In English gardens, shrubs play a significant role in creating the desired aesthetic. They add structure, texture, and color to the landscape, providing a sense of permanence and formality. While there are numerous shrubs used in English gardens, I will highlight some of the most popular ones.
One of the most iconic shrubs seen in English gardens is the boxwood (Buxus). Its dense, evergreen foliage and ability to be pruned into geometric shapes make it a favorite choice for creating low hedges and topiaries. Boxwood hedges add a sense of order and elegance to the garden, defining pathways and borders. They can also be used to create garden rooms or separate different areas within the landscape.
Another commonly used shrub in English gardens is the inkberry holly (Ilex glabra). This evergreen shrub has glossy dark green leaves and produces small black berries in the fall. It can be sheared into a neat hedge or left to grow naturally as a more informal screen. Inkberry holly is valued for its ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions and its tolerance to salt spray, making it a versatile choice for coastal gardens.
Lavender (Lavandula) is a quintessential English garden shrub known for its fragrant flowers and gray-green foliage. It is often used in large drifts or as low edging along pathways. Lavender hedges provide not only visual appeal but also attract pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden. It is a low-maintenance shrub that thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
Catmint (Nepeta) is another popular shrub used in English gardens. It has aromatic foliage and produces spikes of small, lavender-blue flowers throughout the summer. Like lavender, catmint can be used as a low hedge or as a filler plant in borders. It is drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies and bees, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to create a wildlife-friendly garden.
Other shrubs commonly found in English gardens include yew (Taxus), holly (Ilex), privet (Ligustrum), and heather (Calluna). These shrubs offer a range of colors, textures, and sizes, allowing gardeners to create a diverse and visually appealing landscape. Additionally, many English gardens feature a mix of flowering shrubs such as roses, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons, which add bursts of color and interest throughout the seasons.
In my own experience, I have seen how the careful selection and placement of shrubs can transform a garden into a serene and beautiful space. By combining different shrub varieties, gardeners can create a layered effect, with taller shrubs providing a backdrop for smaller ones, and hedges defining the structure of the garden. The versatility of shrubs allows for endless possibilities in design, from formal and manicured to wild and naturalistic.
English gardens make use of a wide variety of shrubs to create their distinctive look. From classic choices like boxwood and holly to flowering shrubs like lavender and catmint, each brings its own unique characteristics to the landscape. By selecting shrubs that suit their specific needs and preferences, gardeners can create a truly enchanting and timeless English garden.
