Beech is the perfect candidate for hedging and has traditionally been used on many large estates . It can be grown to almost any height as a hedge or privacy screen and will maintain a good density and tidy shape, usually only needing to be clipped once or twice a year. Over winter, Beech tends to hold onto most of its dead leaves, and sheds them in the spring when the new shoots start to appear, helping to keep privacy to a maximum.
Holly has just about every quality you need to make an effective secure boundary. The evergreen leaves will form a permanent dense screen for privacy, the spiky edges to them will also make a good deterrent. Berries in the winter add a touch of colour and give all year interest, and the birds will appreciate a tasty source of food too! Easy to grow and maintain, either formally, or left to grow to give a more natural look.
This upright shrub bears scented pink flowers in summer, followed by bright red hips through autumn. Ht. 1.5m. Supplied as bare root plants.
As the name suggests, this variety of Dogwood sports red flowers in spring rather than the usual creamy white ones. These hardy shrubs are becoming increasingly popular in garden design as they have a structure and form that is both eye pleasing and also neat and tidy. Another bonus feature of this shrub is that its blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies so it will draw them into your garden where you can enjoy seeing them. Due to its neat compact habit, Cornus ?Royal Red? is also suitable for growing in large containers too. Height: 180cm (71). Spread 180cm (71).
A familiar sight in many cottage gardens, peonies are well known for their delightfully colourful displays in late spring. Peony ?Candy Strip? goes above and beyond this however due to the impressive marbling effect the large blooms have; boasting both pink and white mixed together to produce a magnificent striping effect. Given plenty of help from plant support to help hold the blooms aove the foliage, this hardy plant will just get bigger and better every single year. Height: 90cm (35?). Spread: 90cm (35?).
With its slivery-blue rounded foliage, the young Eucalyptus gunnii can be pruned into an attractive shrub or left to grow into a fine tree. The young stems also make an excellent addition to a cut flower arrangement. As the tree or shrub gets more mature, the leaves become more linear and the flaking bark reveals delightful shapes and patterns on the trunk. Also known as the Cider Gum or Ironbark, this plant is fast growing and low maintenance. Height: 25m (82'); Spread: 10m (33').
Providing late season colour, Hibiscus syriacus 'Oiseau Bleu' has large lavender-blue flowers, with maroon and cream centres, from August until October. It is a nice addition to wide garden borders in sunny locations, especially in gardens where most of the shrubs flower earlier in the year, such as Rhododendrons. This beautiful Rose Mallow has been awarded an RHS AGM for its outstanding garden performance. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2m (6.5').
This hardy, deciduous shrub is a perfect choice for an easy-to-grow plant with a big impact. From mid-summer large panicles of creamy buds open into pretty white flowers that are appealing to bees and butterflies. Tough and suited to all British weather. Height 3m, spread 2m.
Commonly known as Himalayan Honeysuckle, Flowering Nutmeg, or Pheasant Berry, Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' is a deciduous shrub with attractive light green foliage and unusual clusters of Bluebell like, cream flowers that emerge from wine red bracts. It is best planted in a sunny, sheltered border. Its autumn berries attract garden birds. It looks good planted alongside shrubs with red tinged leaves, such as Leucothoe 'Scarletta'. Height and Spread: 2m (6.5')
A tough, drought-resistant grass which loves an exposed location. The jet-black swords of 'Black Velvet' can be used to great contrasting effect with your favourite cottage garden plants and seasonal bedding. For a really contemporary look, grow this black New Zealand flax in aluminium pots or white glazed containers. Ht. 2m.
Bees and butterflies love the lavender-blue, nectar-rich flowers of Lilac 'Katherine Havemeyer'. Gardeners love this shrub too, for its graceful hanging flower clusters, delicious fragrance, heart-shaped leaves, and because it is such an easy shrub to grow and maintain. Syringa vulgaris grows quickly in a sunny spot and attracts many beneficial insects to the garden. Height: 7m (23'). Spread: 7m (23').
Spiraea 'Arguta' is a beautiful, large and bushy shrub, covered in arching sprays of small white flowers in May. Commonly known as Bridal Wreath or Foam of May, Spiraea 'Arguta' is very easy to maintain and well suited to both cottage and modern style gardens. A perfect choice for ?white gardens?, it also makes a great specimen in a large border alongside other flowering shrubs, or a wonderful informal hedge. Height and spread: 2.5m (8.2').
Lilac 'Superba' is extremely versatile, ideal for training into a scented, colourful hedge or for growing against a wall. Its compact habit means it can also be used in large patio containers and small gardens, and this deciduous shrub is covered in delicate clusters of subtle pink, tubular flowers in late spring. The striking flowers of Syringa subsp. microphylla 'Superba' give out an irresistible fragrance. Height and spread: up to 3.5m (11').
Garden at ease with this gorgeous herbaceous perennial. If you've ever grown Gentians before, you?ll know how tricky they can be to care for, but this newly introduced cultivar is by far the easiest to grow. The low growing, bushy, dark green foliage of Gentiana cruciate bears small, bright blue flowers at the tips of each stem, in late summer. Completely fuss-free, this hardy plant is rabbit-proof and is primarily used as an edging plant or in woodland, where you will be rewarded with stunning displays for years to come. Height & spread: 30cm (12).
Most commonly known as the favourite fir tree to use as a Christmas tree, Abies nordmanniana, or the Nordmann Fir, is and evergreen conifer which can grown in excess of 30m if left. New growth starts out an attractive light green before it matures to match the rest of the rich dark green needles. The young cones start of green and fade through a reddish brown to become the traditional colour.
A superb new introduction with orange-red stems that glow beautifully in winter, even on the dullest of days. The creamy white spring flowers and glorious coral pink and apricot autumn foliage provide a long season of interest. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' is perfect for adding colour to winter gardens, woodland areas, and mixed borders. Like most Dogwoods, it is reliable and easy to grow.
With crinkled leaves in pastel shades of green, cream, purple and pink, this low-growing ground-cover plant is fun and frothy, all ready to party! Every summer, Ajuga reptans 'Party Colour' bears flower spikes above its pretty leaves, adding violet-blue to the colour mix, and bringing a new dimension to its evergreen all-year interest. Perfect for a shady spot, Bugle is easy to grow and requires no maintenance. It's a great choice for a woodland border or for a patio container in a shady corner. Height: 20cm (8). Spread up to 50cm (20).
A favourite in the cottage garden, this tall and slender plant is a magnificent sight in late summer when each stem is clothed in ruffled bright pink pompom blooms. Hollyhock rosea 'Pleniflora' looks spectacular grown in large groups. It also grows well at the back of the border where it provides a dramatic backdrop to other, smaller flowering plants. Althaea rosea grows best in a sunny site. Height: 180cm (71). Spread: 60cm (24).