They are the workhorses of any garden. The reliable and trustworthy plants that we all know we can plant and, while not quite forgetting about, at least be fairly certain that we’ll get great results no matter what. I’m talking about those shrubs which are guaranteed to bring colour, attract interest and wildlife to the border. Beautiful blooming bushes and plants with flowers that are eye-catching and colourful.

The best shrubs for the border are those we know will flower every year without needing much in the way of care or maintenance and which can be relied upon to produce wonderful blooms.

Must read article: How to plant a border

If you’re looking to fill that space in the border or thinking about a new planting scheme here’s some amazing plants to consider. From the traditional to the new we’ve come up with a list of plants we know you’ll enjoy and will get great results with.

3 best shrubs for the border

Rhododendron

Let’s start with a wonderful old favourite. Rhododendron are some of the most beautiful flowering bushes and trees around. They have lovely flowers that produce a variety of colours, such as yellow, purple, lavender pink, white and more. The varied colours also contrast nicely with their dark green leaves for an extra pop of colour to make your border truly stand out.

We have several rhododendrons for you to choose from but the one we’ve picked out is wilgens ruby. This gorgeous plant can grow as high as eight feet but can of course be pruned to keep it more manageable. It’s perfect for the border and will remain evergreen all year round.

Order this plant and you’ll receive an extra-large specimen growing in a ten-litre pot all ready for planting into the border.

Click here to see the wilgens ruby.

Lilac

Bring your border alive with the sweet, fresh smell of summer. With lilac bushes, there'll be no shortage of fragrance but more than this lilac is just such an attractive shrub. The blue flowers the plants bear is a beautiful sight for any flower lover and they also come in purple, light purple and shades of blue colouring.

These popular bushes enjoy the sun but be careful to give them at least two feet between themselves and buildings so air can circulate freely. Just be sure there's space for their roots when you plant them since they grow in clusters naturally.

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A lovely border or accent plant with throaty colour is just what your border needs this time of year - make sure you get plenty to make a brilliantly colourful display.

My particular favourite is the Californian lilac. It’s a compact plant so it’s ideal for smaller gardens and restricted spaces. It’s fully hardy for the UK, is a fast grower and will look stunning in your border.

Click here to see the Californian lilac.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a hearty, versatile plant that will put on a charming display in any garden. When you purchase this show-stopping plant, you're going to get flowers, fragrant leaves and summer blooms. It's so easy to grow. Give it plenty of water and sun—that's all it needs for months of enjoyment.

Hibiscus is the perfect way to brighten up your border. These plants come in a diverse range of colours and shapes, filling the garden with their natural beauty.

We’ve picked out Ardens which is a UK variety of hibiscus so you’ll know it’s fully hardy and you should get great results with it. Plant in full sun or semi-shade. While not the fastest growing variety it can reach eight feet tall so make sure you prune to keep it manageable.

Click here to see Hibiscus Ardens.

Can’t make your mind up? Buy a selection pack

If you’re unsure which will be the best shrubs for your border, or you want fill the space quickly, you should consider our mixed selection pack.

This fantastic pack includes ten shrubs which are all hardy and easy to grow. It’s the perfect way to bring instant impact to your border. And what’s more every plant will be different. You won’t get two of the same variety and they’ll be a good mix of shrubs.

Click here to learn more about our mixed garden shrub collection.

Whether you’re looking to plant a new border or fill out an existing one we have all the plants you need. They are all grown by us in our Norfolk nursery and are picked and packed by our expert staff to ensure they arrive at your door in perfect condition all ready for planting.