Evergreen Shrubs
Camellia japonica ‘Bonomiana’ – An enchanting evergreen shrub admired for its elegant beauty. Originating from Japan, this variety features large, formal double flowers with a distinctive combination of white and pale pink with irregular dark pink streaks. The blooms, appearing in late winter or early spring, and are complemented by the glossy, deep green foliage. Height 2.5-4m Spread 1.5-2.5m.
Camellia japonica ‘Rosa’ – This variety features large, formal double flowers with a delicate blend of soft pink and blush tones, creating an elegant and enchanting display. The blooms appearing in late winter to early spring are complemented by glossy, dark green foliage. Height 2.5-4m.
Camellias require acidic soil and a sheltered spot from cold winds, in full shade or partial shade. Keep well-watered through the summer when the plant produces next year’s buds.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens – A low-growing, vigorous, evergreen shrub celebrated for its cascading form and vibrant blue flowers. This ground-hugging variety showcases glossy, dark green leaves and an abundance of fragrant, clustered blooms in spring. Its creeping growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover or cascading over walls. Height 1m Spread 4m. Grow in well drained soil in a sheltered position from strong cold winds. Full sun.
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler (Mexican Orange Blossom) – This highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a useful addition to any garden. Mound forming this neat shrub is exceptionally free flowering in spring and often late summer into autumn. Height and spread 0.5-1 metre Grow in a sunny sheltered aspect on well drained soil.
Choisya x dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’ – A compact, evergreen shrub valued for its glossy green foliage and abundant, fragrant flowers. From late spring into summer, it produces clusters of star-shaped, pure white blooms that attract pollinators and create a bright, uplifting display, it can also flower again in autumn. The aromatic, dark green leaves provide year-round structure and interest, often releasing fragrance when touched. Ideal for borders, patios, or mixed shrub beds, it thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil in sheltered position. Choisya Aztec Pearl typically reaches 2.5 metres in height with a similar spread, offering long-lasting colour, scent, and architectural appeal in the garden.
Daphne × transatlantica ‘Summer Ice’ – A compact shrub valued for its variegated foliage and long flowering season. Narrow green leaves edged in creamy white provide year-round interest and brighten borders. From late spring through summer, it produces clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers flushed with pink and a sweet fragrance. Neat and bushy in habit, it typically grows 1.5m tall and wide. ‘Summer Ice’ prefers moist but well-drained soil and a sheltered position, in full sun or partial shade.
Daphne x transatlantica Pink Fragrance – A compact semi-evergreen shrub valued for its exquisite scent and vibrant pink blooms. It forms a tidy, rounded shape and is ideal for small gardens. In early spring, clusters of deep pink flowers with lighter pink edges emerge, filling the air with a sweet, rich fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies. Its glossy green leaves provide a lush backdrop to the blooms and remain attractive throughout the growing season. This low-maintenance shrub adds elegance to any garden. Height and Spead 1m.
Viburnum davidii – An evergreen shrub prized for its impressive foliage and year-round appeal. Forming a dense, rounded shape its glossy, leathery leaves are deep green with prominent veins, creating a bold texture in the garden. In late spring, small white flowers bloom in flattened clusters, attracting pollinators.
Viburnum tinus (in variety) – An evergreen shrub known for its year-round beauty and fragrant blooms. It forms a dense, compact, rounded shape and has glossy, dark green leaves. In winter, clusters of dark pink buds provide visual interest, while in late spring, it produces fragrant clusters of small, white flowers that attract pollinators.
Deciduous Shrubs
Cercis canadensis Eternal Flame – A new varity of deciduous tree, prized for its vibrant and symbolic beauty. This variety features heart-shaped leaves that burst into a brilliant flame-like display in spring until autumn, transitioning from fiery red to warm orange and gold. This striking colouration intensifies the ornamental appeal throughout the season. Once mature, clusters of rosy-pink flowers appear on bare branches in early spring, before the leaves. An eye catching choice to add to the garden. Height 2.5-4m. Grow in fertile moist but well drained soil in full sun.
Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ – The best flowering Cercis in our opinion. A compact and rounded deciduous tree that features a profusion of rosy-pink, pea-like flowers that blanket its branches in early spring, creating a breathtaking floral spectacle. The heart-shaped, glossy green leaves follow, adding a lush canopy. An ideal choice for a small garden. Height 2.5-4m.
Exochorda macrantha ‘The Bride’ – Also known as Pearlbush, Exochorda x macrantha is a popular deciduous shrub covered with showy white flowers in April and May. A small to medium sized bush with a weeping habit. Can be trained against a wall, pergolas, trellises or fences.
Forsythia x intermedia ‘Goldrausch’ – A deciduous shrub celebrated for its vibrant golden-yellow blooms that appear early in spring, before the leaves emerge. It features a dense, upright habit, with bright green foliage that turns yellow in the autumn. The tubular flowers cover the branches, creating a stunning display that signals the arrival of spring. An ideal shrub for borders or as a hedge, providing early season colour and a cheerful addition to the garden. Height and Spread 2.5m.
Grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Grandiflora’ – A deciduous shrub renowned for its fragrant, silky flowers and striking winter interest. This shrub features rounded clusters of creamy yellow, tubular blooms that appear on bare branches in late winter to early spring, exuding a sweet, citrus-like scent. Its broad, lance-shaped leaves emerge in spring, creating a lush green canopy that turns golden in the autumn. Its elegant, arching form and seasonal beauty make it a standout choice for woodland gardens, borders, or as a specimen plant. Height 1.5-2m. Grow in a sheltered position in full sun or dappled shade.
Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’ – Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ is a compact, deciduous flowering cherry renowned for its graceful, zigzagging branches and stunning seasonal display. In early spring, delicate, pale pink flowers with darker centers emerge, creating a breathtaking cloud-like effect before the fresh green foliage appears. The small, serrated leaves turn vibrant shades of orange and red in autumn, adding further interest. Growing to around 2.5 metres tall and wide, it is perfect for small gardens, containers, or as a focal point. Grow in moist but well-drained soil and full sun. Prunus ‘Kojo-no-mai’ is a low-maintenance tree that provides an elegant architectural structure.
Trees
Many trees are admired for their show stopping display of Spring blossom.
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ – A small (ornamental) deciduous tree. Technically a hybrid so is often favoured by professional garden designers specifically because it has been “refined” for garden performance. It stands out from the common Amelanchier lamarckii because its flowers are larger and its fruit production is significantly heavier. Height and spread 4 – 8 metres.
Amelanchier lamarckii – Amelanchier lamarckii, commonly known as Juneberry, is a deciduous shrub, multistem or small tree celebrated for its ornamental value. In spring, it showcases profuse clusters of delicate white flowers, followed by small, edible purple-black berries in early summer. The foliage is characterized by elliptical leaves that are bonze tinged when young and then turn vibrant shades of orange and red in autumn. With a compact and upright habit, is favoured for providing visual interest throughout the seasons and attracting wildlife with its blossoms and fruits. Height 5-7m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Amelanchier lamarckii thrives in various soils but not chalky conditions.
Crataegus (Hawthorn) – This is an undemanding tree, thriving in various environments including coastal, exposed, polluted, and damp locations. As an added bonus it is popular with wildlife. A great choice for planting projects which aim to extend floral displays well into the summer. Varieties in stock:
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ – RHS Award of Garden Merit. Often called the Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn or the Red May Tree, is one of the most popular ornamental hawthorns in the world. It is celebrated for its spectacular spring display and its extreme “toughness,” making it a go-to choice for challenging garden environments. The thorny branches provide excellent nesting sites for birds, and the flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Mature height of 5 – 8 metres.
Crataegus prunifolia ‘Splendens’ – This tree has glossy green leaves which appear in the spring accompanied by creamy white flowers in May, but it’s the autumn colour we look forward to with its’ show of bright red and orange foliage. Small and plentiful shiny red fruits appear towards the end of the summer and remain on the tree in autumn and well into winter, until they are eaten by wildlife. Crataegus x prunifolia originates in Eastern America, it is a hybrid between Crataegus crus-galli and macracantha and won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Magnolia – much more exciting than the well-known paint of the same name, Magnolia trees have goblet shaped flowers and are admired by some as the icons of spring. From their ancient lineage to their breathtaking blooms, Magnolias hold a special place in gardens and landscapes around the world. Available in a range of shapes and sizes, Magnolias offer something special for everyone. If you’re looking to add a touch of magic to your garden, consider planting a Magnolia tree.
Malus ‘Rudolph’ – Our favourite of the red crab apples, Malus ‘Rudolph’ was developed in the 1950’s. This stunning small tree has a beautiful display of deep rose-pink flowers which appear in late spring. After the flowers, the foliage emerges a copper-red colour and turns bronze-green over summer. Autumn brings the small elongated red fruits and the foliage turns clear yellow.
Flowering Cherries – the quintessential spring blossom tree with an abundance of flower to herald springs arrival. Beyond their beauty, they are remarkably versatile, ranging from massive twenty metre giants to dwarf varieties that thrive in small patio pots. Unlike wild cherries, which prioritise fruit, these focus on the “Hanami” experience; the traditional Japanese custom of viewing flowers.
Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ (non-fruiting pear) – We love its gorgeous, upright, pyramidal shape and brilliant autumn foliage. One of the first trees to come into leaf in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in autumn, its ability to hold its leaves so long lends it to be an excellent choice for gardens where privacy is an issue.
Something a little bit different…
Why not try Malus trilobata (Lebanese wild apple) this small ornamental tree is valued for its elegant form and seasonal interest. Distinctive lobed leaves emerge green and turn bright red in autumn. In mid to late spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by small, green fruits flushed with red that attract birds. Reaching 3-7m in height, Malus trilobata thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun for best flowering and fruiting. Its tidy habit, resilience, and wildlife value make it an attractive choice for gardens.
Climbers
As well as the popular deciduous spring flowering Clematis such as Clematis montana, there are also evergreen Clematis which are perfect for clothing ugly fences. You could try Clematis armandii and Clematis Early Sensation. Wisteria also provides a beautiful spring display of purple, pink or white in May.
Visit us at The Big Plant Nursery for ideas and inspiration for adding colour to your garden in Spring.
If you are considering changes to the garden but are not sure where to start, we can also come to you – ask about our popular ‘At Home Consultancy Service’