Clematis 'Shirayukihime' is a large-flowered variety that bears wide, grey-white flowers with superbly contrasting yellow anthers. It is early to flower, with blooms appearing in May/June and a second flush in September that continues into autumn, providing an extended season of interest. This Japanese-bred cultivar has a neat and compact habit, making it the ideal choice for containers. Height: 2.5m (8'). Spread: 1m(3'). Pruning group: 2.
Clematis 'Varenne' boasts stunning dark purple 14cm (6) flowers, each with a focal point of cream coloured anthers in the centre. This variety flowers between June and August and by planting alongside a late spring flowering and a late summer flowering clematis you can create a gorgeous, colourful display from the end of May right through until September. Clematis 'Varenne' is perfect for both cottage style or contemporary gardens and can be planted in patio containers with trellis, or up the sides of garden fences and walls. Height: 2m (6'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 2.
Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit' is a late-flowering Clematis, in bloom from mid-summer through to the autumn. Awarded an RHS AGM for its excellent garden performance, Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit' produces an abundant array of rich purple flowers with green-white stamens. For a truly stunning display, give this Clematis space to scramble up pergolas, walls and fences. Height: 5m (16'). Spread: 2m (6.5'). Pruning group: 3.
A Clematis from the Viticella group, which are deciduous and have medium sized flowers, Clematis viticella 'Royal Velours' flowers from July to September, and produces a mass of 4 sepal, red-violet flowers. It can be planted to scramble amongst other shrubs or up tree trunks, or grown up a trellis on a wall, or attached to a planter. This Clematis thrives in a sunny or partial shade location. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Height: 4m (12'). Spread: 1.5m (5'). Pruning group: 3.
Clematis 'Elsa Spath' will be in bloom from June to September giving you plenty of time to enjoy the strong violet-blue flowers that have a centre of contrasting red anthers. Clematis viticella 'Xerxes', often called 'Elsa Spath' will grow to approx 3m or 10' each season making it suitable for growing amongst mature shrubs, or up against a wall, pergola, trellis or fence. The rich colouring of 'Elsa Spath' lends itself to be placed close to blooms in various shades of pink so that they will complement each other perfectly. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1m (3') Pruning group: 2.
With dramatic recurved petals and a beautiful shade of pink, Nerine bowdenii 'Pink' are guaranteed to brighten up any autumn flower border when other blooms are fading away.
This Japanese Barberry does what its name suggests. Berberis thunbergii 'Tiny Gold' is a compact hardy shrub, the deciduous foliage of which is a golden colour when it first appears in the spring. In the summer, these leaves take on a green hue, while the autumn sees them turn spectacular shades of orange and red. The plant's size, a mere 50cm (1'8), surely earns it a place in a patio container or at the front of a cottage garden border. It also boasts delicate, yellow flowers, which bloom in April and May and make this 'Tiny Gold' bush a nectar-rich haven for bees and butterflies in small wildlife gardens. Height: 50cm (1'8). Spread: 50cm (1'8).
Cottage, coastal and low maintenance gardens will surely benefit from the addition of this hardy shrub. Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Ferndown' is an exceptionally undemanding plant that tolerates drought and will grow in exposed areas, providing it is placed in full sunlight. In addition to these practical advantages, Bluebeard produces interesting, structural stems adorned with elegant, grey-green foliage. These leaves are faintly aromatic, pleasing the senses of smell and sight alike. What's more, the 'Ferndown' variety bears clusters of blue, pollen-rich flowers in the late summer, attracting pollinators such as bees. It can therefore be given pride of place in wildlife areas. Height: 1.2m (4'). Spread: 1.5m (4'11).
Choisya x dewitteana 'White Dazzler' is a compact, evergreen shrub that bears a profusion of attractive white scented flowers in April, before flowering again in late summer and early autumn. This new variety of Mexican Orange Blossom features elegant glossy green leaves that add interest all year round. This rounded, low-maintenance shrub can be grown as an informal evergreen hedge, or used to provide permanent structure in the garden, fitting in well to mixed borders, coastal gardens and cottage gardens. Height and spread: 2m (6.5').
Deutzia 'Tourbillon Rouge' is a great addition to cottage and low maintenance gardens. It looks particularly lovely when grown in a sunny, mixed border, where its arched stems and star-shaped flowers will surely make it the star of the show. These pink and white blooms will fill the surrounding area with a sweet smell throughout the month of June, meaning that the plant can also be used in scented gardens. In the autumn, the hardy shrub's peeling, orange-red bark offers late season structure and interest. Height: 2m (6'5). Spread: 2m (6'5).
Escallonia 'C.F. Ball' is a tough, reliable evergreen shrub, featuring a thick covering of shiny dark green leaves below clumps of vivid crimson, tubular flowers that add interest to your garden throughout the summer. Attracting pollinating insects to your garden, this Escallonia is the perfect choice for evergreen hedging. It can also be grown as a specimen shrub in coastal gardens and mixed borders, providing year round structure whilst requiring little maintenance. Height and Spread: 2.5m (8?).
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blushing Bride', part of the 'Endless Summer' series, bears large clumps of attractive, white semi-double flowers from May all the way through to September. The blooms, when mature, vary in colour between soft pink or blue blush depending on the pH of your soil. This deciduous shrub is an ideal choice for patio containers, or as the centre of attention in woodland gardens and mixed borders. Hydrangeas are well known for making superb cut flowers that last well. The 'Endless Summer' series is noted for its exceptional flowering period, tough habit and disease resistance. Height and spread: 1.8m (6?).
The Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' range is so named because it keeps producing flowers?and flowers?and more flowers! From May until September, this hardy shrub produces copious amounts of pretty, lacecap blooms, the petals of which can be either delicate pink or bold blue depending on soil acidity. If its seemingly endless season isn't enough to make you 'Twist & Shout', the plant's red stems also look lovely against its foliage, which is dark green in colour. Although it grows best in full sunlight, this Hydrangea can also flourish in partially shady cottage or woodland garden borders. Height: 1.5m (5'). Spread: 1.5m (5').
Tree Peony 'Jing Yu' is a flowering deciduous shrub that has scented, large white flowers, in April and May. It will grow in time to 1.5 metres, making it a good sized shrub for medium sized gardens. Planted near to a Rhododendron with purple or pink flowers, it makes a great contrast. Paeonia suffruticosa are best planted in a sunny or partial shade position. Height and spread: 1.5m (5').
If you are looking for a flowering hardy shrub with pink flowers, then Tree Peony'Tao Hong Fei Cui' is a perfect choice. It has beautiful soft pink flowers that are about the size of dinner plates! Native to China it is ideal for oriental style gardens, but is also suitable for other types of garden, such as cottage gardens. It is deciduous and disease resistant, with up to 100 flowers on mature specimens. Very easy to maintain and will give years of pleasure, each spring. Height and spread: 150cm (60).
Native to China, Tree Peonies are much loved for their bold, late spring flowers, with up to 100 blooms on mature specimens. Tree Peony 'Xue Ta' is a white flowered variety, and looks impressive planted alongside other Tree Peonies, with different coloured flowers, in wide garden borders in various types of garden from oriental to cottage. Deciduous, it is hardy and likes a sunny or partial shade position. Height and spread: 150cm (60).
For a small shrub, Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor' offers so much interest from spring to late autumn.
Striking gold foliage accents the fantastic hot pink flowers of this easy to grow, deciduous shrub. Spiraea japonica ?Double Play Gold? maintains a neat compact, mounded shape with gorgeous orange-pink growth at the top of each stem, creating a real talking point in the garden. A perfect choice for a wildlife garden in a border or container and equally, if not more attractive planted on mass. Season long interest with minimal maintenance, perfect for beginner gardeners. Height and spread: 60cm (24?).
For outstanding colour over several months of the year, this Japanese Spiraea will undoubtedly supply you with just that. Stunning golden foliage provides a perfect backdrop to the bright pink flower heads that are bound stop everybody in their tracks. The summer blooms of Spiraea japonica ?Pink and Gold? are guaranteed to attract dozens of butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, making this an ideal choice for a wildlife garden. As the summer draws to an end, the foliage takes on wonderful autumn shades, which extends the season of interest well into October. Resilient, low maintenance and long-lasting displays ? what more could you ask for. Height and spread: 120cm (48?).
A dwarf deciduous shrub perfect for borders in small gardens, Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine' has deep burgundy leaves, which looks fantastic if planted alongside a yellow or light green foliage shrub. Its also suitable for planting in a container and adding to a patio or decking area. In May and June the plant becomes covered in rich pink, tubular flowers. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 30cm (12).