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 Medium-sized shrubs can be used either as punctuation marks in a border or as features. The larger salvias make interesting medium-sized shrubs in milder areas. Salvia microphylla is an evergreen, which needs a sheltered spot and has deep crimson flowers at the tips of its branches right through summer into autumn. Senecio laxifolius is an easy to grow silver-leaved shrub with yellow daisy flowers. In sunny places it forms an upright bush 1 x 1 m ( 3 x 3ft) and in shade it will scramble along the ground.
The giants of the shrub world include smoke bush or burning bush (Cotinus coggygria), which can be used as a feature shrub or to divide up the garden. The cotoneasters are a versatile family, ranging from horizontal varieties, which look good stretching out in a sunny court yard, to Cotoneaster 'Cornubia', which grows to 5 m (10 ft) tall and has the brightest of red berries in autumn.
Features of interest
The shapes, bark and stems of shrubs vary enormously, quite as much as their size. Some shrubs have a sprawling habit. They can be useful as ground cover but may look better trained up a wall. Ceanothus prostratus is one of these. It will form a mound of bright b;ue flowers in spring, but will take up less space if trained on a wall.
The low-growing forms of willow (Salix) can be very pretty for rock gardens or for use by small pools. They have attractive foliage and catkins. A rounded form of shrub such as Daphne collina, an attractive dwarf, is ideal for a medium-sized rock garden, providing softness among the rocks. An arching form such as Buddleja alternifolia can provide a canopy over lower-growing plains at the back of a border. |
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Focal points
Focal points or eye-catchers are important in the garden. Shrubs can do the job but they need to be of interest all year round. Many Cornus varieties make excellent feature plants, as do Cotinus, Corylopsis and hydrangeas.
Phormiums have strong, strap-like leaves, giving a highly architectural, even tropical, effect. Yuccas, which grow to 2 m (7 ft), are useful for providing vertical interest and have elegant, creamy white flowers.
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