Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' is an appealing choice if you?re looking for a plant with interesting and light-coloured foliage to fill a gap in a large garden border. The European Red Elder has bright yellow-green, feathery leaves, contrasting wonderfully with shrubs with dark green foliage. Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' grows well in all types of soil, but is happiest in a spot that is both well-drained and moist. Conical heads of creamy white flowers are produced in late summer, followed by elderberries. Height and spread: 2.5m (8.2').
Large star shaped velvety purple flowers will bloom in June and October.
Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Mother of Pearl' has nectar rich, white flowers in summer, and powder pink berries in autumn making it an ideal shrub for a wildlife-friendly garden.
Aptly named, this gorgeous French Lavender produces large deep purple flower heads topped with frilly lavender petal-like bracts. The silver-green foliage emits a spicy fragrance when brushed past and is the perfect way to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden. A neat compact habit makes Lavender 'Fathead' ideal as border edging or grown in patio containers where you can appreciate the flowers up close. Blooming over a long period throughout summer, these Lavandula stoechas flowers are highly attractive to pollinating insects. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
Commonly known as Shooting Stars, this unusual perennial deserves to be more widely grown in UK gardens. The spring blooms are similar to Cyclamen, with reflexed petals and a lovely deep pink colour, but carried on much taller, 45cm (18) stems.
Exquisite pyramid shaped blooms with the darkest purple black petals. Plant tulips in groups and delight as they open to reveal their superb colouring. Why not cut some for a flower arrangement so that you can enjoy them indoors too!
If you're searching for a rose that will brighten up your cottage garden in the late summer and early autumn, consider Rose 'The Fairy'. This hardy shrub flowers in July, producing pretty, pink blooms in abundance. Its glossy leaves and graceful, arching stems can be trained into a small hedge. Alternatively, the Rosa can be grown in a sunny, cottage garden border, where it will prove itself to be deserving of the RHS AGM it holds. Height: 60cm (2'). Spread: 90cm (3').
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Thetis' features clumps of gorgeous, clear blue flowers at the tips of the stems, attracting pollinating insects to your garden. This small shrub has sturdy, upright stems with slim, scented, grey-green leaves and is perfect for adding late season colour. This Bluebeard variety is deciduous and ideal for hot, dry borders, cottage gardens, coastal areas and Mediterranean gardens. Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Thetis' is compact and drought tolerant. Height: 100cm (39). Spread: 150cm (59).
Hydrangea macrophylla 'The Original' was the first variety in the 'Endless Summer' series, noted for its ability to flower on old and new wood, giving it an outstanding flowering time from May all the way through until September. The blooms can range in colour from forget-me-not blue to stunning purple and pink depending on the pH of your soil. This compact and sturdy Hydrangea makes an ideal focal point in mixed borders and woodland gardens, as well as being perfect for patio containers. The flowers are also superb for cutting and are long-lasting in a vase. Height: 1.2m (4?). Spread: 1.5m (5?).
Are you tempted by the beautiful, globe-shaped blooms of African Blue Lillies but concerned that they will struggle in the changeable British climate? Perhaps the 'Northern Star' variety of Agapanthus is the answer to your prayers! Not only does it produce an abundance of deep blue flower umbels in mid to late summer, but it is among the toughest plants of its kind.
A unique compact plant, hardy perennial, with rich pink, daisy-like flowers that bloom upon wiry stems above silvery-green foliage from April to June. Ideal for full sun locations in the border or patio containers. Ht. 20cm, spread 30cm. Supplied in 9cm pot.