Landscaping with shrubs: 11 ways to bring these wonderful, woody plants into your plot

From pepping up fences and pathways to surrounding seating spaces, landscaping with shrubs is something that almost all backyards can benefit from. 

There is a huge variety of these woody plants to choose from, some of which will grace your garden with blooms. And, as they are perennial, they'll offer consistent structure to your space year after year, often with little maintenance needed.

'I wish I'd planted more shrubs when I first arrived at Perch Hill, to give the garden invaluable bones and structure,' says gardening expert Sarah Raven. 'But, it's never too late, and I have been busy adding more to my garden.'

One of the best things about shrubs is they can work with all different types of landscaping. 'They suit gardens of all shapes and sizes,' Sarah says, and 'some compact shrubs can be grown in pots, too. Many of them are wonderfully scented, so good to plant near a seating spot in the garden, or by a door or window to enjoy the fragrance. Shrubs also provide a great natural source of food and habitats for our native birds and other wildlife.'

Whether you're planning a total backyard makeover or just a few on-trend updates, landscaping with shrubs is a great approach to consider. We've rounded up some of our favorite looks to get you inspired.

By Holly Crossley