Viburnum tinus 'Lisarose' is one of few shrubs that flowers in winter, between December and April, so it is an excellent choice for providing colour when so much of the garden is dormant. It has evergreen foliage and creamy white florets open from deep pink buds, on compact flowerheads, which are then followed by shiny black fruits. It is an ideal shrub for wide borders in larger gardens, especially those with a woodland setting. Planted in a line, Laurustinus makes a lovely hedge. Height and spread: 3m (10?).
Are you tempted by the beautiful, globe-shaped blooms of African Blue Lillies but concerned that they will struggle in the changeable British climate? Perhaps the 'Northern Star' variety of Agapanthus is the answer to your prayers! Not only does it produce an abundance of deep blue flower umbels in mid to late summer, but it is among the toughest plants of its kind.
This perennial forms dense clumps of shimmering, silvery foliage with distinct green veining. Bears delicate sprays of pale blue and pink flowers, reminiscent of forget-me-nots. A lovely low maintenance plant that makes a big impact in shaded areas and garden borders. Height 30cm, spread: 60cm. Supplied in 3 litre pots.
Coreopsis 'Cosmic Eye' flowers throughout the summer and well into autumn, producing stunning blooms with rich burgundy petals with golden edges that attract both bees and butterflies. Versatile Tickseed plants are very useful in the garden, growing almost anywhere, even in dry soil. Coreopsis 'Cosmic Eye' is a compact and bushy variety, and makes an excellent cut flower. Height: 40cm (15). Spread: 30cm (12).
Description for Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven' not available
A new variety, Cephalanthus 'Magical Moonlight' is neat and compact, highly ornamental and bursting with wildlife appeal - proving there?s no need to compromise on looks when it comes to catering for bees and butterflies. The Button Bush is truly unique, with florets of white tubular flowers that open to form perfect spheres covered in a multitude of yellow-tipped pin-like stamens. Not only does 'Magical Moonlight' add a celestial feeling to your garden through midsummer, but you will love the intensely-rich perfume. In autumn its lychee-like fruits (the size of golf balls) offer up an abundance of seeds for wild birds. Thriving in most non-alkaline soils, this variety even copes on difficult damp ground where the soil is prone to seasonal waterlogging.
You're not too late to enjoy Lilies this summer! This unique mixture will flower in less than 2 months - giving a welcome splash of colour to your patio pots. Underplant bedding with them, to add an extra level of colour. More blooms than most asiatic lilies too - expect around 10 per stem! Ht. 40cm. Supplied as bulbs.
A unique compact plant, hardy perennial, with rich pink, daisy-like flowers that bloom upon wiry stems above silvery-green foliage from April to June. Ideal for full sun locations in the border or patio containers. Ht. 20cm, spread 30cm. Supplied in 9cm pot.
Bring a flavour of the tropics to your garden or patio this summer. This outstanding feature plant boasts multi-coloured large foliage above which rises flower stems containing wonderful golden flowers. Perfect for patio containers, in a border as feature plants, amongst an exotic planting scheme or even pondside! Not frost hardy, however cannas will keep for future years; dig up the rhizomes and store in a cool dry place, re-planting in spring after all risk of frost has passed. Ht. 1-2m. Supplied in 9cm pots.
Three main aspects we all look for when choosing plants are reliability, versatility and vigour, and this variety of common Privet provides just that, and more. Ligustrum vulgare ?Atrovirens? is frost hardy and can be trained to form a semi-evergreen hedge or used on its own as a free standing shrub. However you decide to grow it, the shiny green oval leaves are guaranteed to make a perfect dark backdrop for feature plants in the border. In midsummer small white flowers appear, followed by glossy black fruits in autumn. But best of all, no matter how harsh the weather might be, Ligustrum will continue to flourish to its fullest potential. Height and spread: 200cm (78?).
Masses of eye-catching pure white flowers cover this deciduous shrub from mid-summer, attracting many beneficial insects to the garden. Planted on mass, this Japanese Spiraea will reward you with an abundance of colour and texture, forming neat rounded, spreading plants that are easy to maintain and will suppress weeds. The arching branches of Spiraea japonica ?Albiflora? bear small oval leaves which make the perfect backdrop, even after flowering, when its fabulous autumn colours start to show. Planted in borders, containers or wildlife gardens, this superb shrub really isn?t that fussy. Height: 60cm (24?). Spread: 90cm (36?).
With graceful, arching branches bearing dense clusters of small star-shaped white flowers against grey-green leaves, Deutzia setchuenensis var. corymbiflora is at its most stunning in early summer. Mature plants come into their own again in winter, when the upright stems display pale brown peeling bark. This elegant deciduous shrub holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit and grows well in full sun at the edge of woodland areas, in mixed borders or cottage gardens. Height: 200cm (78). Spread: 150cm (59).
If you wish to add an exotic touch to your cottage, woodland or scented garden, consider Lonicera 'Golden Trumpet'. This climber, which is also known as Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle, will happily grow up a south-facing pergola or trellis. Here, its distinctive, bright yellow flowers will flourish from June until the late summer. These blooms are succeeded by red berries, which will add colour and texture to the autumn landscape. This Loniera x brownii cultivar is therefore a great, all-round hardy shrub for anyone looking for an unusual plant. Height: 4m (12'). Spread: 2m (6').
Honeysuckle japonica 'Halliana' is a popular climber for its white and buttery yellow blooms from late spring into summer. The tubular flowers produce a sweet and irresistable perfume that lingers on the summer breeze. The rich, green foliage remains semi-evergreen in sheltered areas, providing a show of winter greenery.