Calycanthus 'Venus' is a sweetshrub that has gorgeous, exotic flowers, that flower in May and then intermittently throughout summer and into autumn.
The eye-catching blooms of Evening Primrose have played a major role in creating some of the most stunning perennial borders in gardens around the world. Oenothera 'African Sun' brings together all the key parts of this popular plants, together with maintaining a rounded, compact habit. The rich golden-yellow flowers remain open throughout the daytime as well as in the evenings and look excellent in borders and containers. Slender green foliage forms the base of this tough, reliable, hardy garden plant and will thrive in most conditions. Low maintenance and unlike other evening primroses, tolerates shade as well as full sun. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 30cm (12).
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').
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').
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).
Stunning, detailed flower spikes in candy-pink are borne above dark foliage in late summer. Veronica 'Candied Candle' is a reliable, strong, hardy perennial which is resilient and untroubled by inclement weather. Plants will establish very easily in any border and will flower their hearts out, providing show-stopping performances which will be sure to get the neighbours talking. Extremely low maintenance and attractive to butterflies and other pollinating insects. Height: 50cm (20). Spread: 30cm (12).
This modern variety of traditional speedwell is an ideal perennial for the front of garden borders. Year after year it will form a dense mat of foliage, punctuated by numerous rising stems that harbour hundreds of deep purple flowers. Height and spread 30cm. Supplied in 2 litre pots.
An evergreen perennial that bears erect stems, up to a metre high, which burst into globes of blue trumpet flowers from July to September, above strappy green foliage. It's a perfect specimen for a large patio planter of moist, well-drained compost, that can be brought to a frost-free place over winter. Plants can be divided every 4 years in spring. Ht. 1m. Mature plants are supplied in a 12cm pot.
Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column' has an upright form and can be planted as a specimen amongst other shrubs, but also looks great planted in lines to create a colourful hedge in autumn. The profusion of red berries that last from late summer through until the winter are this shrub?s main feature, and provide a good source of food for garden birds, but its thorny branches are also good for deterring intruders. Easy to prune and maintain, Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column' is a robust plant, growing well in both full sun and partial shade. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.4m (8').
This unusual shrub is rarely ever seen and is the only species in its genus. Rhodotypos scandens is native to China and grown for its single white cup-shaped flowers that emerge from the tips of each arching shoot in late spring, followed by large black berries up to 8mm across. It is a deciduous shrub with an upright to slightly arched habit, remaining compact. Ideal for sunny borders or woodland edges. Height and spread: 150cm (59?).
Large conical white blooms stand proud above deep red stems, providing this deciduous shrub with an unforgettable display. Late-summer will have never looked so great, as the white flowers change to eye-catching shades of pale pink as they mature. Hydrangea paniculata ?Candlelight? is extremely hardy and has a strong and upright growth habit, making this shrub ideal for containers and mixed borders, but feeling most at home in a woodland garden setting. Autumn sees the leaves turn from red to orange before they fall in winter. Height and spread: 150cm (60?).
Tree Peony 'Cang Zhi Hong' bears huge, ruffled, vibrant magenta flowers in late spring, each with a stunning yellow centre. Large, deeply divided leaves are borne on the stems, adding an architectural element to your planting scheme. This long-lived, hardy deciduous shrub is the perfect way to add an exotic air to your borders, looking fantastic in a busy cottage garden border. Tree peonies also make superb cut flowers. Height and spread: 1.5m (5').