A shrub in a tub gives instant depth and maturity to your English Garden container display. Evergreen shrubs often have dark green leaves that will contrast beautifully with the lush green growth of annuals and herbaceous perennials.

Here is my selection of shrubs, they are all easy to grow and prefer sunshine for at least half the day.

• Myrtle communis
• Box – buxus sempervirens, ideal if you want to try your hand at a little topiary. They look especially good as balls or pyramids. Plant several plants in a long window box to give you a moveable hedge!
• Viburnum davidii
• Viburnham tinus
• Hydrangea
• English Lavender
• Cornus sanguinea
• Hardy Fushias
• Skimma japonica
• Dwarf Rhododendron
• Holly – there are many differents colours and they can be easily clipped into shapes
• Or try a small conifer such as Juniperus communis - Compressa

These shrubs will look good in the winter when the summer flowers have gone. You can also add small bulbs to their pots to give a touch of colour for the spring.

Remember not to let the compost dry out in summer, water the soil not the leaves and make sure you give them lots of water so that the roots get thoroughly wetted .

Although all these shrubs are hardy - myrtle prefers a sheltered spot away from the cold winds and frosts.
Make sure the plants are potted on once their roots start to appear through the bottom of the pot and turn the plants once a week so that the foliage does not become lopsided.
If in doubt about the hardiness of your shrub wrap the pots and therefore the root ball in bubble wrap over winter.

Enjoy your English Garden!