Hosta undulata var. undulata or 'Mediovariegata' is an RHS AGM winning hardy perennial that strikes a rare balance between flowers and foliage. In July and August, its lavender-blue, funnel-shaped blooms look stunning on their tall stems, particularly when the plant is featured in a patio container or at the front of a border. However, the leaves over which they tower are equally attractive, with a creamy-white centre and an unusual, twisted growth habit. This foliage also provides good groundcover in cottage and woodland gardens. Indeed, to achieve the brightest colours, a shady setting with plenty of trees is an ideal setting for this understated Plantain Lily. Height: 45cm (1'6). Spread: 45cm (1'6).
Damp, dry or shaded areas are not the ideal place for a great many plants but Hostas are the ideal solution. They are easy to grow and will provide ground cover in the shaded border or you can make a feature of them in a container if you have areas of the patio that don't catch the sun. Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans is clump forming and has strong blue-green foliage with deep ridges that give texture to the display and during the summer months you can expect stems of pale lilac flowers too. The Giant Blue Hosta is a worthy RHS Award of Garden Merit holder and is the perfect plant for moist, damp, dark borders or difficult, dry shady borders.. Height: 100cm (39). Spread: 120cm (48).
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii, also known as Cape Gooseberry, is a highly unusual and exotic looking plant that provides garden interest throughout the seasons. In midsummer the plant is covered in small creamy-white flowers that contrast with the oval green foliage. Later in the year they become full of berries that are inside bright red-orange papery calyces that look like Chinese lanterns. If left on the plant over winter the berries, which have been hidden inside, become visible as the calyces slowly skeletonize and end up, on frosty winter days, looking like gilded cages surrounding the berries.
An RHS AGM winning Black Eyed Susan bearing bright, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers with dark button eyes that make excellent cut flowers. The radiant, coneflowers of Rudbeckia fulgida ?Goldsturm? are produced over a long period, attracting bees and butterflies to their long lasting blooms. These compact perennials are easy to grow, reliably filling gaps in borders, and returning year after year.
This geranium is an elegant pink flower with darker pink veins which blossom between June and September over finely trimmed foliage.
Description for Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Burgundy Lace' not available
Astonishingly beautiful, this slow growing variety of Japanese Maple makes a spectacular specimen tree, with a pleasing rounded habit. Its finely cut foliage creates a delicate lacy effect, transforming from flame red to fiery orange as autumn progresses.
Ferns are a great addition in any garden, offering architectural forms as their fronds uncurl. Give them a relatively shady position and they will thrive. Fern 'Ghost' is a dusky green-grey colour. Ht. 30- 50cm. Supplied as plug plants.
Erodium x variabile 'Roseum' is a hardy little alpine plant, perfect for filling small crevices and gaps in walls, rockeries and patios. Its low-spreading habit forms cushions of scalloped, grey-green foliage, which is topped off with a profusion of pink flowers with darker veins, just like little Geranium flowers. Erodium × variabile 'Roseum' is very effective when planted in a group and allowed to knit together. This lovely variety of Stork?s Bill holds an RHS AGM for its garden performance.
Fiery red buds open to reveal tubular orange flowers that gradually fade to a bright shade of yellow. This reliable cottage garden favourite is distinctive for its spectacular display of red hot poker flowers carried on tall stems above evergreen strap-like foliage.
Description for Clematis florida var. florida 'Sieboldiana' not available
Vivid, large single and semi-double 8cm (3in) flowers. Neat, mound shaped bushes achieving a memorable main bedding display