A decorative shrub that can be grown outside, the pawpaw is a garden-worthy plant that will give a long season of interest. The show begins in spring, when the deep burgundy-purple, cup-shaped flowers burst from their buds in May. With an unusual form, they consist of 6 petals - 3 outer and 3 inner - giving a delightful show that always gets attention. These are followed in hot summers by oval, edible fruits that colour up from yellow to a rich ochre - think of the colour of a ripe banana. The long lime-green leaves then dominate the show, gradually turning golden-yellow before falling in the autumn. Tasting like a cross between a banana and a mango, pawpaw is said to have a sweet custard-like flavour which makes them a great delicacy - however, you're unlikely to see them commercially grown as plants can be male, female or hermaphroditic. Although they have both male and female reproduction parts, they are not self-pollinating and need pollination from another unrelated pawpaw tree. Hardy to -10°C, the Pawpaw benefits from a warm position in the garden such as a sheltered, south-facing wall where it is best grown as an ornamental multi-stemmed shrub. While plants can reach up to 8m in their native US, they're more likely to attain a modest 4m here in the UK. Supplied as an established plant in a 3L pot ready for immediate planting.
This is a fabulous new colour addition to the amazing Bottlebrush family. No prizes for guessing where they get their name from - their classic spring flowers zing with intense colour. Usually red, this is the first widely available pink, and what a neon-pink it is too! Each flower is made up of thousands of thin stamens, each pollen rich, so become a mecca for bees and butterflies early in the season. Flowering in spring and early summer, it is great to attract early season pollinators to fruit - and sometimes has a mini flush of flowers again in autumn. Grow in a pot in a warm and sunny spot, in a well-drained mix. A half-hardy shrub, give winter protection in colder, windier spots, as early leaves and growth can be damaged.
Year after Year, Begonia Illumination Apricot Shades features in our Top 3 best-selling bedding and basket plants. Why? It's undoubtedly the combination of fantastic performance in baskets and tubs whatever the Summer weather, combined with the gorgeous blend of warm tones and shades that the mix produces. This beautiful variety has flowers in wonderfully warm shades of yellow, gold, apricot, orange and ochre that will fill your hanging baskets and patio containers with colour from May until October! The blooms are incredibly weather proof, long lasting and plentiful, held on strong healthy plants with a gently trailing growing habit. They look best simply on their own, as there is enough subtle colour variation not to look too overdone. One for the short-list for sure.
One of the most striking periwinkles, vinca minor 'Illumination boasts striking lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers against bright yellow and green variegated foliage to bring colour over many months from spring right through to the autumn. An invaluable plant for brightening dull corners of the garden this vigorous, low-growing evergreen perennial will thrive in sun or light shade in most soils. Its trailing stems root easily where they touch the ground, eventually forming a mat of glossy green leaves that act as a superb weed suppressant. Easy to grow, hardy and very low maintenance, the periwinkle is the perfect plant for any gardener who wants great results with very little effort A proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Supplied as an established plant in a 2L pot, ready to plant straight out.
If you're looking for an eye-catching plant to add height and interest to your garden, then this hybrid foxglove will certainly add the 'wow factor' to your displays this summer. Foxgloves hold a special place in the hearts of many gardeners and this remarkable variety is rapidly becoming one of the garden-designers' darlings, with their stately spires cropping up in all of the latest contemporary gardens. Digitalis Foxglove 'Illumination Flame' is an absolutely stunning perennial, producing multiple spikes of tubular blooms that will, simply, take your breath away. The striking flame-coloured tubular flowers are lightly speckled and shimmer faintly when illuminated by the sun giving real impact to any garden. Produced in abundance from early June to October they're magnets to furry bumble bees and other beneficial pollinating insects! Relatively compact compared to other foxgloves, 'Illumination Flame' is sterile which means that they will put all of their energy into making more blooms and don't make a nuisance of themselves by seeding everywhere. Plus, they have a naturally branching habit, which results in lots of flower spikes, makes these one of the showier varieties. Foxgloves thrive in full sun, or dappled shade, and are very easy to grow indeed, giving gardens a wild and naturalistic feel or a smart contemporary look depending on where you plant them. Perfect for a pot if you're short on space. Supplied as 6 x jumbo plug plants ready to pot on or plant out. Grows to H100cm x W50cm