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).
Streptocarpus ‘Manon’ produces bi-coloured blooms of deep blue and pale violet above a neat rosette of dark green, wrinkled foliage
Streptocarpus ‘Matilda’ produces bi-coloured white and pink blooms with delicate veining above a neat rosette of dark green, wrinkled foliage and is exceptionally long flowering
Streptocarpus 'Myfanwy’ is an exceptionally floriferous variety producing masses of white flowers with a pink splash on the lower lobes
Streptocarpus 'Pearl’ is a free-flowering variety, producing open, pure white flowers with a pale yellow throat
Streptocarpus 'Bethan' bears masses of sky blue flowers, the lower lobes delicately etched with deep purple lines
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')
This elegant house plant really does have the 'wow' factor! Glossy, dark green leaves are striped with pale pink markings, and each leaf has a contrasting purple underside. The colourful foliage of Calathea ?Sanderiana? makes this a superb focal point, bringing an exotic feel to a lightly shaded spot indoors.
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).
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').
The delicate colouring of Streptocarpus 'Charlotte' will delight you from spring to autumn
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).
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).
Streptocarpus 'Katie' will delight you from spring to autumn with its continual flushes of bi-coloured flowers in deep purple and pale violet etched with delicate, filigree veining
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).
The candy-pink flowers of Streptocarpus 'Tina' are perfect for brightening window sills with blooms produced continuously from March until November
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').
Streptocarpus 'Bristol's Very Best' is a floriferous variety, producing masses of deep magenta flowers with flushes of pale pink and dark stripes around the throat held above a neat rosette of dark green, wrinkled foliage
Delicate, papery rock rose flowers will bring a bright splash of colour to your garden from May to July. The spreading silver-green foliage of these drought tolerant shrubs makes ideal groundcover in coastal gardens or on sunny banks and borders. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).
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).