All of the perennials we offer in one A-Z list. Please feel free to use the Refine options on the left or the Search box at the top right to help you find specific plants. The Plant Selector may also be of help.
A compact species with more entire greyish leaves and spikes of creamy flowers nestled amongst reddish-purple bracts. Well drained soil in full sun. 60cm.
(Collected as A. balcanicus MESE 561) A neat, deciduous, plant with jagged green foliage and stocky spikes of soft pink flowers from green bracts. Drained soil in full sun. 30-60cm.
Originating in Beth Chatto's Essex garden this superb form of the species produces spectacular, well, long spikes of pinkish flowers to between 1.2 and 1.5m. Sun, drained soil.
A pure white flowered form of this reliable garden perennial. Big clumps of deep green jagged foliage and spikes of flowers to 90cm. Average soil in sun is best.
Brilliant light orange flowers with red tints, fade to a soft yellow over lovely greyish foliage. Neat clumps and one of the best in our opinion! Drained soil in full sun, divide and replant every 3 years. 75cm.
From the Alpine Garden Society expedition to China in 1994 this herbaceous species produces upright stems to c. 1.4m topped with spikes of light green buds that open to ivory tinted pink flowers in summer.
A valuable, evergreen, yellow variegated version. Lovely for its bright winter effect. Grass-like arching foliage to 30cm in average to good soil in shade or part sun.
Beautiful creamy variegated arching foliage on this evergreen perennial for good to wet soil in at least some shade. Really tough but best out of cold winds. 25cm.
Clumps of cut light green foliage and spikes of creamy white flowers in summer followed by black berries in autumn. Deciduous woodland plant preferring at least some shade and decent soil. 60cm.
Striking spires of clean pink flowers rise above lightly bronzed foliage in spring. Very floriferous and a good doer making a low evergreen carpet. 15-20cm.
Collected Sentinel Peak in the Drakensburg Mtns. Deciduous foliage and strong stems of green stiped white flowers in summer to 50cm. Hardy to -10C when kept dry here.
Neat clumps of fine foliage and slender stems topped with open heads of drooping pinkish purple flowers in summer. Delightful. 40cm. Drained soil in full sun.
Balls of beautiful lemon yellow flowers on slender stems to 60cm in early-mid summer. Broad twisted leaves, upright in neat clumps. Average soil in sun.
A compact from of chives with sparkling white flowers to 15cm. A very pretty front of border or rockery plant that attracts lots of pollinators. Drained soil in sun.
Open heads of bright sparkling white flowers in spring on this lovely species from the Mediterranean. Drained soil in full sun, not for cold sites. 35cm.
Glowing golden yellow foliage on this pretty form of Wild Garlic or Ramsons. Heads of white flowers in spring. Self seeds true to type and is smaller than the green form. 20cm.
Lovely tall, branched stems bear masses of light pink flowers from summer into autumn. Airy and elegant but tougher and easier than A. cannabina. 2.4m, sun or light shade and ordinary soil.
Clouds of very pretty light pink flowers on strong upright stems to 2.4m in all summer. Fingered leaves and unlike most of it's hollyhock relatives, no rust. Easy and perennial, for ordinary soil in sun.
Seedlings from the excellent Amsonia 'Ernst Pagels'. It has proved very fertile and produces strong seedlings. Hopefully tall, willowy plants topped with large light blue flowers and good autumn colour.
A pretty woodland anemone this emerges in spring with chocolate brown leaves which slowly turn green. Clear white flowers like the wood anemones to 10cm. Humusy soil in shade.
Neat clumps of narrowly divided leaves and pale ceamy yellow flowers to 25cm in spring. Well drained soil in sun, ideal for rockery or the front of a border.
Amazing detailed bracteate flowers with a ruff of green bracts with white and pink streaks and dense, divided centres becoming whiter near the middle. Good soil in some shade, 15cm. Spring.
A lovely soft pink flush to the white flowers gives this a more delicate look than some of the other "pink" forms of wood anemone. Reasonable soil in shade. 15cm.
Delightful multi-petalled, open, single flowers start white and flush rose-pink over clumps of dark green foliage. March to April. Decent soil in the shade of deciduous trees! 15cm.
A desirable form with semi-double brilliant white flowers that develop a rich royal blue eye as they age. Sells on sight! Decent soil in part or light shade. 15cm.
Rather variable semi-double white flowers surrounded by a ruff of green and white bracts. Every flower different and changes year to year. 20cm. Shade.
A pretty selection of Wood Anemone with white flowers with a pink reverse. The white flushes pink as the flower ages eventually turning deep pink. Good soil in light shade, 15cm.
Largish pale sky blue flowers on this lovely form of Wood Anemone. One of the more vigorous forms with bigger flowers than most blues. Reasonable soil in shade or part shade. 15cm.
Delightful white flowers flushed with light pink that darkens as the flowers age. A cleaner and very pretty pink than some older forms. Good soil in light or part shade. 15cm.
Amazing flowers with a single white row of sepals with a ruff of leaf-like bracts within which in turn contain another white "flower". Good soil in shade.
A much sought after single white flower with a neat little ruff of green petalloid stamens in the middle. Very slow. Good, drained soil in light or part shade. 15cm.
Early flowering with showy white flowers that turn to a deep, rich pink as they age. Plenty of flowers to 20cm. Decent soil, best under deciduous shrubs or trees.
Large semi-double white flowers with the outer sepals merging into green and white variegated bracts that form a frilly ruff around the flower. 15cm. Decent soil in shade.
Large flowers of near white flushed a pale purplish-blue. Like many the flowers darken slightly as they age. An excellent form of Wood Anemone for average to good soil in shade. 20cm.
A delightful Wood Anemone with masses of rich lavender blue flowers in spring. A more compact variety perfect for smaller borders. Ideal for ordinary soil in shade. 15cm.
A stunning form with ragged semi-double white flowers merging into a ring of green bracts. Often pink tinged in the centre. Good woodsy soil in shade. 15cm. syn. 'Stammheim'
Popular form of Wood Anemone for its bright white flowers with a ruff of bright white petalloid stamens giving a near double look. Low growing spring flower for shade and ordinary soil. 15cm.
One of the better pink Wood Anemones. This opens white and flushes pink becoming a rich, deep pink after a few days. Average to good soil in shade. 15cm.
An excellent (nearly) double from Austria with lots of golden yellow sepals within an outer row of green streaked ones on top of a ruff of yellow streaked green bracts in early spring. Sun or part shade. 15cm.
Chocolate brown tinted new leaves turn to green with the double yellow flowers nestled in a ruff of green bracts in early to mid spring. Good woodland soil in light shade, under deciduous trees is ideal. 15cm.
Exquisite double flowers with larger outer sepals and many rows of neat, pointed, smaller ones filling in the middle in the usual clear yellow. A spring ephemeral for drained soil in part shade. 15cm.
The unusual, slower growing, multi-petalled form. It would be over enthusiastic to call it double but it does have lots of extra petals giving a much more full look. Otherwise just like the species.
The naturally occuring hybrid between Anemone nemorosa and Anemone ranunculoides. Pale yellow flowers on low, slowly spreading, clumps of mid green foliage. Spring. Good soil in shade or part shade.
A lovely easy selection from Sarastro, this hybrid wood anemone produces a good display of pale yellow flowers in early spring. Decent soil ideally under deciduous woody plants. 15cm.
A recent selection of this natural hybrid with larger flowers of a gentle creamy yellow in March and April. Dark foliage. Good, leafy soil in part or light shade. 15cm.
Rarely cultivated species with elegant dusky purple flowers on an open plant to 50cm. Reminiscent of Aquilegia ecalcarata but larger and easier! Good soil in part shade.
Amazing white spathes with pink candy stripes inside appear slightly before the leaves in late spring. Big rounded trifoliate leaves make an attractive feature later. Good soil that never sits wet in shade. Flowers to 30cm, leaves to 75cm.
Cute little flowers, butter yellow on top fading into creamy with greenish markings below. Attractive foliage and spikes of red berries later. 40cm. Hardy.
Unusual small species with pale green leaves veined in silver on low spreading plants. The flowers are frankly bizarre, white-green with brown and pale yellow "faces". Light shade, shelter.
AGM A stunning winter-green type with large mid green leaves with a heavy pewter marbling over most of the leaf, just a narrow band of plain green round the edges. Typical pale flowers in late winter. 40cm. Average soil in part shade.
Deciduous clumps of glaucous grassy leaves send up strong stems with dense spikes of snowy white, starry flowers with pinkish veins from brown buds. Late spring into summer, drained soil in full sun. 1.5m.
Spreading clumps of wand-like stems with incised dark green leaves topped with generous heads of very pale lavender blue flowers in summer. Average soil in sun. 45cm.
AGM An excellent and very floriferous form which produces masses of rich blue flowers with a hint of purple in late summer and autumn. Drained soil in sun, 45cm.
A stunning new introduction with attractive green leaves on red stems and large heads of rich pink flowers from July to the frosts. HARDY! Wild collected, Japan, 1997 by Dan Hinkley. 60cm.
Hardy begonia from Japan with deep green leaves with brilliant red undersides and pink flowers from midsummer into autumn. Deciduous. Drained soil in some shade is best. 50cm.
Pretty leaves with strongly red flushed undersides and veins on this hardy begonia. Pink flowers in autumn to 60cm. Good soil, drained but not dry in shade.
A selection from this tuberous species with soft orange flowers from midsummer to the first frosts. Possibly hardy in drained soil with a good mulch. 30cm.
Stunning pinkish white flowers held clearly in early to mid spring. Often deciduous in cold winters but hardy. Drained but decent soil in sun or light shade. 25cm.
A very pretty and useful small species for the front of the border. Compact evergreen foliage with autumn colour and plenty of bright pink spring flowers to 25cm.
AGM Neat clumps of glossy green foliage and short spikes of bright reddish-purple flowers in summer. Compact plants for the front of the border. Average soil in sun. 25cm.
From John Tuite with larger flowers of a glistening yellow, the petals often wavy. Tall, willowy stems that shouldn't need support, grow it hard in full sun. 1.5m.
Brilliant tapering spires of scarlet flowers from midsummer into the autumn. Well behaved, and self-supporting to 1.5m. Best in good soil in sun but flexible!
One of the best, older forms with masses of good sized spikes of ruby red flowers from midsummer til late autumn. Clumps to 1.2m. Ordinary to good soil in sun or light shade.
A rarely seen species with sprays of typical flowers in a light sky blue over a carpetting deciduous groundcover. Bold, heart-shaped foliage looks fresh throughout spring and summer. 30cm. Shade.
AGM The best form of this species in our opinion! Light grey-blue-pink flowers on tall strong stems in summer to 1.8m. Best in good soil in sun or light shade.
Clumps of hairy triangular leaves and low stems bearing slender creamy bells in summer. Easy, hardy and reliable for average soils in sun or part shade. 45cm.
A lovely low growing form with compact foliage and lots of denim blue bells from spring into mid-summer. Cut back for more flowers in autumn! Drained soil in sun. 15cm.
Stunning, rich purple flowers in small clusters on stems to 15cm. Glossy leaves, divided into three are sparingly produced. Slowly forms a loose patch in good, drained soil in shade.
Clouds of glistening white flowers over nearly flat carpets of trifoliate deep green leaves in spring. Evergreen groundcover for shade. 15cm. Average to good soil.
B&SWJ2281 Collected in northern India this form has spikes of gleaming yellow flowers over the red flushed leaves on red-purple stems. 30cm. Good soil in part shade, mulch well.
Clumps of jagged leaves with silvery grey undersides produce deep, bright, pink cornflowers from bronze buds to 75cm. Summer-Autumn. Drained soil in sun or part shade.
A big creamy yellow scabious that's more compact! Strong wiry upright, branching stems from rosettes of hairy leaves bear lovely pale yellow flowers to 1.8m. Insect heaven. Average soil in sun.
The giant pale yellow scabious. Tall, upright branched stems tiopped with clouds of ethereal pastel flowers in summer. Allow to self-seed. Drained soil in sun or part shade. 1.8m.
Beautiful glowing, deep pink flowers in autumn to 80cm and semi-double but with clear yellow centres. A striking but subtle plant. Drained soil in sun.
Alluring red double flowers with golden backs that are just visible as a margin to the petals. Late flowering, often in November-December. Drained soil in sun. 1m.
A very floriferous cultivar with soft yellow flowers from coppery buds, open centred with several rows of "petals". October-November. Bushy to 1m. Average soil in sun.
Masses of scented creamy flowers, with two layers of "petals" in autumn. May be a wild collection. An elegant upright plant ideal for mixing with other plants. 80cm.
AGM An excellent small flowered pom-pom type of hardy Chrysanth in a glowing acid yellow. A lovely contrast to the warmer colours in autumn. Drained soil in sun, 90cm.
Double pom-poms of a lovely warm rusty-brown in autumn! Supposed to be identical to 'Bronze Elegance' but we see branching differences so maintain seperate stock. 60cm.
Light lemon yellow buds open to produce flowers that fade through cream to white. Semi-double with open centres. A good tough garden plant, excellent as a cut flower. 1m.
An old variety from Essex with sprays of pom-pom flowers in late autumn, often into November. The flowers are pale pink in bud, open to bright white and then fade to pink again as they go over! Sun, ordinary soil. Easy. 80cm.
Rich deep red flowers with slighty quilled petals in two layers on this older hardy Chrysanth. Greyish foliage on this Amos Perry variety from 1949. Tough and hardy, to 90cm.
Rosettes of broad, reddish-brown flushed green foliage and heads of green flushed white flowers, with pinkish stamens, surrounded by bracts in late winter.
Strong growing spires of crystalline white flowers from spring throughout summer. Drained soil in full sun. Can be cut back for another flush of flowers.
Beautiful pale blue bells with darker veining on somewhat scrambling stems to 40cm. Greyish foliage. The inside of the flowers marked with purple rings and orange centres! Drained soil in sun.
A striking white flowered form of this tuberous hardy perennial. A long succession of flowers from midsummer to the frosts, 50cm. Sun or light shade, shelter.
A new hybrid between C. elata and C. flexuosa with mid green leaves and brilliant electric blue flowers on red stems. Strongly sweet scented flowering in late spring and early summer. Good soil in shade. 30cm.
(C. elata x C. flexuosa) The first of these hybrids this is a good tough plant. More or less evergreen, fresh green foliage produces upright stems topped with big heads of bright blue, scented flowers in mid-late spring. 50cm. Good soil in shade.
Brilliant blue flowers for weeks in spring. Pretty water repellent foliage, stays where you put it. Summer dormant - sometimes! 45cm. Easy in humusy soil in light shade.
Big, sword-like pleated leaves on this wild collected form with tall, strong stems supporting branched heads of long-tubed orange flowers in late suimmer to 1.5m. Good, drained soil in full sun.
TENDER A bushy perennial producing masses of ruby red tubular flowers with light pinkish tips from late spring till the frosts. Best kept frost free overwinter. 30cm.
A lovely form worth growing for the leaves as much as the flowers. Silvered leaves with a dark green stripe from the apex in towards the centre. Pink flowers in late summer/autumn. 10cm.
Cardoon. Big clumps of greyish foliage, more or less jaggedly divided produce tall, strong stems topped with glorious purple thistles. This form has golden yellow edged bracts.
A beautiful and fairly hardy species with masses of soft lilac pink flowers with golden centres from midsummer into late autumn on wiry stems to 1.2m. Drained soil in full sun with a deep mulch or protect in winter.
Striking pink pea-like flowers on an upright plant - looks like a shrub but is herbaceous. Relatively large trifoliate leaves add to the "what's that?" impact. 1.2m.
A delightful herbaceous Pink from the Amur river valley area. Upright stems topped with generous heads of violet flowers in summer. Drained soil in sun. Easy and very hardy. 30cm.
Clumps of blue-grey foliage send up tall, arching, wiry stems topped with clusters of magenta flowers in early summer. Excellent for mixing with ornamental grasses. Ordinary soil in sun. 80cm.
A beautiful and easy herbaceous perennial species with heads of fimbriate pinkish flowers to c. 45cm. Relatively short lived so allow to self-sow. Ordinary soil in sun.
Dense clumps of fine grassy leaves and arching stems to 60-90cm bearing clusters of pink flowers in summer. Drained but good soil in full sun. Variable?
A perennial foxglove with rosettes of fresh green evergreen foliage and spikes of pale yellow flowers with milk chocolate brown markings to 90cm. Ordinary soil in sun or light shade.
Evergreen stems are spotted and speckled purple at the bases with greeny white flowers with brown markings in spring. 45cm. A very choice woodlander for a good leafy soil in shade.
Lush evergreen foliage on arching stems to 40cm. Off-white bell-like flowers hang from the stems and are followed by purple berries. Good soil in a sheltered shady spot.
New to cultivation this species has shiny, evergreen leaves, quite narrow and held on stems to 40cm. Lots of whitish flowers with green/brown speckles in late spring to early summer. Good soil in shade.
A more or less evergreen relative of Solomon's Seal. Broad light green leaves on curved stems to 40cm, with ivory flowers stained green in late spring and early summer. Ordinary soil in shade, even quite dark.
Patches of upright stems well clothed with fresh green leaves and greenish white flowers in late spring. A fresh looking plant for shade, ordinary soil. Deciduous. 45cm.
Primula relative with elegant rich rosy pink reflexed flowers produced successionaly in spring. Prefers moist but drained soil in shade. Neat clumps to 30cm.
Clumps of tall wand-like stems clothed with narrow leaves and topped with heads of smallish white flowers in autumn. Excellent for mixing with Panicums etc. 1.2m. Ordinary soil in sun.
A new hybrid from Spinners. The long spurred, spidery, flowers are an undescribable pale greenish buff-pink! Evergreen here so don't cut it back, the flowers and new foliage will appear just above the old in spring. Good leafy soil in shade. 30cm.
This is a stunner! Arching stems of dusky pink, starry flowers over long narrow leaves of pale green with purplish-brown markings. Elegant and unusual. 30cm. Good soil in shade. Epimedium acuminatum x Epimedium dolichostemon.
An excellent hybrid from Julian Sutton with long spurred two-tone pale pink and warm pink flowers. Well patterned long evergreen leaves. 40cm. Good soil in shade.
Found in Hunan, China in 1994 this lovely, rare species has short stems bearing sprays of largish (up to 3cm) flowers, this sepals white and the petals a rich purple-brown. Slowly creeping clumps to perhaps 15cm high. Good woodland soil in shade.
A lovely self-seeder with airy stems with masses of white daisies that turn pink as they are pollinated to 30cm. Perennial but tends to be short lived. Drained soil in sun.
An excellent form with strong, branched, stems of silvery blue flowers, the stems turning purplish blue to 80cm. Drained soil in sun. Good for cutting.
Possibly the most tropical looking species with broad leaves and strong stems covered in purple spots supporting cream flowers edged purple to 50cm. Drained soil in sun.
A seedling from the robust Eucomis bicolor with intermediate characters including some purple cast to the foliage. A good tough plant to 60cm. Drained soil in sun.
Glistening white flowers with a darker purplish centre on strong pale green stems to 60cm. Bulbous perennial for well drained soil in full sun or grow in a pot and overwinter inside.
AGM Near white flowers soon flush pink then near purple on dark burgundy stems over clumps of striking leaves the same colour. Full sun, drained soil. 60cm.
A lovely form with strongly bronzed leaves and dark brown stems supporting big spikes of pinkish flowers with green tips! Drained, good soil in full sun. 75cm?
A giant South African bulb better known by the old name: Eucomis pole-evansii. Broad green leaves and purple spotted stems of greenish cream flowers in summer to 1.2m or more. Drained but good soil in sun. Fairly hardy.
Heads of relatively large white flowers over clumps of large pale green leaves. Summer to autumn flowering, to 60cm. Ordinary soil in sun or light shade.
AGM A good doer with broad grey-green leaves and generous bright white flowers with a single green mark on the inner "petals". Average soil in sun or light shade. 20cm.
Lady's Bedstraw. Pretty golden yellow flowers on low growing wispy plants in summer. Front of border, larger rock gardens or grow in short grass. 30cm.
A really good bulbous plant for a sunny, well drained site. Funnels of broad greyish leaves and strong upright stems with spikes of large white bells in summer to 90cm.
A classy summer flowering bulb with spires of jade green bells on strong stems to 70cm. Drained but good soil in full sun. More likely to thrive in warm sheltered gardens.
From Geranium breeder Alan Bremner, this large flowered soft orange variety has a long flowering season from spring well into late summer. 20cm. Decent soil in part shade.
Pale yellow flowers from orangey buds on dark purple red stems and calyces. Low growing compact plants for a lightly shaded border with good soil. Flowers spring into early summer. 30cm.
A new introduction with pale peachy flowers on reddish brown stems over a spreading clump of fresh green leaves. A good spring border plant that will continue into early summer. 40cm.
Soft orangey pinkish red nodding flowers on this superior selection of the British native water avens. Best in a reasonable soil in part or light shade but does not need to be wet. 25cm.
Stunning two-tone ruby red hooded flowers on this natural looking Gladiolus. Makes an excellent garden plant and will increase well in drained soil in full sun. 90cm.
(Verbena corymbosa) Delightful light purple flowers in dense heads from mid summer to autumn to 45cm. Hardy and fully herbaceous in cold winters. Good soil in sun.
Showy narrow spikes of tangerine orange flowers to 1.5m on this very hardy ginger (with a mulch at least). Probably the best one to start with. Part/light shade.
A lovely, more or less hardy, ornamental ginger with open heads of spidery white flowers with warm orange-red anthers on long yellow filaments. 1m. Good soil in shade, deep mulch.
Clouds of creamy yellow flowers on tall stems on this delightful autumn flowering perennial sunflower. Well behaved herbaceous plant for good soil in full sun. 2.4m.
Golden yellow mini-sunflowers in late summer and autumn on elegant stems clothed with willowy leaves. Well behaved and not running. Best in good soil in full sun. 3m!.
What a name! But what a plant! Starts flowering in spring and is often still going in late autumn. Small bright yellow flowers in grassy foliage to 40cm. Best in sun, average soil.
Unusual tangerine brown flowers with reddish markings in the throat on this form. The flowers modestly sized but plenty of them in midsummer. Ordinary soil in sun. 50cm.
Grown mostly for it's lush white variegated foliage this form will also produce double, burnt orange flowers sporadically in summer to 1.2m. Good soil in part shade is ideal.
The biggest Heuchera we know. Large leaves of a purplish red up to 22cm across. Strong, upright stems clothed with white hairs support spikes of white flowers to 1.2m. Ordinary soil in sun or shade.
Clumps of deeply ruffled green leaves on this long-lived plant. Spires of greenish flowers in summer. Reliable and tough. Average soil in sun or shade. 60cm.
A wild collected form from the Russian far east this is a useful front of the border perennial. Greyish foliage flushed red and heads of red flowers to 25cm. Drained soil in sun.
A lovely white flowered form of this hardy species with relatively large dangling flowers from midsummer. Good soil in shade. Best to apply a mulch of bark or similar when it goes dormant in late autumn. 60cm.
Larger than normal blue-mauve flowers on this hardy Impatiens for decent soil (not wet) in shade. Can be quite late up but flowers sooner than some other hardy species. 60cm.
HARDY Striking silvery dusted foliage on this low growing shade lover. Delicate creamy yellow, goldfish-like, flowers in autumn are a little more showy than the species. Good soil. 30cm.
White flowers marked with crimson on this exotic looking bushy species from Africa. Sweetly scented at night. Prefers cool, moist summers, to 1.5-2m, mulch overwinter.
A exotic looking but largely hardy species from Africa, this collection producing white flowers with deep red markings and more tightly curled spurs than normal. Prefers cool, moist summers, to 1.5-2m, mulch overwinter.
Clear, bright blue flowers with contrasting yellow stamens. The flowers reflexing in sun. Winter and spring flowers for a well drained sunny position. Compact to 12cm.
A new variety with beautiful pale pink flowers with a distinct deeper line down the centre of each petal. Flowers to 15cm, winter and spring. Drained soil in sun.
Bluish white spring flowers with darker purplish blue shading and stripe. Neat, tidy greyish green foliage emerges in autumn and looks good all winter. Hardy, 15cm.
One of the blackest flowers without Photoshop! Delicate looking narrow velvety flowers in early summer on slender stems to 50cm. Good, moist soil in part shade.
Stunning terracotta flowers on this American Louisiana iris. Best in a warm site with good rich soil. Not the easiest to flower well in the UK but well worth trying! 60cm.
(syn. Iris latifolia). A lovely deep blue form of this bulbous species originally from seed collected in the Pyrenees. Drained but good soil in sun. 60cm.
Spuria. AGM A strong upright grower with sword-like leaves and sparkling white flowers with a golden yellow thumb-print to 1m+. Good soil in sun. Takes a while to settle.
A giant form of the native yellow flag that will grow very well in ordinary garden soil to 1.8m. Golden yellow flowers with some brown veins in summer.
A delightful species which makes clumps of greyish green foliage and produces rich, deep indigo-purple flowers in spring and early summer. Best in good to moist soil in sun. 70cm.
Neat clumps of upright foliage and pretty sky blue and white flowers to c. 50cm. Good soil in sun. From Beth Chatto as Iris spuria ssp halophila but it isn't!
Strong glaucous foliage has purple staining when young providing a point of interest when many other Irises are only just waking up. Blue-purple flowers to 1m in early summer. Good soil in sun.
Wild collected by the late Michael Wickenden as a Nepeta species but we suspect something else. Tall, branched spires of tiny bright blue flowers, 1.4m.
A tall member of the thistle family with paddle shaped leaves with toothed margins and heads of pretty, purple flowers to 1.8m in summer. Average soil in sun.
A lovely meadow scabious from eastern Europe producing flowers in a range of shades from red through pink to mauve on wiry stems to 1m. Drained soil in sun.
Bushy clumps to c. 40cm with short sprays of dusky reddish pink to purple blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Foliage turns black in autumn. Good soil in sun or light shade.
A narrow leafed form of the Spring Pea with typical red and purple flowers in spring followed by attractive reddish seedpods. Perennial. Good soil in light shade, 20cm.
Lush clumps of tropical-looking finely toothed green foliage produce clusters of golden yellow flowers in summer to 45cm. Drained but not dry soil in sun or light shade.
Clumps of upright stems with lobed slightly downy leaves produce slender spikes of pale pink flowers to 1.8m. The leaves become strongly flushed purple in summer/autumn. Good soil in sun/part shade.
An excellent, floriferous florists selection of this American prairie plant. Spires of purple flowers in summer and good seedheads later. Drained soil in sun. 1m.
Spikes of pure white flowers for weeks in summer. Unusual in opening from the tip of the spike down the stem. Robust plants flowering July to September. Drained soil in sun. 1m.
Clumps of lush green rounded leaves and strong stems topped with heads of orangey-yellow flowers in summer. Best in good soil, not dry, in sun or part shade. 60cm.
A giant form of Tiger Lily with the brilliant, burnt, orange flowers spotted with deep brown on robust stems to 2.4m. Ordinary soil in sun or light shade.
Seed grown hybrids with typical martagon lily type flowers in a variety of colours. Mostly stronger plants than the named forms. Good, drained but not dry, soil in light or part shade.
Low carpets of broad, glossy, green foliage emerges in spring and shows off the short sprays of white starry flowers to 15cm. For ordinary soil in shade.
A delightful woodlander producing arching stems tipped with panicles of starry white flowers in spring to 35cm. Makes open patches, not dense clumps. Good soil.
A surprisingly easy herbaceous species from Iran to China. Perennial clumps produce strong upright stems clad in big pink flowers for most of the summer. Drained soil in sun. 1.2m.
Clumps of big, finely divided leaves to 1m and strong stems of creamy umbels followed by yellow-brown seeds in autumn. Hardy and very perennial. 1.5m. Ordinary soil in sun.
Strong upright stems of fresh green foliage showing off bright scarlet red flowers in whorls in mid to late summer. Excellent for seedheads for autumn and winter interest.
A lovely woodlander with attractive palmate foliage and white flowers in early spring. Good foliage colour in spring and autumn. Deciduous. Good soil in shade. 35cm.
A different catmint with pale pink flowers from dusky calyces producing an attractive display over many weeks in summer. Drained soil in full sun is best. 80cm.
AGM Brilliant rich deep pink flowers with narrow wavy petals on this striking form. Came to us unlabelled but tentatively identified! Hot sunny position, well drained. 60cm.
A semi-evergreen perennial with shortly creeping stems and lots of pretty bright blue flowers with a white eye in spring. 20cm. Average to good soil in shade.
Low growing clumps. slowly spreading, of grass-like green leaves to 15cm. Light mauve flowers followed by blue berries if you are lucky! Often used as groundcover in Japanese style gardens. Good soil in shade.
The green leaved form of the more common "black grass". Lavender-purple flowers followed by darkest green berries to 15cm. Good evergreen groundcover, even in quite dry shade.
An unusual bulbous plant making a spike of starry greenish white flowers on a wiry stem to 50cm in summer. Rare British native. Easy in decent soil in light shade.
AGM Probably the hardiest Osteospermum with rich pink-purple daisies on low branched plants to 30cm or so. Semi-evergreen, for drained soil in full sun in a sheltered place.
Gold veined oxalis. Pretty yellow reticulate veined leaves and sporadic pale pink flowers. Can be grown indoors or out in a sheltered spot. Drained soil, sun. 10cm.
A lovely bulbous type from the Cape of South Africa with greyish green, finely divided foliage on stems to 20cm topped with big pink flowers in summer. Drained soil in a sunny spot.
Rare species collected in Lesotho, clump forming from bulbs with bright green three lobed leaves and masses of funnel shaped terracotta pink flowers in summer and autumn. Drained soil in full sun. 15cm.
A striking sport selected here from 'Iron Cross' with completely purple flushed foliage and the typical brick-pink flowers all summer. Well drained soil in full sun. 15cm.
Bright reddish orange flowers on this lovely form of Welsh Poppy. An easy, long lived perennial that will gently self seed in gaps. Happiest in cool shady places but adaptable to a wide range of conditions! 45cm.
Clumps of strappy bright green leaves produce good heads of scented white flowers with distinctive yellow anthers on strong stems to 90cm in early summer. Drained soil in sun.
Probably the most garden friendly species of Paris with low growing heads of bracted light green flowers over whorls of narrow leaves to 25cm. Good soil in shade.
Spreading groundcover for light shade or shade. Foliage emerges green with a dark chevron and turns reddish later in summer. Pinkish white flowers from midsummer. 30cm. (previously sold as P.alata)
Clump forming with an upright bushy habit. Lovely mossy green leaves with a faint chevron and narrow tapers of tiny white flowers in mid-late autumn. Hardy, deciduous and best in shade. 90cm.
The rarely seen true plant with rosettes of green foliage and strong, upright stems with spikes of soft pinkish flowers in summer from purplish calyces. Good soil in sun, 1.2m.
A long lived, clump forming species with narrow triangular leaves and strong, upright, branching stems bearing whorls of light purple flowers in summer followed by good seedheads. Drained soil in sun. 1.5m.
Stunning lilac pink flowers in large panicles on strong, upright stems to 1.5m or even more! Self-supporting. Smaller flowers than typical border phlox but the better for it! Good soil in sun.
Fox and Cubs. Spreading patches of hairy leaves and masses of orange flowers from red buds in summer to 40cm. Drained soil in sun. Very popular with many insects.
Striking bright green deeply three-lobed leaves appear in spring with similarly coloured exotic looking spathes to 30cm. Long drip-tips! Good soil in shade.
AGM Clump forming Campanula relative with lax stems of greyish-green leaves and balloon-like buds opening to wide bells of blue flowers. Decent soil in sun or light shade. 40cm.
A reliable low growing hybrid with masses of light purple flowers in spring and early summer to 25cm. Ideal from of border plant for average soil in sun or light shade.
A fine plant (if only we were sure of it's name!) that makes neat clumps with large clear blue flowers to 40cm in spring. Very showy. Good soil in sun or light shade.
A dwarf form of one of the common American solomon's seals. Slightly pleated green leaves and clusters of cream bells with jade green tips. Scented. Decent soil in shade. 40cm.
An excellent, vigorous and floriferous selection collected in Russia in 1996 by the late Michael Wickenden. Grey green leaves and large creamy flowers in April/May. 90cm. Good soil in shade.
An excellent low growing Solomon's Seal with crisp green foliage and bright cream and jade green flared flowers in spring. Top plant. 30cm. Good soil in shade. Collected in the Elburz by Furze and Synge.
An elegant form which emerges with purple shoots that slowly turn green as the white and green flowers appear below the arch of the stems in late spring. 75cm. Good soil in light or part shade.
Elegant arching stems with whorls of narrow leaves equipped with tendril-tips that allow the plant to scramble. Clusters of purple flushed flowers in late spring. 1.2m. Shade.
Beautiful clear pink flowers with a crimson centre over many weeks in summer on this herbaceous species. Ordinary soil in sun or part shade suits it well. 40cm.
Stunning garden worthy polyanthus in a range of deepest reds, some near black. The Cowichan types lack the typical large yellow eye. Decent soil in some shade. 25cm.
Pretty pink flowers on this P. elatior x P juliae hybrid. Showy flat faced flowers held in large heads up to 15cm in late winter and spring. Good soil in light shade.
AGM. A delightful little primrose hybrid with neat clumps of leaves and masses of light yellow flowers in spring on stems to 20cm. Good soil in light shade.
Hairy leaves divided into three come complete with creosote-like brown splodges in the axils, fading as the leaves age. Branched stems of rich golden yellow flowers. Tame! 30cm.
Seed grown plants from this wild collected form with light purple flowers over clumps of relatively narrow foliage to 20cm. Drained but moisture retentive soil in shade!
A splendid double flowered form of the reliable cottage garden favourite. Deeply cut dark green foliage and yellow flowers on upright stems to 1.8m. Good soil in sun.
Stunning sky blue flowers from spring to autumn on this modern S. chamelaeagnea hybrid from New Zealand. Scented foliage is a bright, fresh green. 60cm in a sunny spot with good, drained soil. Probably not fully hardy.
AGM Rich luxuriant red flowers of a good size on this fairly hardy shrubby sage with equally deep green leaves. Well drained soil in full sun for best results. 60cm.
Bright coral reddish-pink flowers over a long season on this fairly hardy shrubby Mexican hybrid sage. Full sun and well drained soil out of cold winds. 75cm.
TENDER An eyecatching hybrid with masses of racemes of purple calyces and white flowers flushed with pale lavender. May be worth trying outside in a warm sunny, sheltered garden but overwinter frost free to be safe. 50cm.
Syn. 'Hardy Form'. New to us but supposedly hardy form of this spectacular sage with upright spikes of big bright pink tubular flowers that will arch over as they mature. Reddish stems and veins. Well drained, warm sheltered position in sun. 1.5m.
syn. 'White Rain'. The beautiful white flowered form of this front of the border favourite produces masses of it's whorled flower stems all summer to 40cm. Cut back if needed. Drained soil in sun. Easy and hardy.
A very pretty form with denim blue flowers in big purple bracted spikes giving a good show long after each flower has fallen. Makes a fairly big clump in time to 30cm high. Ordinary soil in sun.
Light purple flowers in reddish calyces and stems give a warm effect in the garden. More upright habit than 'Purple Rain' and a long flowering season. Sun, average soil, 40cm.
A great form of the species with silvery-grey foliage that is a good reason to grow without the chunky caterpillar-like flowers. Good soil in sun or light shade. 75cm.
Clumps of fine, pinnate leaves send up tall, wandering, wiry stems topped with lots of amazing white caterpillar like flowers in summer. Good soil in sun. Do not stake! 2.4m.
Fully double flowers in a deep inky red, with a hint of purple! Can be a bit of a thug but looks lovely in late summer and autumn, ideal for a cottage garden style. 60cm.
Low growing carpets of olive leaves with silvery veins and a maroon flush which becomes stronger during the winter. Spikes of white flowers in early summer. Sheltered shady position. 30cm.
Clumps of potato-like foliage and light brown bells in late winter and spring to 40cm. An unusual woodland plant from south-eastern Europe. Good soil in shade, will go dormant in later summer.
Clumps of upright stems dlad with shiny, fresh green leaves and producing spires of deep blue and white flowers in summer to 45cm. Drained soil in full sun.
A new yellow leaved form from Austria. Prostrate, with bright yellow flowers. Dry soil in sun. Foliage turns bright amber in winter. Not to be confused with S. ‘Gold Mound’ which looks the same but is not hardy.
Bright green rosettes with strong red winter colour persisting well through spring. Contrasting silver hairy tips. 15cm. Well drained soil in full sun.
Clean apple green rosettes of leaves swirled around with reddish tips. Make slots of little babies and few very large rosettes. Pale yellow flowers to 15cm.
Rosettes of downy grey send up spikes topped with soft yellow flowers in summer. Quite different to most hybrid types. Full sun and very good drainage. 15cm.
A superior perennial selection of this European native which makes clumps of small pinnate green leaves and wiry stems topped with multi-headed snow white umbels in summer to 45cm. Ordinary soil in sun.
Rare but easy giant mallow relative with tropical looking leaves and spires of small white flowers in summer and autumn to 2.4m. Hardy herbaceous for sun and ordinary soil.
Maltese Cross. Brilliant, eye-searing, orange red flowers in domed heads in summer. An excellent addition to "hot" borders but keep it away from pastel pink flowers! Sun, 1m.
Clumps of fresh green leaves send up strong, upright stems to 1.2m topped with large, domed heads of creamy salmon flowers - best seen! Hardy perennial for ordinary soil in sun or light shade.
Brilliant reddish magenta flowers on this form from Graham Gough. Silvery grey foliage and strong flower stems to 90cm. Self seeds in dry soil in full sun.
syn. Silphium trifoliatum. An elegant prairie plant from north America with pretty yellow daisies on the top of stems with narrow leaves in whorls of 3. Not sure of height yet but probably at least 1.8m! Good soil in sun.
Very different to most species with many clear yellow flowers in hefty clusters on top of branched stems to 40-50cm through summer. Quite leafy. Average soil in sun and shelter.
AGM A stunning and well behaved Golden Rod with purple flushed foliage, best in full sun. Open, elegant heads of long narrow branches covered in yellow flowers in late summer. 1.2m. Average to good soil.
AGM Quite unlike the common Goldenrods, this low growing, bushy plant is topped with sprays of fluffy lemon yellow flowers in summer and autumn. Ordinary soil in sun. 60cm.
Devil's-bit scabious. A delightful soft but rich blue flowered native scabious with the bobbles of flower dancing above the foliage on wiry stems. Ordinary soil in sun or part shade. 60cm.
A scabious relative producing clouds of silvery white button-like flowers with a hint of pink all summer to 90cm. Hard to describe adequately! Ordinary soil in some sun.
A favourite hybrid Aster with palest pink flowers on dense bushy plants in autumn. Pale yellow centres turn to pinkish red. Mildew resistant. Best in good soil in full sun. 75cm.
AGM A distinctive form with light-mid pink flowers with slightly swept back rays (petals) making it instantly recognisable. Dense bushy habit to 75cm. Good soil in sun.
An easy, reliable and tough hybrid (A. novae-angliae x A. ericoides) with arching stems carrying large sprays of thousands of small pink flowers in late summer and autumn. Best cascading down a slope or over a wall. 50cm. Sun.
AGM. Clumps of upright, branching stems with masses of lavender flowers in autumn. Dark stems and foliage contrast well. 1m Average soil in sun or part shade.
A striking recent introduction from Sarastro with a mass of lavender blue flowers on dark stems and leaves in October onwards. Arching, cascading habit. 90cm.
Clumps of deep green foliage and upright stems topped with heads of lavender-blue flowers in late summer. 50cm. Best in good soil in full sun, ideal with grasses like Panicum.
An outstanding recent introduction with purple flushed deep green leaves and heads of light pink flowers in autumn to 1.5m. Reasonably self-supporting!
A brilliant recent introduction from France with dark stems and clouds of good, pink flowers in autumn. Similar to 'Little Carlow' in habit and flower. Good soil in sun. 1m.
Just about the last "aster" to flower here well into November. Masses of relatively large lavender blue flowers on branched stems up to 1.5m. Average soil in sun.
Striking reddish pink flowers of a very good size on this selection from Great Dixter. Strong upright habit to 1.5m or perhaps a little more. Mildew resistant. Sun, good soil.
Deep violet purple flowers with distinctly orange tinted golden centres on strong stems to 1.2m-1.5m in autumn. An excellent form. Average soil in full sun for preference.
Grown from wild collected seed in an area for development. Beautiful light purple flowers with orange-yellow centres to 1.5m. Mildew resistant. Good soil in sun.
Clouds of small white flowers completely cover the bushy plants in autumn. Good cut flower too. Drained soil in full sun. 1m or can be Chelsea-chopped to give 60cm.
Pretty silvery blue flowers of a decent size on strong stems to 1.5m. A good, earlier flowering species, August into late autumn, well worth trying in good soil in sun.
A choice, neat, clump forming species with attractive cordate foliage and clusters of pale yellow bells in spring. Reasonable soil in part shade seems to suit it best. 20cm. Slow to increase.
A clump forming species making a low maound of pale green foliage and branched stems of pale yellow bells in spring, and summer if in good soil. Light shade. 45cm.
Clumps of fresh green foliage with silvery marbling and bronze-purple tones in winter. Spikes of apple-green flowers in spring to 50cm. Evergreen. Ordinary soil in shade.
A lovely fluffy white flowered form of this classic cottage garden perennial. Clumps of Aquilegia-like foliage emerge in late winter and the flowers from mid-spring to 90cm. Good soil in light shade.
Clumps of upright stems topped with attractive frothy heads of creamy yellow flowers in summer to 1.5m. Unusual olive green finely divided leaves. Good soil in sun.
Clumps of trifoliate leaves and upright stems topped with generous heads of beautiful creamy yellow flowers in summer to 60cm. Rare British native. Average soil in sun.
Unusual in growing upright from a dense clump, none of this running and rooting nonsense! Largish heads of reddish purple flowers to 40cm. Ordinary soil in sun.
A pretty smaller species that seems better suited to East Anglia than some of the bigger ones. Patterned leaves and delicate apple-green flowers to 20cm. Good soil in shade.
A fantastic Crocosmia relative with sprays of pleated sword-like leaves and masses of arching stems with lots of soft pink flowers from summer into autumn. Drained soil in full sun. 90cm.
Stunning orange and red flowers with frilly edges on this tuberous, climbing perennial species. Summer and autumn flowering to 1.8m+. Collected in Ecuador.
AGM A compact hybrid with grassy foliage and masses of light lilac pink flowers with darker centres all summer. Maybe hardy in well drained soil in full sun or grow in a pot and take in overwinter. 40cm.
A very good form of this hybrid (divisions) with neat clumps of grassy leaves and masses of light pink flowers to 30cm. Fairly hardy in a sheltered sunny spot with good drainage.
AGM A larger species with pale green and white flowers with showy burnt orange coronas in heads to 40cm. Almost hardy in the UK and needs drained soil in full sun.
Clumps of upright stems produce clear yellow flowers with twisted petals in mid-late spring. This form appears brighter than normal. 60cm. Good soil in shade.
Low growing clumps of fresh green leaves produce heads of scented pinkish white flowers on stems to 30cm in late spring and summer. Good soil in part/light shade best.
This fine plant arose on the nursery a few years ago, it appears to be a hybrid involving V. chiaxii. Delightful apricot-yellow flowers with a hint of pink, best seen to understand. 60cm. Hardy and perennial in ordinary soil in sun.
A brilliant dark purple leaved form of the hardy British native Vervain. Low scrambling clumps ideal for spilling through other plants and over the edges of containers or raised beds. Sun, drained soil. 50cm.
An attractive North American prairie species making upright plants with hairy leaves and spires of light purple flowers in summer to 60cm. Can be short lived but is very hardy.
A delightful low growing form with masses of spires of cheerful pink flowers from late spring well through summer. Average soil in sun or part shade. 30cm.
Really good clear, rich, pink spires of flowers on this clasic border perennial. Lower and leafier than Veronicastrum ideal near the front of a border. Good soil, sun. 1m.
A more recent introduction with clean white flowers and soft green foliage - looks whiter than album. Good upright stems with summer flowers for good soil in sun. 1.5m.
A beautiful form with tall elegant but strong stems topped with narrow spikes of lavender flowers from midsummer. The seedheads are also attractive and should be left standing throughout winter. 1.5m. Good soil in sun.
A lovely palest pink selection with strong stems supporting tall, narrow spikes of flower. Good to mix with grasses etc. Summer flowering, for good soil in sun. 1.5m.
Slender spires of light purple flowers in late summer followed by rich brown seedheads all winter. Upright and strong stemmed to 1.5m. Decent soil in sun.
Pretty lilac pink buds open to almost white flowers in upright, narrow spikes in summer. The rich green leaves usually flushed red on the new growth. Good soil in sun. 1.5m.
Very pale blue flowers all winter and well into spring on this Mediterranean species. Excellent groundcover under shrubs or hedges, less spreading than Vinca major. 40cm.
The best Vinca for winter flower for us. Controllable groundcover and upright stems to 1m with very large light blue flowers from December to May or even all year! Sun/Shade.
Invasive ground cover with deep green foliage and lots of amazing, propellor like star shaped deep royal blue flowers from winter to summer. 60cm. Most soils and positions!
Very rarely seen slow growing form with completely golden yellow new foliage fading to light green and single rich blue flowers in late winter and spring. 15cm.
A recent introduction with striking yellow variegated foliage and royal blue flowers from January onwards. Low groundcover or good in a container. 20cm.
A recent selection with small leaves and lots of big windmill-like royal blue flowers in spring. Low evergeen groundcover to 15cm. Ordinary soil in sun or shade.
A scandent (twining/climbing/scrambling) species with attractive dark green triangular leaves and clusters of dark blackish brown star-shaped flowers in summer. Sun. 1.2m?
Clumps of upright stems with veined deep green leaves and clusters of rusty-brown to black flowers with yellowish throats in summer. Showy silky seeds later. Sun, ordinary soil. 60cm.
From the steppes of Europe and Asia this is the easiest of the shrubby violas. Deciduous, with pale green foliage, delicate blue flowers are produced in early summer. 50cm. Sun.
The delightful white flowered form of sweet violet. Makes a lovely (if tiny) cut flower and will gently self seed around in light shade. Ordinary soil but not too dry. 15cm.
Jewel-like deep purplish pink flowers on this clump forming perennial violet. Fresh green heart shaped leaves show off the early spring flowers to 15cm. Good soil in shade.
Spires of bright magenta pink flowers in spring and early summer on this seemingly overlooked herbaceous perennial. Very hardy and easy to grow in ordinary soil in sun or light shade. 60cm.
Neat clumps of narrow, evergreen, leaves will produce stout stems of fluffy palest lilac scented flowers in late winter or early spring to 15cm. Good soil in shade. Very slow.
Bright white randomly striped leaves on this hardy Japanese ginger relative. Pale yellow flowers in autumn, at ground level. 90cm. Part/light shade, good soil.
