Compact shrub

Evergreen shrubs have become more and more popular because they keep your garden pretty all year long and offer some privacy if planted as hedges. They need acidic soil and some of them mix well with flowering plants; for fertile soil you can add compost.

The Azalea Japonica Ardeur is a hardy small shrub which blooms red flowers in spring, in contrast with its dark green foliage.

It needs plenty of water and acidic fertilizer (ericaceous compost). If its leaves become yellow, mix iron sulfate before watering it.

The Berberis Buxiflora Nana grows well in shade or full sun as long as the soil is well-drained. It has light green box like leaves, its growth rate is very low and it blooms small yellow flowers in summer and spring.

One of the most common is the Monkey Puzzle (the Chilean Pine), another slow growing plant but it propagates easily (so leave it enough room) and is hardy, with high resistance to sunshine or shade – it cannot withstand disturbance to its roots so plant it with the pot which will eventually disintegrate. It should be kept in moderately fertile acidic soil.

A compact shrub is the Aucuba Rozannie. It has glossy foliage and produces bright red berries. It can tolerate any kind of soil and conditions, but it’s best if you don’t expose it to too much sunlight when young and be sure the soil is well-drained.

Small evergreen shrubs can be planted whenever as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. The hole should be twice the size of the root and you should spread a few roots before placing them, then cover it with soil and firm it so that the plan stands upright. Keep them well-watered, especially if it’s summer.

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