With rich ruby red flowers combining with a deliciously seductive chocolate aroma, Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Spellbound' is a most attractive choice for a sunny border. It is loved by pollinating insects too, so it's a great choice for a wildlife garden. The Chocolate Plant likes to grow in moist, well-drained soil and is best grown among other perennials which will support its stems. It is usually grown as an annual in the UK, but it can be kept over winter if it is grown in a pot and kept in frost free conditions. Height and Spread: 60cm (24).
How did this happen, a flower that smells like chocolate? Combine the scent of chocolate, attractive velvet-soft burgundy coloured petals, neat foliage and drought resistance and you've got the perfect plant. Chocolate Cosmos or to give it it's full name, Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Dark Secret' will make a real feast for the eyes (and nose)in patio containers, mixed borders or as a bedding plant. It's happy with semi shade but loves the warmth of full sun too. Height and Spread: 50cm (19).
Great clusters of banana yellow blooms appear from February to April on the bare stems of this hardy shrub, and what's more they smell of honey, filling your garden with a wonderful aroma. This popular shrub is an ideal addition to your garden border, or plant in a patio pot by your door, to appreciate the fragrance as you pass. Supplied in 19cm pots.
This floriferous spring flowering magnolia produces deep purple-red buds that unfurl to reveal narrow, goblet-shaped fragrant flowers. The petals are gently twisted and deeper in colour on the outside, with paler interiors. Magnolia ?Susan? is the perfect deciduous plant for a small garden with slightly acidic soil, retaining a neat, upright habit. Height: 4m (12?). Spread: 3m (10?).
Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet' has lush foliage, which makes for unbeatable groundcover in shaded, woodland areas. In addition to adding a splash of greenery to otherwise unremarkable areas, planting this hardy perennial has the added bonus of preventing the growth of weeds. Instead of worrying about weeding, gardeners can admire the understated spikes of white flowers that appear in June - far preferable to nettles, thistles or dandelions! Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 1m (3'3).
Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii is grown for its leathery, sword-like foliage with a stiff, upright habit. The leaves are mottled green with bright gold variegated edges. Commonly known as Mother-In-Laws Tongue, Sansevieria is an easy to grow, and virtually indestructible house plant. Height: 1m (39). Spread: 60cm (24).
Sometimes referred to as Golden Lily of the Valley this hardy plant is more exotic-looking than our native white species. As flower stems develop, reaching up to 1 metre high in summer, tendrils may be produced to hold them upright. Preferring cool conditions, the hanging golden lanterns will brighten up shady corners where others fail to thrive.
This Paperbush is a fascinating plant. Edgeworthia chrysantha offers early season colour, with clusters of silky buds, on bare woody stems, that open to reveal small, bright yellow flowers, that have a lovely honey scent. This unusual shrub looks great planted in a border with spring flowering bulbs, such as Daffodils, or in an Alpine rockery. It is hardy to -5°C (23°F), but is best located in a sheltered position. Height and spread: 150cm (59).
Ribes sanguineum King Edward Vii' is an upright shrub, which becomes smothered in clusters of deep red flowers early in the growing season. Later in the year these develop into black berries, that provide interest in the autumn months, and a food source for garden birds.
These hardy, compact Chrysanthemums are fantastic for adding late summer and autumn colour to your garden, just as other plants are starting to fade. Each plant forms a natural, neat mound of foliage which is completely smothered with flowers for weeks.
The 'chocaholics' amongst you will love the sumptuous, velvety flowers of this cosmos. Bred in the UK, its a compact, bushy plant that will be full of deep marooncoloured flowers from July to October, each one giving off the fragrance of chocolate. An ideal plant for patio containers or sunny garden borders. Ht. 30cm. Supplied as plug plants.
Chrysanthemums provide pompom-like, long-lasting flowers late in the season when other flowering plants are flagging.