Best Plants for Large Country Gardens in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Why Large Country Gardens Need Special Plants

Large country gardens need different plants from small suburban gardens. The scale is bigger, so plants need to be bigger or planted in bigger drifts. The setting is more rural, so plants need to fit the landscape. And the maintenance is more challenging, so plants need to be reliable and long-lived.

In the Chilterns, large country gardens range from 0.5 to 5 acres, often with mature trees, mixed soil (chalk on the hills, clay in the vale), and views of the countryside. The plant choice is critical to creating a garden that fits the setting and is manageable. This guide lists the best plants for large country gardens in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Specimen Trees for Large Country Gardens

Specimen trees provide structure and scale. Plant 1 to 3 specimen trees in prominent positions.

• Oak (Quercus robur): the classic English tree, lives for centuries
• Beech (Fagus sylvatica): stunning in autumn, loves chalk
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): berries for birds, autumn colour
• Ornamental cherry (Prunus): spring flowers, autumn colour
• Birch (Betula pendula): white bark, multi-stem forms are stunning
• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus): native, good for clay soils
• Crab apple (Malus): spring flowers, autumn fruit

Structural Shrubs for Large Country Gardens

Structural shrubs provide the backbone of the garden. Plant in drifts of 3, 5, or 7.

• Photinia Red Robin, red new growth, evergreen
• Choisya, glossy leaves, scented flowers
• Viburnum tinus, winter flowers, evergreen
• Mahonia, winter flowers, architectural
• Pittosporum, evergreen, good for clipping
• Philadelphus, scented white flowers in June

Perennials for Large Country Gardens

Perennials provide summer colour. Plant in drifts of 5, 7, or 9 for impact at scale.

• Verbena bonariensis, tall, airy, butterflies
• Echinacea, pink daisy flowers, long flowering
• Sedum, late flowers for bees
• Hardy geraniums, long-flowering ground cover
• Alliums, dramatic flowers in late spring
• Aster, late summer flowers
• Japanese anemone, late summer flowers

Grasses for Large Country Gardens

Ornamental grasses add movement and structure. Plant in large drifts.

• Miscanthus, tall, architectural, autumn flowers
• Stipa tenuissima, soft, flowing, drought-tolerant
• Calamagrostis, upright, feather reed grass
• Pennisetum, fountain grass, soft flower heads

Native Hedges for Large Country Gardens

Native hedges define the garden and support wildlife. Plant a mixed native hedge.

• Hawthorn, 50 percent of the hedge
• Blackthorn, 25 percent
• Hazel, 15 percent
• Holly, 10 percent

See our hedging guide.

Plants for Chalk Soils

For chalky Chiltern soils (High Wycombe, Amersham, Wendover, Princes Risborough):

• Trees: beech, rowan, oak, yew
• Shrubs: photinia, choisya, philadelphus, lavender
• Perennials: alliums, verbena, sedum, echinacea
• Grasses: stipa, calamagrostis

Plants for Clay Soils

For clay soils (Aylesbury, Bicester, Didcot):

• Trees: hornbeam, rowan, crab apple
• Shrubs: viburnum, mahonia, weigela, hydrangea
• Perennials: hardy geraniums, astrantia, filipendula
• Grasses: miscanthus, deschampsia

How to Plant a Large Country Garden

1. Start with trees: plant specimen trees first, as they take longest to establish
2. Add hedges: define the boundaries with native hedges
3. Plant structural shrubs: in drifts of 3, 5, or 7
4. Add perennials: in large drifts for impact at scale
5. Add grasses: for movement and late-season interest
6. Mulch annually: to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Cost of Planting a Large Country Garden

Common Mistakes

• Planting too small. Large gardens need large plants or large drifts. Small plants look lost.
• Not planting in drifts. Single plants look accidental in a large garden. Plant in drifts of 5, 7, or 9.
• Fighting the soil. Match plants to your soil. Acid-lovers die on chalk.
• Not planning for the future. Trees take 10 to 20 years to mature. Plant them first.
• Not maintaining. Large gardens need regular maintenance. Set up a schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tree for a large country garden?

Oak for the long term (centuries), beech for chalk, rowan for berries and autumn colour. Plant 1 to 3 specimen trees in prominent positions.

How many plants do I need for a large garden?

Plant in drifts of 5, 7, or 9. For a 1 acre garden, you might need 5 specimen trees, 50 shrubs, 200 perennials, and 50 grasses.

Should I use native or non-native plants?

A mix is best. Native plants support more wildlife, but non-native plants can add colour and interest. Aim for 50 to 70 percent native.

Get Help Planting a Large Country Garden

If you have a large country garden in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire and want help with planting, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• Garden design ideas for large gardens
• Best plants for chalk soil
• Our soft landscaping service

Relevant local areas

This advice is particularly relevant to gardens in these areas.

• Abingdon - Oxfordshire
• Amersham - Buckinghamshire
• Ascot - Berkshire
• Aylesbury - Buckinghamshire
• Banbury - Oxfordshire
• Beaconsfield - Buckinghamshire
• Berkhamsted - Buckinghamshire
• Bicester - Oxfordshire

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2025-03. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.