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Landscaping plants are the backbone of any garden makeover — they frame views, soften hard lines, and turn a bare patch of earth into an inviting room. Think of plants as the furniture for your garden: some pieces are statement-makers like trees and shrubs, while others are the cushions and throws — perennials, ground covers, and seasonal bulbs — that add color and comfort. Whether you’ve got a postage-stamp courtyard or a sprawling backyard, the right selections will save you time, money, and heartache down the line.
Before you rush to the garden centre or add dozens of plants to your online cart, pause and consider a few essentials. Plants that look good on a catalog page won’t always thrive in your particular spot. Ask yourself about exposure, soil type, mature size, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. A tree that looks perfect at 2 feet tall will be a different story at 20 feet if you don’t plan for it. Thinking ahead keeps your garden balanced and reduces the need to rip things out later.
Does your garden get sun most of the day, or is it shaded by houses and trees? Sun-loving plants generally need at least 6 hours of direct sun, while many shade-tolerant choices thrive with only filtered light. Also consider wind exposure — an exposed site can be several degrees cooler and drier, like stepping into a different room at the edge of a house.
Is your soil heavy and clay-like or loose and sandy? Good drainage matters more than many gardeners realise. If water sits on the surface after a downpour, pick plants that tolerate damp feet or plan to improve drainage. Conversely, sandy soils dry quickly; choose drought-hardy species or amend the soil with organic matter to boost water retention.
Always plant with the future in mind. Shrubs spaced too close will tussle for space, while plants left too far apart can look sparse for years. As a rule of thumb, place medium shrubs about 3 to 6 feet apart and small perennials 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on their mature width.
Where you buy plants matters. Some retailers specialise in hardy hedging and trees, others excel at seasonal bedding, and a few are renowned for quality mail-order specimens. Below are trusted UK options, what they specialise in, and tips for buying from each.
Dobbies is a go-to for many gardeners who like to see plants in person. With large garden centre-style shops dotted across the UK, they have a wide selection of shrubs, trees, perennials, and seasonal bedding. If you’re a tactile shopper who wants to inspect root health and leaf condition before buying, Dobbies makes it easy to mix and match on the spot. They’re particularly handy for combining landscaping plants with hardscape items like mulch and decorative stones.
B&Q is often the first stop for DIY gardeners looking to landscape on a budget. Their stores typically stock hedging, conifers, and popular shrubs alongside tools and soil amendments. For straightforward, cost-effective plants and a good range of planting accessories, B&Q is convenient and consistent. If you’re planning a weekend planting blitz, you’ll appreciate being able to grab everything in one run.
Homebase blends garden plants with home-improvement supplies, so it’s an excellent place for coordinated projects. They offer a solid range of landscaping plants, from hedging to small trees, and often have seasonal deals on bulk packs of shrubs and perennials. It’s a sensible stop for homeowners doing garden renovations with a limited budget and a tight timeframe.
Wickes focuses on practical, no-nonsense gardening essentials. While not as plant-heavy as specialist nurseries, Wickes is a dependable source for hedging and common shrubs, especially if you need materials like weed membrane, edging, or raised bed timber alongside your plants. Think of Wickes as the practical friend who helps you get the job finished efficiently.
If you’re hunting specialty cultivars, heritage varieties, or show-stopping perennials, Thompson & Morgan is a top mail-order option. They’re known for rare and interesting plants that many high-street outlets don’t carry. The convenience of ordering online and having plants delivered to your door is a huge plus, but pay attention to planting instructions and spacing to ensure long-term success.
Crocus is favoured by gardeners looking for high-quality perennials, bulbs, and shrubs with a design-led approach. Their website and catalogues are full of planting schemes and ideas, which is great if you want to create a cohesive look. Crocus tends to appeal to those who see gardening as both hobby and design project, and they often stock varieties that make a real visual impact.
While Primrose is well-known for garden furniture and décor, their plant selection is also strong, especially for container-friendly shrubs and seasonal bedding. If you’re landscaping terraces, balconies, or patios, Primrose is useful because they link plants with pots and containers that suit the look and size you need. It’s ideal when hard landscaping and planting need to match.
Notcutts and the Blue Diamond group represent classic garden-centre experiences, with knowledgeable staff, well-grown stock, and seasonal variety. These centres often specialise in hardy shrubs, trees, and hedging and are great places to get local advice. Staff can help you pick plants by sight and recommend varieties that are proven performers in your area’s conditions.
Structure is what makes a garden readable in every season. Evergreens, architectural shrubs, and small trees give backbone, while perennials and bulbs add seasonal flair. A few carefully chosen structural plants can make your scheme feel established from day one.
Plant evergreens like boxwood, laurel, and yew for long-lasting shape. A small yew trained as a standard or a clipped boxwood hedge can provide a backdrop for colourful perennials. Evergreens keep a bed looking tidy in winter, and they’re especially useful near entrances and paths where you want consistent form.
Shrubs such as hydrangea, cornus, and potentilla offer fabulous seasonal interest — blooms in summer, colourful stems or foliage in autumn. Use them to create focal points that change through the year, paired with evergreen anchors so you never have a bare scene.
Ornamental grasses and clump-forming perennials bring texture and motion to planting schemes. They sway in the breeze, creating a living curtain and softening hard edges. Plant grasses in drifts of three or more for natural rhythm and combine them with bold perennials for contrast.
Timing matters. Planting at the right season gives new plants the best chance to establish before stress periods like frost or drought. In the UK, spring and autumn are prime windows for many landscaping plants, but some specialists recommend planting certain shrubs in late autumn so roots develop during cooler weather.
Spring is perfect for planting perennials, roses, and many shrubs. Soil has warmed and there’s usually steady rain to help establishment. Space perennials roughly 1 to 2 feet apart depending on size, and give shrubs 3 to 6 feet of room to mature.
Autumn planting takes advantage of the cooling air and still-warm soil. This is an excellent time for trees and larger shrubs; they can put energy into root growth without the pressure of summer heat. Plant hedging in lines, spacing plants 2 to 3 feet apart for smaller hedges and 4 to 6 feet for larger varieties.
You don’t need a large budget to achieve a high-impact garden. Smart choices and a bit of elbow grease can stretch your pounds further than you think.
Smaller plants cost less and often establish more reliably. Instead of splurging on large shrubs, buy younger specimens and let them mature. This approach takes patience but dramatically reduces upfront cost.
Mass planting small groups of the same species creates a designer look without designer prices. Three to five plants planted together read as a deliberate group and fill space quickly when repeated across a bed.
Many communities have plant-swaps or gardening forums where members exchange cuttings and seedlings. This is a brilliant way to diversify your garden without spending a fortune.
Simple maintenance will keep your landscaping investment looking its best. The most common mistakes are overwatering young plants and crowding them in tight spaces. Here are easy, effective habits to adopt.
A 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch around newly planted beds cuts watering needs, moderates soil temperatures, and reduces weeds. Keep mulch a few inches away from stems and trunks to avoid rot.
Shallow daily watering encourages weak surface roots. Instead, water slowly and deeply, ensuring moisture penetrates 6 to 12 inches into the soil. This trains plants to develop robust root systems that tolerate dry spells.
A balanced feed in spring and a specialist feed for roses or acid-loving plants can make a visible difference. Avoid late-season nitrogen feeds that can stimulate tender growth just before frost.
Great garden design combines form and function. Start with simple principles: anchor the space with reliable structures, plan pathways to desirable views, and layer plant heights for depth.
Use hedging or trellises to partition spaces into outdoor “rooms.” This makes even a small garden feel larger, as each room can have a different character — a sunny dining area, a shady reading nook, or a wildflower corner.
Layering gives plants room to breathe and provides visual interest at all heights. Low groundcovers and bulbs, mid-height perennials, and taller shrubs or small trees create a tapestry that looks good from every angle.
Before you commit to a shopping cart or a bag of plants, run through a quick checklist: have you measured the planting area in feet, checked soil type, considered maintenance time, and matched plant hardiness to your location? Double-checking these details will save time and disappointment down the line.
Landscaping plants are the secret ingredient that turns landscapes into personal sanctuaries. By choosing the right plants for your conditions, buying from the right retailers, and following straightforward care routines, you can create a garden that looks great through every season. Whether you prefer browsing in-person at garden centres like Dobbies, picking up practical options at B&Q or Wickes, or ordering specialty plants from Thompson & Morgan or Crocus, there’s a UK retailer to suit your needs. Start small, plan with mature sizes in feet in mind, and enjoy building a garden that grows with you.
