Plants for a Purpose

Climbers and wall shrubs are great for screening unsightly areas of the garden, brightening up bare walls and adding height to your borders. We’ve put together a list of climbing plants for shade and sun so whatever surface you’re trying to cover you will find something suitable here!

Click here to find out more about plants for walls and fences.

There are so many benefits to attracting wildlife into your garden. Apart from saving the decline of our native species, garden wildlife also acts as a natural pest control, preventing the need to spray harmful chemicals all over your garden.

Click here to find out more about plants for attracting wildlife to your garden.

Ground cover plants are useful in the garden for covering bare patches of soil beneath trees or shrubs or for covering steep banks where access is difficult. Their roots also help to stabilise soil on steep slopes. Ground cover plants brighten up otherwise dull areas and will suppress weeds, making them ideal for a low-maintenance garden.

Click here to find out more about plants for ground cover.

If you garden on the coast or your garden is exposed to strong winds then this is the guide for you! Exposed gardens often bear the full brunt of the weather, from icy gales in the depths of winter to drying winds in the summer which scorch foliage and break fragile stems.

Click here to find out more about plants for coastal gardens and exposed sites.

Whether you garden on clay, silt or sand there are steps you can take to improve your soil and get the best performance from your plants. Your first step is to find out what type of soil you have and which plants work best for your soil type.

Click here to find out more about which plants suit your soil type.

Containers help utilise all the available space in your garden - they brighten up walls, fences and patios. Most plants can be grown in a container but some are better suited to this than others.

Click here to find out more about plants for containers.

A south-facing, sunny garden is an ideal location for lots of plants. Drought-tolerant plants are capable of coping with hot and dry conditions, although provided you water regularly, you needn’t be limited to drought-tolerant plants alone.

Click here to find out more about plants for dry and sunny borders.

Most gardeners have at least one difficult spot in their garden. One of the most challenging is the shade cast by buildings and trees. A shady spot can be difficult for plants as it creates a cool environment and is often coupled with dry soil or very damp soil.

Click here to find out more about plants for shady gardens.

When choosing trees for small gardens it is worth considering just how much space you have and which seasons of interest best suit your planting scheme. Trees can bring all sorts of interest to your garden whether through flowers, foliage, fruit or bark.

Click here to find out more about trees that are ideal for small gardens.

With our increasingly hot summers drought-resistant plants are becoming particularly useful for gardeners. Many plants around the world are naturally adapted to growing in dry conditions.

Click here to find out more about drought resistant plants.

If your borders are lifeless and your containers lack style, let us inspire you with Thompson & Morgan’s plant selector. Our handy tool will search our entire site to find you the perfect plant.

Click here to use the plant selector.