Grow Lilacs such as (Syringa vulgaris ) as one of the most rewarding spring or early summer flowering shrubs. It rewards us with the most attractive scent and beautiful flowers. Even when not in flower, the lilac makes a nice attractive deciduous, green leaved shrub, that can form part of a hedge or shelter the garden.

Mid April and the Flowering currants are giving way to the Pieris japonica exchanging pink for red in floral terms and berries for small clusters of bell shaped flowers.

Flowers, berries, coloured autumn leaves and an architectural structure, the Cotoneaster horizontalis takes some beating growing in a garden.

Yellow and golden conifers are popular in urban gardens, many are very well behaved.