Crimson flowers crown silvery stems that rise above rosettes of foliage from late spring. This robust little perennial holds an RHS AGM and creates a wonderful display in shady, damp spots and woodlands. For the best impact, plant Primula 'Miller's Crimson' in large drifts. Height and spread: 45cm (18)
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 9cm potted plants.
If you're looking for a perfect garden plant then 'Rubella' has it all - it's compact, low-maintenance, grows in dappled shade, looks good all year, has fragrant flowers and is wildlife-friendly. It's one of those 'plant it and leave it' shrubs, so there's little wonder why they sell out so quickly! Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' is a compact, bushy evergreen shrub with cones of red buds which open to fragrant white flowers in early spring - A classic plant for winter or spring containers where the dark, leathery leaves provide a super background for its showy flowers. All parts of this award-winning plant have a pleasant fragrance when crushed, not unlike ..... so, position them near doorways, entrances or windows so that you can appreciate the scent too. Most individual varieties of Skimmias are either male or female - 'Rubella' is male so will not produce berries - but when you see and smell the gorgeous scented flowers, they more than make up for that. Skimmia plants are slow growing, so little pruning is needed - which is great if you have little time to be messing around with secateurs and pruning manuals - in fact, it is better not to trim them at all, if possible. Add to this the fact that 'Rubella' holds an RHS award of garden merit and you can be assured that it will perform in your garden.
Spiraea japonica 'Firelight' is a colourful, deciduous shrub that provides an ever changing display throughout from spring to autumn.
One of the most valuable garden shrubs in winter, Camellias flower when just about everything else is dormant. 'Volunteer' doesn't disappoint with its exquisite, large, double flowers in soft pink with a paler edge As the flowers age their colour deepens but the tips of the petals remain light, creating a beautifully contrasting two-tone effect. The fantastic and joyful display begins in January and continues into March, just when you need an uplifting splash of bold colour in you garden. Camellias need acidic soils - like Rhododendrons, so they should be grown in ericaceous compost. They are evergreen, and their neat, shiny tough leaves will provide a backdrop to other plants all year. Flower buds start swelling late the previous summer, and keep getting bigger all autumn and winter until they explode into colour. Supplied as an established plant in a 13cm. .
This scarlet azalea is an easy to grow, evergreen variety perfect for borders and containers once matured offering you rich red flowers borne above variegated green and white foliage.
Mahonia japonica is a popular shrub, instantly recognisable for its distinctive spiky leaves and long racemes of golden winter flowers. The blooms appear in profusion from November through to March, releasing a strong ?lily-of-the-valley? perfume.
A hardy Camellia with beautiful bi coloured, ruffled blooms creamy white petals edged in a pretty pink this pretty plant will bring colour to your garden in those late winter days.
Accent your spring garden with the striking and unusual pink-streaked double flowers of Camellia japonica 'Bonomiana?. Blooming from mid to late spring, you can enjoy bloom after bloom, each with their own unique markings.
Bring a bit of fun into the garden with the fluffy scarlet flower spikes of Astilbe japonica 'Montgomery'. The finely divided leaves emerge with a bronze tone in spring before developing the green foliage that forms the backdrop to the scarlet flowers which will turn heads during June and July. Astilbe, which is also known as False Goatsbeard will thrive in sun or partial shade but also where there is lots of moisture so if you have difficult damp spots in your garden borders, woodland areas or if you can spare the time to keep a patio pot well watered then this is the plant you've been looking for. Height: 70cm (28). Spread: 45cm (18).
Astilbe japonica 'Washington' is a variety of Astilbe. They are renowned as a plant that does well in damp areas of the garden. 'Washington' has fluffy white panicles of flowers on upright stems, with dark green foliage. It looks fantastic planted alongside Hostas, Ferns and other varieties of Astilbe, such as 'Elizabeth van Veen' which has deep pink flower spikes, as a contrast to the subtle white of 'Washington'. It flowers between June and July, and likes a full sun or partial shade position. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
Commonly known as Japanese Azaleas, these elegant, evergreen flowering shrubs with small glossy green foliage have become a true garden favourite.