Common Box is a vigorous, evergreen, bushy, upright shrub or small tree and in many ways, is very uninspiring, producing green leaves and insignificant flowers, yet it is a very popular, widespread plant. The reason that it is so popular is that it makes excellent hedges, especially dwarf ones, and is superb for creating topiary specimens.

As a free growing bush or tree, Buxus Sempervirens will not need pruning, but if used as a hedge or topiary shape, it will need trimming once or twice a year. The slowness and evenness of growth means that the shape of the plant is maintained for a long time without any maintenance.

Bare-rooted specimens can be planted out during the winter, as long as the weather is not too extreme. Container grown plants can be planted out at any time, but will need to be kept watered in hot weather. Once plants become established, there is no need for any extra watering. Box will grow well in sun or partial shade but can become drawn if there is too much shade.

As well as the main species, there are a large number of varieties. The main one of interest is Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’, which is a dwarf form that is ideal for creating low hedges, which is excellent for outlining paths or beds. A lot of the others are variations in leaf colour, including variegated and golden ones, which can be useful for winter interest. The wood from Box is extremely hard and is sought after for making artists’ tools and for wood engraving.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Common Box will grow in most types of soil, including chalky ones, but will do best where the soil has had plenty of well-rotted organic matter added. It is quite a hungry plant and will need regular, annual mulches of compost or organic material to keep it healthy and vigorous.

Size
Plants, if left unclipped, can eventually reach a height of 12ft (3.5m) and spread up to 10ft (3m).

Propagation
To increase the number of plants, take semi-ripe cuttings in the summer and root them in a propagator or cold frame.

Family: Buxaceae
Genus: Buxus

Mahonia japonica is one of the most popular winter-flowering evergreen shrubs and originates in semi-woodland regions of China and Japan. It is closely related to berberis, but has larger, bolder leaves.

This evergreen Asian shrub has architecturally strong, angular leaves that are slightly spiny with the top surface a deep glossy green with a paler underside. Mahonia japonica will flower intermittently from late autumn through to early spring, providing 12in (30cm) long trails of blossom, which look splendid in floral arrangements. Once the worst of the winter weather has passed, its flower stems of primrose yellow blooms will continue to open, sending their strong scent into the air. It takes no more than one or two stems to fill a room with perfume. The blooms are followed by a display of blue-black fruits. It tolerates dappled sunshine, and even full sun in a north facing garden. In an area where summers are hot, plant out of the full sun.

Plant well rooted specimens at any time of the year, but not when in very dry, wet or frosty. While fully frost tolerant, Mahonia japonica should be planted in a sheltered spot out of the wind. The flowers are tough, but liable to be damaged if exposed to strong winds and the leaves will become scorched.

Pruning can help stop Mahonia from getting leggy and developing a less erect habit. Remove any thin and straggly growth in spring. When buying a new plant, select one with plenty of bud breaks from the base.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Grow on slightly acidic to neutral soil and include some well-rotted organic matter and some horticultural grit on heavier soils. The plants will tolerate chalky soils. Moist soil conditions, but not overly wet in winter, will provide this shrub with the best growing conditions.

Size
Plants can reach a height of 8ft (2.2m) and spread up to 10ft (3m).

Propagation
Mahonia japonica can be propagated by taking semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.

Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Mahonia

Buddleja davidii is a favourite, fast-growing shrub from China. They not only make beautiful shrubs, but they also attract large quantities of butterflies to their nectar-rich flowers, which is how they derive their common name.

The fragrant flowers are borne in long spires in the late summer and early autumn, after most other shrubs have finished flowering. The most typical colour of the flowers is lilac, but there are lots of shades, varying from white to pink to deep purple. The flowers can look a little unsightly once they begin to fade and turn brown.

Buddleja are best planted out in spring, although container-grown plants can be planted out at any time, as long as the weather is not too hot or too dry. They are relatively hardy plants and will withstand most winters, although an occasional harsh one may cut them back.

Butterfly bushes must be pruned regularly, otherwise the flowers will decrease in size and the plant will tire and die. Each spring, cut back the previous year’s growth to within 3 to 4in (7.5 to 10cm) of where it started. This may seem rather drastic, but the bush will soon recover and start sprouting new growth.

Growing Requirements

Soil
The butterfly bush is an undemanding plant and will grow on a wide range of soils, including quite dry ones, as long as it is planted in a sunny position, though a little light shade will be tolerated.

Size
Buddleja will grow to a height of 13ft (4m) and spread to a similar size.

Propagation
Buddleja will self-seed and the resulting seedlings can be transplanted and used as new plants. To propagate favourite colour forms, it is essential to take cuttings from existing plants. These are best taken as hard wood cuttings in the early winter months but summer cuttings from soft, new growth can also be used.

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja

A mass planting of Bergamot can’t fail to impress. They bear curious, striking flowers in strong colours and have fragrant foliage. The leaves, when crushed, produce a wonderful aromatic perfume unlike anything else.

Although the most popular flower colour is scarlet, Bergamot comes in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, mauve and white. The flowers are hook-shaped and appear in whorls around a dome shaped head while the leaves are oval shaped. It is quite difficult to weed around the plants, as the roots grow close to the surface.

Bergamot looks best in a herbaceous border and goes well with other plants. ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ is one of the most popular varieties and has, unsurprisingly, scarlet flowers. A similar pink-flowered plant is ‘Croftway Pink’. There is a also pure white form known as ‘Snow Maiden’.

In the winter, Monarda will be just present above the soil as a mass of small leaves. They are to be immune to frosts and require no special care. In exposed areas, the plants may need to be supported by stakes. The plants should be cut down to the ground after flowering, and mulched with manure each winter.

The leaves can be simmered in water to make a refreshing bergamot tea. The flowers have a similar scent to that of the bergamot orange (which is used to flavour Earl Grey tea), hence the plant’s common name.

Growing Requirements

Soil
These plants like full sun or very light shade and will thrive in most types of soil, except in clay or where the soil is very dry. They will need to be kept well-watered over the summer.

Size
Bergamot can range in height from 3ft to 5ft (90cm to 1.5m) with a spread of around 18in (45cm).

Propagation
Monarda can be divided in the spring, as they start growing. This will rejuvinate old clumps and provide new, vigorous plants. Cuttings can also be taken when the plant is producing fresh and vigorous growth.

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Monarda

Garrya Elliptica, commonly known as the silk-tassel bush, is an evergreen shrub with dark green, leathery leaves. In late winter through to early spring, it bears long, greyish-green catkins that can cover the whole shrub. Male and female catkins are on separate plants – the male catkins have pollen while the female plant has little brown berries.

The Garrya genus is native along North America’s western coastlands, from Mexico to Oregon. Garrya Elliptica is the hardiest species and the one best-suited to the British climate. They do not like having their roots disturbed, and will often die if moved too many times.

A commonly grown cultivar is ‘James Roof’ which is a strong, vigorous male variety and has large, leathery leaves with catkins up to 8in (20cm) long.


Growing Requirements

Position
It does well in shade against walls or fences, but is also suitable for the open garden in mild locations.

Soil
Garryas will flourish in most garden soils even dry or infertile soils. It needs well-drained conditions, and can be grown in coastal areas as it is tolerant of salt spray.

Size
Garrya Elliptica is relatively fast growing and it can reach a height of 13ft (4m) with a spread of around 10ft (3m).

Pruning
Plants can be trimmed to shape in late spring, after the catkins have fallen off.

Propagation
The plant can be easily propagated by taking 4inch semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and placing them in a sandy rooting compost.
Plants can also be raised from seed, which will need to be planted in a sandy loam during late autumn or winter, and will require three months of cold stratification for them to germinate. The seedlings will grow rapidly and should be pricked out into individual pots when they are sturdy enough to handle.

Family: Garryaceae
Genus: Garrya