A member of the buttercup family, Hepatica nobilis is a slow-growing hardy perennial with kidney-shaped, three-lobed leaves and single violet flowers. These are adorned with striking white stamens and rise to around to 10cm (4in) above the more or less evergreen foliage. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is 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. Your Hepatica enjoys cool conditions and will thrive in a partly shaded area in fertile, well-drained soil. They're great as specimens in clay pots too with equal amounts of John Innes no 2, perlite and leaf mould. In the garden, plant them where they can be seen, at the front of a woodland garden or under deciduous shrubs. Supplied as 3 x 9cm potted plants ready to plant straight out.
The Sweet Bay is an attractive evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves and small yellow flowers in springtime which attract bees and beneficial insects. It looks good among naturalistic planting, but can also be used in formal or contemporary gardens, and is often clipped into topiary shapes, or grown as a Standard 'lollipop' Tree. Laurus nobilis is also at home in a patio container or in the herb garden where its leaves are highly prized for flavouring curries, soups and stews. Bay Laurel holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 12m (39'). Spread: 10m (32').