Alan's guide to shrub sizes

Small pots or liners (9cm)

Rooted cuttings or seedlings that have been grown on for a short while.

• Pro: cheap, easier to get established and a higher success rate
• Pro: useful size to plant in mixed container displays, where they can grow to a larger size before planting out
• Con: deciduous shrubs rarely available
• Con: need potting up to grow on for a few months before planting out, unless you plant them as a hedge or dwarf edging

These plants are approximately one to two years old and cost around £1.50-£4.

Standard pots (1-2 litres)

The most popular standard size sold in garden centres. Nurseries will have potted up liners into the next-sized pot and pinched out the top growth to produce a bushy, branching plant.

• Pro: wide choice of species and varieties
• Pro: garden-ready, need least after-care
• Pro: root and establish quickly
• Con: not all will bloom in their first year
• Con: may have become pot-bound while waiting to be sold at garden centres

These plants are around two to three years old and usually cost £7-£15.

Large pots (3-5 litres)

Bigger plants, either as a result of being fast growing, or because they have been potted up and grown on for a year or two more than the standard size (above).

• Pro: usually wide choice available, both deciduous and evergreen varieties
• Pro: garden-ready, need little aftercare
• Pro: often sold in flower or will bloom in their first season after planting
• Con: may have become pot-bound while waiting to be sold at garden centres

Usually around four to six years old, costing £10-£25.

Semi-mature plants (5+ litres)

The largest size in our guide to shrub sizes. Semi-mature plants are often large evergreens, trimmed shrubs, topiary or trained fruit bushes.

• Pro: instant effect; look as if they’ve been growing in the garden for several years
• Pro: can be stood on the patio to use as tub plants for a season before planting
• Pro: good soil preparation and regular watering needed for first summer, and can suffer badly in hot dry weather
• Con: may have become rootbound while waiting to be bought at garden centre

Semi-mature plants are usually five to eight years old, and cost from £20-£100+.

Containerised roses

Roses are available all year as containerised plants – that is lifted from the nursery field in winter and potted up for sale.

• Pro: can be planted all year
• Con: less choice available as containerised plants from garden centres than as bare-root plants sent out direct from rose nurseries in the dormant season (usually November to February)

Containerised roses sold are usually around two years old and cost £10-£15 potted.

Looking to buy perennials or trees? Take a look at Alan's perennial size guide and tree size guide, to find out what to expect for the price you pay.