What are the best evergreen flowering shrubs to plant this autumn?

There are so many delightful plants to choose from but here are just seven of my favourite evergreen shrubs for you to plant this autumn (or in spring if you prefer).

Bamboo

Fantastic when used to make a privacy screen, but bamboo offers so much more. Very much at home and suited to a contemporary or modern setting, bamboo can be grown to mask walls or other areas but are delightful in any setting.

There is a caveat here. While herbaceous bamboos flower annually other varieties flower very irregularly so do be careful when you purchase your bamboo.

Bamboo grows best in a sunny aspect and needs to be well watered.

Camellia

Perfect for that shady spot where you need an injection of colour and equally at home either in the border or a container, camellia are beautiful evergreen flowering shrubs. Camellias have rich deep green leaves but their popularity comes from their stunning blooms.

Gorgeous in colour from white to pink to red, the flowers are large and long-lasting. Some varieties such as Japonica Mary Williams will grow as high as eight feet providing a breath-taking spectacle for any garden.

Ceanothus

Although a summer flowering plant, Ceanothus nevertheless provides all year interest with their small glossy green leaves.

Also known as Californian lilac, this plant is fully hardy and very easy to grow. A sheltered spot is best and ceanothus grows well against walls and fences and can reach heights of around six feet.

Heather

Forgive the pun but a perennial favourite, heather is always a popular and attractive addition to any garden border. Group the different colours along the front of the border and heathers look amazing.

One thing I like to do is plant different coloured winter flowering heather in a large container. This looks fantastic and never fails to cheer me up when I look over the garden in the colder months.

Direct Plants sell a brilliant mixed pack of winter flowering heathers all ready to plant and which will provide colour all the way through to spring.

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Mahonia

Although this shrub isn’t as well-known as some, it has wonderful yellow flowers which bloom throughout autumn and winter. Bees love this plant so as well as having an attractive looking plant you’ll be doing your bit for wildlife and the environment.

Mahonia is sometimes called Oregon grape and does prefer a bit of shade. It’s a fully UK hardy plant and although slow growing will eventually top out at over six feet.

Olive

Olea Europaea will bring a touch of Mediterranean exotism to your garden. People are often surprised at how well olive trees grow in the UK but if you find the sunniest spot possible, you’ll get great results.

The olive also needs some shelter but apart from that will grow happily in the UK climate. You’ll be rewarded with a wonderful focal point for your garden which has long greyish-green leaves and white flowers. Not to mention its edible fruits.

Pop your olive tree into a large container and place it on the patio. You can purchase olive trees from Direct Plants which are already established and around six feet tall.

Yucca

If you’re looking for a low maintenance evergreen flowering shrub don’t look any further than the yucca. Yuccas are very hardy, extremely resilient, easy to grow and require very little looking after.

They look very elegant and varieties like Spanish dagger will provide a tropical look to your garden. Combine it with your olive tree and you’ll have a contemporary and exotic garden.

Yuccas have variegated leaves and white flowers and can grow up to six feet in height. You can grow them in pots if you wish and they look wonderful when they sway in the breeze.

Check out our full range of evergreen flowering shrubs which are all grown and nurtured by ourselves in our five-acre Norfolk nursery. Our expert team are waiting to pick and pack your shrubs for delivery direct to your door.

Don't forget you can also find a wonderful range of evergreen ornamental trees too.