Plants Shrubs and Trees - Evergreen Shubs, Plants, Fruit Trees and Seeds

Position: full sun or dappled shadeSoil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, gritty or stony, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyThis evergreen fern is a native of Britain, and as such is one of the most versatile for our climate, being content in most soils, damp or dry, as long as it has some shade. It has long, leathery, dark green fronds with a slight sheen, and an attractive, lacy appearance. Try growing it in walls, where there is little soil, or securing it into trees for a tropical effect. It also looks wonderful left to colonise in a woodland setting or under deciduous trees. If it is happy, it will spread almost indefinitely, but never becomes invasive.Garden care: Wrap the rhizomes in moss and tie to a suitable rooting medium and keep moist until established. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyFrom mid to late spring, scented, deep yellow flowers emerge from rosettes of mid-green leaves and hang in delicate clusters on erect With the reduction of old pastureland colonies of this lovely once-common native wildflower are decreasing. Cowslips are perfect for a wildflower garden on moist soil, so why not help to reverse this trend? Garden care: Generally, problem-free but do ensure that the ground remains moist, especially where the plant is growing in full sun.

Position: partial or deep shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich, acid soil (or a mixture of 1 part lime-free loam, 1 part medium-grade bark chippings and 1 part charcoal, two parts sharp sand, 3 parts coarse leafmould for container- grown specimens)Rate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyAs they age the feathery, dark green fronds of this handsome, evergreen 'hard fern' spread semi-horizontally to form an attractive, rosette-like shape. One of our recommended varieties, it provides all-year interest for shady areas of the garden and companionship for shade-loving, woodland plants.. Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole.

Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained, preferably alkaline soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyShiny, wavy-edged fronds unfurl like frisee lettuce in early spring, and remain all year. This is an unusual, showy, evergreen hart's tongue fern that looks best planted en masse, either under shrubs, at the edge of a shady border, or among spring-flowering perennials. Once established, it can tolerate dry soil.Garden care: Plant in soil that has been improved with organic matter. Water regularly during the growing season, ensuring that the soil or compost does not dry out while the plant is gettng established. <br

Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained, preferably alkaline soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyA lovely, evergreen hart's tongue fern that is both eyecatching and versatile. Shiny, wavy-edged fronds unfurl in early spring, and remain all year. It is shown off to best effect in a natural-looking context, alongside other ferns, or spring bulbs. Try it at the edge of a woodland area, under trees, or in a shady mixed border. Once established, it can tolerate dry soil.Garden care: Plant in soil that has been improved with organic matter. Water regularly during the growing season, ensuring that the soil or compost does not dry out while the plant is getting established.

Position: full or partial shadeSoil: moist, fertile, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyThis elegant, deciduous fern has deeply cut, greyish-green fronds effused with silver and purple. An excellent companion for shade-loving woodland plants it provides long-lasting foliage interest for a shady, sheltered patio or courtyard garden with moist, fertile, neutral to acid soil.Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. In cold areas in late autumn protect the crown of the plant with a dry mulch of straw or bracken

Position: full or partial shadeSoil: moist, fertile, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyThis is the lady fern, with graceful, bright green, filigree-like leaves. One of our recommended plants, it looks great planted in bold swathes with other shade-loving plants in a sheltered, shady woodland edge, shrub or mixed border. It is deciduous, and begins to look tatty in the autumn, so try it among evergreen ferns or late-flowering perennials.Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. In cold areas in late autumn protect the crown of the plant with a dry mulch of straw or bracken.

Price PrunedSave 50p was £6.45 now £5.95Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, medium to light, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection in cold areas)Soft and wispy, this is a versatile grass that looks good woven between evergreen shrubs, or dotted through a perennial border or gravel garden. Its narrow, filament-like leaves and feathery flowers catch the breeze and add softness and movement to a planting scheme. Garden careAlthough technically a deciduous grass, Stipa tenuissima does not usually need cutting back. In spring, tease out dead foliage by running your fingers through it as if it were hair. It may self-seed, but simply pull out seedlings when you see them.

Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, medium to light, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyA dramatic addition to the garden, this deciduous grass has tall, glaucous, arching leaves and produces masses of long, fluffy, silvery-white flowers in late summer. In autumn, the leaves and flowers mature to a beautiful buff colour. Use as a focal point in a mixed border or gravel garden, or to soften the lines of a building.Garden care: Cut down to the ground in late winter, before the new foliage appears.

Position: partial to full shadeSoil: poor to moderately-fertile,humus-rich, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingFlowering period: June to JulyHardiness: fully hardyA slow-spreading, evergreen perennial that forms loose clumps of rough, deep green leaves. In early and midsummer sprays of pure white, tuft-like flowers appear that last for several weeks and these can be dried for flower arrangements. This is a pretty and useful ornamental grass that eventually makes a good groundcover in shadier areas of the garden. It will also thrive in a sunny spot if the soil is reliably moist.Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies between April and June. Remove tatty foliage in autumn.

Position: full or partial shadeSoil: fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyOne of the loveliest varieties of our native evergreen fern, this has filigree-fine fronds that form a lacy rosette. It is ideal at the front of a shady border, where its elegance can be appreciated, or in a woodland setting among contrasting ferns and foliage plants. Either cut back the old foliage in early January to allow space for spring bulbs, or leave the in place until April when the new fronds appear.Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole.Remove dead foliage in spring.

Position: full or partial shadeSoil: fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyThe large, evergreen fern is a native of Britain, with soft, dark green fronds hat emerge upright before unfurling and falling softly open. Try it among other foliage plants at the front of a shady, well-drained, border or beneath deciduous trees. Either cut back the old foliage in early January to allow space for spring bulbs, or leave them in place until April when the new fronds appear.Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole.Remove dead foliage in spring.

Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, medium to light, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to September Flower colour: silver-green maturing to blonde-buffOther features: N/AHardiness: fully hardyWonderful, wispy, pale yellow-green leaves topped with fluffy plumes of silver-green flowers, maturing to blonde-buff. This versatile deciduous grass is ideal for a sunny gravel garden, large container or new perennial border. It's perfect for introducing movement into a planting scheme since the fluffy flower heads and foliage billow in the slightest breeze.Garden care: Cut back in early spring before the new foliage appears.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast growingHardiness: fully hardyThis medium-sized bamboo has thin, yellow-green arching canes and a mass of small, soft, mid-green leaves. Its arching habit and fairly speedy rate of growth make it an ideal choice for an informal hedge, and because it is also compact, it makes a lovely, exotic specimen or container plant for small gardens. It is also tolerant of wind and full sun.Garden care: Do not allow to dry out while the plant is getting established. Plant in a large container or surround the roots with a non-perishable barrier that restricts the plant's spread.