A bamboo is a real plant for all seasons

Every plant brings something to the garden, whether it’s foliage interest, flower, texture, height, movement or something altogether different. 

If you are relying on flower to make a plant interesting then you are relying on a very finite period. Every plant needs to work hard to warrant a place in your garden. It should, where possible, have more than one area or season of interest. It’s always worth keeping an eye out for specific forms or varieties of plants, such as a golden leaved or variegated forms.

Viburnum tinus is a solid evergreen shrub which freely produces white flowers which open from pink buds. Growing to about three metres tall and about two metres wide, the species creates quite a presence and will get too big for many gardens. It’s not a plant I would rave about. When not in flower, it’s a bit dark and dull.