Pure white flowers in late winter contrast with bright evergreen foliage, making Erica x darleyensis f. albiflora 'White Perfection' a great choice for the front of the border or rockery. It's good for wildlife too, as the flowers provide a valuable source of nectar early in the year. Unlike most Heathers which prefer acid soil, this Erica x darleyensis cultivar will tolerate almost any well drained soil, where it will gradually form spreading clumps of weed-suppressing ground cover. It has the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 60cm (24).
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).
Gunnera manicata is famed for its giant evergreen leaves, which can reach 1-2 metres across! This Giant Rhubarb may not be suitable for smaller gardens, due to its sheer size, but it looks impressive and is ideal for waterlogged soil. A planting near water shows the leaves off to their best with spectacular reflections. An attention-grabbing addition to your garden, Gunnera manicata is durable and architectural and holds an RHS AGM. Height: 2.5m (8'). Spread: 4m (13').
Erica carnea 'Pink Spangels' is a versatile evergreen Heather variety that provides outstanding ground cover thanks to its spreading habit. Between February and April an abundance of nectar-rich soft pink flowers are borne, attracting pollinating insects to your garden. This variety will flourish in nearly any well drained soil and can even cope with light shade. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 45cm (18).
As you might expect from a plant called 'Melting Fire', this Heuchera's semi-evergreen foliage is curled with firey tones of red and purple. In June and July, Coral Bells sprouts additional flowers that appear to rise out of the fire. The tall spikes that bear these blooms add structure and interest to sunny borders and patio containers. Coral Flower's unusual colouring and long season of interest make the hardy perennial a great addition to any cottage or wildlife garden. Height: 40cm (1'4). Spread: 40cm (1'4).
This vigorous hosta is one of the most striking cultivars with its white-margined foliage. Throughout mid-summer spikes of trumpet-like lavender-coloured flowers appear. Ideally suited to lightly-shaded locations around the garden and moist soil, it makes useful ground cover, however protect from slugs to maintain a good-looking plant. Ht. 60cm, spread 1m. Supplied as a mature plant in a 2 litre pot.
Lupin are a firm favourite for lovers of the traditional cottage garden display. Lupin 'Russell Hybrids Mixed' comes in a wonderful mix of rainbow colours, which complement each other to form a perfect border or woodland display. In May, June and July, the plants' upright stems produce tightly packed blooms in many shades of red, white, pink, purple, yellow. Lupin 'Russell Hybrids Mixed' is a particularly great choice if there's a space at the back of a sunny border you need to fill, for the flowers are sure to flourish here. Height: 90cm (3'). Spread: 75cm (2'6).
Crocosmia 'Firestarter' is one of the Crocosmia Firestars Series, that have been specifically bred for their fiery bicolour flowers. It has arching flower stems, with funnel shaped, yellow blooms, each with orange edging, and sword shaped foliage.
Crocosmia ?Hot Spot is one of the Crocosmia Firestar Series, that have been bred for their fiery coloured flowers and compact growing habit. The flowers grow on arching stems, with bright yellow petals, with central rings of cherry red blotches.
Garden Pinks are evergreen and will last for many years in the garden. Plants are tough, resilient and weatherproof, and love a position in sun, and can cope with neglect. Dianthus are particuarly useful in difficult areas such as slopes or dry gardens. Pinks produce an endless supply of fragrant blooms over a long summer period; make sure you enjoy them indoors as cut flowers too. Dianthus 'Diane' is known for its rosy-pink, double flowers, with a rich clove scent. Height and Spread: 50cm (20). Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible.
This hardy perennial is truly the essence of an english cottage garden. Rose coloured flowers are flecked in white and burgundy and will bloom all around the stems, year after year, from late spring to mid-summer. Ideal for traditional borders as well as modern planting displays. Height 1.2m, spread 50cm. Supplied in 3 litre pots.
Easy to grow and perfect for rockeries, borders, hedges and even municipal parks and gardens, Potentilla ?Abbotswood' is a compact shrub with an abundance of 4cm wide pristine white flowers amongst attractively shaped foliage. Potentilla are real workhorse in the garden as they can flower from April through to September when the foliage turns a rich red to close the season. Shrubby Cinquefoil as it's often called has many varieties and colours but the calming white blooms of Potentilla 'Abbotswood' are very welcome in a busy garden and nectar loving insects will appreciate the flowers too. Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 120cm (60).
Bring a splash of zingy yellow into your garden with the towering Achillea filipendula 'Coronation Gold'. This eye-catching RHS AGM award winning hardy perennial has tall slender stems topped with an almost flat head made up of dozens of small golden yellow flowers which will be in bloom throughout the summer. The grey-green feathery foliage forms a neutral backdrop to complement the swathe of yellow above. Coronation Gold will be a magnet for bees and other nectar loving insects and will make a good cut flower too. Height: 1m (39). Spread: 50cm (20).
This Granny's Bonnet is very different to the frumpy headwear that some grandmothers might be reported to own! Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow' is elegant, pretty and colourful. The hardy perennial typically flowers in May, whereby it produces exceptional pinky-red blooms, the petals of which are tipped with a contrasting yellow tone. The Columbine is reliably easy to grow, making it a firm favourite in traditional, sunny cottage gardens. Aquilegia clematiflora is also a great candidate for cut flower gardens, for it provides a great focal point for any indoor display. Height: 80cm (2'7). Spread: 45cm (1'6).
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunray' is a little ray of sunshine to brighten up your garden in spring and summer with its glorious blooms. These semi-double flowers are bright yellow and attract bees with their rich nectar, making them well-suited to wildlife gardens. Alternatively, Tickseed is a great addition to perennial borders, annual beds, patio containers and even cut flower displays. With its neat, compact habit and ability to flourish even in partially shady areas, there's nothing this hardy perennial can't do! Height: 45cm (1'6). Spread: 45cm (1'6).
Amelanchier lamarkii makes its first impact in spring with a magnificent display of snow white blossom which seems to take on a pink hue when seen beside the bronze-coloured young leaves. This lovely tree takes centre stage again in autumn when its leaves turn to vivid shades of red and orange, the colours even more enhanced if it is grown in a sunny border. Snowy Mespilus is an excellent specimen tree with an attractive open habit. It grows best on slightly acid soil. Height: up to 12m (39?). Spread: 4m (13?).
Digitalis purpurea is a dainty, delicate Foxglove with peach-coloured flowers, which give it the alternative name 'Dalmatian Peach'. These blooms appear on characteristic, upright stems, which add structure and architecture to borders in cottage gardens, woodland gardens and cut flower gardens alike. The hardy biennial is equally deserving of a place in wildlife areas, for bees love its nectar-rich florets. These insects will 'buzz off' when the flowers die after midsummer, but are sure to be back the next year if you allow the plant to seed around. Height: 50cm (1'8). Spread: 40cm (1'4).
Native to North America and part of the Sunflower family of plants, Echinacea purpurea 'Rubinstern' has bold, pink giant daisy type flowers that look fantastic planted in mixed garden borders or priarie style meadow areas. Coneflowers are also great at attracting bees and butterflies to gardens. They flower in August, at the height of summer and are best grown in full sun, in well drained soil. Height: 90cm (36). Spread 50cm (20).
Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze' lives up to its name by flourishing on the sea air and sunshine around the coasts of southern Britain. It is the perfect choice for those tricky, exposed areas and will self-seed into the most unexpected crevices and corners, even over the top of stone walls. This low-growing perennial bears stunning, purple-pink, daisy-like flowers above blue-green foliage and will bloom all summer long. Finally, the flowers of Erigeron 'Sea Breeze' will die back, leaving you with a splendid mat of evergreen foliage. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 45cm (18).
Goniolimon collinum 'Sea Spray' bears miniature white blooms above clumps of silvery foliage, producing a continuous display throughout July and August, with the flowers drying slowly on the plant. This drought resistant and rabbit-proof Bulgarian Statice is a tough plant which is ideal for harsh locations such as exposed and coastal gardens. Height and Spread 45cm (18).