Wildlife-Friendly Shrubs

When we think of a wildflower garden, we usually picture sweeping drifts of poppies, dynamic coneflowers, and buzzing honeybees. But if you want a wildflower space that truly thrives, you need to think beyond the blooms. You need wildflower-friendly shrubs.

Think of these native and near-native shrubs as the ultimate framework for your wild landscape. They provide the essential structural support that keeps tall, heavy wildflowers from flopping over in a summer storm. More importantly, they act as ecological anchors—offering early-spring pollen before the wildflowers wake up, and providing safe shelter for the very birds and butterflies you want to invite into your garden.

  • Corkscrew Hazel | Corylus avellana 'Contorta' Ornamental Trees
    From £30
    From £30

    Corkscrew Hazel | Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    Unmatched ornamental value

    • Spreading, well-branched tree
    • Medium tree - grows up to 4m
    • Chartreuse leaves and pendulous catkins
    • Contorted branches twist and corkscrew

    2 options available

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  • Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' Shrubs
    From £15
    From £15

    Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'

    Is this a pollinator's paradise?

    • Dense, rounded weeping shape
    • Large plant - reaches approx 3-5m
    • Evergreen leaves, carmine buds opening white
    • Provides excellent winter interest

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Viburnum burkwoodii Shrubs
    From £35
    From £35

    Viburnum burkwoodii

    Alluring, vivid evergreen leaves

    • Graceful, mounded canopy shape
    • Upright bush - reaches approx 2-3m
    • Semi-evergreen, pink-tinged white blooms
    • A phenomenal addition to sensory gardens

    1 option available

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  • Guelder Rose Hedging | Viburnum opulus Shrubs
    From £3
    £4 From £3

    Guelder Rose Hedging | Viburnum opulus

    The snowball hedge

    • Frothy white flowers and bright autumn colour
    • Native species loved by pollinators
    • Average growth rate - 20-40cm per year
    • Grows up to 5m or keep trimmed at 1-5m

    Currently out of stock

  • European Spindle Hedging | Euonymus europaeus Shrubs
    From £4
    From £4

    European Spindle Hedging | Euonymus europaeus

    The garden designer's favourite

    • Yellow flowers, red fruits & warm autumn hues
    • Keep trimmed for a formal hedge
    • Average growth rate - 20-40cm per year
    • Grows up to 3m or keep trimmed at 1-3m

    Currently out of stock

  • Viburnum tinus Shrubs
    From £13
    From £13

    Viburnum tinus

    Winter blooms, wildlife-friendly

    • Fabulous, bushy shrub
    • Large shrub - grows up to 4m
    • Evergreen leaves, white blooms, black berries
    • Attracts plenty of bees and butterflies

    Currently out of stock

  • Euonymus 'Green Spire' Shrubs
    £25
    £25

    Euonymus 'Green Spire'

    A mighty fine foliage plant

    • Compact upright shrub
    • Small shrub - grows up to 1m
    • Glossy evergreen foliage
    • Easy to grow and fully hardy

    Currently out of stock

  • Buddleja davidii 'Sugar Plum'® Shrubs
    £15
    £15

    Buddleja davidii 'Sugar Plum'®

    Beautiful, vivid fragrant petals

    • Tangy and aromatic fruity profile
    • Bushy bush - reaches approx 2-3m
    • Deciduous with vibrant reddish-purple spikes
    • Ideal for creating colourful garden layers

    Currently out of stock

  • Euonymus Harlequin Shrubs
    £14
    £23 £14

    Euonymus 'Harlequin'

    This shrub is no joke

    • Beautifully toned vergreen variegated leaves
    • Fully hardy and low maintenance
    • Slow growth rate - 10-20cm per year
    • Grows up to 1m

    Currently out of stock

  • Euonymus Emerald 'n' Gold Shrubs
    £14
    £23 £14

    Euonymus 'Emerald 'n' Gold'

    Jewel toned & perfect for pots

    • Evergreen variegated green & gold leaves
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    • Slow growth rate - 10-20cm per year
    • Grows up to 1m

    Currently out of stock

  • Buddleja davidii Pink Delight | Butterfly Bush Shrubs
    £25
    £25

    Buddleja davidii 'Pink Delight' | Butterfly Bush

    Flowers like a wizard's hat!

    • Compact, bushy shrub
    • Large shrub - grows up to 4m
    • Bright pink, fragrant flowers, green leaves
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Buddleja davidii Royal Red | Butterfly Bush Shrubs
    £25
    £25

    Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red' | Butterfly Bush

    Arching pink flower spears

    • Vigorous, bushy shrub
    • Large shrub - grows up to 5m
    • Large clusters of scented magenta flowers
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Buddleja davidii Empire Blue | Butterfly Bush Shrubs
    £25
    £25

    Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue' | Butterfly Bush

    An incredible butterfly bush

    • Dense, bushy shrub with arching stems
    • Large shrub - grows up to 4m
    • Scented violet blooms on arching branches
    • A pollinator's paradise

    Currently out of stock

  • Buddleja davidii Black Knight | Butterfly Bush Shrubs
    £25
    £25

    Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight' | Butterfly Bush

    The darkest-flowered buddleja!

    • Wonderfully bushy shrub with arching stems
    • Large shrub - grows up to 5m
    • Dark purple, honey-scented flowers
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Euonymus Emerald Gaiety Shrubs
    £14
    £23 £14

    Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety'

    Elegance all year round

    • Evergreen variegated leaves, tinted pink in winter
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    • Slow growth rate - 10-20cm per year
    • Grows up to 1m

    Currently out of stock

Happy plants make happy customers

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Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
five star rating on Trustpilot

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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