Gaultheria procumbens has many names, among which are Eastern teaberry, Boxberry and American wintergreen. No matter what they choose to call it, one thing that all gardeners agree on is the plant's ability to provide groundcover and suppress weeds, even in partially shady areas. In addition to this practical use, Checkerberry makes a colourful addition to cottage, woodland, wildlife and sloped gardens, for it flowers in the summer. These white, bell-shaped blooms are succeeded by scarlet berries. The autumn sees the hardy shrub's green foliage take on a reddish tone, making for a wonderful, festive spectacle in the winter. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 1m (3'3).
Brighten up your home this Christmas with our festive evergreen Christmas Heather. This vigorous evergreen heather produces captivating clusters of flowers which are both tough and weatherproof. Ideal for home or as a novelty Christmas gift, its festive dressing and jolly features are guaranteed to bring a smile to all your loved ones. After the festivities it can be planted outside or set in an outdoor pot for bringing indoors. One plant in a 13cm pot. Overall height 40cm.
Create a carpet of colour in borders and rockeries with these brightly coloured daisies. Ideal for dry and sunny positions around the garden. Height: 7.5cm (3). Spread: 30cm (12).
Dwarf compact-growing lavender, ideal for hedging, bedding and borders. The deep mauve flowers are highly fragrant and make a great cut or dried flower. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 60cm (24).Culinary information: Some parts of these flowers are edible. Click here for more details about edible flowers.
Easy-to-grow annual with a gentle fragrance. Low-growing and spreading plant with pretty bicoloured blooms all summer long. Ideal at the front of borders. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 20cm (8).
Add instant impact to your garden with these beautiful chrysanthemums. When other plants are fading, their vibrant blooms are just beginning! These long lasting chrysanthemum flowers in red, pink, yellow and white make flamboyant displays for vases and bouquets. Supplied in 2 litre pots.
Also known as Angel Wings, this caladium is a striking beauty with delicate colours and detailed foliage.
This great book is packed full of ideas and tips, from dealing with pests diseases and growing bigger plants to ways to save money in the garden. By Steve Brookes.
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.
This new collection brings together varieties of two colours - pure white and rare soft pink. The nodding bells make an enduring and evocative sight every spring, and the scent is unforgettable. These Lily of the Valley flower stems are great for cutting too. Ht. 25cm. Supplied as pips.
The eye-catching blooms of Evening Primrose have played a major role in creating some of the most stunning perennial borders in gardens around the world. Oenothera 'African Sun' brings together all the key parts of this popular plants, together with maintaining a rounded, compact habit. The rich golden-yellow flowers remain open throughout the daytime as well as in the evenings and look excellent in borders and containers. Slender green foliage forms the base of this tough, reliable, hardy garden plant and will thrive in most conditions. Low maintenance and unlike other evening primroses, tolerates shade as well as full sun. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 30cm (12).
Lupins have long been favourite plants for cottage garden planting schemes and with specimens like Lupin 'The Page' it's easy to see why. The tall spires hold dozens of pea-like blooms in a rich shades of scarlet red. This variety has been bred to provide a long flowering period which will bring great satisfaction to newcomers to gardening as well as experienced gardeners too. Lupins shouldn't be thought of as purely for cottage gardens as they'll bring a burst of colour in borders or in groups at the edge of woodlands. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 75cm (30).