Begonia 'Fragrant Falls Improved' in an improved cultivar of the original version. It has more colour, more flowers and more fragrance.
Brilliant by nature as well as by name, Aronia x prunifolia 'Brilliant' is a fantastic plant for autumn colour. This medium-sized, deciduous shrub produces clusters of pretty white flowers in late spring and early summer. The purple-black berries that follow are ready to harvest in the autumn. Commonly known as Purple Chokeberries, these tart fruits can be eaten raw, but are delicious cooked into jams, compotes, cakes and pies. Easy to grow and happy even in boggy conditions, Aronia x prunifolia 'Brilliant is perfect as part of a mixed border and extends the season of interedt - its autumn foliage takes on incredible fiery shades of orange and red. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.5m (8').
Exquisitely beautiful Agapanthus africanus 'Albus' bears globes of pure white trumpet-shaped blooms which emerge from clumps of glossy, strap-like leaves, flowering through the summer months. African Lilies thrive in a sunny position in the garden and also grow well in terracotta pots or other containers, bringing an exotic hint of the Mediterranean to the garden. After flowering, the seed heads can be left on the plants adding winter interest to the garden. Agapanthus blooms make fine cut flowers. Height: 1m (39). Spread: 50cm (19).
Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden with this head-turning perennial. Bees and other nectar hungry insects will be drawn to the impressive purple and white flowers that are carried on towering architectural spikes which could grow up to 1.2m tall. As a Mediterranean native, Acanthus spinosus is incredibly drought tolerant once established which makes it perfect for the hot dry borders that other plants would hate. Bear's Breeches would be suitable for a garden that is populated with other exotic specimens or to add height and contrast to cottage garden planting. Height: 1.2m (4'). Spread: 1m (3').
Astrantia major 'Roma' is a hardy perennial with a difference: it thrives in damp, shady areas, meaning you can reserve all the space in your sunniest borders for fussier species while still incorporating this unusual Masterwort into your summer display. The plant's palmate foliage is a striking bright green colour, which complements its pink flowers perfectly. These blooms make it easy to tell why this variety is nicknamed Hattie's Pincushion, for their heads, which emerge in the summer, are an unusual, round, pincushion-esque shape. The wiry stems can be easily cut to make interesting additions to indoor displays if you decide that Astrantia major 'Roma' is too special to confine to your woodland garden! Height: 75cm (2'6). Spread: 45cm (1'6).
Osmanthus plants are extremely versatile, able to establish on tricky garden slopes and dry banks, and to grow in either sun or shade. Osmanthus x burkwoodii is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with a nice rounded habit that makes it an ideal choice for small gardens. Its shiny, dark-green foliage contrasts well with its spring clusters of small, highly-scented white flowers - a welcome arrival early in the year. It can also be trained as a screen or hedge, requiring little maintenance. Height and spread: 3m (9.8').
The delicious honey-fragrance of this fine Magnolia is just one of several reasons why this might be the most perfect large shrub for a small garden. As well as the fragrance, there are the flowers: show-stoppingly magnificent goblet-shaped blooms borne on bare branches in late spring. They open in rich pink, and fade to a softer shade, always with a distinctive red stripe down the centre. The foliage is a lovely deep green colour and the slow-growing, compact tree needs minimal maintenance. Choose Magnolia 'Heaven Scent' and enjoy this most beautiful of all specimen trees! Height and spread: 10m (32' 10).
Viburnum x bodnantense 'Charles Lamont' is a superb winter-flowering shrub, producing tight clusters of highly fragrant, pale pink flowers on bare stems between November and March. The new leaves emerge in spring, bronze-tinted at first and gradually fading to green. Easy to grow and fully hardy, Viburnum x bodnantense 'Charles Lamont' is an upright shrub that is ideal for low maintenance gardens and mixed borders. It has been awarded an RHS AGM for excellent garden performance, and its fragrant blooms also make a wonderful cut flower. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2m (6.5').
The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded Ceanothus x delileanus 'Gloire de Versailles' it's Award of Garden Merit, due to its profusion of beautiful lilac flowers throughout the summer. They fill the shrub, and their sweet smelling nectar attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. Californian Lilac has good drought tolerance, and thrives in most types of soil. They can be planted in a line to create a colourful hedge, or as stand alone specimens in borders of cottage, coastal or city gardens. Height and Spread: 1.5m (4.9').
Dianthus 'Doris' is an attractive, hardy perennial that produces pretty, frilled flowers from June to September. These Carnation blooms have pink petals, an eye-catching red centre and a sweet fragrance, making them ideally suited to cottage, scented and cut flower gardens alike. This Pinks' grey-green foliage typically forms neat cushions in sunny borders, rockeries and patio containers, making this a valuable and versatile plant. Height: 45cm (1'6).
Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or' is ideal for any garden, an upright and dense shrub that produces white blooms throughout the summer. In autumn these are followed by yellow berries that feed birds through the winter. A perfect choice for beginners and small gardens, Firethorns are tough and very hardy, ideal for growing as a hedge or training against a wall. Easy to trim and maintain, Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or' is ideal for security planting - its prickly thorns will be a strong deterrent to trespassers. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.4m (8').
A traditional Pink, Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins' has one of the best scents of this type of plant, with a sweet clove fragrance. It has a shorter flowering period than other Carnations, but has lovely double white flowers with frilly petals, that bloom above clumps of grey-green leaves. Ideal for cottage and coastal gardens, in planters or in mixed perennial borders, they have good drought tolerance. Popular as a cut flower, for floral displays, both for its scent and pure white flowers, that look beautiful in vases with Roses and other flowers. Height and Spread: 50cm (20).