With the garden bursting back to life, April is a treasure trove of colour and fresh growth. With so many gorgeous plants hitting their stride, choosing can feel impossible. We have pulled together our standout favourites to inspire your spring planting.
Shrubs
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.
Cercis canadensis ‘Alley Cat’ – A small deciduous tree celebrated for its deep burgundy foliage and compact growth. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves emerge deep red purple before taking on green hues in the summer and then displaying shades of orange and red in the autumn, creating a striking contrast in gardens. In early spring, it blooms with clusters of rosy-pink flowers along bare branches, attracting pollinators. A valuable addition to the garden as a focal point. Height and Spread 4m.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler – Commonly known as Mexican 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.
Convolvulus cneorum – A compact, evergreen shrub valued for its silvery foliage and long flowering season. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves are covered in fine hairs, giving the plant a soft, silver-grey appearance throughout the year. From late spring into summer, it produces an abundance of pure white, funnel-shaped flowers with yellow centres, creating a bright contrast against the foliage. With a low, mounded habit, it is ideal for borders and containers.
Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’ – A shrub renowned for its long flowering season and powerful fragrance. From late winter through spring, it produces masses of soft pink, star-shaped flowers held above glossy, dark green foliage, filling the garden with sweet scent. Compact and upright in habit, it typically grows 1–1.5m tall, making it suitable for borders and feature planting. ‘Perfume Princess’ prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position, in full sun or partial shade.
Daphne ‘Spring Beauty’ – A compact shrub cherished for its profuse, fragrant blooms and attractive foliage. In late winter to early spring, it produces clusters of white flowers flushed with pink that emit a sweet, captivating fragrance. Growing to approximately 2.5m in height, it prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade.
Rhododenrons (if it’s a warm April) – Rhododendrons are grown for their spectacular flowers, usually borne in spring. Some also have young leaves and stems covered in a striking woolly coating (indumentum) and some – the deciduous rhododendrons or azaleas – have good autumn colour.
Trees
Acers (Japanese Maple) – Acers can be large shrubs or small trees, well loved for their graceful habit, delicate foliage and range of eye catching colours. Japanese Maples will add interest in any garden. Perfect for growing in a pot on the patio or as the feature plant in a scheme, every garden should have a Japanese Maple. Perfect in dappled shade, they liked free draining soil that never gets too dry.
Amelanchier ‘Ballerina’ – A graceful, deciduous tree admired for its stunning spring blossom, autumn colour, and wildlife value. In early spring, it produces a profusion of fragrant, white star-shaped flowers before the fresh green leaves emerge. These develop into small, edible purple berries in summer, attracting birds, while the foliage turns brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. Ideal as a specimen tree for gardens, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained neutral to acidic soil. Height 4-8m.
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.
Cercis canadensis ‘Lavender Twist’ (Weeping Eastern Redbud) – a dwarf variety, widely valued as a compact ornamental tree with spectacular spring flowers and four‑season interest. Flowers from April onwards.
Crataegus x lavalleei (Hawthorn) – A deciduous tree valued for its rounded habit and excellent year-round interest. In late spring, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators and create a gentle, ornamental display. Glossy dark green leaves turn rich shades of bronze and red in autumn. Bright orange-red berries develop in late summer and persist into winter, providing colour and wildlife value. Crataegus × lavalleei thrives in sun or partial shade and most soil conditions but will not tolerate waterlogged areas. Height 4-8m.
Crataegus x lavalleei ‘Carrièrei’ (Hawthorn) – Crataegus x lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ has broad and very dark green leaves. Glossy, almost evergreen looking, they produce a dense coverage which can last through to December, making them a useful tree for screening.
A tree with year-round interest, it has soft creamy white flowers which hang in clusters from around May and orange-red haws which appear later in the autumn time, often lasting right through winter. This lovely tree can also produce great autumn colour where temperatures drop early. This small Hawthorn forms a mature tree that has a small and compact crown.
Crataegus x persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ (Hawthorn) – An ornamental deciduous tree with charming spring blossoms, attractive foliage, and ornamental fruit. Glossy oval green leaves appear in the spring changing to dramatic reds and oranges in the autumn. Small white flowers in the spring attract pollinators, leading to red berries in the autumn that stay through the winter and provide food for the birds. A perfect addition to add wildlife to the garden. Height and Spread 4-8m.
Grows well in most soils in full sun or partial shade.
Magnolia – 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. Magnolia blossoms are nothing short of spectacular. Imagine large, velvety petals unfurling in shades of pristine white, delicate pink, or even rich purples and sunny yellows. The sheer size and beauty of these blooms are a sight to behold, a true herald of spring’s arrival. And let’s not forget the fragrance! Many magnolia varieties fill the air with a sweet, intoxicating scent that adds another layer of enchantment.
Malus × moerlandsii ‘Profusion’ (Crabapple) – A highly ornamental deciduous crab apple, prized for its outstanding spring blossom and autumn interest. Deep crimson buds open to masses of rich, dark pink flowers turning lighter pink in mid to late spring, creating a spectacular display. These are followed by small, dark red fruits that persist into autumn and attract wildlife. The bronze-green foliage matures to deep green before turning warm autumn tones. Ideal as a specimen tree for gardens, it grows in full sun and tolerates most soils including clay. At maturity, it typically reaches around 3-8 metres in height and offers seasonal charm.
Malus x zumi ‘Golden Hornet’ (Crabapple) – A popular crab apple valued for its reliable flowering and decorative fruit. In spring, masses of white blossoms with soft pink buds cover the branches, attracting pollinators. These are followed by abundant, bright golden-yellow fruits that persist well into winter, adding long-lasting seasonal interest. Glossy green foliage provides a fresh summer canopy before turning yellow in autumn. Reaching approximately 5–7 meters in height, ‘Golden Hornet’ has a rounded, well-balanced form and thrives in most soils in full sun.
Prunus (Ornamental Cherry) – Flowering cherries are the quintessential spring flowering tree. Beyond their beauty, they are remarkably versatile. Our favourites are Prunus ‘Kanzan and Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’.
Climbers
Ceanothus ‘Concha’ (Californian Lilac) – A stunning, evergreen climber or shrub prized for its prolific, deep violet-blue flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its dense clusters of small flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding vibrant colour to borders and patios. The foliage remains evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest, and the plant has a naturally compact, rounded habit. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant once established and prefers sheltered sites. At maturity, Ceanothus ‘Concha’ typically reaches 2.5-4 metres in height with a similar spread, making it an ideal statement in the gardens.
Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’ – A vigorous grower with pale pink, vanilla scented flowers which contrast against bronze young foliage. Flowering in late spring, the plant will be smothered in flowers, creating a waterfall of flowers when trailing from a tree or support. It will quickly cover walls or pergolas.
Clematis armandi – This variety is perfect for growing against a sunny west or south-facing wall. Evergreen, it retains its glossy mid-green leaves throughout the year so it’s an excellent choice for screening walls, fences and pergolas.
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.
Garrya elliptica – Commonly known as the Silk Tassel Bush, is an elegant, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, dark green leaves and winter interest. In late winter to early spring, long, pendulous catkins emerge, silver-grey in males and less showy in females, adding architectural drama to the garden. Ideal for borders and climb up a wall, fence, or trellis. Grow full sun, partial shade or full shade in well-drained soil. Garrya elliptica typically reaches 4 metres in height with a similar spread, offering year-round structure and ornamental appeal.
Wisteria – Fantastic for early pollinators, this super bee-friendly plant is seen mostly trained up the front of houses but is also a worthy choice for training up walls, fences and pergolas and can even be grown as half-standards to create a stunning umbrella effect. They are a ‘must-have’ in a cottage garden setting and an excellent addition in any wildlife gardens.
