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').
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).
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).
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.
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 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.
Traditional favourite for spring/summer sowings. Easy-to-grow, with good ?bolting? tolerance, the soft ?butterhead? hearts are ready to harvest from 10 weeks after sowing. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 30cm (12).
Compact growing variety of broad bean, which is ideal for smaller gardens. It offers bumper crops of 15cm (6in) pods that contain 5 tender beans, delicious to taste. Ideal for successional sowings, giving a harvest throughout summer. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 25cm (10).
Dwarf growing variety that makes large heads of florets. This easy-to-grow variety can be sown and harvested all year round, overwinter in coldframes for summer crops. Height: 60cm (24). Spread: 75cm (30).
This vibrant re-blooming, bearded Iris will provide a colourful display in spring and a second flush in midsummer. This hardy perennial are easy to grow and quick to establish in sunny borders, coping well with sandy, dry soils.
A real eye-catcher, Virginia Creeper will quickly cover a wall or fence with attractively shaped leaves which turn the most beautiful shades of crimson, apricot and yellow in autumn, sometimes bearing clusters of blue-black berries at the same time. A vigorous and easy-to-grow climber, Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a useful choice for sun or shade. But don't underestimate its zest for growth - it really does need plenty of space! Height: up to 12m (39'). Spread: 4m (13').
Fragrant spikes of creamy yellow, semi double flowers are held aloft green linear foliage. An unusual addition to the garden, the waxy blooms of Polianthes tuberosa 'Yellow' also make a charming cut flower.