We show you how to plant your border shrubs in Autumn in this simple step by step guide.

Step 1) Choose your site and dig the soil over with a garden fork. Remove any weeds and large stones, and break up any large clumps of soil. Mix some compost and grit in, especially if it is heavy and compacted soil such as clay.

Step 1

Step 2) Using a garden spade dig a hole as deep as the plant’s rootball and twice as wide. Tease the roots away from the rootball with your fingers and thumb and then place your plant into the centre of the hole

Step 2

Step 3) Check that the planting hole is deep enough by placing a cane or spade handle across it. The top of the plant compost should just touch the cane . Fill the hole in with soil mixed with compost. Firm in and water well

Step 3

Quick tip

If heavy frost lifts the rootball from the soil firm it back in with the  heel of your foot as soon as possible

Top plants for sunny and shady borders:

Sunny borders

1. Cotinus

2. Hibiscus syriacus

3 Photinia x fraseri

4. Callicarpa

5.  Daphne odora

6. Euonymus fortunii

7. Vinca major

Shady border

1. Aucuba japonica

2. Cornus (part-shade too)

3. Fatsia japonica

4. Salix alba

5. Mahonia

6. Skimmia

7. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Read more on shrubs:

Shrubs for semi-ripe cuttings

Thinking of taking semi ripe cuttings this summer? see our list here for a range of suitable shrubby subjects

How to plant border shrubs

We show you how to plant your border shrubs in Autumn in this simple step by step guide. Step 1) Choose…