Underplanting Trees & Shrubs

Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant' is a splendid little herald of spring, opening early with rich purple cups that soften elegantly to a paler base. Tucked into short grass, threaded beneath deciduous shrubs, or arranged in pots by the front door, it lends a quietly luxurious lift just when the garden most needs it.

A dependable tommasinianus crocus, it settles in happily and, in time, forms pleasing drifts—ideal for naturalistic planting where you’d like the display to feel effortless and established.

• Colour: Purple with softer, paler base tones
• Best use: Naturalising in lawns & meadows, under shrubs, or in pots and containers
• Flowering: February to March
• Growing skill: Easy

Welcome the new gardening year with the quintessential harbinger of spring, the Common Snowdrop. Galanthus nivalis brings delicate beauty to the late winter garden when little else is stirring. Its nodding, milky-white bell-shaped flowers, each tipped with a distinctive green V-shape on the inner petals, are a truly welcome sight. Winner of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, this hardy little bulb is perfect for naturalising in lawns, underplanting deciduous trees, or creating enchanting drifts in woodland settings. For a classic winter display, pair them with the golden yellows of Winter Aconites or the rich purples of early Crocus.

Anemone nemorosa ‘Royal Blue’ is a quietly exquisite woodland anemone, offering refined lavender-blue flowers with a neat yellow eye from March to May. Low, carpeting and naturally graceful, it slips effortlessly beneath shrubs and deciduous trees, softening the spring garden with an understated, blue-toned haze.

Once flowering has finished, the plant retreats and becomes dormant, leaving space for later companions—an elegant choice for layered planting in shady borders and woodland-style schemes. Given time, it settles in and forms a pleasing colony for naturalistic drifts.

• Spring colour in shade — lavender-blue blooms with a fresh yellow centre
• Ideal for naturalising — rhizomatous habit suits woodland planting and underplanting
• Easy and dependable — fully hardy, and best in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil

Anemone nemorosa 'Blue Eyes' is a particularly refined wood anemone, offering crisp white, double blooms, each neatly finished with a violet-blue eye. Designed by nature for dappled shade, it settles happily beneath deciduous shrubs and along woodland edges, where it will return each spring with quiet assurance.

Plant the rhizomes in autumn into humus-rich soil and allow them to naturalise over time. It is especially charming threaded through shady borders, or used as a gentle groundcover in informal plantings.

• White, double flowers with a violet-blue centre
• Ideal for woodland gardens, underplanting and naturalising
• Fully hardy and easy to grow in moist, well-drained ground

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' is the sort of herbaceous peony that never goes out of fashion. From late spring into early summer, it produces generously double, rose-pink blooms with a gentle fragrance—sumptuous in the border, and utterly proper in a vase.

Plant bare roots in autumn and allow this clump-forming perennial time to settle; it rewards patience with increasingly impressive flowering over the years. Best in a sheltered spot with deep, fertile, humus-rich soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.

• Flower: Double, rose pink, lightly fragrant
• Season of interest: May–June
• For: Borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens; charming beneath roses and shrubs
• Position: Full sun to partial sun, sheltered

Anemone nemorosa ‘Robinsoniana’ is a quietly exquisite wood anemone, treasured for its soft lavender-blue spring flowers with a cool, greyish-cream reverse. Held neatly above finely cut, mid-green foliage, it creates that effortless woodland charm—natural, refined, and wonderfully at home beneath shrubs and deciduous trees.

Rhizomatous and fully hardy, it will settle in gently and broaden into a graceful drift over time—particularly in humus-rich soil that stays moist yet well-drained. An elegant choice for dappled shade, and a most becoming underplanting for spring displays.

• Colour: Lavender-blue with greyish-cream reverse
• Flowering: March–May
• Height: 20cm
• Position: Dappled shade (Partial Sun)
• Planting time: September–December

Narcissus 'Avalanche' is a beautifully mannered daffodil, carrying generous clusters of small blooms—crisp white petals poised around a neat yellow cup, with a light, pleasing scent. It is particularly elegant threaded through the front of borders, tucked beneath deciduous shrubs, or gathered in pots by the door for a refined spring welcome.

Flowering reliably from March to May and reaching around 35cm, it forms tidy clumps over time and looks wonderfully at home in both traditional cottage planting and smarter city courtyards. Plant in autumn and allow it to settle; the display improves year on year.

• Colour: White with yellow
• Flowering: March–May
• Height: 35cm
• Bulb size supplied: 12/14cm
• Best for: borders, containers and underplanting

Hyacinthus orientalis 'China Pink' is an impeccably mannered spring hyacinth, carrying dense, bell-shaped florets in a pale blush pink. Each compact spike rises above glossy, strap-like dark green leaves and brings that unmistakably rich hyacinth perfume—rather lovely by a path, at the doorstep, or in pots where the scent can be properly appreciated.

Plant in autumn for a poised display in early spring. The generous 14/15 bulb grade gives a satisfyingly full look in containers and makes an elegant underplanting beneath roses and shrubs.

• Colour: Pale blush pink
• Fragrance: Richly fragrant
• Perfect for: Pots & containers, borders, courtyard & city gardens
• Also suits: Underplanting roses & shrubs
• Pollinator friendly: Yes

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ is an enduring favourite: a herbaceous peony of great poise, producing sumptuous, fully double white blooms with the faintest greenish nuance and a refined perfume. In early summer the flowers rise above handsome, deeply divided dark-green foliage, bringing quiet luxury to borders and cutting gardens alike.

Once established, it settles into a long-lived clump and becomes more generous with each passing season. Particularly lovely when threaded through roses and shrubs, where its sculptural flowers feel perfectly at home.

• Flowering: May–June
• Height: 80cm
• Spread: 50–100cm
• Position: Sheltered
• Supplied as: Bare root

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Carnegie’ is a quietly luxurious white hyacinth, prized for its densely packed spring flower spike and beautifully clear fragrance. Neat, strap-like foliage keeps the planting looking polished, whether tucked into the front of a border or arranged in generous pots by the door.

Plant in autumn and look forward to a poised display in March and April—particularly elegant when paired with fresh greens and early spring pastels.

Why you’ll love it

• Pure white, bell-shaped florets held in a substantial spike
• Wonderfully scented for paths, doorways and terraces
• Equally at home in pots, borders, and beneath deciduous shrubs
• Fully hardy and easy to grow

Allium ‘Hair’ is the sort of plant that makes a border feel instantly more considered. Neat stems rise to curious summer umbels: compact purple centres surrounded by fine, green, hair-like tendrils. It’s delightfully architectural—perfect for contemporary schemes, gravel gardens, and adding a light, witty note among softer perennials.

• Distinctive purple-and-green flowerheads for a modern, design-led look
• Excellent in smart mixed borders, pots, and through gravel planting
• Pollinator friendly and generally left alone by deer

Plant in autumn in free-draining soil and let it settle quietly; by early summer it delivers its memorable silhouette with minimal fuss.

Muscari latifolium 'Grape Ice' is a quietly striking grape hyacinth, sending up neat, densely packed spring spires with a most pleasing two-tone finish: deep purple at the base, graduating to a crisp white tip. Lightly scented and eminently well-mannered, it slips beautifully through the front of borders, under shrubs and trees, and into pots where its detail can be appreciated up close.

Plant in autumn and allow it to settle; by spring it forms a tidy clump of fresh green foliage and elegant bell-shaped blooms—excellent for threading amongst tulips and other spring companions, and charming in small cut posies.

• Colour: Purple & White (bi-colour)
• Flowering: March to May
• Height: 20cm
• Habit: Clump-forming perennial
• Best for: Borders, containers and underplanting

Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’ is a notably refined, early-flowering double narcissus, cherished for its richly scented clusters. Each stem carries several softly ruffled blooms in creamy white, gently warmed by a yellow centre—an elegant lift for borders, pots and spring arrangements.

Equally at home outdoors or brought into growth indoors, ‘Erlicheer’ is a dependable choice for forcing when you’d like a little spring ahead of schedule.

• Colour: White with soft yellow centres
• Flower form: Double
• Height: 35cm
• Spread: 15cm
• Flowering: March–April
• Planting: September–December
• Position: Borders, containers, naturalising in grass, under shrubs and roses

Narcissus 'Replete' is a beautifully composed double daffodil, with crisp white outer petals gathered around a softly ruffled centre of pale pink, lightly warmed with apricot. It brings a quietly luxurious note to early spring planting schemes—equally at home in a border drift, a smart pot by the door, or threaded through perennials for a well-considered, natural look.

• Colour & form: Double blooms in white with a gently blushed, ruffled centre
• Where it shines: Borders, containers, and underplanting
• Garden ease: Fully hardy and straightforward to grow
• Wildlife note: Pollinator friendly; also commonly left alone by deer

Plant in autumn and allow it to settle; by spring, ‘Replete’ returns with poised, richly textured flowers that look particularly handsome when repeated in groups.

English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non‑scripta) create one of the most recognisable spring displays: arching stems lined with fragrant, bell‑shaped blooms in deep, woodland blue. They’re a lovely way to bring a natural, British feel to gardens and wild corners.

They’re ideal for naturalising beneath deciduous trees, along shady hedgerows, or at the edge of a border where the soil stays cool. In the right spot, bulbs will spread steadily and form a beautiful carpet over time, returning reliably each spring and filling gaps before summer perennials wake up.

Bluebells prefer humus‑rich, moderately fertile soil that drains well but doesn’t dry out. If your soil is heavy or very sandy, improve it with leaf mould or compost to boost structure and moisture retention, and choose partial shade to keep the ground from baking.

Plant bulbs in autumn about 8cm deep and 8–10cm apart. Leave them undisturbed once planted—bluebells bulk up best when they’re allowed to settle and multiply in place, creating thicker clumps and more flower stems each year.

After flowering, let the foliage die back naturally to feed the bulbs for next year. Bluebells can spread in favourable conditions, so choose a planting area where you’re happy for them to roam and mingle, especially in woodland-style planting, alongside ferns and other shade lovers.

Arum italicum is a quietly striking woodland perennial, treasured as much for its foliage as for its flowers. In autumn and winter it unfurls handsome, silver-marbled leaves that lend a refined, architectural note to shaded corners. Come April, curious greenish spathes appear, followed by bright red berries that bring a welcome dash of colour to naturalistic planting.

Superb beneath shrubs and between perennials, Italian arum settles in gracefully and looks particularly composed when allowed to weave through a lightly shaded border or woodland edge.

• Best for: woodland planting, underplanting and softly shaded borders
• Interest: marbled foliage, spring spathes, red berries
• Style: naturalising, understated, architectural

Allium caeruleum azureum is a most refined choice for late spring into early summer, sending up slim, upright stems topped with perfectly rounded, sapphire-blue flower heads. Each globe is composed of neat, starry florets—wonderfully crisp in modern gravel schemes, yet equally at home threaded through a softly planted border.

Particularly useful where winter soils can sit wet: plant in pots or raised pockets of free-draining compost and let the colour float above emerging perennials. A quietly architectural allium, and a fine companion for roses and shrubs where its cool blue reads as an elegant foil.

• Colour with poise: vivid blue globes for a clean, contemporary lift
• Border and container friendly: excellent in pots where heavy ground can be troublesome
• Wildlife-wise planting: pollinator friendly, with deer resistance

Tulipa 'Black Hero' is a wonderfully theatrical Double Late tulip, bearing fully double, peony-flowered blooms in a glossy, near-black reddish-purple. In late spring it brings instant gravitas to pots by the front door, as well as richly toned borders where its dark colour reads as a sophisticated neutral.

Strong, upright stems reach around 60cm, making it an excellent choice for cutting—particularly effective in elegant, monochrome arrangements or paired with creams, soft pinks and fresh spring greens.

• Double Late, peony-flowered tulip in sumptuous near-black tones
• Ideal for containers, borders and cutting
• Plant in autumn for flowering in April–May
• Best in a sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil

Anemone blanda 'Blue Shades' is a quietly enchanting little anemone, sending up clear violet-blue, daisy-like flowers just above neat, dark green foliage in early spring. Low-growing and beautifully natural in character, it is particularly lovely in informal drifts beneath deciduous shrubs, along woodland margins, or nestled into pots by the front door where the first colour of the year is most appreciated.

Plant the corms in autumn into humus-rich, well-drained soil and allow them to settle in; in their first season they establish quickly and then return each spring with increasing charm. An excellent choice for underplanting and gentle, pollinator-friendly planting schemes.

• Colour: Violet-blue
• Flowering: March–April
• Height: 15cm
• Planting time: September–December
• Where to plant: Borders, woodland margins, under deciduous shrubs, containers

For a spring display with proper presence, Narcissus 'Large Flowering Mixture' offers a generous selection of large, single blooms in assorted tones. Chosen for easy naturalising and reliable colour, this mixture settles in beautifully through borders, lawns, and beneath deciduous trees and shrubs—returning with increasing character year after year.

Each upright stem carries one showy flower, with cups ranging from classic trumpet forms to softer, bowl-shaped silhouettes. Plant in drifts for a relaxed, natural look, or use in pots and containers to bring a fresh, well-bred note to terraces and doorsteps.

• Ideal for naturalising in grass, woodland edges, and informal borders
• Large, single flowers with varied cup shapes for an elegant mixed display
• Fully hardy and pleasingly dependable
• Deer resistant, for more assured spring performance

Delightfully informal and effortlessly chic, Muscari ‘Mixed’ brings together a harmonious blend of crisp white, soft sky blue and deeper inky tones. These grape hyacinths are a small indulgence with a surprisingly polished effect—ideal for threading through the front of borders, dotting into grass for a gently naturalised look, or composing into pots for spring tables and doorsteps.

Plant in autumn and allow the bulbs to settle quietly; come April and May, neat bell-shaped blooms rise above fresh green foliage, creating a simple, high-impact display that feels both natural and curated.

• Colour palette: white, light blue and dark blue (mixed)
• Perfect for: pots, underplanting, and naturalising in grass
• Reliable performer: fully hardy, with an easy, accommodating nature
• Pollinator friendly: a welcome early-season food source

Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’ is a beautifully poised, large-cupped daffodil—creamy white petals surrounding a softly primrose-yellow cup that gradually mellows towards ivory as the flower matures. The effect is subtle, luminous, and wonderfully versatile.

Reliable and floriferous, it settles quickly into borders, threads neatly through shrubs, and looks particularly smart in generous pots by the door. Planted in drifts, it also naturalises gracefully through grass for a spring display that feels effortless yet considered.

• Flower colour: Creamy white with primrose-yellow cup (fading paler)
• Form: Cup Shaped; large-cupped
• Height: 40cm
• Spread: 15cm
• Bulb size: 12/14
• Position: Borders, under shrubs, containers, naturalising in grass
• Hardiness: Fully Hardy
• Pollinators: Pollinator Friendly

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Blue Star' is a beautifully traditional spring hyacinth, prized for its dense, perfumed spires in a clear sky-blue, delicately traced with deeper blue veining. Rising neatly above fresh, strap-shaped foliage, it brings a poised, polished note to borders and containers alike.

Plant in autumn and allow the bulbs to settle through winter; come March and April, 'Blue Star' offers a refined flourish that sits particularly well beneath roses and shrubs, or arranged in pots by a doorway where its fragrance can be properly enjoyed.

• Colour: Blue-purple
• Flowering period: March–April
• Height: 25cm
• Best in: borders, pots and containers; sheltered spot

Chionodoxa luciliae ‘Violet Beauty’ is a most refined little bulb for early spring, sending up neat green leaves followed by starry, pale violet flowers, each softly brightened by a lighter centre. It is particularly lovely naturalised through grass, tucked into gravel, or threaded at the front of borders where its colour reads as a gentle wash rather than a shout.

• Colour: Violet-purple flowers with pale/white centres
• Flowering: March–April
• Height: 15cm
• Habit: Clump-forming; ideal for naturalising
• Best placed: Borders, rockeries, gravel gardens, lawns (naturalising), under shrubs

Plant in autumn and allow it time to settle; within a couple of seasons it will look increasingly assured, returning faithfully and pairing beautifully with early crocus, miniature narcissus and the first primroses.