You might know Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum by its more common name, Japanese Snowball Bush. It's easy to see where this name comes from when, in May and June, the plant bears impressive, white flowers. However, this hardy shrub is perhaps most famous for its tiered foliage. Its green, heart-shaped leaves look lovely at the back of sunny borders throughout the summer, but come into their own in the autumn when they turn spectacular shades of red and purple. Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum is therefore a great addition to cottage, woodland and wildlife gardens in need of some added, late season interest. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2m (8').
Small and compact in size but big in impact in any garden, Lavender 'Purple Ribbon' is a perfect dwarf French Lavender plant. Its multiple branching habit means it will be covered in flower stems in summer, a sea of blue with the characteristic scent that we all know and love. This hardy little plant is perfect for using as a low hedge or boundary marker, as part of an alpine display or in containers too! Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 20cm (8).Culinary information: Some parts of these flowers are edible. Click here for more details about edible flowers.
Hydrangea paniculata cultivars are exceptionally hardy and make excellent specimen plants for tricky north facing positions, and for adding superb late summer colour to borders and woodland settings. 'Magical Moonlight' produces an impressive display of large, greenish white panicles of bloom. Height and spread: 250cm (98).
An RHS AGM winning Black Eyed Susan bearing bright, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers with dark button eyes that make excellent cut flowers. The radiant, coneflowers of Rudbeckia fulgida ?Goldsturm? are produced over a long period, attracting bees and butterflies to their long lasting blooms. These compact perennials are easy to grow, reliably filling gaps in borders, and returning year after year.
The Sweet Bay is an attractive evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves and small yellow flowers in springtime which attract bees and beneficial insects. It looks good among naturalistic planting, but can also be used in formal or contemporary gardens, and is often clipped into topiary shapes, or grown as a Standard 'lollipop' Tree. Laurus nobilis is also at home in a patio container or in the herb garden where its leaves are highly prized for flavouring curries, soups and stews. Bay Laurel holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 12m (39'). Spread: 10m (32').
Leucothoe 'Scarletta' is an attractive shrub, loved for its vibrant glossy foliage that turns maroon red in autumn. It grows well in shaded areas with acidic soil and is fully hardy. Where soils are not naturally acidic, grow Leucothoe in patio containers using an ericaceous compost mix. It is a good shrub for a medium sized garden and is great for groundcover to suppress unwanted weed growth. Height: 1.5m (4'.9). Spread: 2m (6'.5)
An extremely versatile ornamental shrub that can be grown as an upright specimen plant or even trained as a hedge. Thanks to its prickly nature, it is the perfect choice for creating a secure property boundary. These plants require minimal maintenance or trimming and have an upright, columnar habit. Berberis 'Orange Rocket' is suitable for a range of soils and positions, especially difficult, exposed areas.
Ideal for woodland gardens Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' or Mock Orange is a wildlife friendly, deciduous shrub, that is popular with bumblebees. In summer it has clusters of fragrant white flowers. It has a compact habit and is very manageable, so it's a great choice for small gardens, or planted at the front of wide shrub borders in larger gardens. A holder of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Height: 75cm (30). Spread: 150cm (59).
A delightful Lilac that out blooms most other varieties by weeks! Lilac 'Flowerfesta® Pink' begins to produce its fragrant pink flowers in May, and continues into June with a second flush in September. This neat, compact dwarf lilac is perfect for patio containers or borders in even the smallest garden.
Description for Weigela Towers of Flowers® 'Apple Blossom' not available
Description for Fuchsia 'Double Trailing Mixed' not available
Cascading Ivy-leaf Geraniums are always popular for their gently trailing stems and vibrant colours. Geranium 'Decora Lilac? is the perfect mix of pink-purple petals with purple veins for filling your baskets, window boxes and containers with long lasting summer colour
Description for Lobelia erinus 'Laura Deep Blue' not available
Exotic and intriguing! This beguiling Abutilon makes an alluring focal point for the conservatory or a sheltered spot on the patio. Trained as a standard, the arching stems form a loose crown of semi-evergreen foliage, mounted upon a clear stem.
Description for Weigela 'Towers of Flowers'® Duo not available