Evergreen plants for winter structure

A question which I am often asked at my consultations is ‘what can I grow in my garden in North East Scotland which will look good all year round?’ Many people would like to emulate the show gardens at Chelsea Flower Show (wouldn’t we all?!). But many plants featured there will not survive a winter outdoors in North East Scotland or offer any form of winter structure. 

Here are my top 5 plants which will survive a winter in North East Scotland and look good in winter:- 

1. Euphorbia characias subsp. characias

Mediterranean spurge or Euphorbia characias subsp. characias is a bold evergreen perennial. It has bluish green foliage which looks good all year round.  In summer it produces large dome-shaped lime green with dark red eye flowers which last into summer.  Likes full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot.  Wear gloves when pruning as it produces a milky sap which can irritate skin and eyes.

2. Griselinia littoralis ‘Green Horizon’

New Zealand privet or Griselinia littoralis ‘Green Horizon’ is a fast growing evergreen shrub which is great for hedging. It has high salt tolerance and so is particularly suitable for coastal gardens. This plant is extremely hardy down to temperatures of -10 once established. Newly planted young shrubs will benefit from protection against cold and drying winds, but once they are fully grown will withstand all but the harshest of Northern climates.