A perennial brassica from Japan, Wasabi is a native of shady river banks high in the Japanese mountains, and grows best in a damp, shady spot - ideal for the British climate. Forming a lush plant with leaves that can grow up to a meter wide, Wasabi japonica can also be grown in a pot if you're short on space.Wasabi (also known as Japanese Horseradish) is 100% edible so leaves, stems and flowers can all be enjoyed throughout spring and summer to spice up a salad while the rhizomes develop. The wasabi stem, or rhizome, is formed at the base of the plant and grows upwards above ground taking up to two years to reach maturity. It is this stem which is grated to produce wasabi paste.Once rhizomes are present you can pull the whole plant and grate your own fresh wasabi. As a bonus, you'll get small offshoots at the base of the harvested plant, which can be separated and re-planted to continue your fresh wasabi growing. Many of the products called wasabi don't actually contain real wasabi. Grow and taste the real thing and find out what you´ve been missing.Did you know... wasabi became a preferred flavouring in Japan and was prized for its ability to counteract food poisoning. Wasabi's ancient reputation as a healthy food comes from anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic qualities.Supplied as 3 x plug plants ready for potting on.
Commonly known as Japanese Azaleas, these elegant, evergreen flowering shrubs with small glossy green foliage have become a true garden favourite.
A striking dwarf evergreen shrub whose light green leaves have fine white margins. Pieris japonica 'Little Heath' is perfect for adding winter interest to the garden, where it forms a colourful tidy mound. The new spring foliage is flushed purple and is followed by lovely racemes of creamy, bell-shaped flowers emerging from pink buds. Thanks to its small size Pieris 'Little Heath' is fantastic for the front of borders or patio containers where the flowers also attract pollinating insects. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
If you are looking for a colourful plant for damp areas of the garden, then Astilbe japonica 'Elisabeth van Veen' is a great choice. It has feathery panicles of lush pink flowers on upright stems and clumps of finely divided leaves. False Goatsbeard can be planted in borders or patio planters and is fine in sun or partial shade. It looks great planted alongside Hostas and Ferns. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
Like magic, the new leaves of this compact deciduous shrub emerge a rich crimson, gradually maturing through to yellow and soft lime! New shoots continue to emerge throughout the growing season for a continuous show of colour and are complimented by clusters of bright pink fluffy flowers in mid to late summer. Spiraea japonica 'Magic Carpet' is easy to grow and excellent for mixed borders, coastal gardens and cottage gardens where the flowers attract pollinating insects. This exciting new Japanese Spiraea has been awarded a prestigious RHS AGM for its outstanding qualities. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
A firm favourite for adding a tropical note to gardens, Fatsia japonica is a fast-growing, low maintenance shrub. Hardy and evergreen, its architectural value stems from it glossy, palmate leaves, which are 45cm (18?) wide and weatherproof. A robust and long-lasting shrub, Fatsia japonica is perfect for adding instant impact, filling gaps in borders and planting in patio pots. Its globular white flowers are popular with pollinating insects in summer, and are followed by black seedpods in autumn. Happy in sun or shade, Fatsia japonica holds an RHS AGM and loves fertile and moist, well-drained soil. Height and spread: 2.5m (8.2').
Chaenomeles japonica 'Sargentii' is a delightful shrub that has tangerine orange flowers, in spring, as the leaves emerge in March. The flowers then are followed by quince fruits, which turn golden as autumn arrives. They are not suitable for eating raw, but make a scrumptious jam. As well as a standalone shrub in a border, it can also be trained up sunny walls and fences, offering a vibrant backdrop to flowering spring bulbs in garden borders or planters. Height: 1m (3'). Spread: 2m (6').
Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea', also known as the ?Japanese Rose?, is an easy-to-grow deciduous shrub with arching stems that are filled with yellow flowers in spring. The original Kerria japonica cultivar was discovered by William Kerr, a young gardener from Kew who was employed by the East India Company in 1804 to search for undiscovered plants in China to be brought back to grow in British gardens. ?Golden Guinea? is bigger and brighter than those original plants, holding an RHS AGM. A good shrub for cottage and woodland style gardens, it will fill the garden with colour during the bleak winter months. Height: 2m (6',5). Spread: 2.5m (8').
Pieris japonica 'Passion' is at its best in spring, when its whorled, vivid red foliage appears alongside a profusion of small, red-pink flowers. Easy to maintain and compact, this ?Lily of the Valley Shrub? needs minimal pruning, but can be kept pruned to a required size (and this will encourage vigorous flowering). Pieris japonica 'Passion' is happiest growing in borders with acidic soil, or containers filled with ericaceous (acid) compost. Height and Spread: 2.5m (8').
Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound' is a compact, deciduous shrub with fresh, lime green foliage and panicles of pink and white florets in summer. It is best planted in a full sun or partial sun position, but can grow fine in exposed areas, making it ideal for coastal gardens or gardens with no fence or high trees to shelter it from harsh winds. It looks great planted in lines, along the edge of wide borders in big gardens, or as a stand alone shrub in small gardens. Height and spread: 1m (39).
Impressive displays of bright pink flowers appear from mid to late summer against a backdrop of yellow-green foliage. Japanese Spireas are an excellent choice for wildlife gardens as they are adored by butterflies and other beneficial insects. Spiraea japonica ?Green and Gold? is a robust deciduous shrub that is a worthy addition to any border, as it is low maintenance and very easy to grow. Height and spread: 120cm (48?).
Masses of eye-catching pure white flowers cover this deciduous shrub from mid-summer, attracting many beneficial insects to the garden. Planted on mass, this Japanese Spiraea will reward you with an abundance of colour and texture, forming neat rounded, spreading plants that are easy to maintain and will suppress weeds. The arching branches of Spiraea japonica ?Albiflora? bear small oval leaves which make the perfect backdrop, even after flowering, when its fabulous autumn colours start to show. Planted in borders, containers or wildlife gardens, this superb shrub really isn?t that fussy. Height: 60cm (24?). Spread: 90cm (36?).