Colossal blooms form spectacular cone-shaped flower heads of up to 40cm (16?). This mighty Hydrangea is a sight to behold! Its strong stems carry the summer flowers proudly above its bushy, green foliage, creating a long-lasting focal point for lightly shaded borders.
A very quick and easy-to-grow variety, with a mild flavour and crunchy, sweet and succulent roots. An ideal crop for summer salad dishes adding colour and flavour. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 10cm (4).Culinary information: Some parts of these flowers are edible. Click here for more details about edible flowers.
Basil 'Crimson King' is so named for its unusual colour. The half-hardy annual's leaves are unremarkable in shape, for they are traditionally cupped in appearance, but notable for their purple tone. This vibrant alternative to green basil is thus an excellent, ornamental herb while still performing well in terms of function and flavour. Ocimum basilicum grows vigorously, whether sown in a vegetable bed or on a windowsill, making it a practical way to spruce up salads, garnishes and other culinary creations even with limited garden space.
An outstanding low, mound-forming perennial, producing ferny blue-green foliage and clusters of vibrant yellow, tubular flowers on upright spikes. Corydalis 'Canary Feathers' is easy to grow and produces spectacular displays in light woodland, planted under shrubs and trees, or in containers placed in dappled shade, where it will reward you with a long flowering period from late spring onwards. Choose a rich, moisture retentive soil which is free-draining but does not completely dry out over summer. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 60cm (24).
What's not to like about these wonderful hardy plants. Their wispy foliage and stems will sway in the gentlest of breezes and during mid-summer dozens of pretty bell-shaped purple blooms will drip from arching stems. Try them amongst grasses or grouped in patio planters. Collection comprises 'Blackbird' (purple), aryreum (white) and erectum (pink). Ht.1m. All supplied in 9cm pots.
A lovely textural herbaceous perennial, Sedum 'Herbstfreude' produces fleshy, succulent pale green leaves and stems. From August through to September, large flattened clusters of tiny dark pink flowers open, creating a carpet of colour which is highly attractive to bees and butterflies. A valuable plant for late season colour, this RHS AGM Stonecrop also retains attractive seed heads throughout winter, giving your garden structure and interest. Sedum 'Herbstfreude' also has fantastic drought tolerance making it ideal for dry sunny borders, coastal gardens or prairie-style plantings. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
For a tulip with maximum impact in any spring display, look no further than Tulip 'Suncatcher'. These bold, two-tone flowers have the classic goblet shape, starting a deep, golden yellow with fiery red tips to each petal to make them really stand out. Best planted in large groups where the can really make a statement, these wonderful blooms are perfect for cutting too! Height: 45cm .Spread: 15cm (6)
Are you tempted by the beautiful, globe-shaped blooms of African Blue Lillies but concerned that they will struggle in the changeable British climate? Perhaps the 'Northern Star' variety of Agapanthus is the answer to your prayers! Not only does it produce an abundance of deep blue flower umbels in mid to late summer, but it is among the toughest plants of its kind.
Petunia ?Tumbelina Cherry Ripple? is an eye-catching double trailing petunia with two-toned magenta and white flowers. It puts on such an abundant display that only 5 plants are needed to fill a hanging basket with masses of vibrant colour that last the whole summer. ?Cherry Ripple? is also a perfect choice for window boxes, containers and flower pouches®. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 30cm (12).
Heuchera 'Stormy Seas' is best known for the unusual colouring of its foliage: the hardy perennial's curled leaves are maroon-red with a green underside. They look particularly striking alongside the spikes of creamy-white flowers that appear in the summer. However, the plant's practical functions are not to be overlooked, for this Coral Flower is also great for providing ground cover in both sunny and partially shady areas. It also makes a great addition to mixed patio containers. With so much going for it, Coral Bells is surely deserving of a place in any cottage or wildlife garden. Height: 40cm (1'4). Spread: 40cm (1'4).
Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Mother of Pearl' has nectar rich, white flowers in summer, and powder pink berries in autumn making it an ideal shrub for a wildlife-friendly garden.
Sherbet Lemon is a quick and easy pre-planted basket for the busy gardener. The plants have been professionally chosen, to ensure the basket looks fantastic when in bloom, over the summer months.