Chinese plumbago was £7.49 now £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, light, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: August to OctoberHardiness: fully hardyThis spreading, deciduous shrub brings welcome colour to the garden in late summer and early autumn when many other flowers have gone over. Masses of disc-shaped, vivid cobalt-blue flowers appear from August to October, and in autumn, the leaves turn a rich russet-red. It’s best in towards the front of a sheltered, sunny border in soil that does not get too dry.Garden care: In early or mid-spring cut back the flowered shoots to within 2.5cm (1in) of the old growth. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

clematis (group 1) was £9.99 now £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: December to FebruaryFlower colour: creamOther features: evergreenHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)Scented, bell-like, cream winter flowers heavily speckled inside with reddish-brown ‘freckles’ and glossy, dark-green leaves. This evergreen clematis is ideal for training over a sunny pergola or arch. This is the best way to appreciate the distinctive freckle-like markings, which are less visible when the plant is grown against a wall.Garden care: No routine pruning is necessary. If the spread of the plant needs to be restricted prune immediately after flowering, cutting back overlong shoots to healthy buds. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.

enkianthus was £10.99 now £8.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained acid to neutral soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to JuneHardiness: fully hardyRenowned for its autumn colour, this spreading shrub actually has two seasons of interest. In early summer it produces clusters of delicate, bell-shaped, cream to pink flowers with darker pink margins. In autumn, the oval, mid green leaves turn flaming shades of orange and red. This pretty shrub is perfect for a shady, woodland edge and gives its most brilliant autumn display on acid soil.Garden care: Apply a thick 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of peat or well-rotted leafmould around the base of the plant in spring. Little pruning is needed. Simply remove dead and diseased wood and branches that are crossing after the plant has flowered.

smoke bush was £12.99 now £9.99
Position: full sunSoil: moderately-fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July to AugustHardiness: fully hardyIn July and August this vigorous, deciduous shrub is festooned with fluffy plumes of purplish-pink flowers that look like a haze of smoke. The large, purple-tinted, oval leaves turn a brilliant shade of translucent red in autumn. This is an excellent specimen plant for a sunny shrub or mixed border.Garden care: In late winter or early spring remove any misplaced, diseased or crossing branches. Alternatively, to produce larger leaves cut the stems back hard to within two or three buds of the base in early spring. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

glory tree was £12.99 now £10.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: August to OctoberFlower colour: whiteOther features: dark-green leavesHardiness: fully hardyFragrant, white, star-shaped flowers from August to October, followed by highly ornamental, bright-blue berries. This upright, deciduous shrub is ideal for a shrub or mixed border. Chose a sunny spot next to an entrance or well-used path, incorporating lots of well-rotted leafmould or pine needles into the planting hole.Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould or pine needles into the planting hole. In early spring remove any misplaced or frost-damaged branches and mulch with well-rotted leaf mould or pine needles.

American wych hazel was £12.99 now £10.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, leafy, moist but well-drained acid soilRate of growth: slow-growing Flowering period: May and JuneHardiness: fully hardyFragrant. white, bottlebrush-like flowers appear in May and June just as the lustrous, dark green leaves start to unfurl. In autumn the foliage turns bonfire shades of red, orange and yellow. This low-maintenance, deciduous shrub looks wonderful at the edge of a woodland area, where it will catch some sun, or in the middle of a shrub border. It’s happiest in acid soil, and although it will tolerate partial shade, both the spectacular autumn colour and flowers are superior in full sun.Garden care: In February or March remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted leafmould or composted pine needles around the base of the plant.

Skimmia was £14.99 now £12.99
Position: lightly dappled or deep shadeSoil: moist, fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to MayFlower colour: pure white, often pink or red tingedOther features: good shrub for a dark spot in the gardenHardiness: fully hardyA dome-shaped, evergreen shrub with narrow, tapered dark green leaves which are slightly aromatic. In mid- to late spring, fragrant white flowers, sometimes tinged pink or red, open from red buds on dense panicles. In autumn, bright red berries are produce, often lasting well in to winter. A good shrub for a pot on the patio or in the garden border.Garden care: When planting incorporate plenty of well-rotted organic matter in to the planting hole. Light or no pruning is required, but can be trimmed lightly after flowering to maintain the symmetry of the shrub.

Japanese skimmia (female) was £14.99 now £12.99
Position: partial to full shadeSoil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to May Flower colour: whiteOther features: the flowers are followed by bright red berries as long as a male variety is planted close byHardiness: fully hardyA spreading, evergreen shrub with white flowers in April and May and slightly aromatic, lance-shaped, dark green leaves. This award-winning shrub provides much-needed colour in the winter garden. Ideal for a shady shrub or mixed border, the flowers are followed by long lasting, bright red berries as long as a male variety is planted close by.Garden care: Lightly trim after flowering, if necessary. Add plenty of well-rotted compost when planting as may become chlorotic if planted on poor, dry soils.Goes well with: Buxus sempervirens (box pyramid), Hedera hibernica ‘Sagittifolia’, Ligustrum delavayanum ‘Cone’, Laurus nobilis (bay standard), Sarcococca confusa, Skimmia japonica ‘Fragrans’.