Often called 'Carnations' or 'Pinks', Dianthus are a great flowering plant that are very easy to grow and are drought tolerant. Dianthus 'Joy' flowers throughout the summer, with semi-double pastel pink blooms on long stems, growing above clumps of slender, grey-green leaves. A cottage and coastal garden favourite, suitable for borders and planters. The flowers are popular as a cut flower for indoor vases, and are long lasting. Height and Spread: 50cm (20).
Rosettes of soft white or yellow rounded petals unfurl in late spring. True to its name, this fragrant beauty will certainly put a smile on your face! Grow them outdoors in borders and rockeries, or in containers on a bright windowsill indoors. Also excellent as cut flowers to make a really pretty posy! Height: 50cm (20). Bulb size: 10/12cm.
Description for Lobelia x speciosa 'Fan Scarlet' not available
An evergreen perennial that bears erect stems, up to a metre high, which burst into globes of blue trumpet flowers from July to September, above strappy green foliage. It's a perfect specimen for a large patio planter of moist, well-drained compost, that can be brought to a frost-free place over winter. Plants can be divided every 4 years in spring. Ht. 1m. Mature plants are supplied in a 12cm pot.
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).
Aquilegia flowers come in many shades of pink, purple, red and white, but the unusual 'Yellow Star' steals the show with its vibrant blooms. These lemon Granny's Bonnets appear in May, June and July to brighten up borders, rockeries or woodland gardens and attract pollinators. They also make superb cut flowers for those who want to bring the beauty of a cottage garden into the cottage itself. Columbines are extremely easy to grow, requiring only sunlight and rich, well drained soil. This makes the Aquilegia chrysantha 'Yellow Star' an excellent choice of hardy perennial.
Description for Berberis x lologensis 'Apricot Queen' not available
This upright flowering cherry tree has a neat, columnar habit giving rise to the common name 'Flagpole Cherry Tree'. In late spring, this RHS AGM variety becomes smothered in delightful white-pink blossom, which has a delicate scent and is highly attractive to bees.
Description for Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Kobold' not available
New for 2014 - this stunning pansy boasts extra-large flowers in abundance that form atop bushy plants, ideal for adding a cool effect to winter and spring pots, indeed this pansy may even begin to flower during autumn so you could see their eye-catching blooms from October right through to May! Ht.15-20cm. Supplied as plug plants.
With its distinctive burgundy-coloured leaves, each consisting of three triangular leaflets, Oxalis triangularis 'Burgundy Wine' makes a fine plant for a sunny windowsill or bright conservatory. In June and July, a display of white tubular flowers contrasts beautifully with the Shamrock's dark foliage. In mild areas this tender perennial adds an exotic touch to sheltered borders or alpine gardens. The Sorrel's flowers open in sunlight and close when overcast. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).
Ajuga reptans 'Catlins Giant' is grown for its foliage as much as its flowers, slowly spreading to form a carpet of glossy, purple-green leaves. This semi-evergreen perennial flowers from late spring through to midsummer, producing masses of upright spikes of blue-purple flowers that are highly attractive to bees. 'Catlins Giant' is a popular Bugle selection, with larger leaves and flowers than the original species, and has been awarded a prestigious RHS AGM. Perfect as ground cover for woodland gardens and shady borders, Ajuga plants prefer partial shade, and are extremely low maintenance. Height: 50cm (20). Spread up to 1m (39).
Scabious 'Butterfly Blue' is great in wildlife gardens because, as its name suggests, it attracts scores of butterflies and bees between July and October. These pollinators flock to the hardy perennial's lavender-blue blooms, which protrude on dainty stems above grey-green, lance shaped foliage. Scabiosa atropurpurea, which is sometimes called Pinchushion Flower or Sweet Scabious, grows best in sunny, cottage garden borders, but also makes an interesting cut flower. Height: 40cm (1'4). Spread: 40cm (1'4).
A late flowering herbaceous perennial, Aster novi belgii 'Karminkuppel' produces masses of daisy flowers, with purple petals and yellow centres, in late summer through to mid autumn. A lovely addition to any cottage garden, priarie style meadow borders and wildlife gardens, especially those with a colour palette of pinks, blues, purples and white. The nectar rich flowers are a great food source for bees and butterflies. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 50cm (20).
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.
Sweet tasting and juicy apples ready to harvest in September and October, with amazing red flesh. Ideal for eating fresh, cooking and making pink apple juice. The tree itself bears attractive, deep crimson blossom, making it an excellent ornamental centrepiece in the spring garden, allotment or orchard. Ht. 2m. Supplied in 9cm pot.
Stunning, detailed flower spikes in candy-pink are borne above dark foliage in late summer. Veronica 'Candied Candle' is a reliable, strong, hardy perennial which is resilient and untroubled by inclement weather. Plants will establish very easily in any border and will flower their hearts out, providing show-stopping performances which will be sure to get the neighbours talking. Extremely low maintenance and attractive to butterflies and other pollinating insects. Height: 50cm (20). Spread: 30cm (12).
Geranium cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is a pretty ground cover plant that can act as a weed suppressant. It has evergreen foliage and in June and July many Cranesbill, subtle pink flowers bloom. In autumn the foliage turns to gentle shades of red and bronze that looks great planted alongside other plants with autumnal interest. Geranium cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is often planted in large groups, either as a bloc or in lines at the front of garden borders, or down the sides of garden paths and driveways. It has nectar rich flowers that attract pollinating insects.
Oxalis 'Sunny' is a very handsome little plant. Each of its leaves is made up of three triangular leaflets, coloured with rich hues of burgundy and ruby. Above the foliage, from spring to summer, this Shamrock bears funnel-shaped pink flowers which open in sunshine and close when overcast. It looks great in borders or rockeries or in summer patio pots. It can be grown in sheltered spot in full sun, but in harsher climates this tender perennial may prefer to grow in the greenhouse or conservatory. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).