Hostas are one of the better known shade-loving plants, they thrive where many other plants would struggle and even succumb to the adverse conditions. Hosta fortunei 'Albomarginata' will be very happy in moist, damp, dark areas but dry shade isn't a problem too. The bold, colourful leaves have deep ridges and a creamy white edge and form a backdrop to the spikes of flowers which emerge in summer. The plants are robust, clump forming and easy to maintain. Height: 55cm (22). Spread: 100cm (39).
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' is valued for its attractive variegated leaves, with white edging. It has a dense, compact habit and is a shrub suitable for a range of settings, from patio planters to borders and raised beds. This Spindle plant can even be trained up the sides of walls and fences. It is extremely durable and can be planted in all types of soil types and is drought and shade tolerant. Height: 1m (3?). Spread: 1.5m (5?).
One of the hardiest palms available to the home gardener, Trachycarpus Fortunei or the Chinese Windmill Plant, will tolerate cool, wet summers and cold winters, making it an ideal choice for British gardens.
If you are looking for a less common annual to plant this summer, then Portulaca 'Stopwatch Mix' could be just what you are looking for.
Pretty flowers on slender stems, makes Penstemon Twizzle a lovely plant for the middle and rear of cottage and priarie style, herbaceous garden borders.
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' does what its name suggests: its leathery, variegated leaves are, indeed, coloured vibrant shades of emerald and yellow. Although this foliage is evergreen, it gains an eye-catching, pink tint in the winter months, adding interest to what can otherwise become a rather bleak landscape. Perhaps this quality is what prompted the RHS to award the hardy shrub an AGM. Then again, perhaps it was the Spindle's spreading habit, tolerance of drought and ability to grow in shady areas that earned it this honour. Either way, it's undeniable that this plant makes a great low hedge, patio display or garden border addition. Height: 60cm (2'). Spread: 90cm (3').
Spindles are renowned for their attractive, evergreen foliage and vigorous spreading habit, making them a great choice when it comes to providing year-round ground cover. Euonymus fortunei 'Harlequin' offers interest as well as coverage: in Spring, it sprouts pure white shoots, which gradually unfurl to become variegated green leaves, flecked with splashes of silver. At the end of the year, the hardy shrub will help combat winter blues by taking on a subtle, red tint. This plant is particularly suitable for beginner gardeners because it requires minimal maintenance and can withstand almost anything including sunlight, shade and all weather conditions. It's versatile, too, for it can be grown in a border, patio container or even up a wall. Height: 60cm (2'). Spread: 90cm (3').
Most gardens have areas that the majority of plants would hate to live in. Too shaded, too damp, too dry, these difficult conditions are not a problem for hostas. Hosta fortunei 'Aureomarginata' has ridged green leaves edged in yellow. It's quick-growing clump-forming habit will make easy to maintain ground cover. During summer there is the added attraction of 36cm (3') tall spikes of pretty bell shaped flowers making hostas a cheerful choice for shady borders. Height: 55cm (22). Spread: 100cm (39)
The perfect solution for keeping hosue plants looking healthier and happier for long. Already diluted, simply Pour and Feed every month or so - suitable for all flowering and foliage indoor plants. Make sure you have some on hand.
With its dense habit and distinctive, deeply-coloured foliage, Lophomyrtus 'Red Dragon' is a superb addition to your garden - use it for hedging, as a border, or as a low maintenance specimen plant. An attractive evergreen shrub, this New Zealand myrtle has striking, colourful foliage that can't fail to impress. A great all-round ornamental plant, its small leaves are olive-green when young, maturing to deep red/purple. Ideal for a sheltered spot in sun or partial shade in your garden, Lophomyrtus is easy-to-grow, fully winter hardy and is also perfect for a large pot on the patio as a feature plant. If you're looking for something a little different for your garden, then you'll find Lophomyrtus is a good choice - the small leaves of this beauty make it a particularly good candidate for cloud pruning or low hedging. You also get an added bonus - when mature, 'Red Dragon' produces small white flowers with a delicate scent from early summer. Ultimate height and spread H 1.5m (5ft) in 5 years x 1.2m (4ft) you will receive an established plant in a 3L pot.
The 'Blue Fortune' is a perfect choice if you are looking to add some long-lasting colour into your garden. With beautiful spires of lilac-blue blooms that sit above bushy dark green foliage, they flower from midsummer all the way through to autumn making them a go-to if you are looking to add some bright tones while other flowers are fading out. This versatile perennial works in all types of settings from, borders, containers, traditional cottage gardens and even small modern gardens as they provide vertical accents to your displays. All you need to do is position this Agastache in full sun and in some well-drained soil and enjoy the liquorice scent from the 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. It is also recommended by the RHS as a 'Plant for Pollinators' the flowers are produced through the spring and summer and are a favourite with butterflies and bees. Once established, it will grow to around 90cm tall and will then withstand dry soil. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the faded flowers, or if you would prefer to provide interest in the winter, you should wait till early spring. Supplied as 3 x established plants in 9cm pots, ready to plant out.
A versatile, evergreen, low-maintenance shrub that thrives in almost any position! The leathery creamy-yellow leaves with green margins form a dense compact shrub which is ideal for borders, patio containers, low hedging and ground cover. This superb Euonymus will happily grow in difficult clay soils, North-facing positions and will even tolerate drought once established.