A long-flowering, semi-evergreen shrub that looks fabulous in a mixed border, Abelia 'Tricolour Charm' (R) has attractive, glossy, multi-coloured leaves and fragrant white flowers. Ideal for a cottage-style garden, this shrub is remarkable due to its tricolour foliage in shades of green, cream and pink, tinged with yellow in spring. Its perfumed white flowers appear from July and last well into September. Compact in habit, Tricolour Charm forms a neat shrub that is perfect for growing in a pot on the terrace or balcony in a sunny, sheltered position. Easy to grow and hardy to -12°C, it's best grown in the shelter of a wall or towards the back of a border to encourage it to hang on to its leaves. Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot, ready for immediate planting.
The gorgeous blooms of 'Catawbiensis Grandiflora' are produced in extravagant clusters in May in a wonderful mauve-blue colour with yellow and orange freckles, making this a striking Rhododendron. The striking flowers contrast beautifully with the glossy, dark green leaves that cover this vigorous shrub all year, growing into a rounded evergreen shrub after a few years. 'Catawbiensis Grandiflora' definitely has an exotic look and will look spectacular either planted in blorders or in a large pot as an eye-catching specimen plant. Rhododendrons are low-maintenance shrubs that will perform superbly provided you plant them well and keep them well-watered. Lovers of acid soil, they mostly prefer bright to dappled shade or partial shade, avoiding morning sunlight which can damage buds. As Rhododendron roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients, they shouldn't be planted too deeply - remember that they often grow in shallow cracks on mountainsides. Soil does need to be on the acidic side and rich in humus, cool and always moist which will allow established plants to withstand direct mid-day and afternoon sun. Supplied as an established plant in a 21cm pot, reaching a height and spread of 2m (6½ft).
The Kaleidoscope Abelia creates a vibrant spectacle in your garden with its colourful foliage. In spring the colours are a mix of green and yellow which intensifies in summer and then transforms to orange and red hues for Autumn. Delicate funnel shaped pink flowers are produced from June to October attracting butterflies and bees. This plant is semi evergreen so may lose its leaves in the winter however fresh foliage will reappear in the spring. Supplied in a 13cm pot.
An absolute gem of a winter flowering plant, little seen but a really good winter garden plant, not grown widely enough. In late winter and early spring, before there's much colour about at all, even before daffodils, it produces intriguing yellow and cream flowers, lightly scented, smothered over bare stems, as flowers are produced before the leaves. It is a relative of the Daphne, sharing it's preference for cool, lightly shaded spots. Martin distinctly remembers being blown away by the first sight and smell of this plant, a large specimen on a remote Dutch Nursery, on a wet, windy and grey February afternoon, but finding much stock has been a challenge. Now we have some, it deserves a space in many gardens.
'Sunkiss' is a wonderfully bushy and compact Coreopsis and certainly one of the most colourful perennials that you can grow. With its long flowering season, it's a must-have for any gardener! Masses of daisy-like, bright golden yellow flowers with rich maroon centres appear from May and continue right up to October, covering the plant in vibrant colour. They're much larger than those of most other Coreopsis and their colouring is amazingly intense, shining out in the garden like miniature sunflowers, and they last well in a vase too. Bees and butterflies love their nectar and birds will feast on the seeds, making these ideal plants for bringing wildlife into your garden. Also known as tickseed, Coreopsis in a native of North American prairies and is extremely rugged, easy to grow and drought tolerant. Grown in patio pots and in flower borders, you'll be treated to month after month of vivid colour with almost no maintenance, just regular deadheading to keep the flowers coming until autumn. Supplied as 3 x established plants in 9cm pots, ready for planting and growing to a height and spread of 35cm (14in).
Also known as Blanket Flowers, Gaillardia are an instantly recognisable cottage garden favourite. These 'Jam Tart Flowers' are invaluable in the summer border due to their long flowering season and their ability to provide a bright and colourful display whatever the British weather throws at them. The plants form a low mound of green, furry leaves, bearing upright stems of large daisy-like flowers on long stems which are perfect for cutting and very attractive to butterflies. Perfect in pots, they will also make fantastic gap fillers in your containers, beds, and mixed borders. 'Arizona Red Shades' produces gorgeous blooms in the most spectacular shades of red, with bright crimson petals that look like the tips have been dipped in yellow paint for a perfect contrast. These daisy-like blooms come into flower during early summer and will last right the way through to autumn. They also make fantastic cut flowers, so you can enjoy them inside the home as well as in your garden. Easy to grow and requiring very little maintenance, just deadhead the faded blooms to prolong the flowering season. Supplied as 3 x established plants in 9cm pots ready to pot on or plant out.
Clematis montana 'Grandiflora' is a deciduous climber and a wonderful choice for early season flowers in the garden, covered in masses of pure white flowers in May and June. Plant 'Grandiflora' anywhere where it can climb and this extremely vigorous clematis will quickly establish itself and begin to clamber up supports, over pergolas and arches and up into trees, cloaking them in a sea of white. The fast growth makes this an ideal plant for covering unsightly fences and sheds or grown as screening on a trellis. Montanas should be pruned - if necessary - soon after blooming ceases removing only wood from previous years. New summer growth will bear next year's flowers and should be trained and tied in accordingly. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Supplied as an established plant in a 7cm pot, ready for planting, growing to 9m (30ft) high and spreading 3m (10ft).
Great clusters of banana yellow blooms appear from February to April on the bare stems of this hardy shrub, and what's more they smell of honey, filling your garden with a wonderful aroma. This popular shrub is an ideal addition to your garden border, or plant in a patio pot by your door, to appreciate the fragrance as you pass. Supplied in 19cm pots.
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunray' is a little ray of sunshine to brighten up your garden in spring and summer with its glorious blooms. These semi-double flowers are bright yellow and attract bees with their rich nectar, making them well-suited to wildlife gardens. Alternatively, Tickseed is a great addition to perennial borders, annual beds, patio containers and even cut flower displays. With its neat, compact habit and ability to flourish even in partially shady areas, there's nothing this hardy perennial can't do! Height: 45cm (1'6). Spread: 45cm (1'6).
Abelia x grandiflora deserves to be seen more often in gardens, remaining colourful and fragrant over many months - particularly in the autumn. Semi-evergreen, with bowing branches that bear clusters of sweet flowers, Abelia grandiflora is perfect for borders in full sun, and for adding interest to mixed hedging. When grown by a wall, this elegant plants is extremely hardy, with glossy and long-lasting foliage. Height: 3m (9?). Spread: 4m (13?).
Description for Abelia x grandiflora 'Sunny Charms' not available
Flattened, lacy umbels of dazzling white flowers appear in early summer and persist through to autumn. Orlaya grandiflora is of Mediterranean origins, flourishing in grassy meadows and olive groves.