Planning a garden can feel like both a thrilling and a daunting task. With countless plants to choose from, where do you even begin? A fun and simple way to explore new possibilities is to work your way through the alphabet. It’s a creative challenge that can introduce you to wonderful plants you might otherwise have overlooked.
This post is the very first in our new A-Z series, created to help UK gardeners discover a rich variety of plants to enhance their outdoor spaces. We're kicking things off by exploring a fantastic selection of garden shrubs beginning with 'A'. From the sun-loving Abelia to the resilient, shade-tolerant Aucuba, there’s an 'A' shrub for every type of garden.
Join us as we look at several stunning shrubs, their key features, and tips on where they thrive best in a typical UK garden. By the end, you'll have some brilliant new ideas for plants starting with A for UK gardens.
Artemesia shrubs are loved for their soft, silvery foliage and aromatic scent. Their low, mounding habit is perfect for borders or gravel gardens, and they require little maintenance once established.
A highly underrated shrub, Aronia is a plant for all seasons. In spring, it's covered in clusters of pretty, white or pink-tinged flowers. These are followed by glossy black or red berries in late summer, which are incredibly high in antioxidants (though very tart, hence the name Chokeberry). The real show, however, is in autumn, when the foliage turns fiery shades of red, orange, and purple. It's a hardy and reliable choice for any garden.
Do you have a tricky, dark corner in your garden where nothing seems to grow? Let us introduce you to Aucuba japonica, often known as the Spotted Laurel. This shrub is a true hero of shady spots. Its most striking feature is its large, glossy leaves, which are often speckled with vibrant yellow splashes that bring a sense of brightness to even the gloomiest areas.
Female plants will also produce bright red berries if a male plant is nearby, adding a splash of colour in winter.
Azaleas are a subgroup of Rhododendrons, loved for their truly spectacular floral displays in spring. They are generally smaller than Rhododendrons and can be either evergreen or deciduous. When they bloom, they cover themselves so completely in flowers that you can barely see the leaves. The flowers come in every imaginable colour, from pure white to vibrant pinks, fiery oranges, and deep purples. They need acidic soil to thrive and are perfect for woodland-style gardens or containers.
Azara brings a touch of the exotic to UK gardens with its small, glossy leaves and clusters of tiny, fragrant yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Evergreen and shade tolerant, it’s a fine choice for sheltered spots.Often prized for their striking foliage and unique flowers, Acalypha shrubs are evergreen and add an exotic flair to gardens with their vivid leaves and fuzzy, tassel-like blooms. As natives of tropical regions, they are frost tender and require protection from cold in the UK. For gardeners in colder parts of Britain, Acalyphas are best grown under glass or in heated conservatories, where their vibrant colours can lift spirits even when it’s grey outside.