Cotoneaster plants are best known for providing excellent ground cover and this variety is no exception. Its spreading stems grow quickly in sunlight or semi-shade, efficiently filling up borders with green foliage. However, keen gardeners could also use wires to train Cotoneaster horizontalis up a sunny wall, making for an unusual and distinctive display. Wherever it's grown, this hardy shrub will provide plenty of interest from the spring, when it produces dainty, pinky white blooms all the way through to the autumn, when its red berrries attract birds, making it worthy of a place in wildlife areas. What's more, the plant's oval-shaped, deciduous leaves turn bright shades of orange and red at the end of the season, adding colour to cottage gardens. Even its silver-brown branches make a lovely, winter feature thanks to their herringbone pattern. With so much year-round variety on offer, you can't go wrong with Cotoneaster horizontalis. Height: 1m (3'3). Spread: 1.5m (4'11).
Description for Eschscholzia 'Californica Apricot Flambeau' not available
An easy-to-sow-and-grow annual producing eye-catching and unusual bicolour blooms on tall flower spikes. These strong and sturdy stems with their fancy purple and blue picotee flowers look fabulous in the back of summer borders and make impressive and long-lasting cut flowers too.
Named after the 'rainbow', this neat little perennial shows off its vibrant, tropical-coloured flowers, some single, some double, blooming all the way from May to September. Lewisia cotyledon 'Regenbogen' is known to be one of the most colourful mixes of Lewisia available. The blooms grow on short stems above neat rosettes of evergreen foliage. Lewisia likes hot, dry conditions and is drought tolerant once established. It will cope with cooler summers and can be overwintered outdoors if protected from wet weather. Height: 25cm (10). Spread: 30cm (12).
Huge flowers up to 15cm (6) across add an exotic flavour to patio pots. The flamboyant blooms of Begonia Giant Picotee Mixed boast layers of elaborate, ruffled petals with a picotee edge. Supplied as a mixture of sumptuous bicolours, that looks simply spectacular set against lush serrated foliage in containers, beds, and window boxes. Height and spread: 30cm (12).Useful links:How to grow bulbs, corms and tubers Culinary note: Add the bright coloured petals to sandwiches or salads for a light lemon taste and crisp texture. For more details about edible flowers click here.
Huge flowers up to 15cm (6) across add an exotic flavour to patio pots. The flamboyant blooms of Begonia Giant Picotee Mixed boast layers of elaborate, ruffled petals with a picotee edge. Supplied as a mixture of sumptuous bicolours, that looks simply spectacular set against lush serrated foliage in containers, beds, and window boxes. Height and spread: 30cm (12).Useful links:How to grow bulbs, corms and tubers Culinary note: Add the bright coloured petals to sandwiches or salads for a light lemon taste and crisp texture. For more details about edible flowers click here.
Huge flowers up to 15cm (6) across add an exotic flavour to patio pots. The flamboyant blooms of Begonia Giant Picotee Mixed boast layers of elaborate, ruffled petals with a picotee edge. Supplied as a mixture of sumptuous bicolours, that looks simply spectacular set against lush serrated foliage in containers, beds, and window boxes. Height and spread: 30cm (12).Useful links:How to grow bulbs, corms and tubers Culinary note: Add the bright coloured petals to sandwiches or salads for a light lemon taste and crisp texture. For more details about edible flowers click here.
An impressive summer bedding for height and fragrance, Nicotiana sylvestris graces your border throughout summer with tall, upright stems, lush leaves and elegant white blooms which flaunt a hint of pink blush. The distinct, sweet scent of the Tobacco Plant is a highlight in mixed borders and fits in well with a cottage-garden style.
This RHS AGM variety is one of the best known English Lavenders and deservedly popular. Lavender 'Hidcote' forms neat, compact plants with attractive grey-green foliage and a superb fragrance. This outstanding lavender makes a delightful low hedge or fragrant edging to paths. Cut some lavender flowers for a wonderful scented posy, or dry them for a bowl of home-made pot pourri. Height: 60cm (24). Spread: 75cm (30).
Magnificent white flowers in abundance on bushy plants that make a great display in borders throughout summer. Fragrant during summer evenings too. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 45cm (18).
Tall flower stems bear clusters of richly fragrant white blooms. Makes a real statement in borders and bedding schemes. Ideal in sun or semi-shade. Height: 80cm (31). Spread: 45cm (18).