A traditional Pink, Dianthus 'Mrs Sinkins' has one of the best scents of this type of plant, with a sweet clove fragrance. It has a shorter flowering period than other Carnations, but has lovely double white flowers with frilly petals, that bloom above clumps of grey-green leaves. Ideal for cottage and coastal gardens, in planters or in mixed perennial borders, they have good drought tolerance. Popular as a cut flower, for floral displays, both for its scent and pure white flowers, that look beautiful in vases with Roses and other flowers. Height and Spread: 50cm (20).
The dark green, neatly veined foliage of this Atlantic Ivy quickly clothes walls and fences in a tapestry of dense evergreen. It is attractive and easy to grow, and provides a great habitat for wildlife. Insects appreciate the attractive yellow flowers in summer, and birds feast on its black berries throughout the winter months. With its aerial roots it can climb over sheds or trees as well as clinging to walls, so it needs no trellis or support. Hedera hibernica can also be encouraged to scramble over bare earth to provide excellent ground cover. Height and spread: 10m (32' 10).
A delightful dwarf evergreen that makes a breathtaking feature in a patio container or garden border. Throughout spring it bursts into masses of blue-violet flowers. Acid soil is prefereable for the best display, and use ericaceous plant food to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Height and spread 60cm. Supplied in 2 litre pots.
Compact, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with rich glossy foliage that is accompanied by clusters of bright red/orange flowers throughout late spring. Ideal for acidic soil - alternatively plant in a container of ericaceous compost and water with rain water. Height and spread 60-80cm. Supplied in a 2 litre pot.
Hydrangea petiolaris produces lacy white blooms in summer, creating a stunning contrast against abundant, dark-green foliage. These heart-shape leaves transform to a buttery shade of yellow as autumn approaches, illuminating even the darkest corner of the garden. With an RHS AGM, Hydrangea petiolaris is a shade-loving Hydrangea at home on cold, north-facing walls that seldom see the sun. Despite being a slow starter, it quickly climbs fences and walls with clinging aerial roots once established. Height: 10m (32'). Spread: 3m (10').
Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or' is ideal for any garden, an upright and dense shrub that produces white blooms throughout the summer. In autumn these are followed by yellow berries that feed birds through the winter. A perfect choice for beginners and small gardens, Firethorns are tough and very hardy, ideal for growing as a hedge or training against a wall. Easy to trim and maintain, Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or' is ideal for security planting - its prickly thorns will be a strong deterrent to trespassers. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 2.4m (8').
A tropical looking climber that makes an interesting alternative to clematis. Starry white blooms open during summer, enhanced by striking indigo filaments and yellow stamens. Fruits follow that are orange in colour, though not edible. Climbs to 10m if left untrimmed. Supplied in 2 litre pots.
The Romans grew vines near Hadrian's Wall, well over a millenia ago, so its surprising so many people think its not possible to grow grapes outdoors in Britain. English vineyards are making some excellent wine now, and there is certain varieties that are more suited to our cool and damp climate. Grape 'Boskoop Glory' is a vine that can produce a sweet and tasty crop of, easy to grow, black grapes outdoors in British gardens. The fruit can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or squeezed for juice. In autumn the vine leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow and red. Its a great plant to grow up a trellis or pergola on a sunny patio or decking. Height of cordon trained vine: 1.8m (6'). Spread of cordon trained vine: 1.5m (5'). Untrained plants may reach up to 8m (26').
Spindles are renowned for their attractive, evergreen foliage and vigorous spreading habit, making them a great choice when it comes to providing year-round ground cover. Euonymus fortunei 'Harlequin' offers interest as well as coverage: in Spring, it sprouts pure white shoots, which gradually unfurl to become variegated green leaves, flecked with splashes of silver. At the end of the year, the hardy shrub will help combat winter blues by taking on a subtle, red tint. This plant is particularly suitable for beginner gardeners because it requires minimal maintenance and can withstand almost anything including sunlight, shade and all weather conditions. It's versatile, too, for it can be grown in a border, patio container or even up a wall. Height: 60cm (2'). Spread: 90cm (3').
With its architectural form and dense green needles, this miniature tree makes a fine evergreen feature in the rockery, at the edge of the patio, or in a container. Neat and slow growing, the Dwarf Mountain Pine will remain compact for many years. With maturity, it will form a mound of spreading branches and will produce female cones at the tips of the stems. Pinus mugo 'Pumilo Group' gives interest all year round in return for hardly any maintenance. It copes well with urban pollution and tolerates windy coastal locations. Height: 3.5m (11'). Spread: 5m (16').
Good ground cover doesn't always have to mean creating a high maintenance border or flowerbed. Low-growing plants such as Microbiota decussata, an easy-to-maintain, evergreen conifer, provide excellent, year-round coverage and require little effort. What's more, Siberian Carpet Cypress can be grown on steep slopes and in other problematic but sunny areas. Wherever it's planted, Russian Arbor-Vitae will add interest to the garden, especially when it turns an attractive bronze-purple colour in the winter. Height: 1m (3'3). Spread: 1m (3'3).
This hardy perennial is truly the essence of an english cottage garden. Rose coloured flowers are flecked in white and burgundy and will bloom all around the stems, year after year, from late spring to mid-summer. Ideal for traditional borders as well as modern planting displays. Height 1.2m, spread 50cm. Supplied in 3 litre pots.
Clumps of graceful arching yellow-green canes are topped with foliage, excellent for creating movement in a garden. This fully hardy variety is ideal for screening, and is happy in sun or shady positions. Can be grown in large patio planters as shown. Height 2-4m, spread 1.5m. Supplied in 1.5 litre pots.
Dianthus 'Doris' is an attractive, hardy perennial that produces pretty, frilled flowers from June to September. These Carnation blooms have pink petals, an eye-catching red centre and a sweet fragrance, making them ideally suited to cottage, scented and cut flower gardens alike. This Pinks' grey-green foliage typically forms neat cushions in sunny borders, rockeries and patio containers, making this a valuable and versatile plant. Height: 45cm (1'6).
A striking dwarf evergreen shrub whose light green leaves have fine white margins. Pieris japonica 'Little Heath' is perfect for adding winter interest to the garden, where it forms a colourful tidy mound. The new spring foliage is flushed purple and is followed by lovely racemes of creamy, bell-shaped flowers emerging from pink buds. Thanks to its small size Pieris 'Little Heath' is fantastic for the front of borders or patio containers where the flowers also attract pollinating insects. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
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).
If you are looking for an evergreen shrub, that has foliage all year round, Leucothoe axillaris 'Curly Red' is highly recommended. It is a suitable shrub for medium sized gardens and has unusual curled leaves that turn deep red in autumn. Ideal for shady borders, with acidic soil. You can also grow Leucothoe in containers using an ericaceous compost mix, which will provide instant greenery to a paved area.Height: 1.5m (4'.9). Spread: 2m (6'.5).
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).
The foliage of this begonia, is the reason why its called Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Non-stop Mocca'. The leaves are dark green, with coffee coloured edging.
Berberis buxifolia 'Nana' produces delicate yellow-orange flowers in spring, emitting a wonderful sweet fragrance that is attractive to bees. These blooms are held on graceful, gently arching branches which are thickly covered in small, dark green leaves. This exceptionally dwarf evergreen shrub then produces rounded, purple-blue berries in the autumn, attracting birds and adding further interest to your garden. Berberis buxifolia 'Nana' is the perfect choice for small gardens where it can be planted in patio containers or used a low evergreen hedge. Height and Spread: 60cm (24).