Arthur R.

If you’re aiming for a garden that looks good all year without too much waiting around, evergreen shrubs are a good place to start. Especially the fast-growing ones. They keep their foliage through every season, they add structure, and they’re ideal for privacy or simply filling in gaps.

But with loads of choices, it helps to narrow things down a bit. The UK climate suits plenty of these shrubs, from hardy native types to reliable imports. Below are ten fast-growing evergreen shrubs that are well-suited to UK gardens. Some give you a nice bit of colour, others bring in wildlife, and a few will act as living fences if that’s what you need.

1. Griselinia littoralis (New Zealand Broadleaf)

Griselinia’s been a garden favourite for a while now. It’s great for hedging because it grows quickly and holds its shape with a couple of trims a year. The glossy, apple-green leaves stand out, especially in the duller months.

It’s salt-tolerant too, which makes it ideal for coastal gardens. It copes with wind and mild frost, though harsh winters might need a bit of protection when the plant is young.

2. Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Robin’

This one earns its spot for its bold colour. The new growth bursts out in a deep red that gradually fades to green. You get this effect a few times a year if you keep it trimmed.

It grows at a decent pace about 30cm a year and does well in full sun or partial shade. People often use it for hedging, but it also works on its own as a statement shrub.

3. Elaeagnus × ebbingei

Here’s a tough shrub that doesn’t fuss about the soil. It grows fast, handles shade fairly well, and is excellent for screening.

The leaves are a silvery green with a slightly waxy texture, and in autumn, it produces tiny, creamy flowers with a surprisingly strong fragrance. Not everyone notices them, but once you do, it’s a nice bonus.

4. Pittosporum tenuifolium

If you’re after something a bit more decorative, Pittosporum offers neat, tidy foliage with interesting colours depending on the variety. Some types have purple or silver-green leaves, and all of them grow quickly under the right conditions.

It prefers a sheltered spot with full sun, but in milder parts of the UK, it can manage in part shade too. It’s not the best for exposed, windy areas though it can get a bit leggy if it’s stressed.

5. Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ (Cherry Laurel)

Cherry laurel is a workhorse. It’s not exactly delicate or subtle, but if you need a solid hedge in a short time, it’s one of the best options. The ‘Rotundifolia’ variety grows a bit faster and has broader, more rounded leaves than others.

It can cope with heavy clay, full sun, deep shade you name it. It’ll even grow under trees where other plants struggle. You might have to keep it in check, though. It doesn’t hang about once it gets going.

6. Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel)

Aucuba’s a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it shrub, mainly because of its bright yellow-spotted leaves. Personally, I think it’s underrated. It thrives in deep shade and poor soil, and once established, it needs very little attention.

It’s slower than some others on this list, but with regular watering and a bit of feed in its first couple of years, it can bulk out quicker than people expect.

7. Bamboo (Fargesia species)

Okay, technically not a shrub, but many gardeners treat clumping bamboo like one. Fargesia varieties are the clumping types less aggressive than the spreading ones.

They give fast vertical growth, great movement in the wind, and that nice rustling sound that adds something extra to a garden. They’ll need a bit of watering in the first year, but after that, they’re fairly low-maintenance.

8. Escallonia

Escallonia brings more than just green leaves. It flowers in summer with pink, white, or red blooms, and those flowers attract bees like crazy.

It’s quick to establish and makes a good informal hedge, especially in warmer parts of the UK. It does need a bit of shelter from cold winds, though, and might drop leaves during a harsh winter—but it’ll bounce back quickly in spring.

9. Viburnum tinus

This shrub ticks a lot of boxes. It flowers from late autumn to spring with creamy-white blooms, followed by blue-black berries. It’s not flashy, but it adds a lot of quiet interest over a long stretch of the year.

It’s reasonably fast-growing and will happily sit in full sun or light shade. It’s one of those shrubs you can plant and largely forget about, except for a bit of pruning now and then.

10. Berberis darwinii

Berberis often gets overlooked, but ‘darwinii’ deserves a spot. It’s evergreen, fast-growing, and puts on a brilliant show of orange flowers in spring. The leaves are small and spiky, so it’s also a good deterrent for unwanted visitors (human or animal).

It makes a good hedge or can be grown as a stand-alone shrub. It’s tough, too resistant to pests and diseases, and unfazed by poor soil.

If you’ve ever walked into your garden, coffee in hand, only to spot leaves riddled with holes or frayed at the edges, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You put all this effort into keeping your plants alive and thriving, and then some tiny critters turn them into a snack bar.

The good news? You’ve got options. Some are natural, some involve a bit of hands-on work, and a few might surprise you with how simple they are. Here’s a detailed look at how to stop insects eating plant leaves without turning your garden into a chemical war zone.

Start With a Good Look Around

Before doing anything drastic, take a proper look at your plants. Not just a quick glance get in close. Check the undersides of the leaves, along the stems, even in the soil. What you’re trying to figure out is who the culprit is.

Is it aphids? Those tiny green or black bugs that cluster on new growth? Maybe it’s caterpillars chewing big chunks out of the leaves. Or perhaps you’re dealing with something sneakier like spider mites, which are harder to see but leave behind tiny speckles or fine webs. Different insects need different strategies, so identifying the pest is half the battle.

Handpicking: Low-Tech but Surprisingly Effective

It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but handpicking works. If you only have a few plants and the infestation isn’t too wild, just pick the bugs off and either squish them or drop them into a bucket of soapy water.

This works well for things like caterpillars, beetles, and larger aphid clusters. You probably won’t catch every single one, but you’ll knock the numbers down fast. And sometimes, that’s enough to give your plants a fighting chance.

Invite the Right Guests

Not all insects are bad. In fact, some are the exact allies you need. Ladybirds absolutely love aphids. Lacewings and hoverflies are also great for controlling soft-bodied pests.

You can attract these helpful bugs by planting things like dill, fennel, yarrow, or calendula nearby. These plants have flowers that beneficial insects are drawn to. It’s like laying out a welcome mat for your garden’s own pest control team.

Natural Sprays You Can Make at Home

You don’t need to rush out and buy something fancy. A simple homemade spray can make a big difference.

Here’s an easy one:

• Mix a teaspoon of dish soap (unscented is best) into a litre of water.

• Spray it directly on the leaves, especially the undersides where bugs tend to hide.

This works by breaking down the insects’ outer layers and suffocating them. It’s effective on aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Just don’t go overboard use it every few days, and stop if you see your plant reacting badly.

Neem oil is another good option. It’s a natural extract from the neem tree, and it messes with the insects’ ability to feed and breed. You can buy it in garden centres or online, and it’s safe for most plants if you follow the instructions.

Physical Barriers: Keep Them Out

Sometimes the best approach is just not letting the insects get to your plants in the first place. Netting, row covers, or even old mesh curtains can be draped over your plants to keep flying insects off them.

This works especially well for young seedlings or crops that are particularly tasty to pests, like brassicas. The trick is to make sure the cover is secured around the edges so bugs can’t sneak in from below.

Don’t Forget About the Soil

A lot of insect problems actually start below the surface. Grubs and larvae often live in the soil and feed on roots or emerge later to chew on leaves.

One thing you can try is adding beneficial nematodes. These are microscopic worms that hunt down soil-dwelling pests. You can buy them online, and you just mix them with water and pour them over your soil.

Also, avoid over-watering or letting water sit around your plants too long. Wet soil attracts fungus gnats and other unwanted visitors.

Plant Choices Matter

Some plants naturally repel pests, so using them as companions can help. For example:

• Basil keeps flies and mosquitoes away.

• Marigolds are good for repelling nematodes and aphids.

• Mint works against ants and some beetles (though keep mint in a pot—it spreads like mad).

You can also grow “trap crops” plants that attract pests away from your main crop. Nasturtiums are great for this. Aphids love them, so they’ll go there first, giving your other plants a break.

Keep Things Tidy

Messy gardens give insects places to hide. Dead leaves, overgrown weeds, and piles of debris can all act as safe havens for pests.

Try to keep the area around your plants clean and open. Prune off damaged or infested leaves, clear fallen debris, and don’t forget to check under pots and containers too.

Composting? Make sure your compost pile is far enough away from your beds so it doesn’t become a bug magnet right next to your veggies.

Last Resort: Organic Pesticides

If you’ve tried everything else and you’re still seeing damage, you might decide to use an organic pesticide. Products with ingredients like pyrethrin or spinosad can work, but they still affect beneficial insects if you’re not careful.

Always read the label, spray in the early morning or late evening when bees aren’t active, and use as little as possible. The goal is to manage pests, not wipe out everything that moves.

Be Patient and Keep Observing

Stopping insects from eating your plant leaves isn’t something you fix once and forget. It’s more like keeping a balance. You’ll always have some insects around and honestly, that’s a good thing. You just don’t want them getting out of hand. Walk through your garden regularly, take note of changes, and don’t wait too long if something looks off. The earlier you spot a problem, the easier it is to handle.