Fothergilla major is covered in an abundance of scented, white, fluffy bottlebrush flowers in May, just as the leaves are beginning to unfurl. This compact, deciduous shrub, a relative of the witch hazel, features dark green, shiny, textured leaves that turn to well-known vibrant orange and red shades as autumn approaches. Also known as Mountain Witch Alder, this shrub has a neat, slow-growing habit, making it a favourite for the edges of woodland gardens, cottage gardens and in mixed borders. Winner of an RHS AGM, Fothergilla major grows happily in partial shade but produces the best leaf colour when situated in a sunny position. Height: 2.5m (8?). Spread: 2m (6.5?).
Bees and butterflies love the lavender-blue, nectar-rich flowers of Lilac 'Katherine Havemeyer'. Gardeners love this shrub too, for its graceful hanging flower clusters, delicious fragrance, heart-shaped leaves, and because it is such an easy shrub to grow and maintain. Syringa vulgaris grows quickly in a sunny spot and attracts many beneficial insects to the garden. Height: 7m (23'). Spread: 7m (23').
Blooming in early summer, this bright and cheerful Dutch Iris is certain to brighten up your displays. Iris ?Pink Panther? is delightfully coloured in lavender pink, with a touch of gold at the centre.
A fabulous mixture of frilly blooms in perfectly complementing shades of pink, mauve and white, Sweet Pea 'Here Come the Girls' includes beautiful and sweetly-scented varieties. The girls in question are seven popular varieties, ?Valerie Harold?, ?Catherine?, ?Katie Alice?, ?Mumsie?, ?Charlie?s Angel? and ?Jilly? - all dressed to impress with generous stems of colourful, fragrant blooms.
These terrific tulip flowers make a wonderful splash of colour in March-April and their frosted, frilly-edged petals are an extra treat! The dark ?black cherry' petals of ?Gorilla' are a fascinating contrast to the frosted mauves of ?Cummins'. Ideal in patio containers or grouped in a border. Ht. 40cm. Supplied as bulbs.Useful links:How to plant bulbs, corms and tubersUseful links:How to plant bulbs, corms and tubers
Gaultheria procumbens has many names, among which are Eastern teaberry, Boxberry and American wintergreen. No matter what they choose to call it, one thing that all gardeners agree on is the plant's ability to provide groundcover and suppress weeds, even in partially shady areas. In addition to this practical use, Checkerberry makes a colourful addition to cottage, woodland, wildlife and sloped gardens, for it flowers in the summer. These white, bell-shaped blooms are succeeded by scarlet berries. The autumn sees the hardy shrub's green foliage take on a reddish tone, making for a wonderful, festive spectacle in the winter. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 1m (3'3).