Carex morrowii 'Variegata' is a Sedge plant of Japanese origin. The strap shaped leaves are variegated with cream edges. It is a plant that can be used to add greenery to patios and decking, by growing in containers, or within contemporary / minimalist or Oriental style garden borders, planted in clumps, or in lines along the edge of paths. It is a good plant for gardens with a lot of shade, and prefers cool and moist conditions and will remain green throughout the whole year. Hardy to -15c. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 35cm (14).
Just look at that beautiful colour! With Rhododendron 'Amoena' you can expect an abundant display of luscious magenta flowers just like our image every April and May to get the growing season off to a flying start. You can place this low maintenance Japanese Azalea in a container on the patio or incorporate it into a border in a sunny or semi shaded spot where it's compact spreading habit will provide attractive foliage for year round interest. Height and Spread: 120cm (48).
Choisya ternata, Mexican Orange Blossom, thrives in harsh conditions, such as exposed coastal gardens. This low maintenance, drought resistant plant originates in Mexico and flowers in the autumn, winter and early spring when many other shrubs are dormant. With dark green, evergreen oval foliage, and star-shaped and highly-scented white flower, Choisya ternata makes a very pretty hedge. Height and spread: 2.5m (8').
If you are looking for a colourful plant for damp areas of the garden, then Astilbe japonica 'Elisabeth van Veen' is a great choice. It has feathery panicles of lush pink flowers on upright stems and clumps of finely divided leaves. False Goatsbeard can be planted in borders or patio planters and is fine in sun or partial shade. It looks great planted alongside Hostas and Ferns. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
Most Hydrangeas produce great results but require little maintenance, and Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blue Danube' is no exception. When given space in a sunny or partially shady border or patio container, the hardy shrub will produce striking flowerheads in July and August. These blooms can grow to an impressive 20cm (8) in diameter, transforming cottage gardens and dominating any cut flower display. The papery petals are typically a blue-purple colour when the plant is grown in acidic soil, while an alkaline environment will result in a pink tone. Height: 1m (3'3). Spread: 1m (3'3).
Like magic, the new leaves of this compact deciduous shrub emerge a rich crimson, gradually maturing through to yellow and soft lime! New shoots continue to emerge throughout the growing season for a continuous show of colour and are complimented by clusters of bright pink fluffy flowers in mid to late summer. Spiraea japonica 'Magic Carpet' is easy to grow and excellent for mixed borders, coastal gardens and cottage gardens where the flowers attract pollinating insects. This exciting new Japanese Spiraea has been awarded a prestigious RHS AGM for its outstanding qualities. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
When grown in alkaline soil, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers' lives up to its name by producing two flushes of firey, pink flowers in July and August, which turn a darker shade of maroon in the late autumn. If the soil is acidic, the blooms will have an equally attractive blue tone. Whatever their colour, the hardy shrub's impressive flowerheads make a great addition to borders and cut flower arrangements. When grown in sunny or partially shady conditions, they can even maintain their shape until December, making for a wonderful display on frosty mornings. The plant's foliage is another great feature, for its compact habit makes it well-suited to patio containers. Height: 1m (3'3). Spread: 1m (3'3).
Potentilla ?Pink Paradise' is a rabbit and deer proof shrub that offers an abundance of pretty little pink flowers with yellow centres. Potentilla likes to be in full sun so if you can find a place in your rockery or border that suits it's needs you'll have a healthy, hardy shrub clothed with blooms from April right through to September Cinquefoil shrubs as a family require very little maintenance so are perfect for the novice or time-poor gardener . Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 120cm (60).
Chaenomeles japonica 'Sargentii' is a delightful shrub that has tangerine orange flowers, in spring, as the leaves emerge in March. The flowers then are followed by quince fruits, which turn golden as autumn arrives. They are not suitable for eating raw, but make a scrumptious jam. As well as a standalone shrub in a border, it can also be trained up sunny walls and fences, offering a vibrant backdrop to flowering spring bulbs in garden borders or planters. Height: 1m (3'). Spread: 2m (6').
Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea', also known as the ?Japanese Rose?, is an easy-to-grow deciduous shrub with arching stems that are filled with yellow flowers in spring. The original Kerria japonica cultivar was discovered by William Kerr, a young gardener from Kew who was employed by the East India Company in 1804 to search for undiscovered plants in China to be brought back to grow in British gardens. ?Golden Guinea? is bigger and brighter than those original plants, holding an RHS AGM. A good shrub for cottage and woodland style gardens, it will fill the garden with colour during the bleak winter months. Height: 2m (6',5). Spread: 2.5m (8').
Escallonia 'Apple Blossom' produces a profusion of gently-scented pink flowers all summer, and is very attractive to bees. The small and glossy leaves of this wonderfully versatile shrub, which has an RHS AGM, remain on the plant all winter, providing structure and colour in even the bleakest weather. Escallonia 'Apple Blossom' is robust and easy to grow, a fantastic shrub for low-maintenance gardens. It thrives in coastal situations and even in difficult clay soils, and makes a superb evergreen hedge. Height and spread: 2m (6.5?).
Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna' is an RHS AGM plant that is popular as a hedging option. Its leaves are bold and glossy, and lush green in colour. Planted in a line it makes a good boundary hedge, that has foliage all year round and has upright, fluffy looking, spikes of white flowers in spring. Cherry Laurel is robust and will grow in full sun, partial sun or dappled shade. It looks particularly impressive when planted along the border of a well maintained lawn. The RHS has awarded the plant its Award of Garden Merit. Height: 2.5m (8'). Spread: 2m (6.5').
Osmanthus plants are extremely versatile, able to establish on tricky garden slopes and dry banks, and to grow in either sun or shade. Osmanthus x burkwoodii is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with a nice rounded habit that makes it an ideal choice for small gardens. Its shiny, dark-green foliage contrasts well with its spring clusters of small, highly-scented white flowers - a welcome arrival early in the year. It can also be trained as a screen or hedge, requiring little maintenance. Height and spread: 3m (9.8').
Dogwoods are known for their ability to bring the garden back to life in dreary winters, with their colourful bare stems. Cornus alba 'Aurea' isn?t just a one-season wonder though, as its cream coloured flowers and large golden leaves attract attention in summer too! A quick-growing, problem-free shrub, Cornus alba 'Aurea' loves a sunny spot with well-drained soil, but can also tolerate damp areas. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.4m (8').
Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden with this head-turning perennial. Bees and other nectar hungry insects will be drawn to the impressive purple and white flowers that are carried on towering architectural spikes which could grow up to 1.2m tall. As a Mediterranean native, Acanthus spinosus is incredibly drought tolerant once established which makes it perfect for the hot dry borders that other plants would hate. Bear's Breeches would be suitable for a garden that is populated with other exotic specimens or to add height and contrast to cottage garden planting. Height: 1.2m (4'). Spread: 1m (3').
Exquisitely beautiful Agapanthus africanus 'Albus' bears globes of pure white trumpet-shaped blooms which emerge from clumps of glossy, strap-like leaves, flowering through the summer months. African Lilies thrive in a sunny position in the garden and also grow well in terracotta pots or other containers, bringing an exotic hint of the Mediterranean to the garden. After flowering, the seed heads can be left on the plants adding winter interest to the garden. Agapanthus blooms make fine cut flowers. Height: 1m (39). Spread: 50cm (19).
Brilliant by nature as well as by name, Aronia x prunifolia 'Brilliant' is a fantastic plant for autumn colour. This medium-sized, deciduous shrub produces clusters of pretty white flowers in late spring and early summer. The purple-black berries that follow are ready to harvest in the autumn. Commonly known as Purple Chokeberries, these tart fruits can be eaten raw, but are delicious cooked into jams, compotes, cakes and pies. Easy to grow and happy even in boggy conditions, Aronia x prunifolia 'Brilliant is perfect as part of a mixed border and extends the season of interedt - its autumn foliage takes on incredible fiery shades of orange and red. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.5m (8').
Deutzia x hybrida 'Mont Rose' is one of those shrubs that produces many more blooms than you might expect for such a relatively small plant making it the perfect choice for a low maintenance small garden. Give it a sunny spot and you'll quickly be rewarded with an eye-catching display of softly scented clusters of pink blushed flowers during June and July. Height and Spread: 1.2m (3.9').
Slightly paler in colour than the more common Tickseed varieties, Coreopsis ?Moonbeam' is a large hardy perennial plant with lemon yellow flowers. The attractive daisy type flowers sit above ferny foliage making it a perfect choice for borders, bedding displays and because butterflies will flock to feed on the nectar Tickseed will be invaluable in wildlife gardens too. Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' will make excellent ground cover and is tolerant of most soil types. Height: 50cm (19). Spread: 45cm (18).
The steely-blue foliage of Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' adds form and texture to the border all year round. This attractive grass grows in dense tufts, and when planted en masse it creates an impression of softness. A useful architectural plant, this Fescue is at home in a dry, sunny spot and will do well mixed with herbaceous perennials, bedding plants or in rockeries or gravel gardens. It is robust and easy to grow. Height: 30cm (12). Spread: 25cm (10).