This tiny perennial is perfect for rockeries or troughs. producing an abundance of tiny white blooms veined with fine pink lines from late spring into early summer. Gypsophila cerastioides grows in spreading mounds, and its semi-evergreen leaves are spoon-shaped and slightly hairy, earning it the common name of Mouse-ear Gypsophila. It is perfect for the alpine garden or for growing in gaps in walls and paving. Height: 5cm (2). Spread: 15cm (6).
A succession of delightful lemon-yellow trumpets adorn Daylily 'Atlas' from June through to September, each bloom lasting only a day. A real staple of the garden border, Daylilies are hardy and reliable herbaceous perennials, forming attractive clumps of strap-shaped leaves. A fabulous plant for cottage gardens or alternatively to compliment exotic gardens, Hemerocallis 'Atlas' can also be grown in a large patio container. The fleshy petals are edible, allowing you to add a myriad of colours to your salads and garnishes! Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 60cm (24).
A dramatic presence in the border, Daylily 'Crimson Pirate' produces star-shaped blooms which are a lovely, velvety crimson-red with a yellow centre. Each bloom only lasts a day but this floriferous variety will always be in bloom, from June right through to September. A vigorous growth habit and attractive strap-shaped leaves make Hemerocallis 'Crimson Pirate' a winner in herbaceous borders, cottage gardens or exotic themed gardens. The fleshy petals are also edible and great for adding colour to garnishes and salads. Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 60cm (24).
Aronia melanocarpa 'Hugin' is a small, deciduous shrub perfect for providing brilliant autumn colour in small gardens. It produces clusters of pretty white flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by rich black berries ready to harvest in the autumn. The fruits of this Aronia, known as the Black Chokeberry, are tart when raw but are delicious cooked into cakes, pies, jams and compotes. Aronia melanocarpa 'Hugin' is easy to grow, even in boggy conditions, and is perfect as part of a mixed border, where the fiery reds and oranges of its beautiful autumn foliage add seasonal interest. Height: 2m (6'). Spread: 3m (10').
A beautiful Hydrangea variety with 40cm (16) panicles of pink flowers, Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky' is a bold flowering shrub that offers loads of colour from August until early autumn. The flowerheads slowly fade, but can still be colourful in early winter, and they look fantastic on a frosty morning. It's a great choice for borders and also looks good in planters on patios or decking and is very low maintenance. Height and Spread: 1.5m (4.9).
An attractive, deciduous Ninebark plant, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' has striking red foliage that turns bronze as autumn approaches and corymbs of small creamy pink flowers in early summer, that are followed by red berries. Ideal for borders in suburban gardens. Very easy to maintain, it is best planted in an area that gets full sun or partial shade. Height and spread: 1.5m (4.9').
Vinca minor 'Illumination' or Lesser Periwinkle is a versatile low maintenance plant that offers so much. Because of it's trailing habit and low height it makes the perfect ground cover solution. The variegated evergreen foliage will romp over sunny banks or beneath trees in either full sun or shade and will also provide delightful violet-blue periwinkle flowers from late spring to autumn. Vinca minor 'Illumination' will also earn its keep as a year round trailing plant for hanging baskets or containers. Height: 20cm (8) Spread: 50cm (20).
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).
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).
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).
Fuchsia 'Genii' is a traditional, distinctive variety of Fuchsia with red sepals and deep purple petals, which bloom throughout the summer and early autumn months. Meanwhile, its foliage has a contrasting, golden tone, making this plant a colourful addition to borders and patio containers. It grows best in sunlight or dappled shade, where it will flourish for many years if deadheaded regularly. With such beautiful flowers and a relatively undemanding nature, it's easy to see why this hardy shrub has been awarded an RHS AGM. Height: 90cm (3'). Spread: 90cm (3').
Incredibly pretty, Gaura lindheimeri 'Rosyjane' produces white star shaped flowers with sweet pink picotee edges, which bob on long slender stems. This fabulous hardy perennial flowers non-stop from late spring through to September for an incredible 5 months of colour! A big hit at the Chelsea Flower Show when it was launched, Gaura lindheimeri 'Rosyjane' is tall and airy; a perfect addition to large patio containers or grouped in sunny borders where it attracts bees and butterflies. Height and Spread: 60cm (24).
Description for Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety' not available
Erica carnea f. alba 'Snow Queen' flowers profusely from late winter to spring, adding much needed interest to your garden. The large white urn-shaped flowers contrast spectacularly with the dark evergreen foliage. This Heather variety is an excellent source of nectar for pollinating insects and its low spreading habit makes it an ideal ground cover plant. Erica 'Snow Queen' is a low maintenance shrub that is perfectly suited to containers, rockeries, borders and beds. Height: 15cm (6). Spread: 45cm (18).
Heuchera 'Stormy Seas' is best known for the unusual colouring of its foliage: the hardy perennial's curled leaves are maroon-red with a green underside. They look particularly striking alongside the spikes of creamy-white flowers that appear in the summer. However, the plant's practical functions are not to be overlooked, for this Coral Flower is also great for providing ground cover in both sunny and partially shady areas. It also makes a great addition to mixed patio containers. With so much going for it, Coral Bells is surely deserving of a place in any cottage or wildlife garden. Height: 40cm (1'4). Spread: 40cm (1'4).
Most gardens have areas that the majority of plants would hate to live in. Too shaded, too damp, too dry, these difficult conditions are not a problem for hostas. Hosta fortunei 'Aureomarginata' has ridged green leaves edged in yellow. It's quick-growing clump-forming habit will make easy to maintain ground cover. During summer there is the added attraction of 36cm (3') tall spikes of pretty bell shaped flowers making hostas a cheerful choice for shady borders. Height: 55cm (22). Spread: 100cm (39)
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).