These pretty little Violas are perfect for filling beds, patio pots and window boxes over a long period. A myriad of fluttering, bicolour blooms smother these dwarf, branching plants to create uniform cover wherever you plant them.
This hardy evergreen perennial Dianthus deltoides 'Brilliancy' forms a dense mat of soft green foliage which acts as a fantastic ground cover and effective weed suppressant through the year. From late spring, it wakes up with a profusion of beautiful, vibrant crimson red flowers with delicate pinked edges, then just keeps on blooming continuously throughout the entire season and well into autumn.
Plant this very pretty and highly fragrant shrub in a winter border next to a path or in a large container on the patio near the back door where you'll be able to enjoy its lovely perfume. Delicate clusters of rich pink, sweetly-scented little buds open in January and February and are followed by rounded, purple-black berries which prolong the interest of this popular evergreen shrub and provide a valuable food source for garden birds. Thriving in a sunny, sheltered position,
With a mass of pretty pale pink flowers from May right through to September, Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' is a treasure for the cottage garden border. It loves a hot sunny position, is easy to grow and tolerates drought. This deciduous Shrubby Cinquefoil can be grown as a low hedge or grown in a container on the patio or even in a roof garden. Height and spread: 1m (39).
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?).
Broad plates of tiny pink blooms are held on tall wavering stems that are clothed in ferny foliage. This showy Yarrow produces plenty of stems throughout the summer giving it a pleasing bushy appearance.
Specially trained as a standard with a head of glossy foliage, this unusual shrub will create a spectacular feature for patios and balconies. The roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity to life - you?ll enjoy this fascinating tree for several years. Height supplied 40-50cm (16-20).
Whilst most garden plants are drab and flowerless during the winter months, this attractive shrub flowers from December until April, making it a great backdrop to early spring bulbs such as crocus and daffodils.
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' forms mounds of silver-green foliage, and lilac-blue flower spikes from early summer. These nectar-rich blooms attract bees and pollinating insects, and cats adore the aromatic foliage. One of the most widely-grown Catmints, 'Six Hills Giant' is a tall variety, wonderful planted in generous swathes and allowed to spill from borders and soften path edges. A cottage garden favourite, it also makes a lovely cut flower.
A compact, hardy shrub with good drought tolerance, Potentilla fruticosa 'White Lady' is ideal for borders in smaller gardens, or an alpine rockery. This variety of Shrubby Cinquefoil, which are native to sub arctic and mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere, has pure white flowers, that fill the bush from May to September. It is a wildlife friendly plant and attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. Low maintenance and with good drought tolerance, its a great choice for those without much time for gardening. Height and spread: 1m (39).
Shrubby Cinquefoils are native to the Northern Hemisphere, often found at high altitude and sub-arctic regions. This makes them ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries. Potentilla fruticosa 'Mango Tango' is a variety with delicate yellow-orange flowers, that have a long flowering season, from May until September. A low maintenance and easy to grow hardy shrub, that is best planted in a sunny position. It has good drought tolerance, so does not need much water. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
This Shrubby Cinquefoil is a nice plant for cottage or alpine gardens, even small ones. Potentilla fruticosa 'Limelight' is a hardy deciduous shrub with pretty white flowers, with yellow centres, and remains in bloom from May, all the way thorough to September. It is easy to grow and is low maintenance, but is best planted in a full sun position. The RHS have awarded this plant its Award of Garden Merit. Height: 1m (39). Spread: 1.5m (59).