Gardening is such an enjoyable hobby, especially when you take a small plant or shrub, plant it, nurture it, watch over it and many seasons later it will be the magnificent plant you saw on the label when you bought it. Or at least that's the plan.

Of course it doesn't always work out like that but, even if the plant does bloom into the amazing specimen you envisaged, the time it takes to get there can be wearing. And, let's face it, many of us just don't want to wait years to see the result of our hard work. Patience may be a virtue but sometimes we're in a hurry and just don't want to wait.

Maybe you've just dug out a new border and everything looks tiny. Perhaps you've removed an old plant and suddenly there's a huge gap. Or you've moved into a new home and the garden has been neglected and needs a makeover.

Or you just want a change. In any of those scenarios you should be looking at larger shrubs. Plants which are already established, mature, and… well, big.

Instead of waiting several years for young (and small) plants to make an impression, extra-large shrubs give you more height, width, and presence from the moment they're planted. Planting large shrubs really is a very simple way to make a new border or garden look older than it really is.

If you're looking at the bigger picture, our guide to instant impact gardening explains how larger plants, climbers, and coordinated planting can be used to create a mature garden. In an instant.

But, for now, we'll just look at shrubs. Because shrubs really are the backbone of any planting scheme.

Why Choose Large Shrubs Instead of Small Ones?

Large shrubs provide instant height, width, and structure, minimising the time it takes for a new border to look established.

First of all, just to be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying smaller shrubs. They're less expensive and, of course, you have the satisfaction of watching them grow and bloom over the years.

But as we've said before, sometimes you just need to go bigger.

Imagine planting a 30cm shrub in the middle of a huge border. It might look the business in a few years but right now?

Starting with a larger plant means the shrub begins doing the job you bought it for much sooner.

What's the Difference Between an Established Shrub and an Extra-Large Shrub?

This can be confusing because there's no universal rule that says a shrub becomes "large" at any particular point. The difference is what you want to achieve with the plant.

Established large shrubs are ideal when you want a more developed plant for the border, while extra-large shrubs are better suited when you want a stronger, more immediate impact.

Our established large shrubs are ideal for new borders.

But our instant impact extra-large shrubs are more suited when you need something substantial from the outset.

Use Large Shrubs at the Back of Borders

Tall and established shrubs give a border more depth when planted behind lower-growing plants.

This works particularly well against:

• Fences.
• Walls.
• Hedges.
• Garden boundaries.

Once the larger plants are in place, you can add smaller shrubs and perennials in front.

Fill Awkward Garden Corners

We've all got one. That corner of the garden we just don't know what to do with or that we just 'forget' about.

It's always a problem deciding what to put there. But a substantial shrub can cure all ills.

One large shrub will fill an awkward space more effectively than several smaller plants, creating a focal point in the garden.

Can Large Shrubs Be Used for Screening?

Yes. Larger shrubs will obviously provide screening much faster than smaller plants, although they will still need time to grow into a complete screen.

Buying a large shrub doesn't magically create an instant hedge, but it's a heck of a head start.

And if you choose larger evergreen shrubs they will soften views of:

• Neighbouring properties.
• Fences.
• Sheds.
• Garages.
• Bins.
• Utility areas.

Can Large Shrubs Work in Small Gardens?

Yes. A small garden could benefit from one or two carefully chosen larger shrubs rather than lots of smaller plants.

The trick is choosing the right variety of shrub. Some remain compact but can still be purchased as well-established plants.

In a small garden, consider using a larger shrub:

• As a single focal point.
• In a prominent corner.
• Beside a patio.
• Against a boundary.
• As part of a compact mixed border.

Don't be tempted to fill every available gap.

What About Large Gardens?

We all want more space but if you have a large garden you have plenty of space to fill, and one of the challenges you face is that smaller plants may simply disappear no matter how attractive they are.

And, if you have deep borders or large areas to fill, a collection of tiny shrubs can look underwhelming for several years.

Large and extra-large shrubs help create the scale needed to make planting feel balanced in bigger spaces.

Start with a few substantial plants then add smaller shrubs and perennials around them. You don't need every plant to be large, but you can create enough structure that the smaller plants don't look lost.

Are Large Shrubs Worth the Extra Cost?

The one obvious thing about larger established shrubs is that they will inevitably cost more than younger, smaller plants.

What you're buying isn't only a bigger plant. You're buying time.

So yes. Investing in larger shrubs is well worth the cost for the impact it will have on your garden.

A Simple Formula for Using Large Shrubs

If you're not sure where to start, keep things simple.

1. Have a look around your garden.
   Look for empty corners, bare fences, and oversized or underpopulated borders.
2. Choose your extra-large shrubs.
3. Include some evergreen shrubs.
   These will help keep the garden looking alive throughout winter.
4. Add flowering shrubs.
   Use these for colour and interest during spring and summer.
5. Fill around your larger shrubs with smaller plants.
   These will mature naturally over time.
6. Leave space for growth.
   This is something I always forget. Just remember that even larger plants are only going to get larger.

Explore Large Shrubs for Instant Impact

If you're looking to give a new or recently redesigned garden a head start, explore our range of established large shrubs for well-developed plants that provide greater size and structure from the outset.

For spaces where you want even more immediate presence, our instant impact extra-large shrubs offer substantial plants that can quickly become focal points within borders and planting schemes.

Choose the right plants for the space, give them room to develop, and you can create a garden that feels established straightaway without waiting years for everything to catch up.