which shrubs?

[meinchewster]

My wildlife garden has been maturing nicely for a few seasons now, ponds are the oldest at 4 years old and flower beds are 2/3 years old. However, 90% of my plants being native species perennials, the beds look dire in winter when the plants have all died and until the new growth occurs in spring the beds are just bare earth, resulting in very dry and dusty top soil.

There is space for some small to medium shrubs but I would prefer these to be evergreen fro winter cover and native if possible.

Ive considered cotoneaster, pyracantha etc etc but what are my native options?

The planting scheme is generally for bees, butterflies and moths.

[Susie]

Stinking hellebores are good. Attractive foliage, evergreen, and flower in late winter/early spring. They are very popular with bees and ladybirds.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by meinchewster

My wildlife garden has been maturing nicely for a few seasons now, ponds are the oldest at 4 years old and flower beds are 2/3 years old. However, 90% of my plants being native species perennials, the beds look dire in winter when the plants have all died and until the new growth occurs in spring the beds are just bare earth, resulting in very dry and dusty top soil. There is space for some small to medium shrubs but I would prefer these to be evergreen fro winter cover and native if possible. Ive considered cotoneaster, pyracantha etc etc but what are my native options? The planting scheme is generally for bees, butterflies and moths.

There are very few small to medium native evergreen shrubs. Wall Germander is possibly native (and is an excellent bee plant), otherwise there's various heathers and a few thymes. Tutsan stays fairly small and bilberry is good for acid soils and Butcher's Broom is good for shaded areas. I think Suzi is on the right track with herbacious perennials - there's a wide variety, check the postcode plant list of native species The Postcode Plants Database - Natural History Museum. If you are willing to go non native then lavenders, rosemaries and marjorams all work well with perennials and are excellent for attracting invertebrates.

CM

[Elean0r]

You could try holly, although the 'basic' native is a fast grower there are some lovely slow-growing, variegated, varieties that produce berries.

I read somewhere today that Juniper is at risk here in UK, maybe you could try growing one?

Yew is good, it can be clipped to shape and kept small without hurting it. It does flower and for some reason or another seems to be popular with Goldcrests.

I'm not sure if Bay is considered a native, it grows wild where we are and is full of flowers at the moment. It's more tolerant than the books say and will stand heavy snow and frost, as well as damp soil.

If you want some height you could grow a decorative ivy up a post, and let it flower.

Have you thought about some deciduous shrubs that look good in winter, such as the corkscrew hazel or willow?

[nigel_b]

Ribes is nice this time of year. The bees love it. I'll upload a photo when I have chance.

[meinchewster]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I already have some shrubs such as Ribes for the bees but was thinking along the lines of compact evergreens. The suggestion of bilberry and butchers broom are looking good, but will check postcode for local distribution.

Thanks again.

[Jez]

Gladwyn Iris provides a splash of red from it's berries throughout the winter months and a good companion plant along with Susie's suggestion!

[Geoff F]

Although not strictly 'native' my 'must have' shrub for the winter is a Mahonia.

Bright, but not gaudy, scented flowers with interesting leaves. An essential plant for early insects and butterflies.

Would eventually reach 6 ft but can easily be pruned to size.