant for this time of year and one I frequently get asked about. Smothered in bright blue flowers from late summer to early autumn, when its foliage turns a russet red too, so two autumn hits, and very easy to grow. In spring cut back to ground and mulch with compost. Height and spread about 90cm.