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N 

B 2192 

Halland 

London 

Marchants 

Catalogue 

A 22 

B 2192 

Park Lane 

Ringmer 

Lewes 7m 

B 2124 

Laughton 

Roebuck 

Pub 

½ m 

Marchants 

Cottages 

Car Park 

Mill 

Lane 

B 2124 

300 yds 

1½ m 

Eastbourne 

11m 

Golden 

Cross 

Marchants Hardy Plants 

To Ripe 

How to find us 

The nursery is situated 300m South of the B2124, a half-mile East of Laughton 

village in Mill Lane (formerly Ripe Road). The Nursery car park is situated 60m 

past our cottage on the right hand side of the road. 

Nursery open 

Wednesday – Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm 

13 March – 19 October 2013 

Garden open 

8 May – 19 October 2013 

Marchants Hardy Plants, 2 Marchants Cottages, 

Mill Lane, Laughton, E. Sussex BN8 6AJ 

www.marchantshardyplants.co.uk 

2013

Propagation Day: Hands On 

Monday 26th August 

Why not join us on our ever popular propagation course, on which dozens of keen 

gardeners have joined us over the years. Participants get the opportunity to hone and 

expand their propagation skills in one of the most exciting topics of gardening under the 

expert tutelage of Marchants owner Graham Gough. Very much a hands on day, Graham 

with his wide knowledge of plants will aim to de-mystify several propagation techniques 

such as seed collection and sowing, cuttings, root cuttings, division, etc. The course covers 

propagation of Herbaceous Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs and Bulbs. 

Plant material and tools are provided, but please bring your own sharp secateurs. 

Limited to 8 people. Tickets are priced at £105.00 (see payment details below) and 

consists of morning and afternoon sessions. 10.00 am – 12.30 pm & 2.00 – 4.00 pm 

An ‘al fresco’ lunch is also included, with our delicious, fresh home grown vegetables. 

Tickets are available at the Nursery or by post to: 

Marchants Hardy Plants, 2 Marchants Cottages, Mill Lane, Laughton, 

East Sussex, BN8 6AJ 

Cheques should be made payable to ‘Marchants Hardy Plants’. 

Spring Plant Fair at Southease 

The Plant fair at Southease, now in its ninth year, takes place on the village green against 

the remarkable backdrop of the Southdowns and charming Saxon Church. It has gained 

quite a reputation over the years, not only for the quality, choice and range of plants sold, 

but for the quality of the weather too. Give yourself a treat and join us. Bring your brolly 

though – just in case! 

Monday 6th May 2013 12.30 – 4.30 pm 

Marchants Hardy Plants, 

Usual and Unusual Plants, 

Southease Plants 

Teas and refreshments available 

Parking and entrance to Plant Fair free. 

Southease village is situated on the C7 road mid-way between Newhaven and Lewes 

For further information please contact Adrian Orchard (Southease Plants) on 01273 513681 

The studio at Marchants Hardy Plants 

Jean Scott-Moncrieff – Jewellery 

Lucy Goffin – Textiles 

Marchant’s Garden Opening 

in aid of ‘The Cure Parkinson’s Trust’ 

Sunday 16th June 

11.00am - 5.00pm 

You are warmly invited to our exhibition in the intimate 

space of Lucy’s studio, via the new spiral staircase 

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August 2013 

10am to 5-30pm 

Admission for Adults – £5.00. Children under 15 – £1.00 

● Sales of plants (to include a donation to the above trust) 

● Teas and Ben’s glorious cakes and bakes, etc. available all day 


2, Marchants Cottages, Mill Lane, Laughton, BN8 6AJ 

01323 811737 

www.jeanscott-moncrieff.co.uk 

www.lucygoffintextiles.co.uk 

If you would like to know more about ‘The Cure Parkinson’s Trust’ 

please write to: 

St Botolph’s, Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1AB 

T: 0207 929 7656 

or visit www.cureparkinsons.org.uk

2013 

Beware of the Carp 

As if the weather in 2012 were not enough to deal with for gardeners and 

nurserymen alike, an ailing economy only served to offer insult to injury. Weather 

is always an unpredictable factor but, let’s face it, being British we are never more 

engaged than when talking about it however bad it gets. On the other hand the 

likelihood of a triple dip recession, the subject on every newscaster’s lips it seems, is a little 

less easy for us all to stomach. In the High Street the effects of recession as it bites harder 

and harder are there for us all to see but what is less evident is the effect it is having on my 

own profession, that of the specialist nurseryman. Being in the recreational therapy end of the 

market the nurseryman could once have seen himself well protected against vacillations of an 

unsteady or ailing economy. The buying and selling of plants brought immunity. Sadly, this 

no longer appears to be the case and last year in particular the consensus of opinion among 

nurserymen was that of experiencing dwindling sales of plants. Weather certainly took its toll 

but let us hope this is not part of a continuing trend. Perhaps it is time for us all to reflect on 

the contribution our gardens and plants afford our health and well being and the fundamental 

role Nurserymen play by growing a truly astonishing diversity of plants with which to enrich 

our gardens. The Nurseryman’s life is an act of dedication and not as easy as it might seem so 

do give small nurseries all the support you can through the coming year. 

Our own year at Marchants was favourable and apart from the rains and constant squelching 

underfoot (the pond remained virtually full all summer, much to our Marsh frogs’ delight), 

maintained its successful momentum with good exposure in papers and periodicals, abundant 

coach trips and a very good attendance at our biennial show of art in August. To cap it all, 

we were involved in a successful appearance on BBC ‘Gardener’s World’ with Carol Klein. 

This visit had largely been based on the strength of how sensational the wild carrot (Daucus 

carotus) had been looking in our meadow and by filming this together with our late summer 

‘Daisies’ for a separate programme, two birds were killed with one stone. Though I say it 

myself, the garden looked brimful and vital, a view clearly shared by many for the broadcast 

in early September, all six minutes worth, resulted in a 3 week deluge of customers. Just the 

sort of deluge we like. 

You will be pleased to hear we have some new help mates on the nursery in the form of 5 

tiny shimmering grass carp (it was 6 but one inextricably handed in it’s notice) These were 

introduced to our informal pond in the fragile hope they will chomp their way through the 

thick emerald crust of duckweed which covers its entire surface. I’ve not seem them since 

(other than the afore mentioned singleton) and the parting words of the fishery man from 

whom they were bought that ‘Tomatoes are their favourite food’ was hardly encouraging. Ah 

well. Lets look on the bright side. Jaws was small once I keep telling myself. Who knows? 

Maybe one day I’ll proudly be able to erect the sign ‘Beware of the Carp’. 

The Nursery 

Marchants Hardy Plants is one of the country’s leading small nurseries. The range of 

handsome herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses we grow is as varied as you will 

find and suited to both contemporary and traditional gardens alike. 

We pride ourselves on the fact that virtually all plants offered for sale are propagated at 

the Nursery and most can be seen growing in the garden too. We also grow many plants in 

numbers to small to warrant an appearance in this list so we hope a visit to Marchants will 

always prove stimulating. 

Our plants are grown in various pot sizes to suit the plant. Through the season plants are 

sometimes potted on. We therefore reserve the right to change prices accordingly.

1 

Opening hours 

Wednesday 13th March until Saturday 19th October. 

Wednesday to Saturday inclusive 9.30 am – 5.30 pm 

We like to enjoy lunch between 1.00 and 2.00pm. Other times strictly by appointment only. 

We require 3 days notice for the collection of orders. 

The Nursery does not provide a mail order service. 

The Garden 

The garden at Marchants after 14 years of development begins to show signs of maturity. Our 

trees in particular have gained a solidity which makes for a marvellous internal backdrop to the 

other diverse range of plants we grow. However, it is the broad landscape of the Sussex Weald 

and range of Southdowns 3 miles distant which has provided us with sustaining inspiration. By 

selecting and experimenting with plants and plantings expressive of a more naturalistic style, 

we have aimed to create a garden which melds with the timeless beauty of the remarkable vista 

beyond. 

Opening times and garden entrance fees 

Wednesday May 8th – Saturday 19th October. Wed – Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm. 

Please note: Nursery opening date (Wed. 13th March) is not the same as Garden opening date. 

Other times, strictly by appointment. 

1) Individual £4.00 

Children under 16 – Free of charge. 

Organised Garden visits 

Visits from Societies, Gardening Clubs, Private Parties, etc are warmly welcomed and we have 

space for parking large coaches, cars, etc. A visit to Marchants can also be combined with one 

of several fine gardens in the area making for a rewarding day out. For further details contact 

us at: 


2 Marchants Cottages 

Mill Lane 

Laughton 

East Sussex, BN8 6AJ 

Tel/Fax: 01323 811737 

www.marchantsplants.co.uk 

BOXES 

It is an enormous help to us if you can provide boxes to carry your plants away in. 

Thankyou. 

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ 

As virtually all of our plants are home grown it is not possible to have all of them 

ready at any one time. This is particularly true at the beginning of the season. 

To avoid disappointment, please note that plants marked with an asterisk (i.e.*) 

may not become available until Mid-May, or even later in some cases. If you are 

making a long journey, do please phone in advance to check availability. 

*ACANTHUS dioscoridis. In early summer over spineless, grey-green leaves, flower 

stems rise to little more than 30cm, bearing beautiful clear pink flowers. To our eyes, the 

gem of the genus, revelling in a baked, hot spot. 

*A. mollis ‘Rue Ledan’. An extremely beautiful white flowered form, apparently the 

result of a dog’s regularly cocked leg on the type plant. My own experiments in the 

garden with this technique have proved fruitless so far. Full sun. 2m. 

A. spinosus spinosissimus group. A wicked botanic creation, the cut leaves armed 

to the teeth with spiteful uncompromising spines. Rather beautiful in its own way. 

Needs a good roasting to induce flowering. 

ACHILLEA. After several years of trying hard to please these plants, ironically, their 

‘Achilles Heel’ has proved to be a complete abhorrence of our wet clay soil and wet 

winters alike. Yarrows are undoubtedly plants of free draining limestone soils including 

chalk on which they can excel. 

A. ‘Credo’. Lemon yellow ‘Plates’, brilliant for the middle tier of the border. 120cm. 

A. ‘Lachsschonheit’. Best described as salmon pink, fading to weathered pale pink. 

70cm. 

A. ‘Mondpagode’. Cream-yellow flowers make an imperceptible transition to a mute 

greyish white, a colour held for many weeks in summer. 90cm. 

A. ‘Red Velvet’. A seductive crimson-red, the best we have seen in this colour range. 

60cm. 

A. ‘Walther Funcke’. Dusky red flowers with a mustard eye giving a tribal rug effect. 

One of the finest Achilleas. 75cm. 

ACIS autumnale. An oddball Snowflake, tiny white lampshades on dark stems in 

autumn. Pure charm. 10cm. 

ACONITUM. The stately Monkshoods for the little input they demand of us offer rich 

rewards in return. The following embrace the colour variation we find among them and 

also provide the last rich toned flowers of the gardening year. 

A. x cammarum grandiflorum album. Valued for its fresh green foliage, for its neutral 

colour and for its flowering season too, at its best through mid July. 1m. 

A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’. A meritorious old hybrid (1945) from Germany, still holding 

its own in the late summer border with its bold upright spikes of blue, helmet-like 

flowers. 1.8m. 

A. c. ‘Kelmscott’. Fine spikes of rich blue flowers to enrich the September border. 2m. 

A. c. var. wilsonii. The last to flower with handsome spikes of rich, violet-blue hooded 

flowers. Marvellous in association with tawny coloured Heleniums. Flowers of this 

colour and quality are worth their weight in gold. 2m. 

A. nappelus ‘Bergfurst’. Another early bird with spires of dusky, dark blue hooded 

flowers in July. 1.2m. 

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ACONITUM ‘Spätlese’. An uncommon form with large, pale violet flowers from pale 

green buds. September. 1.5m. 

A. ‘Stainless Steel’. From Holland, the spikes of muted grey-blue flowers of this 

notable recent introduction have turned more than a few eyes. 1.5m 

From 

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AGASTACHE rugosa. A Korean herb with sweet aromatic foliage and numerous 

slender spikes of violet-blue flowers. In its quiet way, it always impresses us. 45cm. 

A. rugosa hybrid. Seedlings of a particularly strong plant selected out of a batch of the 

above, but similar in all other respects. 90cm. 

£4.60 

£4.60 

ACTAEA simplex ‘James Compton’. A very fine form which you would be hard 

pushed to match, the striking cut foliage deep purple black, the white bottle brush white 

autumn flowers innocently perfumed. Requires the best soil you can offer it. 2m. 

AGAPANTHUS. No plants match the African Lily in the floral pageant. Flowering 

from mid-summer, their flower heads come mainly in the blue and violet-purple 

spectrum, not forgetting white, with heights varying between 30cm and 150cm. It is 

old hat to think of them as plants for pots only. They respond best when given hearty 

soil in full sun where they should reward one with flowers for many years. Do consider 

however when planting their dislike for being overshadowed by aggressive neighbours. 

The following are hardy, trouble free, and tough as old boots and are propagated the 

old fashioned way, that is from seed and by division. 

A. ‘Best Barn Blue’. Quite small heads of pendulous, tubular, dark inky blue flowers 

give this plant a great presence. August /September flowering. 90cm. 

A. ‘Blue Moon’. Raised by Eric Smith, this legendary plant possesses a fine constitution 

and boasts flattened heads of pale, ice-blue flowers on strong 80cm stems in late 

summer. A few to spare. 

A. campanulatus (of gardens) A very strong growing, hardy plant received from Dick 

Fulcher in Devon. Perfectly hardy, the mid blue flowers are born on 1.3m stems. 

A. ‘Cedric Morris’. This plant (named after the painter) always stood out in the stock 

beds at Raveningham Hall, a fine upstanding plant, free flowering with good white 

flowers. It remains uncommon. 90cm 

*A. ‘Cheney’s Lane’. An exceptionally strong growing, free flowering pale blue form 

selected by Four Seasons Nursery. 1.25m. 

*A. inapertus ‘Graskop’. Intense deep cobalt flowers in small heads on a plant 

of modest proportions but huge quality. The clone we offer was procured from 

Kirstenbosch BG and is I believe the true clone. 60cm 

*A. ‘Kew White’. A tough, dependable plant acquired from Great Dixter who received 

it from Kew. Handsome broad leaves and pristine white flowers with dark anthers. 

75cm. 

A. ‘Lady Moore’. Forming tight clumps this is reckoned to be one of the best short 

white forms. Small head’s of flowers. 45cm. 

A. ‘Marchants Best Blue Seedlings’. Large, strong 3 year flowering sized plants raised 

from our very best and darkest hybrids. Should knock the ubiquitous ‘Headbourne 

Hybrids’ into a cocked hat. 

A. ‘Marchants Cobalt Cracker’. The sheer brilliance of the blue of this new 

introduction stops most people in their tracks. Need we say more. 70cm. 

A. ‘Marchant’s Midnight Blue’. Raised at Marchants and a great improvement on the 

following. Marginally taller, it also possesses rich blue flowers conspicuously flared 

making it a classy candidate for the border front. 

A. ‘Midnight Blue’. An old and legendary variety from the Slieve Donard Nursery 

bearing heads of intense, deep blue narrow tubed flowers in July/August. 40cm. 

*A. ‘Windsor Grey’. A plant of noble habit with broad green leaves and subtle coloured 

flowers in September being a mixture of white, grey and palest lavender. 100cm. 

£5.25 

From 

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ALCHEMILLA erythropoda. All the attributes of Lady’s Mantle but on a Lilliputian 

scale making it perfect for smaller scale plantings. 5cm. Full sun. 

ALLIUM cernuum. A pretty, widespread N. American species, the heads of nodding 

lilac pink flowers held over glaucous foliage in summer. 30cm. 

A. schoenoprasum. ‘Black Isle Blush’. A strong growing selection with ghostly white 

flowers flushed pale lilac-mauve. AGM in 1995. 35cm. 

A. s. ‘New Selection’. A seedling of the following discovered here with similar pink 

flowers and a Thatcher like vigour. Not for everyone perhaps! 40cm. 

*A. s. ‘Pink Perfection’. A fine pink form, good for border and cooking alike. Received 

an AGM in 1995 from the RHS who must know their onions. 35cm. 

A. nutans. A little seen N. American species noted for its handsome broad foliage and 

sphere of tightly clustered lilac-pink flowers. 

A. senescens var. glaucum. An excellent border front candidate, with intriguingly 

twisted foliage topped with domed heads of lilac-pink flowers on 20cm spikes. 

A. senescens subsp. montanum. Humble maybe, but extremely valuable for its neat 

foliage and late heads of lavender-mauve flowers in September. 20cm. 

A. ‘Summer Beauty’. A distinct and strong growing form of A. senescens with larger 

heads of flowers and broader foliage than is usual. 

A. thunbergii. A tiny Japanese species which brings the allium season to a close with 

its late flurry of pale purple flowers over narrow glossy leaves in Sept/Oct. 15cm. 

*ALSTROEMERIA ‘Mars’. Carmine with a smidgen of brown and with bold yellow 

splahes to the uppermost petals. 1m. 

A. psittacina. A Brazillian exotic with narrow trumpet flowers in crimson tipped with 

apple green, the interior decorated with dark guidelines in preparation for an insects 

ball. Mulch in winter. 60cm. 

*A. ‘Red Elf’. Large glowing carmine flowers are born in a seeming non-stop 

display for months. It belongs at the border front and will survive bitter winters 

uncomplainingly. 45cm. 

AMSONIA are in the family of Apoycynaceae (as if you didn’t know) and are among 

our favourite perennials. Subtle, understated (C. Lloyd’s least favourite words!) long 

lived and easy to grow (not on pure chalk, alas) they are good mixers and will rub 

shoulders with all manner of plants including grasses. Other than A. orientalis, they are 

strictly clump forming. 

A. hubrichtii. This is the narrowest leaved Amsonia making a fine, season long foliage 

plant and invariably colours well in autumn. Delicate starry pale blue flowers emerge 

from deeper buds. A first class, long lived plant. 60cm 

A. illustris. This has broad, willow shaped leaves which also colour well and typical 

starry flowers in pale turquoise blue. A martyr to drought as are they all. 90cm. 

A. jonesii. A sp. new to us with the remarkable attribute of conspicuous golden veins to 

the first flush of spring foliage. These seed raised plants may show some variation. 

45cm. 

A. orientalis. Awash with small starry slatey-blue flowers (not unlike a Periwinkle’s) 

displayed on willowy leaved stems through early summer. An exercise in 

understatement. 40cm. 

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AMSONIA tabernaemontana var. salicifolia. Dark stems support broad leaves 

brilliantly coloured in autumn. Typical small, pale blue flowers with a hint of 

turquoise. 60cm. 

ANAPHALIS yedoensis. An ‘Everlasting’ and a stalwart of the herbaceous border. 

Silver underlined leaves and a generous display of starry white flowers with yellow 

centres from July onwards. 60cm. 

ANEMONE. The following are all superb plants for the late summer/autumn and once 

settled require little attention. 

A. hupehensis var japonica ‘Bodnant Burgundy’. Euphemistically described (you’d 

be demanding money back served wine this colour) it remains a fine deep carmine 

pink. 1m +. 

A. h. var. j. ‘China Pink’. A lovely soft rose pink form singled out from a flowering 

batch of seed raised plants. 

A x hybrida ‘Geante des Blanches’. Large semi-double white flowers, the narrow ray 

petals forming a rather flat flower. Robust. 1.2m. 

*A x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’. Pristine and pure and generally reckoned to be the 

best white. 1.2m 

A. x h. ‘Pamina’. Rich carmine-pink flowers, semi-double, making a worthy contrast to 

the single pinks above. 60cm. 

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AQUILEGIA. Our good old friends (or is it enemies!) the columbines are so adaptable 

and profligate with their offspring that they might well successfully conquer the garden. 

Yet who could live without them? 

*A. chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’. Clear yellow flowers with the bonus of scent, elegant 

long spurs and long flowering season. 90cm. 

A. v. ‘Double Violet’. Double flowers, slightly cocky, held at an upward facing angle. 

Super rich colour. 60cm 

*A. v.‘Ice Blue’. A delightful double flowered ‘Grannys’ Bonnet’ in ice-blue. Cool. 

*A. ‘Nora Barlow’. An old and unbeatable Granny’s Bonnet in pink and Granny Smith 

apple green. 

ARTEMISIA lactiflora. ‘Elfenbein’. A great form from the continent with munificent 

branched heads of ivory white flowers and definitely the one for size conscious 

gardeners. 1.5m. 

A. l. ‘Rosenschlier’. A useful plant for more subdued colour schemes, the flowers of 

this form are a dusky pink. 2m+. 

A. schmidtiana nana. A nonpareil silverling, never happier than when cosied up at the 

border front. 15cm. 

ARUM italicum ‘Tiny’. A rare marbled leaf form growing no taller than 20cm. 

Particularly good amongst winter/spring bulbs. Summer dormant. 

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Anemone pavonina. The Peacock anemone is named after the exotic bird, Pavo major. 

Their Iridescent colours – shocking pinks, mauves, magentas, etc. in Feb/March are as 

garish as they get. Sun and good drainage. 30cm. 

ANEMONELLA. Charming North American woodlanders with thalictrum-like foliage 

and delicate anemone-like flowers to match. They are quite demanding requiring humus 

rich soil in partial shade. The following are divisions of lovely seedlings selected here 

and have now been named. They have taken years to bulk. 

A. t. ‘Spring Nymph’. Palest pink, otherwise as below. 

A. t. ‘Tutu’. Clone A. Semi double blush pink flowers. A ballerina’s tutu in miniature. 

10cm. 

ANEMONOPSIS macrophylla. The airy nodding waxy flowers of this Japanese 

beauty are cupped, purple without, pale lavender within. Needs Suchard soil, moisture 

and shade to prosper. 

ANTHEMIS. Most possess finely cut fresh-green or grey-green foliage. Their daisy 

flowers in varying shades of yellow and white give colour over a tremendously long 

season. All they require is full sun and reasonable drainage. 

A. tinctoria ‘Cally Cream’. A much praised selection with kind to the eye cream 

flowers throughout summer. 70cm. 

A. t. ‘Sauce Hollandaise’. The palest flowered of the Anthemis with cream-yellow 

flowers. Serve with Alchemilla or Salvia for a delicious border treat. 60cm. 

ANTHERICUM ramosum. Delicate, airy flight of white flowers like little lilies on 

branched stems. For some strange reason an under used plant, though much used here 

and a great favourite. 60cm. 

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*ARUNCUS aethusifolius. Mirrors in all its parts the larger members of this genus but at 

30cm positively Lilliputian in scale, making it ideal for the smaller garden. Not too dry. 

A. x ‘Horatio’. A super hybrid from doyen nurseryman, Ernst Pagels. Graceful tapering 

cream plumes on reddish-bronze stems held above intricately cut foliage 120cm. 

ASCLEPIAS incarnata alba. A sappy, leafy plant arising from a tuberous root stock, 

the stems terminating in shallow domed clusters of slightly surreal, intricately formed 

flowers. 50cm. 

ASTER. Our gardens would be dull things indeed without the contribution of these 

colourful and for the most part, easily managed plants. The following all display a good 

resistance to mildew. Please note that many of our Asters will not become available until 

early summer. 

*A. amellus ‘Framfieldii’. An elegant hybrid, not dissimilar to the following but a 

slightly paler violet. Sept/Oct. 40cm. 

*A. amellus ‘Violet Queen’. An old cultivar first selected by Karl Forster and which 

remains unchallenged. Large, rich violet flowers in Sept/Oct. 40cm. 

A. ‘Coombe Fishacre’. An old timer with a tough constitution producing a prodigal 

display of small pale purple-pink flowers in Sept/Oct. 90cm 

A. divaricatus. We appear to be in the minority in loving this humble plant. Wiry black 

stems support a myriad of small narrow rayed, white daisies. Gertrude Jeckyl liked it 

too – so there! 40cm. 

*A. ericoides ‘Blue Star’. Myriad, lavender blue flowers with pale yellow centres over 

wiry growth in October. Charming. 40-50cm. 

*A. e. ‘Pink Cloud’. Produces hundreds of pale purple-pink flowers. Arguably the best 

pale pink in this group. 90cm 

*A. e. ‘Yvette Richardson’. With its fresh green foliage, pale lavender-blue flowers and 

compact habit, this is a super plant for the border front. 40cm. 

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*ASTER ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’. A benign green carpet of prostrate foliage 

eventually erupts in October into a dazzling display of tiny white blossoms, a late 

bonus for bees and humans alike. 10cm 

*A x frikartii ‘Monch’. With a little aid from pea sticks this is arguably the finest Aster 

for elegance and flower power giving a succession of clear lavender-blue flowers 

from mid-summer onwards. 75cm. 

A. lanceolatus. An American sp. whose wiry radiating stems carry flurries of small 

white daisies from summer onwards. Aspires to Fleabane status and almost makes it. 

30cm. 

*A. lateriflorus ‘Lady in Black’. In full sun the leaves take on a suave purple-black 

hue. The small flowers are white with attractive rosy stamens, carried in huge 

numbers on a network of short lateral branches. 120-150cm. 

*A. lateriflorus ‘Prince’. As above, but altogether denser in its habit. 60cm. 

*A. ‘Little Carlow’. Wiry stems struggle to support the sheer weight and number of 

large, lavender-blue flowers, a colour particularly enhanced by the autumn light. 

120cm. 

A. novi-belgii ‘Blue Eyes’. Semi-double flowers, a good blue. Always draws favourable 

comments from customers. 1.2m. 

*A. ‘Pixie Dark Eye’. Covers itself in small wine-purple, yellow eyed daisies. Quite 

unlike any of our other Asters. 45cms 

*A. pyrenaeus ‘Lutetia’. Valued for its sprays of large, pale lavender flowers held on 

branched stems throughout the autumn. 50cm. 

*A. ‘Ringdove’. In character close to the ericoides types. Explodes from tiny buds into 

a constellation of small lavender blue rayed flowers with pale sulphur yellow centres. 

A favourite here. 50cm 

*A. trinervius ‘Asran’. Robustly bombproof and midew free, its pale lavender flowers 

need the help of more colourful bedfellows. 40cm. 

A. turbinellus. Dark willowy stems, clad with glaucous green leaves, erupt in October 

into a display of small lavender-blue flowers. 150cm. 

A. turbinellus hybrid. The unruly, arching habit of this tough hybrid with its dainty 

pale violet-blue flowers is a delight. A great favourite here, it is allowed to cavort 

with Nepetas, Penstemons and Geraniums. 120cm. 

A. ‘Vasterival’. Named after the garden of the formidable Princess Sturdza in 

Normandy, this strong-growing aster is a pure delight, bearing clouds of 20 pence 

sized palest rose-lilac flowers through September. 120cm. 

*ASTRANTIA major ‘Buckland’. The pale green ruff of bracts and rosy pink stamens 

make for a flower of great beauty. An old clone now that can still hold its head high. 

60cms. 

A. m. ‘White Seedlings’. A flowering sized seed raised batch from a good plant grown 

in our spring garden. Bound to be some variation. 70cm+. 

A. m. ‘Canneman Seedlings’. Strong flowering sized plants raised from this good, 

large flowered silvery-pink parent plant. 70cm+. 

*A. m. ‘Dark Wine Seedlings’. Raised from our new dark wine red selection with 

purple black stems. 50cm+. 

A. ‘Roma’. Piet Oudolf’s selection and a terrific plant it is. The large flowers are rosepink 

and the plant shows great vigour bearing a good repeat crop of flowers, particularly 

so when young. 60cm. 

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ATHYRIUM nipponicum var. pictum. The elegant and beautiful Japanese Painted 

Fern in shades of grey, silver and dusky purple. Needs shelter and good soil to give 

of its best. We offer divisions of a very fine form. 

*A. n. var. p. ‘Marchants Selection’. A selection we made from spore raised plants. A 

notch sharper in detail than the above and arguably a little more silvery. Divisions. 

BAPTISIA australis ‘Nelson’s Navy’. Great excitement here last year with this plants 

first flowering. What a colour – deep navy bue. Strong flowering sized seed raised 

plants are offered. 80cm+. 

B. a. ‘Purple Smoke’. A striking and highly spoken of introduction from the States. 

As above but with distinct dusky purple flowers. Needs bags of summer sunshine to 

flower well. 80cm. 

BERGENIA stracheyi alba. This form has very neat, small leaves and in Spring 

produces dumpy 15cm spikes of white flowers that fade to palest pink. Charming. 

*BUNIUM bulbocastanum. Tuberous Caraway, Earth Chestnut,etc. A British native, 

pretty to look at with white lacy heads and small mounding celery like foliage and 

apparently good to eat. Good luck. 

*BUPLEURUM falcatum. The small flowers of this short lived perennial are acid 

yellow, held in airy clouds on a tracery of wiry stems. Unsurpassed for effect, it will 

seed freely when happy. 60cm. 

*B. longifolium. The conspicuous bracts surrounding the small flowers of this species 

are copper come bronze coloured and are beautifully unique. Short lived but should 

seed. 40-60cm. 

*CALAMINTHA nepeta ‘Blue Cloud’. Summer droughts it would seem sort out the 

men from the boys. This flowers unabashed for months on end oblivious to the parched 

soil in which it grows. A great Bee puller too. 30cm. 

CAMASSIA ‘Electra’. Fabulous flowers, a mixture of sky blue, pale violet, even a hint 

of turquoise. A few to spare of this uncommon form. 120cm. 

*CAMPANULA carpatica var. pelviformis. Large, clear blue salvers over a gently 

spreading clump make this an ideal and reliable performer for the border front or 

rockery. 

*C. ‘Crystal’. A brilliant newcomer from Avondale Nursery. A hybrid (with associated 

vigour), fulsome bells of palest amethyst open from purple washed buds. Any half 

decent soil in full sun. 50cm. 

C. Lactiflora ‘Marchants Nimbus’. A very good white selection made here at 

Marchants. About 1.2m. 

*C. l. ‘Marchants Seedling’. A strapping, healthy seedling also selected here with heads 

of large mid violet-blue flowers. 1.2m+. 

C. l. ‘Platinum’. An alluring combination of silvery-grey flowers with pewter sepals. A 

beautiful plant. 1.4m. 

*C. ‘Sarastro’. A selection from the continent, packing in a punch with its large, glossy 

violet-blue bells. Self supporting. 60cm. 

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*ATHYRIUM felix femina minutissimum. At 20cm this is a relatively small fern, its 

feathery, broad lance shaped fronds forming a particularly neat clump. Deciduous. 

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*CENTAUREA atropurpurea. Typical cut foliage of the genus, the stiff upright stems 

carry claret-ruby coloured tufted flowers for months on end. Formerly offered as C. 

benoistii. 120cm. 

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CENTAUREA bella. A neat border front plant with silvery evergreen cut foliage and a 

generous summer display of lilac-pink flowers. 30cm. 

*C. ‘Blewit’. A C. montana hybrid originating in Turkey with splendid large lilac-blue 

‘Cornflowers’. Sprints about in a forgivable sort of way. 30cm. 

C. cheiranthifolia. Large flowers the colour of real Creme Anglaise. Like the above 

– runs about. 30cm. 

C. simplicicaulis. As C. bella but a notch smaller in all its parts. A very pretty front 

liner. 20cm. 

CEPHALARIA dipsacoides. In effect, a daintier form of C. gigantea, with smaller 

pale yellow flowers emerging from exquisitely fashioned buds. In winter, the spacious 

tracery of wiry stems and spent seed heads presents a beautiful, though stark silhouette. 

2m. 

CHAEROPHYLLUM hisutum roseum. A highly effective lilac-pink Cow Parsley 

relative and as one famous garden writer puts it ‘– few plants can hold a candle to it in 

May’. 70cm. 

*CHAMERION (EPILOBIUM) angustifolium ‘Stahl Rose’. So how brave are you? 

Feeling wild? The prettiest form of Rose-Bay Willow herb we think, pale pink with 

crimson calyxes. Delicious – but how it runs 

CHRYSANTHEMUM. Useful plants for the cutting garden or border alike. 

C. ‘Chelsea Physic Garden’. Coppery-russet orange flowers creating the effect of a 

multi quilled Sea Urchin. 

C. ‘Cottage Apricot’. Single flowers, a beautiful shade for autumn of apricot-orange 

fading to an apricot-pink. 70cm. 

C. ‘Kleine Eisbar’. Double, the layered ray petals on opening are stained yellow. These 

unfold to show off pure white flowers with a yellow button eye. 60cm 

C .‘Weisse Winteraster’. Similar to the above but at 45cm a little shorter. 

CLEMATIS ex ‘Cote d’Azur’. A boldly spreading, leafy herbaceous plant often 

colouring well in Autumn. The tubular violet-blue flowers are not large but generously 

born. Good seed heads are an added bonus. 1m. 

*CONVOLVULUS cneorum. First rate silky, silver leaved hummock forming shrub 

for a well drained hot spot. Pleated, large white flowers throughout summer and 

autumn. 60cm x 120cm. 

*C. mauritanicus. (syn. Sabatius) A spreading plant providing an ebb and flow of 

satin like pearly blue salvers through summer/autumn. A desert island plant for us 

and capable of a long life in a sheltered spot. 15cm. 

*C. m. ‘Dark Form’. Much darker but with smaller flowers than the above. 

CORYDALIS solida var. solida ‘George Baker’. A legendary plant originally from the 

woodland floor of Transsylvania. This form (which grows as a tuber) has glowing deep 

coral pink flowers and likes a quiet half shaded spot in the garden. 15cm. 

CROCOSMIA. We can think of no better way to enliven the late summer border than 

to use these dazzling performers. They love moisture (not boggy) and lots of sunshine to 

perform well, and need dividing every now and then to keep them in good fettle. 

*C. ‘Castle Ward Late’. The orangey-red segments are narrower than most, giving the 

plant a spidery look. 80cm 

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CROCOSMIA ‘Gerbe D’or’. Bronze foliage acts as a great backdrop to pale orange 

flowers. A reliable, hearty grower. 70cm. 

C. ‘Late Lucifer’. Similar to the above, but 2 weeks later. Marvellous here in partial 

shade with Purple Hazel. A Great Dixter selection but slow we find. 

C. ‘Lucifer’. Aptly named devilish red flowers partner superb ribbed foliage. Common 

but oozes class. 1.5m. 

*C. masoniorum ‘Dixter Flame’. C. Lloyd’s answer to the Lucifer look alikes, pure 

red, broad leaves and an accommodating 70cm in height. 

C. m. ‘Rowallane Yellow’. No bending required as the solid yellow flowers are upward 

facing Handsome broad foliage too. 90cm. 

*C. ‘Queen Alexandra’. Elegant, nodding Erythronium like orange blooms enhanced 

by a dash of crimson in the throat. 80cm. 

*C. ‘Severn Sunrise’. Almost everyone comments favourably on the weird peachy-rose 

colour of this award winning plant. A challenge to place this colour well but terrific 

with purples. 60cm. 

CYCLAMEN coum. The form we offer has good silvery leaves and purple magenta 

flowers in winter. Available in autumn 2013. 

*DAHLIA coccinea. Seed raised plants from an isolated plant of the true species. Fresh 

green foliage compliments the slightly nodding, Clementine sized pale orange flowers. 

1.2m +. 

*D. x coccinea. Flowering sized seedlings from our super tangerine orange parent plant. 

The progeny vary a little including soft reds but we’ve yet to see a dull one among 

them. 

Dahlia x Cosmos. We harvested what looks like fertile seed from our newly acquired 

plant. This possesses chocolaty purple red flowers. Heavens knows what the 

seedlings will be like (if they germinate). 

DATISCA cannabina. A tough perennial whose woody stems annually attain 2m +, 

decked with attractive, slender cannabis like leaves (if you happen to know about these 

things). Tiny green flowers hang in tassels in late summer contributing splendidly to the 

green theme. 

*DIANTHUS carthusianorum. The form we offer is not as tall as some forms we have 

seen, but owns the same grassy foliage and dazzling bursts of brilliant magenta pink 

flowers through summer. 

*D. deltoides ‘Leuchtfunk’. Saturated crimson flowers, like splashes of blood over a 

mat of deep green foliage. 

DIASCIA ‘Emma’. Narrow leaved suckering clumps and a profusion of dusky deep 

pink flowers – exactly what we expect of these marvellous, hardy plants. 30cm. 

D. fetcaniensis. Showy big spurred flowers, mid pink. The foliage is noticeably hairier 

than others. 30cm. 

D. personata. A remarkable newcomer holding itself, literally, head and shoulders 

above its kin with its lofty, upright habit. Typical horned mid-pink flowers for 

months and months. South Africa. 60cm. 

DICTAMNUS albus. The resinous, aromatic Dittany of Crete in its orchid like, 

glistening white form. Slow we find but worth the wait and once settled a long lived 

plant. 90cm eventually. 

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DICTAMNUS albus purpureus. The equally beautiful mauve-purple form. Raised 

from our very fine form. 

D. caucasicus. Back in our list having proved itself such a good plant over the years. 

The Caucasian form of Burning Bush at 1.25m is a stately perennial, handsome in 

both flower (purple-pink) and seed. A slow plant only suited to patient gardeners. 

DIGITALIS ciliata. The plant we grow under this name has narrow leaves and pale 

yellow flowers. 60cm. 

D. ferruginea. Baggy pale caramel flowers with a pouting lip. Dark sentinel spikes in 

winter. 1m+. 

D. f. ‘Gelber Herold’. A bigger form of the above with brown-purple veining to the lip 

and inside of flower. 

D. parviflora. A notably different Foxglove whose basal leaves give rise to spikes of 

small, narrow tawny-brown flowers. 60cm. 

DISPOROPSIS aspera. A memorable trip to The Emperor’s Tea Mountain outside Ya 

an, China in 1995 (where this plant was collected) was made even more memorable 

by the plangent tones of karaoke wafting across the misty mountainside from the hotel 

restaurant. Evergreen with sweet scented creamy flowers, brown on the inside. 20cm. 

DISPORUM flavens. From Korea, the bamboo-like stems of this relative of Solomon’s 

Seal reach 60cm and carry pale yellow flowers in the axils of the newly developed 

leaves in April-May. 

D. sessile variegatum. The bold green and white variegated leaves and pale celadon 

flowers of this N. American woodlander will gladly illuminate any half shaded spot. 

30cm. 

*ECHINACEA. The cone flowers of North America are not only valued for the healing 

properties of the oil they contain but for their tremendous garden value too. The broad 

ray petals of mauve-crimson are mostly declined, thereby accentuating the glowing 

central cone of bronze-orange. They require good hearty soil and are not always easy. 

E. purpurea. Strong flowering sized seedlings from our best largest flowered forms. 

75cm. 

*ECHINOPS bannaticus ‘Blue Globe’. A coarse plant in leaf maybe but worth 

growing for the blue insect attracting globes alone. At 1.2m, the tallest globe thistle in 

our range. 

E. ‘Blue Pearl’. An uncommon form with paler flowers than the latter, a good mid-blue 

in fact. 90cm. 

*E. ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’. Coarsely cut, spiny leaves give rise to pale stems supporting 

spherical heads of rich blue flowers and with the asset of being strictly clump 

forming . 90cm. 

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EPIMEDIUM ‘Bieke’. Masses of Spidery lemon yellow flowers. 30cm 

E. ‘Buckland Spider’. A good selection from Keith Wiley of E. grandiflorum persuasion 

with large claw like lilac-pink flowers. 25cm 

E. ‘Egret’. One of the best of the new hybrids from the continent with fat white sepals 

and an underskirt of clean yellow petals. 

E. ‘Golden Eagle’. The airy spikes of narrow pale yellow flowers conjures a picture of 

a rally of spiders, albeit a four legged variety! 30cm 

E. grandiflorum ‘Freya’. A beautiful E. g. nanum hybrid, now quite rare with purple 

flowers and paler spurs. 20cm 

E. g. ‘La Rocaille’. Ivory white suffused with palest celadon green, long spurred 


E. g. ‘Lilafee’. Dark tinted new leaves act as a harmonious foil to the dainty violetpurple 


E. g. ‘Nanum’. This gem, the smallest of the Epimediums we grow is much loved here 

for its chunky white flowers and striking copper-purple rimmed new foliage. 10cm. 

E. g. ‘Rose Queen’. Inappropriately named, the large spurred flowers of this strong 

growing form are actually a fine crimson-purple. 25cm. 

E. g. ‘White Queen’. A large flowered pure white form, yet to bettered. This, the true 

plant, is said to be becoming rare. 30cm. 

E. ‘King Prawn’. A cross between E. wushanense and E. latisepalum from the fanatical 

Epimedium stable of ‘Desirable Plants’ in Devon. The colour of the flowers 

resembles part cooked prawns, hard though that might be to imagine. 

E. latisepalum. Scintillating huge white flowers over large evergreen leaves. Not the 

easiest. 25cm 

E. ‘Marchant’s Hybrids’. These are set to flower this spring and are the result of 

various hand pollinated crosses. They will be sold in flower as I haven’t seen them 

for myself yet! 

E. membranaceum. A beautiful Chinese species with burnished spiny margined foliage 

and insect like, long spurred pale yellow flowers for months. Evergreen. 30cm. 

E. x oemeiense ‘Myriad Years’. A naturally occurring hybrid in the wild (E. 

acuminatum x E.fangii) with handsome foliage and extraordinary, huge pale greypink 

and purple spurred flowers. Requires a sheltered spot. 45cm 

E. ogisui. Introduced in the 1990’s from the flora rich province of Sichuan, China, this 

beautiful large white flowered species remains uncommon and is further enhanced by 

the bronze tinted new foliage. 25cm. 

E. ‘Totnes Turbo’. A bicoloured hybrid in pale and deeper yellow also from the 

Epimedium stable of ‘Desirable Plants’ in Devon. 

E. versicolor sulphureum. Handsome evergreen foliage, copper and crimson tinted in 

winter. This should be removed in February to freely enjoy the clean yellow flowers 

in spring. 40cms. 

E. versicolor x versicolor. Subtly contrasted flesh pink and amber-yellow flowers, a 

perfect match for the young copper coloured foliage. 30cm 

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EPIMEDIUM. Did you know these plants are members of the Berberis family? Look 

closely at their flowers and foliage you’ll see the connection. Not too difficult to please, 

they require humus rich soil and a dose of shade. Their new foliage is often beautifully 

tinted and their Columbine like flowers beguile all those who encounter them. Some of 

the following are offered in small numbers this year. 

E. ‘Amber Queen’. A cracking E. flavum hybrid, the main body of the large flower 

being amber coloured with hints of pink, pale yellow and with white thrown in. 

40cm. 

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ERIGERON ‘Dignity’. Large, aster like flowers with elegant narrow ray petals. Good 

for the border front. Pale violet. 30cm . 

E. ‘Quakeress’. The narrow lilac-pink ray petals make for a dainty flower. An old 

hybrid yet to be superseded. 60cm. 

E. ‘Schneewittchen’. In effect a white version of the above and a plant we particularly 

enjoy here for its simple style and long flowering season. 50cm. 

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ERODIUM. The free flowering Storksbills are related to Pelargonium and to true 

Geraniums, the Cranesbills. They adore sun and limestone and revel on chalk and other 

free draining soils. On wet soils their thick necks are prone to rot in which case raised 

beds or walls offer a suitable compromise. We love them and grow quite a number. 

Hopefully we’ll have some of the following available by June. 

E. ‘Grey Blush’, E x kolbianum. E. ‘Nunwood Pink’, E. ‘Spanish Eyes’, etc. 

ERYNGIUM. The Eryngos, with their well designed defense mechanisms, are a 

prickly bunch of characters but make with both their flowers and their foliage striking 

garden plants. What’s more, they’re not difficult to please, given sun and reasonable 

drainage. In cultivation they are divided between species from Europe and South 

America, plus the odd hybrid. If you don’t grow them, why not give them a try. 

E. bourgatii. Seedlings from a form with particularly deep metallic blue flower heads 

and bracts. In the wild it grows in poor, stony soil. 60cm. 

*E. giganteum ‘Silver Ghost’. The bleached pallor of the vengeful spiny bracts of this 

striking biennial present themselves at thigh/bottom level so should be positioned 

with care! 

E. x oliveranum. An old E. alpinum hyrbrid, now hard to find, both stems and spiny 

bracted flowers being cobalt blue. 60cm. 

*E. pandanifolium. Of great architectural presence, in September great flowering 

trunks rise to 2.5 metres over sword shaped leaves terminating in a branched 

network of small maroon-purple flowers whose scent, once encountered, is not 

easily forgotten. 

*E. planum. Rather an unfortunate name for such a good garden plant. Always 

provides a reliable and dazzling display of its small silvery blue flowers. 1m+ 

*E. serbicum. To our eyes, like a small form of E.planum with silvery blue flowers and 

narrow bracts. Uncommon. 60cm. 

*E x Zabellii. These are basically E. alpinum hybrids. Most are exceptional with steely 

blue ruff-like bracts but they are not always easy to grow preferring we think good 

drainage but not dryness. We grow several forms and hope to have some of these 

available by mid-summer. 

EUCOMIS. The following are among the most commented on plants in the garden 

at Marchants. Their exotic look belies their dogged hardiness. We have yet to lose a 

plant to cold but have noticed a complete dislike of being shouldered out by expansive 

neighbours. Worth cosseting, our plants get a thick mulch of compost to see them safely 

through the winter. 

E. ex Harry Hay. These plants were raised by leaf blade cuttings begged from the 

good man himself. The original plant was noted for its highly ornamental bottle 

green seed capsules, not a feature that one would usually clock with this genus. Four 

years on and height and flower colour remain unknown. 

E. ex ‘John Treasure’. This form has a particularly good purple hue to the leaves, 

stems and flowers. Grow this well and you’ll have something to boast about. 45cm. 

E. ‘Marchants Purple Wave’. A seedling I selected several years ago for the curious 

waved margins of the dark purple leaves, dusky pink flowers and short height. 35cm. 

E. pallidiflora. A fantastic creation. Succulent strap-like basal leaves, stem and palest 

green flowers all topped with a Pineapple like flourish. Hardy in the ground but less 

so in pots. 90cm. 

E. ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. The terrific strap like succulent leaves are deep matt purple, 

a tone shared by the flowering stems and flowers, albeit a little diluted. A remarkable 

plant. 1m. in flower. 

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EUCOMIS ‘Sparkling Burgundy Seedlings’. Flowering sized plants are offered. Why 

not throw the dice and try one of the children. 

E. zambesiaca. At 30cm a small scale E. pallidiflora but equally characterful. Hardy 

and just the plant for a classy stoneware pot. A few to spare. 

EUPATORIUM ligustrinum. Not a shrub that flamboyantly announces itself, but 

highly effective none-the-less. Its good evergreen foliage, structure and fluffy white 

flower heads in late summer beautifully partners Asters and late flowering grasses. 2m. 

*E. purpureum maculatum album. We hope to have plants available of this 

uncommon white form for sale. 2m+. 

*E. p. m. ‘Ankum’s August’. The claim from Nurseryman friend Coen Jansen that his 

plant will grow to only 140cm has been severely put to the test on our rich clay. A 

little taller here, it remains a good plant. 

*E. p. m. ‘Orchard Dene’. Stood out in the Wisley trials with its huge heads showy 

flowers and dark stems and deservedly awarded an. AGM. 

E. p. m. ex. ‘Orchard Dene’. Flowering sized plants raised from seed of the above. 

*E. p. m. ‘Purple Bush’. Fills a niche in being shorter than the type form yet identical 

in every other respect. 1.5m. 

E. p. m. ‘Riesenschirm’. Stout, glossy purple stems rise to 2.2m, climaxing in a display 

of dusky rose-purple domed flower heads. A distinguished late summer perennial. 

E. rugosum ‘Chocolate’. Snakeroot. Striking black-purple foliage and domed heads of 

white flowers in autumn. An asset on all accounts for any fertile border in full sun. 

1.5m. 

EUPHORBIA. Given reasonable drainage the Spurges are easy to please and give 

us all that we should expect of a plant. Do however be cautious of the white sap they 

exude when torn or damaged. It can burn skin badly. 

E. donii ‘Amjillasa’. A very handsome Kew collection from Nepal with large, chrome 

yellow flower bracts. Seed raised. plants are offered. 1m+. 

E. griffithii ‘Fern Cottage’. A very good form with decorative fiery reddish-orange 

flower bracts to enliven the late spring border. 90cm. 

E. jacquemontii. We hope to have a few plants to spare of this Himalayan rarity. 

E. ‘Jade Dragon’. An E. amygdaloides hybrid, the heads of showy green flowers 

punctuated with a conspicuous red eye fade to an equally beautiful dusky, soft red. 

60cm. 

E. polychroma ‘Midas’. Not difficult to imagine the bracts and flowers of this brilliant, 

cheering spring flowering plant having been touched by King Midas’ hand and 

consequently turned to Gold. 45cm. 

*FERULA communis ssp. glauca. A spectacular fennel climaxing (after 3 years) in a 

towering display of yellow ochre flowers in umbels on anything but ‘umble’ 3.5m high, 

fat, glaucous stems. Breathtaking against a blue summer sky. 

FILIPENDULA vulgaris ‘Multiplex’. Over cut, carrot like basal foliage, flower stems 

carry creamy-white clouds of tiny double flowers. A charming plant of Cottage Garden 

character. 45cm. 

*FOENICULUM vulgare ‘Smokey’. Bronze Fennel. A good deep bronze seed strain 

with a marked bloom to the young stems. 

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FUCHSIA. You may gather from the following list that we are rather fond of Fuchsias, 

particularly when they are as hardy and long flowering as the following. Best pruned 

hard in spring. 

F. magellanica ‘Floriade’. Brought back from the US by us in 2005 this has settled 

well here and with its admirable aubergine-purple and rich red flowers has made a 

worthy addition to our list. 1m+. 

F. m. ‘Globosa’. Bought some years ago under this name, it has been a dependable, 

hardy magellanica with quite fat red and purple flowers. 90cm. 

*F. m.‘Hawkshead’. An elegant, hardy Fuchsia with white flowers, the petals tipped 

with a hint of a tint of green. 75cm. 

*F. m. ‘Lady Bacon’. Another newcomer to us with finer foliage than most and ivory 

and purple-lilac flowers. 60cm. 

*F. m. var. pumila. A short fellow festooning itself with pert red and purple flowers 

through late summer /autumn. 60cm 

F. m. thompsonii. Wonderful in its full glory in late summer. The slender red and 

purple flowers held on arching stems associate beautifully with blue Agapanthus. 

150cm or more. 

*F. m. versicolor. ‘An exquisite symphony of colour which is unsurpassed in the 

floral world for its charming complement of shape, poise and tint’ – Graham Stuart 

Thomas. Need we say more. 120cm. 

F. microphylla. A sweety-pie possessing the smallest leaves and flowers (bright 

shocking pink) of those we grow. 60cm. 

*F. ‘Whiteknights Pearl’. A notch deeper pink than Fuchsia m. molinae, the sepals are 

noticeably tipped with Granny Smith green. Charming. 60cm. 

GALEGA x hartlandii alba. Handsome clumps of pale green pinnate foliage carry 

dense spikes of scented flowers for weeks. Unassailably tough. 180cm. 

*GAURA lindheimeri. Wand like stems airily display delicate white flowers from pink 

buds, seemingly borne by the thousand through summer/autumn. Entrancing here in a 

duet with Miscanthus ‘Kleine Fontäne’. 120cm. 

GERANIUM. It’s easy to fall for a Cranesbill, don’t you think? Most gardeners have 

so you’d be in denial if you hadn’t at some point had a flirt with them. But it is the 

hackneyed catchphrase ‘good ground cover’ which chills me, conjuring up a vision 

of their amorphous, weed suppressing blankets and smothering in the process our 

enthusiasm too. In their favour, both colours and length of season are a boon and most 

are a doddle to grow. The answer to this conundrum is simple. Use them sparingly. 

*G. ‘Blue Cloud’. Pleasing cut foliage and not too rampant growth, combined with pale 

silvery-blue flowers through most of the summer. A superb garden plant. 45cm. 

G. ‘Brookside’. We find this a less vigorous plant than some of the blues, but it more 

than compensates with the size, colour and sheer quality of its flowers. 40cm. 

G. x cantabrigiense ‘Vorjura’. A size up from G. dalmaticum (a parent) this newish 

form bears pretty, bright pink flowers. A very good edger. 20cm 

*G. cinereum subcaulescens. Eye shattering magenta pink flowers over small green 

scalloped leaves in early summer. 15cm 

G. dalmaticum album. Durable and charming, its pearly white flowers hover over a 

mound of small glossy leaves. 10cm. 

*G. ‘Dilys’. A low growing G. sanguineum hybrid of enormous merit, providing a 

supply of purple-magenta flowers the summer long. 30cm. 

G. ‘Khan’. A G. sanguineum hybrid with huge, deep bright pink flowers. One of the 

very best. 30cm. 

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GERANIUM mac. ‘Espresso’ The name is derived from the extraordinary coffee 

brown colour of the leaves. The lilac-pink flowers are a minor bonus. 40cms. 

G. ‘Nimbus’. Produces masses of pale violet-blue flowers over handsome cut foliage for 

most of the season. 50cm. 

*G. ‘Orion’. A super hybrid from Holland with enormous violet-blue salvers. Stands 

apart in a Geranium crowd. 50cm. 

*G. ‘Patricia’. A G. psilostemon hybrid, possessing all the brilliant radiance of that 

plants magenta flowers. They are however larger. This together with its short stature 

make this a first rate plant. 60cm. 

*G. pratense ‘Southease Celestial’. Wonderful huge cupped salvers of luminescent 

lavender-blue. A chance seedling from Adrian Orchard of Southease Plants – lucky 

devil! 60cm. 

G. ‘Red Admiral’. From the G. psilostemon stable, this one has perhaps the darkest 

flowers of all, a good toxic deep pink. 

G. renardii ‘Zetterlund’. A grand foliage plant with softly plush foliage and a one off 

display of deeply incised lavender-blue flowers. 

G. phaeum ‘Lisa’. Sulphur yellow and white zonal leaf markings in early spring make 

for a distint, eye catching plant. Flowers are typically violet-purple. Here it has 

paired Geum ‘Marmalade’ very well. 

G. p.‘Marchants Ghost’. Our own seedling with ghostly, pale grey-lavender flowers the 

texture of satin. Always much admired. 75cm. 

G. ‘Sabani Blue’. Brilliant violet blue notched flowers over strict clumps of softly hairy 

leaves. Fanfares the start of the cranesbill season in May. 30cm. 

G. sanguineum album. The Bloody Cranesbill bled dry in its pristine white form. 

30cm. 

*G. s.‘Elke’. This newish form possesses the expected bright pink flowers of a Bloody 

cranesbill but differs in having a small white eye and a pale picotee edge. Very 

pretty. 15cm. 

G. s. var. striatum. A not so Bloody Cranesbill, its large rounded pale pink flowers 

studding the low mound of cut foliage through summer. 10cm. 

G. ‘Scapa Flow’. A showy Alan Bremner hybrid (ibericum x renardii) with large soft 

blue flowers, heavily purple veined. Uncommon. 45cm. 

G. ‘Sirak’. One of the best hybrids to have appeared from the continent, producing 

masses of notched, large lilac-pink flowers over a dense clump of foliage. 45cm. 

G. wallichianum. From Edinburgh’s Botanic Garden, the pale luminous silvery-blue 

flowers of this form show us something of the variation we can expect of a species 

group. An enthusiastic scrambler to 60cm or more. 

GEUM. It’s flattering when you find a plant that does well for you. The Geums are one 

of our trump cards, breezing through the winter in our sticky clay. That said, any well 

structured soil other than dust dry will accommodate them. If they start to ‘go back’ 

they’re telling you they need dividing. 

G. ‘Apricot Sundae’. Occurred here as a lucky sport of G.‘Pink Frills’. Its full, wavy 

edged flowers are coloured pale apricot flesh cum pink. 20cm. 

G. ‘Borisii’. A reliable doer with cheering, eye catching clear orange flowers. 30cm. 

G. Borisii Seedling. This arose out of a clutch of seedlings of the above. It is a softer 

orange, has notched petals and yellow stamens and is very pretty indeed. 30cm 

G. ‘Herterton Primrose’. An immensely impressive newcomer, the pale lemon flowers 

are well displayed above neat foliage, and the plant has a refined look, a word not 

commonly used in association with Geums. 15cm 

G. ‘Lisanne’ A strong selection from the continent with bold, large yellow flowers. 40cm. 

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GEUM ‘Marmalade’. Pleasing copper-orange flowers, – a painterly colour many 

gardeners sadly choose to ignore. 30cm. 

G. ‘Pink Frills’. A very pretty form with somewhat shaggy, nodding flowers of palest 

pink with contrasting crimson-pink calyxes through early summer. 20cm. 

G. ‘Red Wings’. Full, semi-double flowers a glowing copper-red. A glowing addition to 

our range. 60cm. 

GLADIOLUS papilio. S. Africa. A melange of celadon green, slatey grey lilac and 

dusky rose pink suffuse the hooded flowers creating a plant of remarkably restrained 

beauty. Not for everyone I guess. 60cm. 

*GLAUCIUM flavum fulvum. The Horned Poppy in its pale tomato red form with 

handsome silvery rosettes – good the year round. 45cm. 

*GLYCYRRHIZA yunnanensis. A highly decorative herbaceous Chinese liquorice, the 

orb-like brown burred seed heads the size of overlarge golf balls are scattered on sturdy 

stems. A remarkable sight in autumn/winter. Sun + drainage. 2m+. 

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HELIANTHUS giganteus ‘Shiela’s Sunshine’. A whopper (2.5m+) with pale sulphur 

yellow daisies through autumn. 

H. ‘Lemon Queen’. Helianthus are generally speaking coarse plants. This variety is 

redeemed by the quality and generosity of its autumn crop of large pale lemon 

daisies. 2m. 

H. salicifolius. A towering, willowy leaved foliage plant whose airy display of golden 

yellow flowers brings the daisy season to a close in early October. We are told ours is 

a good form. 2.5m. 

*HELIOTROPIUM amplexicaule. Hardy, but lacking scent, small clusters of 

lavender-mauve flowers give a prodigious summer/autumn display. A weaver revelling 

in full sun. 15cm. 

HELLEBORUS argutifolius. The once called Corsican Hellebore needs no 

introduction. An unflinchingly tough garden plant. 

H. foetidus ‘Wester Flisk’. Deeply incised dark bottle green leaves and pale green 

flowers held on mottled crimson stems in mid-winter. 45cm. 

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HEBE stenophylla. Narrow willowy leaves and spikes of white flowers in late summer 

make for an elegant shrub, an adjective rarely used to describe this genus. 2m. 

HEDYCHIUM coccineum ‘Tara’. With tropical-looking, slim-line Canna like leaves 

and spikes of orange orchid like blooms in September this award winning Himalayan 

Ginger brings a touch of the exotic to the borders. 2m+ Protect in winter. 

HELIANTHEMUM ‘Ben Fhada’. A tough little green leaved rock rose with cheerful 

lemon yellow flowers, their centres embossed with orange. 10cm. 

H. ‘Cheviot’. Large flowers the colour of pale water melon flesh. Grey foliage. 

HELENIUM. The species Sneezeweeds are native to America but in Nurserymen’s 

hands have been selected for decades. They are among the easiest grown and most 

colourful herbaceous perennials of summer and autumn. 

H. ‘Die Blonde’. Boss and flower an unadulterated bright yellow. Very cheering. 180cm 

H. ‘Dunkelpracht’. Deep rust-red flowers. Good to have this back in our list. 120cms. 

H. ‘Moerheim Beaty’. Fox red-brown flowers. An old hybrid, still holding its own after 

70 years. 120cm. 

H. ‘Ring of Fire’. A newish form from Holland, the flowers are reddish brown made 

more striking with a central and outer zone of yellow. Upright, free flowering (sept/ 

oct) and superb here in 2012. 1.2m 

H. ‘Rotgold’. Red with a golden yellow edge. Rather cheering. 1.4m 

H. ‘Rubinzwerg’. Rich, deep mahogany-red flowers over a long season on a plant of 

short stature make this a valuable addition to the range. 75cm. 

H. ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’. Fantastic long display of large flowers, a mixture of burnt 

orange and ochre yellow. 1.2m. 

H. ‘Septemberfuchs’. Late flowering, with tawny red-brown flowers, a lovely colour to 

enrich the autumn border. 180cm. 

H. ‘Wyndley’. An old English cultivar still managing to deliver the goods. Large 

Mustard yellow flowers overlaid with orange and tawny flecking. 1m. 

H. ‘Zimbelstern’. A fine, large flowered yellow form with orange flecks and brown boss 

to compliment our range of colours. 150cm. 

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HEMEROCALLIS. We are unabashedly fond of Daylilies. These indestructible border 

perennials will with little fussing give years of pleasure. The tragedy is they have 

become so grossly vulgarised in breeder’s hands. Fortunately, virtually all the following 

species and stylish old cultivars pre-date such immodest, brazen treatment. 

H. ‘Corky’. Zestful, lemon yellow flowers from mahogany buds. Never disappoints. 

60cm. 

H. ‘Crimsom Pirate’. A classic spider type with narrow segments brilliantly coloured 

burning red with a complimentary yellow throat. Raised in 1951, still here and 

utterly dependable. 70cm 

H. fulva rosea. A mystery that this plant should have become so rare in cultivation. 

Eminent Nurseryman Amos Perry charged a princely 25/- for it in the 1930’s and 

used it to raise some of the first pink Daylilies. The flower segments possess a 

beautiful line and are a seductive shade of copper-pink. 75cm. 

H. ‘G’s Orange’. Raised at Marchants and settling well, the flowers are more an amberorange. 

Super with purple flowering plants. 45cm+ 

H. ‘Lady Fermor Hesketh’. Raised by Amos Perry many decades ago, yet still holds 

its own. Well proportioned canary-yellow flowers, good for the border or salad bowl 

alike. 90cm. 

H. ‘Laughton Tower’. Thinking the horticultural world short of a new Daylily or two, 

I successfully bred this fellow. At 1.5 m + high, it looks down on its overblown 

American peers in a very haughty and satisfactory manner. By the way – the small 

fluted flowers are apricot-orange. 

H. ‘Margery Fish’. Relatively large apricot-orange trumpets on a plant of short stature. 

Distributed by Great Dixter Nursery under this name and named after the great 

Somerset plantswoman. 40cms. 

H. multiflora. Soft apricot-orange flowers, not too big, yet possessing all the elegance 

one would expect of a species. The last ‘Daylily’ to flower here through August- 

September. 120cm. 

H. ‘Red Precious’. An old English cultivar which deserves to be much better known 

with flared, flame red flowers, ochre yellow on their reverse. At 45cm, perfect for the 

border front. 

H. ‘Sammy Russel’. Bold, reddish-tan, flamboyant flowers, perfect for ‘heating up’ the 

border. An old cultivar yet to be surpassed. 90cm. 

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HEMEROCALLIS species (? cultivar). Bought from a reputable Nursery under the 

name of H. ‘Hyperion’ which it clearly isn’t! The soft orange-yellow flowers are 

born long into late summer and meld well with crimson Persicarias. 1m. 

*H. ‘Stafford’. Large mahogany-red flowers of ravishing quality. An exemplary old 

hybrid which still holds its own in the Daylily stakes. 120-150cm. 

H. ‘Stoplight’. A large flowered spider, airy enough not to be blowsy. Carmine red with 

chartreuse and yellow throat. After initial scepticism on my part it is time for me to 

eat my socks. Pass the salt please.80cm 

H. ‘Whichford’. Elegant, slender pale yellow trumpets in June/July, delicately scented. 

Who needs more? 90cm 

*HEUCHERA ‘Brownfinch’. Good though the many plum-purple cultivars are, this 

silver mottled, green leaved form provides welcome relief. But it is the copious 60cm 

spikes of terracotta-brown flowers that are its greatest attribute, looking magnificent 

here with purple salvias through early summer. 

H.‘Chiqui’. Effective spikes of large salmon-pink flowers over tame, evergreen 

mounds. Uncommon. 45cm. 

H. cylindrica ‘Chartreuse’. A chunky fellow with green leaves and 20cm spikes of 

large pale green flowers. From my sparring partner Jenny Maillard and, I suspect, 

originally from the USA. 

H. sanguinea ‘Alba’. Received a hard won AGM in trials yet is rarely met with. Why? 

Its plain green leaves perhaps. This is a wonderful plant whose ivory flowers age 

with remarkable grace, a feature not normally noted in white flowered plants. Early 

summer onwards. 60cm. 

HOSTA. Having been shaken to the mid-ribs by the Hosta boom, my enthusiasm for 

these ubiquitous plants still remains a little tepid. That said, used discriminately and 

particularly in pots (where slugs can be kept at bay) they can be very effective. 

H. ‘Cally Atom’. Cally Garden’s fine selection with blue toned, dense heart shaped 

leaves and fat flowers on chunky 25cm stems. A delight. 

H. ‘Devon Green’. No razmataz with this one. Rather: simple, elegant, deep bottle 

green shining leaves.Very satisfying. 40cm. 

H. ‘Thumbnail’. Lilliputian in scale, the name refers to the leaf size. Pleasant pale 

violet flowers on 20cm stems maintain the symmetry. 

H. venusta variegata. A little charmer with neatly variegated cream and green leaves 

and abundant pale violet flowers. Becoming rare. 15cms. 

The 2 following sports of the above occurred here about 3 years ago, are quite distinct 

and have so far remained stable. They are offered for the first time. Being pert little 

fellows they are perhaps best grown in pots. 

Sport 1. Neatly shaped small elliptic green leaves have a clean central zone of cream 

variegation. Very smart. 

Sport 2. The small leaves are entirely green but it is the flower bearing stems towering 

at 60 cm above the foliage which provides the real drama. 

*HYDRANGEA aspera villosa. A very well known Lacecap with plush foliage and 

rosy-lilac flowers. Hopefully available in late summer. 

H. serrata ‘Kiyosumi’. A Japanese cultivar, the news seasons growth heavily burnished 

burgundy-copper. Heads of large creamy white ray florets heavily picoteed with a 

showy pink margin. 1.5m. 

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IRIS. No Iris flower could be described as long lasting but at least they make up for it 

by being fabulously flamboyant and are often produced in large numbers, albeit for a 

short season. 

I. chrysographes. The progeny of our magnificent velvety black form. The specific 

name ‘written in gold’ refers to the splash of gold that adorns the fall of the flower. 

Retentive soil. 60cm. 

I. lactea. A fine foliage plant, the narrow pale green glaucous leaves forming handsome 

clumps. The flowers, born in May, are pale milky-blue. 40cm. 

I. x robusta ‘Gerald Darby’. The intense purple staining of the new foliage of this iris 

is quite unlike any Iris we know and can be used to dramatic effect in the garden. 

45cm. 

The following forms of Iris Sibirica flourish in full light on our heavy clay soil and are 

capable of growing in shallow water too. 

I. sibirica ‘Colin’s Pale Blue’. Sky-blue with just a hint of grey in the colour. 75cm. A 

few to spare. 

I. s. ‘Dreaming Yellow’. Broad flowers with white standards and creamy falls zoned 

yellow at their base.70cm 

I. s. ‘Emperor’. Rich purple flowers of satin like texture. 100cm 

I. s. ‘Perry’s Blue’. Small flowers, a subtle shade of pale Cambridge blue. A golden 

oldy but a great favourite here. 60cms. 

I. ‘Prussian Blue’. Incredible, saturated deep blue flowers, a rare colour in this group. 

The German breeder Herr Tamberg received an AGM for it in 2003. Rightly so. 80cm. 

I. s. ‘Southcombe White’. Pallid white flowers, not large, with ghostly grey veining. 

90cm. 

I. s. ‘Summer Sky’. A graceful slim-line flower, like a dancer on points, lavender blue 

with just the right amount of yellow for perfect balance. 90cm. 

KNIPHOFIA. The ‘Red Hot Pokers’ are anything but these days, coming in a much 

wider range than hitherto – from pale cream to bright yellow, pale coral to burnt toffee. 

Their vertical spikes can provide a dramatic feature in any border, given sun and 

drainage and what’s more, are hardy to boot. 

K. ‘Bees Sunset’. Sturdy bronze coloured stems make a harmonious contrast to the 

clear orange flowers. 1m. 

K. ‘Green Jade’. A lofty poker bearing slender spikes of Ivory flowers from bright 

green buds. 120cm 

K. ‘Ice Queen’. Similar to K. ‘Percy’s Pride’ but a little earlier to flower with us. 

K. ‘Painted Lady’. Noted for the long and slender flower spikes. Orange with hints of 

amber. 1m+ 

K. ‘Percy’s Pride’. As good in bud as in flower – lime-green opening to pale yellow 

spikes of good substance. September. 75cm 

K. rooperi. The last to flower (Oct), a showy species with ovoid (oval) heads of bright 

orange flowers from green buds. Needs a little shelter. 90cm+ 

K. ‘Sunningdale Yellow’. Clear yellow with a smidgen of ochre. First poker off the 

blocks in June. AGM. Classy. 90cm. 

K. ‘Tawny King’. Beacon-like orange-amber and cream flowers from tawny buds born 

on deep bronze stems. A cracking plant. 80cm 

K. thomsonii var thomsonii. Well spaced, narrow spikes of soft orange flowers. 

Prominent among Kniphofia due to its very long flowering season. 120cm. 

K. ‘Timothy’. A mid-season variety with slender spikes of beautifully toned amber-pink 

flowers. 80cm 

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KNIPHOFIA ‘Wol’s Red Seedling’. Produces fine, well shaped spikes of deep coral 

red flowers. Strange that it missed an AGM in the Wisley trials. 

*LATHYRUS grandiflorus. An inveterate scrambler (and runner!) needing space to 

flaunt its’ sensational big carmine, purple keeled blossoms. No scent unfortunately. 

Hopefully a few to spare. 

*LEUCANTHEMELLA serotina. The Hungarian Daisy survives with glee here, 

muscling its way through our unforgiving clay and rewarding us with a brilliant late 

display of gay white daisies. 2m. 

LEUCOJUM aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’. Generally reckoned to be the best and 

largest flowered form of our British native, the Loddon Lily. 50cm. 

*LIMONIUM platyphyllum. A Sea Lavender with course, leathery leaves erupting in 

an airy display of minute lavender-blue flowers on wiry branches. Very beautiful in seed 

too. 40cm. 

*L. platphyllum ‘Robert Butler’. Clouds of tiny purple-blue flowers from silvery buds 

– a florist’s delight. 40cm. 

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MAIANTHEMUM (Smilacina) racemosum. In foliage, similar to Solomon’s Seal to 

which it is related. However, this American woodlander differs in producing from fresh, 

apple green buds, a froth of tiny white scented flowers in branched spikes. 75cm. 

M. r. subsp. amplexicaule. An uncommon form which has proved to be larger in all its 

parts than the above. 

MENTHA spicata ‘Moroccan’. Unanimously reckoned to be the best flavoured mint 

but also heralds a warning. It runs like mad! Answer – the sunk bucket treatment. 

MOLOPOSPERMUM peloponnesiacum. A rather sophisticated perennial umbellifer 

with sharply etched fernlike foliage. The yellowish heads of flowers and handsome 

seeds are carried on stout 120cm stems. 

NERINE bowdenii alba. White flowers from blush pink buds. A rare and beautiful 

plant which is perfectly hardy. 

N. b. ‘Marnie Rogerson’. Palest pink with a hint of shrimp in the colour. A scarce plant 

but easy to please. 

N. b. seedlings. Strong plants raised from seed of the choice N. b welsii. Now entering 

their 3rd year we shall hope to see some flowers this autumn. 

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*LOBELIA ‘Dark Crusader’. Brooding, saturated crimson-maroon flowers and richly 

purple stained young foliage. 70cm. 

*L. laxiflora var. angustifolia. A curious species from Arizona looking vaguely 

Penstemon like in leaf, but with cheering bright red tubular flowers, yellow in the 

throat. Full sun. 75cm. 

*L. tupa. A classy, eye catching plant with pale, sage-green leaves and dark stems 

terminating in a spike of claw shaped cherry red flowers. Needs retentive soil and 

some shelter but worth every effort to grow well. 120cm. 

LYCHNIS coronaria. Raised from wild collected seed we offer a very striking form 

with vivid shocking pink flowers, noticeably paler than the following. 60cm. 

*L. c. This, the more ordinarily seen form, is far from ordinary. The retina blasting 

colour of the crimson-magenta flowers is almost without parallel in the flower 

repertoire. 

L. c. alba. A pure white form for those who wish to maintain their equilibrium. 

*LYSIMACHIA clethroides. Plenty of leg room needed for the spreading roots of this 

Loosestrife but worth it for the show of horizontal, tapered spikes of brilliant Dulux 

white flowers in late summer. 1m. 

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NEPETA. The Catmints – and we love them just as much as they do. 

*N. ‘Bramdean’. A distinct seedling with dark stems and calyxes discovered in a 

Hampshire garden. 40cm 

N. kubanica. A leafy Caucasian species bearing clusters of large violet-blue flowers 

held in dark calyxces. New to us, it came highly recommended and is a plant for full 

sun or partial shade. 80cm+ 

N. nuda. Upright growth and a subtle misty display of tiny grey-lavender flowers for 

weeks. Fans of strong colour will no doubt pass it by. 1.2m 

N. racemosa ‘Walkers Low’. A Tomcat of a Catmint with a vigour to match. Deep 

lavender-blue flowers. 60cm. 

OMPHALODES cappadocica ‘Cherry Ingram’. In good soil this semi-evergreen will 

reward you with hundreds of brightest blue ‘Forget-me-not’ flowers for weeks. 30cm. 

ORIGANUM laevigatum ‘Hopleys’. Small glaucous leaves on branched wiry stems 

support a plethora of rosy-purple flowers. A Bee-puller par excellence. 45cm. 

*O. v. ‘Marchants Seedling’. A seedling selected by us for its good constitution and 

vigour. The mauve-pink flowers will have Tortoiseshell butterflies queuing to get into 

your garden! 40cm. 

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*LYTHRUM salicaria ‘Blush’. The soft pink flowers of this form are a good antidote 

to the richer coloured forms that follow. 60cm. 

L. s. ‘Lady Sackville’. A dependable mid pink. 60cm. 

*L. s. ‘Zigeunerblut’. Vivid magenta-purple flower spikes. A Gypsy with blood this 

colour would be in serious need of a transfusion. 90cm. 

L. virgatum. The branched stems of this widespread European and Asian species carry 

myriad small, deep lilac-pink flowers for weeks in mid-summer. Has a quality that 

becomes addictive to use and associates well with grasses too. 90cm. 

L. virgatum ‘Rose Queen’. Similar to the above but smaller, at least with us, in all its 

parts. 50cm. 

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ORNITHOGALUM pyramidale ‘Short Form’. Masses of white, green striped flowers 

are borne on 30cm spikes in May-June. A charming, uncommon form. 

PAEONIA ‘Avante Garde’. A hybrid from Lemoine from the early C20th. The single 

flowers are an exquisite shade of pastel apricot-pink. A rarity, we have only a few for sale. 

P. emodi. An aristocratic species from North India, Kashmir, etc, scarcely offered, with 

simple pure white scented flowers. In the wild it grows in light shaded woodland. 

1m+. 

PAPAVER somniferum album. Brought back from India (grown there as a crop for 

opiates) the glorious tissue paper textured flowers are huge and brilliant white. An 

annual, it should seed about. Packets of seed are offered. 

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*PATRINIA scabiosifolia. Perched on 90cm stems the tiny yellow-green flowers of this 

Valerian relative bring an effective sharpness of colour tone to the late summer border. 

PELARGONIUM. Who could fail to be endeared by these charming subjects, 

flowering plants par excellence for potwork, each with highly individual scented leaves. 

Don’t kid yourself they are hardy. They’re not and will need cosseting through winter. 

*P. ‘Attar of Roses’. Perhaps the best scented foliage of them all making it excellent 

for culinary use. 

*P. ‘Charlotte’s Red’. Our own name, the plant in question forms a leafy scented mass 

of pale green foliage spattered through summer with chiselled pale red flowers. 

*P. ‘Lady Plymouth’. Heavenly scented leaves and smart cream variegation. 

*P. ‘Lord Bute’. Classic old variety, black-purple with paler purple edge. Fab. 

*P. ‘Old Spice’. Small menthe scented scalloped leaves, pale silver-green and dinky 

white flowers for months. 

*P. sidoides. Velvety scalloped silvery leaves, the dark violet-purple flowers, though 

small, make a resonant statement. Very attractive and almost hardy. Very few this 

year. 

PENSTEMON. Mainstays of the herbaceous border, with showy tubular flowers. Deep 

and pale pink, magenta, true blues, reds, etc. colours prevail. Judiciously dead head and 

you will be rewarded with flowers the summer/autumn long. 

P. ‘Elgar crown of India’. Very similar to the following but with rosy-purple flowers. 

40cm 

P. ex ‘Sunburst Amethyst’. Progeny of a lovely plant (coming true to type) with refined 

foliage and slender, tubular amethyst-purple flowers for months on end. 50cm. 

PEROVSKIA atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’. In a well drained soil the spires of small 

lavender-blue flowers make a fine vertical accent. Invaluable for its late flowering 

display. 120cm. 

PERSICARIA. Whilst the foliage of the following could not be described as being 

refined, their flower shape, colour range and extraordinary length of flowering season 

lift them, for us, onto a very high level. They also partner a wide range of grasses. 

We have gathered a number of newcomers from the continent and offer several below. 

*P. amplexicaulis ‘Alba’. The exception to the rule in providing cool white flower 

spikes. 

P. a. ‘Fine Pink’. Slender spikes, a tad darker than ‘Rosea’ below and thereby fills a 

useful niche. 

P. a. ‘Firedance’. Thin tapers of resonant carmine-red over fresh green foliage through 

summer and autumn. A sharp eyed Oudolf selection. 120cm. 

P. a. ‘Jo & Guido’s Form’. An uncommon form, neither red nor pink and with a 

distinct hint of salmon in the colour. 1m with us but probably taller in damp soil. 

P. a. ‘Lage Zaailing’. Another Dutch selection from Hans Kramer, translating (I 

believe) as ‘short seedling’and at 75cm, short it is. Light rose-red spikes. 

P. a. ‘October Pink’. From Coen Jansen comes this good mid-pink, its season starts 

however in July with us. Sussex air perhaps. 90cm. 

P. a. ‘Rosea’. Upright spikes of small, pale pink flowers held in crimson calyxes 

creating for weeks a charming two toned effect. Partners Panicum and Miscanthus 

superbly. 120cm. 

P. a.‘Summer Dance’. Another less frequently seen Oudolf selection coming in rosered. 

120cm. 

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*PERSICARIA a. ‘Taurus’. A classy Bressingham Gardens introduction, the spikes of 

vibrant ruby-red flowers are the darkest and richest of those we grow. 120cm. 

*P. bistotrta ‘Hohe Tatra’. A pale, clear pink and compact form we’ve always used at 

the border front but suspect could be bolder in richer soil. 40cm. 

*P. polymorpha. A robust but, most importantly, non invasive ‘knotweed’ with a 

serious flowering intent, the creamy-white plumes produced unabated from June to 

Oct/Nov. Dusky rose seed heads are a bonus. 2m+. 

*PHLOMIS russeliana. Bold plush leaves, pale sage green and whorls of typical 

yellow hooded flowers in tiers make for a pleasing bold plant. The seed heads are of 

great winter interest too. 120cm. 

PHLOX paniculata. Phlox paniculata provides us with some of the most useful mid 

to late summer flowering perennial plants, their colour spectrum ranging from white, 

vicious pinks (as used by the late Christopher Lloyd) to soothing lilac. But it is their 

scent, pungent and spicy, lingering in the air on a hot, listless days that quintessentially 

captures the mood of high summer. We hope to offer among others the following forms, 

available from June onwards. 

P. ‘Blue Paradise’, ‘David’, ‘Forncett Twilight’, ‘Hesperis’, ‘Marchant’s Darkest’, 

‘Marchant’s Lilac’, ‘Marchant’s Pink’ ‘Mount Fuji’, P. paniculata, P. pan. alba, 

‘Princess Sturdza’, ‘Reddish Hesperis’, ‘The King’,‘Utopia’, etc. 

*PIMPINELLA major rosea. A demure Cow Parsley cousin with flattened heads of 

pleasing soft pink flowers in June/July. 90cm. 

PLATYCODON grandiflorus apoyama albus. Pearly white Campanula like flowers 

open from seamed and inflated buds, irresistible to pop. At 15cm, a small plant for so 

sizeable a name. 

POLYGONATUM multiflorum ramosissimum. A gift from a Belgian colleague, the 

small flowers of this oddball are held on lateral branched stems. The bronze caste to the 

stems and leaves of early spring is a superb bonus. 60cm. 

P. lasianthum. A gift from plantsman extraordinaire Dan Hinkley, his own Japanese 

collection with remarkable purple stripes suffusing the newly unfurling leaves. Small 

creamy, celadon tipped flowers follow. Rare. 30cm. 

P. odoratum fl.pl. Lovers of detail will be captivated by the neatly fashioned, double, 

green and ivory-white flowers of this uncommon form. Beautiful scent too, if you 

can get your nose close enough! 30cm. 

P. roseum (aff).SBQE 1310. A diminutive Solomon’s Seal from China noted for its 

sweetly scented tubular rose pink flowers. A gem, but we find it better grown and 

appreciated in a pot. 10cm. 

POLYPODIUM cambricum. The polypodies are really great garden plants, easy to 

grow and requiring only half-decent soil in semi-shade to prosper. The new fronds 

emerge in late summer and retain a remarkable freshness throughout the autumn and 

winter months. 

P. c. ‘Oakleyae’. The segments are closely stacked together in this form giving the frond 

a dense and well structured appearance. Very beautiful. 30cm. 

P. c. pulcherrimum ‘Dwarf form’. Equally good but a tad shorter than the other forms 

we grow. 

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POLYPODIUM cambricum ‘Whilharris’. Generally shaggier in its appearance, the 

lobes of the large 35cm long fronds are also deeply cut, each vaguely resembling a 

small Christmas tree. 

P. glycyrrhiza. Bold bi-pinnatifid fronds whose classic, simple line could not be 

improved upon. The root apparently tastes of liquorice. 45cm. 

P. x mantoniae ‘Cornubiense’. A classic fern assumed to be a hybrid. Elegant 

bipinnatifid fronds taper to a fine point but produces irregular fronds too. Like all 

polypodies, needs time to show its true character. 30cm. 

*POLYSTICHUM setiferum ‘Herrenhausen’. A robust selection of the soft shield fern 

with classic ascending fronds. Fom the German garden of this name. 70cm. 

*P. setiferum ‘Acutilobum’. A sharply etched fern, the 60cm long ladder-like fronds 

being no wider than 80mm. A form of P. setiferum and therefore quite easy. 

*P. setiferum ‘Pulcherrimum Bevis’. If time allows, we hope to offer divisions (not 

wayward micro-props) of this blindingly good form of the Soft Shield Fern. Watch 

this space and save your money. 

POTENTILLA thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’. Deep madder red flowers with a blackmaroon 

eye, the size of a ten-penny piece. Ever gaining a fan club. 50cm. 

P. nepalensis ‘Ron Mc.Beath’. A very brilliant performer branching from a central 

rootsock. The typical cinquefoil flowers are not quite red – not quite pink. Seeds with 

abandon. 20cm. 

PRIMULA ‘Devon Cream’. Blowsy, double cream yellow flower. Very cottagey. 

P. auricula ‘Glenelg’. Fancy a green edged fancy? Yellow eye then white, dark red and 

lastly green edge. A joy. 

P. a. ‘Hetty Wolf’. A subtle show variety with silver grey flowers. Needs mollycoddling. 

10cm. 

P. a. ‘Old Mustard’. Deliciously scented, mustard-yellow flowers with a large powdery 

white eye. Uncommon. 15cm. 

P. a. ‘Old Red Elvet’. A gorgeous old show variety – velvety deep crimson red with a 

large mealy white eye. 15cm. 

P. a. ‘Slioch’. Surreal grey, black and white flowers and fortunately, not too difficult. 

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RODGERSIA p. ‘Maurice Mason’. Named by Christopher Lloyd after his plantsman 

friend. A magnificent form, handsome in foliage, flower (rich pink) and seed (dusky 

red) and deserving of your very best soil. 120cm. 

R. podophylla. Ample palmate leaves emerge in spring strikingly bronze flushed, 

eventually turning green but retaining their beauty until autumn. 90cm. 

R. sambucifolia ‘Mountain Select’. Bold, pinnate, textured foliage and tapering, 

branched panicles of creamy-white flowers in June/July. An uncommon form. 90cm. 

ROSCOEA ‘Beesiana’. Related to the Gingers these woodland plants have an exotic 

beauty. The vaguely orchid like bi-coloured blooms of this form are pale primrose and 

reddish-purple. 40cm. 

R. cautleoides ‘Kew Beauty’. A tremendously vigorous form with large, primrose 

yellow flowers. 45cm. 

RUDBECKIA. Stalwarts of the herbaceous border and like wily politicians will go on 

and on for years with little encouragement. 

*R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’. The mind boggles as to how Susan received her black eyes. 

Perhaps staring at her namesake for too long for this is a bold yellow. In fact, yokes 

of free-range eggs spring to mind. Whilst brazen, it remains a peerless plant. 90 cm. 

R. ‘Herbstsonne’. The large bright yellow drooping petals and central green cone make 

for a plant of enormous quality. Tangos beautifully with Salvia uliginosa through the 

autumn. 2m+. 

*R. laciniata. An elegant plant bearing graceful clear yellow daisies with green coned 

centres on 2m stems. Both foliage and the persistent seed heads are handsome too. 

Big pot size 

R. occidentalis ‘Green Wizard’. A curio with a modest tutu of petals in apple green, 

grossly outsized by its conspicuous large deep chocolate brown cone. A great profile 

plant offering bird fodder too. 90cm. 

R. subtomentosa. A notch softer in colour than some of the former and gentler therefore 

on the eye. The central cone resembles a maroon button. Needs a few pea sticks on 

our windy site. 120cm. 

*R. triloba. A chirpy, late flowering fellow its brassy yellow, black eyed flowers suited 

perfectly to the October light. Not long lived buts seeds adequately. 1m+ 

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PULSATILLA vulgaris rubra. Strong flowering sized plants from our very good 

burgundy red form. Sun and good drainage. 25cm. 

RODGERSIA. It is hard to beat the bold architectural statement a clump of well 

grown Rodgersia makes in the garden. However, careful attention needs to be paid to 

the moisture retentiveness of the soil and in the historically drier southeast you may 

occasionally need to resort to watering to prevent your plants taking on the look of 

potato crisps. 

*R. aesculifolia ‘Die Anmutige’. An Ernst Pagel’s selection chosen for its particularly 

richly bronzed foliage and splendid tapering panicles of floaty cream-rose flowers. 

1m. 

*R. a. ‘Kupfermond’. From Germany and selected for its short stature but does requires 

deluxe soil to flower (pink) well. I believe the name means Copper Moon. 

*R. pinnata ‘Buckland Beauty’. An uncommon form from a Devon garden, selected for 

its rufous foliage. Glorious pink flowers in high summer. 60cm. 

*R. p.‘Cally Salmon’. Striking spikes of bright salmon pink flowers ageing typically to a 

weathered red when in seed. 

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SALIX eleagnos. The narrow silver-backed leaves of this shapely shrub give it the 

appropriate name of ‘Rosemary-leaved Willow’. Given space, it will make a worthy 

contribution in any not too dry soil and needs little pruning. 3m+ 

S. purpurea ‘Nancy Saunders’. A remakably elegant form of the purple Osier, its 

slender blue-grey leaves adding considerably to the effect. Small grey catkins in Feb- 

March. 2m+. 

SALVIA. Like human beings, the ubiquitous Sage comes in all shapes and sizes, and 

also like humans, some are noticeably fussier and more demanding than others. They are 

truly worthy plants, giving us a spread of colourful flowers throughout summer. There 

should be a plant here to suit every taste. 

*S. chamelaeagnea. A distinct and desirable shrubby species from the Cape, South 

Africa, the pale violet-blue hooded and ivory lipped flowers suspended on upright 

twiggy growth through summer/autumn. Fairly hardy. 80cm. 

S. glutinosa. Known apparently as ‘Jupiter’s Distaff’, this sticky Sage has large course 

basal leaves, pale yellow flowers and is described in one eminent book as ‘Useful for 

rough places’. No wonder it does well in our soil. 1m. 

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SALVIA greggii.‘Stormy Pink’. A newish cultivar with large, warm tinted pale rose 

pink flowers throughout summer. 45cm. 

S. guaranitica ‘Argentinian Skies’. A pale grey-blue variant and like all other forms, 

needs a long season to establish and cosseting through its first winter. 1.2m+. 

*S. g. ‘Blue Enigma’. Magnificent royal blue flowers from mid-summer until frosts. 

We find this the most reliably perennial form and it requires no staking. 150cm. 

S. heldreichiana. Apparently a Turkish species. It seems quite distinct with deeply 

lobed sage like leaves and provides a good show of fair sized pale blue flowers 

through summer. 35cm 

S. x jamensis ‘Peter Vidgeon’. A beautiful soft pink and a worthy addition to our 

range. 

S. x j. ‘Silas Dyson’. Glorious deep wine red flowers with fat lobes for months on end. 

Makes a semi-shrubby mound, a little brittle when young. 1m+. 

S. nemorosa ‘Amethyst’. This distinct selection from Ernst Pagels sways more to the 

lavender/lilac spectrum than other cultivars and is a useful plant where vertical lift is 

required. 75cm. 

S. n. ‘Oestfriesland’. An old and easy stalwart selected by Ernst Pagels. Free flowering 

with its purple spikes. 60cm. 

S. patens. The most intense, pure blue of any Salvia we grow. Mulch well for winter 

protection. 60cm. 

S. microphylla ‘Cerro Potosii’. Large carmine pink flowers and remarkable 

blackcurrant scented foliage. Makes a lusty plant. 50cm. 

S. m. ‘Pink Blush’. A remarkable plant on account of its hardiness, length of season 

and the shock value of its, well, shocking pink flowers. 45cm. 

S. ‘Nachtvlinder’. The name is Dutch meaning Night Moth. Very appropriate really 

given it is perhaps the darkest flower colour you’ll find in this group – a dark night 

purple. 

S. ‘Trelawney’. Radiant coral pink flowers – a beautiful colour and marvellous for pot 

work. 70cm. 

S. ‘Trellisick’. A S. microphylla type of upright growth bearing a non-stop display of 

palest yellow flowers with contrasting soft pink corolla. 70cm. 

S. x superba ‘Tänzerin’. Upright spikes of violet-blue flowers held in Red-purple 

calyces giving a pleasing two-toned effect. 60cm. 

*S. uliginosa. Wand-like stems carry clear sky-blue flowers, not large but freely 

produced over a very long season. We find it impossible to tire of this plant but 

beware. It is rampant if it likes you. 2m. 

*S. verticillata ‘Purple Rain’. A Piet Oudolf selection made some years ago, yet still 

difficult to hold a candle to. If deadheaded regularly, continues with a display of its 

purple flower spikes for weeks on end. 45cm. 

SANGUISORBA. The Burnets are among the rising stars of the Horticultural stage. 

For those of you bitten by these characterful plants we would refer you to Marina 

Christopher’s super article in ‘Gardens Illustrated’ (Sept. 04). Needless to say, we 

find them exemplary used in association with grasses and we are always adding new 

varieties to our list. Please note that plants marked with an asterisk(*) will not become 

available until May. 

S. ‘Blackthorn’. An inspiring newcomer to our list. Fuzzy, pink and upright and 

admired by all. 1.5m. 

*S. ‘Burr Blanc’. We spotted this saucy white seedling here amongst a batch of 

seedlings in 2004 and it has performed very well in the garden even in drought 

years. Quite unlike other white forms, the flowers emerge from celadon green buds 

and retain a fresh appearance for weeks on end. 120cm. 

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SANGUISORBA canadensis. Taller than the following but with similar airy white 

spikes. 1.6m. 

S. canadensis hybrid. Probably a species, this is our own name for this short S. 

Canadensis look alike. Upright spikes of white flowers for weeks, holding its 

structure and seed heads well. 1.2m. 

S. ‘Cangshan Cranberry’. We so value this super plant for its Sept-Nov. display of 

dusky red flowers on self supporting, upright stems. A Dan Hinkley collection from 

Yunnan Province, China in 1996. 2m+ 

*S ‘Martin’s Mulberry’. A marked step forward for the genus with this introduction 

from West Acre Gardens. Plump, deep burgundy floating burrs on strong, self 

supporting stems. Super. 1.5m+ 

S. ‘Nettlesworth Wand’. A towering new hybrid (‘Cangshan Cranberry’ x ‘Korean 

Snow’) whose 2.2m stems launch a profuse display of long windsock shaped dusky 

rose burrs through autumn. Ta Vicki & Nigel. 

S. obtusa. Large, nodding fuzzy catkin like flowers in pink over oval, toothed leaves 

of papery texture. The plant we grow under this name is clump forming and relishes 

damp soil. 60cm. 

*S. off. ‘Arnhem’. The burrs of this lanky burnet hover like a swarm of small 

raspberries on wiry, branched stems, holding their colour for weeks. A great 

favourite here during summer. 2m. 

S. off. Dark Form. Pretty much the darkest form we offer, with very dark maroon 

burrs. Described by the late G. S. Thomas as ‘A leafy, weedy plant’. Tut, tut Mr T. 

2m+. 

*S officinalis ex Marina Christopher. We’ve never had a name for this form (which 

we raise from seed and therefore a little variable). The fat burrs are dark maroon and 

at their best through September. 

S. off. ‘Pink Tanna’. Despite being in a muddle in the trade, this remains a good plant 

producing a copious crop of palest pink burrs in summer. 1m 

*S. off. ‘Pink Tanna – Form 2’. Longer and more slender burrs than the above. A very 

good plant. 1m. 

*S. off ‘Red Thunder’. One of the shortest and most respectably behaved burnets, the 

bottle green pinnate foliage and dusky maroon flowers atop wiry stems remain in 

good fettle for many weeks. 40cm. 

*S. sp. CDC 262. Thimble sized dark maroon burrs spaciously arranged on a rigging of 

wiry stems. Worthy of a design award. 60cm. 

*S. tenuifolia alba. Over elegant, finely cut foliage, stiff stems support a cloud of 

small Lamb’s tail like white flowers in summer, if that’s not too difficult to imagine. 

150cm 

*S. t. ‘Korean Snow’. A handsome and robust form from Korea, the strong stems 

topped with cascades of white tassle-like flowers long into the autumn. 2m. 

SAXIFRAGA geum ‘Dixter Form’. A charming, small ‘London Pride’, whose neat 

rounded leaves form pert green rosettes. A mist of tiny white flowers in early summer 

completes the picture. Uncommon. 20cm. 

SCABIOSA columbaria var. ochroleuca. Pale yellow flowers are held on a tracery of 

wiry stems through the summer. A very beautiful plant when well grown. Revels in sun. 

90-120cm. 

*SCHIZOSTYLIS coccinea ‘Major’. Scintillating, crimson red flowers, of good size 

in this form, through Oct/Nov. If you treat it well that is. 60cm. 

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*SCHIZOSTYLIS coccinea ‘Good White’. Or as near as with the faintest touch of 

pink in the flower upon opening. 

S. c. ‘Marchant’s Seedling’. The pink you might find someone dangerously painting 

their Suffolk cottage in. Our own selection. 

SEDUM 

Sedums have been a mainstay for us here at Marchants ever since our arrival in 1998 

when Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ travelled with me from my previous work place. This 

fine plant arose in my parent’s garden at a time when there were few Sedums to draw 

upon and has since received great accolades. This led me to select several other forms, 

three of which received the RHS’s highest award (AGM) in their Sedum trial at Wisley. 

Since then others have taken up the gauntlet and we have witnessed the arrival of many 

good new plants. 

Sedums are plants of free draining soils and have not always been easy for us on our 

winter wet clay. What’s more, with ensuing global warning a significant pest of Sedums 

is becoming increasingly common particularly in the hotter South East in the form 

of catterpillars of a small native moth. These are never happier than when munching 

through a host plant, reducing it to a skeletal form. Our advice is to keep an eye open 

and act quickly if your own Sedums become affected. Sprays seem not to be effective 

so it is best to remove caterpillars manually which in itself is not an easy task. 

In conclusion, Sedums for the foreseeable future will not be appearing on the nursery 

so frequently as they have in the past. Rest assured, we are working to resolve these 

problems and look forward to the day when these indispensable plants hopefully feature 

once again in our catalogue. 

SELINUM tenuifolium. From the Himalayas, this refined Umbellifer is like a vastly 

superior ‘Queen Anne’s Lace’. The fresh green lacy foliage is crowned in June with flat 

umbels of white flowers supported on stout, ribbed stems. 120cm. 

SEMPERVIVUM. We’ve enjoyed gathering a small collection of Houseleeks over 

the years, and of course lovely pots in which to grow them. Kids seem to love them as 

much as we do. We hope to have the following for sale. 

S. ciliosum x grandiflorum, S. ‘Irazu’, S. marmoreum brunneifolium, S. nevadense 

hirtellum, S.‘Spiders Lair’, S. ‘Stuffed Olive’, S. tectorum glaucum, etc. 

*SERRATULA seaonei. A modest, little known plant which makes its unassuming 

entry late in the season with fuzzy pale violet aster like flowers over deeply cut foliage. 

Charming. 30cm. 

SISYRINCHIUM. Relatives of Iris, the smaller varieties that follow all have large 

flowers and are excellent for use on the rockery, raised beds or border front alike. 

Whilst they may need dividing occasionally to keep them in good spirits, they have 

settled down well here on our heavy clay soil. Do give them lots of sun. 

S. idahoense bellum ‘Pale Form’. Large flowers, a most beautiful shade of grey-blue. 

20cm. 

S. ‘Marchants Seedling’. A very short dark violet seedling spotted on one of our raised 

beds. Has performed well. 5cm 

S. striatum ‘Aunt May’. This striking variegated form arose in Devon and needs little 

introduction. Cream flowers. 35cm 

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*SOLIDAGO caesia. The golden-yellow flowers of this attractive Golden Rod are 

carried on dark, branched stems. At 45cm a valuable plant for a late display at the 

border front. 

S. rugosa ‘Firecracker’. A great descriptive name, the slender spikes of golden yellow 

flowers make a bright display among our tall grasses in the autumn. 1.2m. 

STACHYS macrantha superba. Whorls of good sized rose-purple flowers over 

handsome, leafy clumps. A first class, bomb proof plant suitable for lazy gardeners. 

50cm. 

S. monieri ‘Hummelo’. An Ernst Pagels selection producing neat spikes of lilac-purple 

flowers in mid-summer. 60cm. 

S. officinalis ‘Alba’ Short spikes of pure white flowers in summer over mounds of pert, 

evergreen leaves. A lovely plant, utterly dependable. 30cm. 

S. off. ‘Marchant’s Pink’. This good deep pink seedling cropped up in a batch of 

seedlings of the above and belongs to the border front battalion. 

S. off. ‘Rosea’. An easy to please rose-pink form, which has never grown taller than 

30cm with us and also sits very happily at the border’s edge. 

STOKESIA laevis ‘Mary Gregory’. Large Cornflower like flowers in pale yellow over 

strap shaped leaves make for an interesting colour break in this genus. 40cm. 

*STROBILANTHES rankaiensis. Shorter, later and with less hairy leaves than the 

following this remains an excellent autumn flowering perennial. 90cm. 

*S. wallichii. A handsome late flowering perennial providing a show of sizeable hooded 

pale violet-blue flowers over a copious mound of bristly, large leaves. 120cm. 

TANACETUM corymbosum ‘Festtafal’. A highly effective Marguerite, with 

Pyrethrum like silver–green leaves and flat corymbs of small white flowers in summer. 

90cm. 

*THALICTRUM aquilegifolium ‘Small Thundercloud’. A corker of a plant, T. 

aquilegifolium in miniature. Creates considerably more than a storm in a tea cup with 

its generous clouds of purple flowers. 40cm. 

T. delavayi. W. China. The small, nodding rosy lilac flowers with their prominent 

stamens provide an entrancing display on their tracery of wiry stems in summer. A 

refined plant in every respect. 1.5m. 

*T. delavayi ‘Album’. An exquisite beauty with small cupped, virgin white flowers 

held en masse on wiry stems in summer. A plant for your very best soil. 

T. ‘Elin’. Vigorous and imposing hybrid (T. flavum glaucum x T.rochebruneanum) 2.5 

metres+. 

THYMUS. Indispensable for the kitchen and flower border alike. 

*T. pseudolanuginosus. With a name like this, small wonder it cowers so close to the 

ground. As soft as Moleskin to the touch. 5cm. 

T. ‘Pinewood’. A low spreading thyme with a resinous pinewood aroma. 15cm. 

*T. vulgaris. A highly aromatic clone which we’ve grown for years. Will add its magic 

to many a dish. 

TRIFOLIUM ochroleucon. Masses of large creamy yellow heads all summer over 

clumps of trefoil leaves. The flowers age kindly. 45cm. 

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TROPAEOLUM polyphyllum. A bizarre Nasturtium with sprawling mounds of silver 

foliage and yellow flowers. Desirable but infrequently seen. 10cm. 

TULBAGHIA ‘Cosmic’ One of many new cultivars coming to the market place. This is 

vigorous with lilac flowers and contrasting corona of golden yellow. 50cm. 

T. ‘Fairy Star’. T. cominsii x violacea gives us this dainty narrow leaved plant. The 

clusters of pinkish flowers are carried on 30cm stems for months. 

T. ‘Harry Hay’. Given to me by legendary Harry Hay it seems appropriate to name 

it after him. A form of T. violacea it carries large lilac-mauve flowers with a pale 

purple corona and is quite distinct. 45cm. 

T. ‘Hazel’. The clusters of flowers are a curious combination of dirty pink with a yellow 

tipped brown corona. Much nicer than my lack lustre description suggests. 

T. violacea ‘Alba’. I discovered this rogue white seedling in the Kirstenboch Botanic 

Garden Plant Centre. Hey Ho! Smaller and less strong than the following it makes 

the perfect plant for garden or potwork alike. 45cm. 

T. v. ‘Fine Form’. A very strong, prodigious flowering form of this South African 

Allium relative with larger umbels of lilac-mauve flowers than usually seen. 

Perfectly hardy. 60cm. 

T. violacea. A mixed bag of seedlings of the above which are showing pleasing 

variation. Lucky dip. 

UVULARIA grandiflora. An American woodlander related to Solomon’s Seal. The 

curiously twisted flower petals are cheering yellow, in harmonious contrast to the pale 

green foliage. 40cm. 

U. g. var. pallida. A beautiful pale yellow variant of the above for those who do not 

need cheering. 

*VERBASCUM pheoniceum ‘Violetta’. Airy spikes of large rich purple flowers more 

than compensate for the lack lustre basal rosettes. Seeds freely when happy. 60cm. 

*VERBENA bonariensis. Erect, skeletal Giacometti like stems bear clusters of tiny 

lavender-purple flowers through summer and autumn. Its transparent structure is 

beautiful in winter too. 150-180cm. 

V. hastata. Erect stems terminate in a branched candelabra arrangement of tiny purple 


*V. h. alba. The less often encountered white form. 75cm. 

V. h. rosea. Hopefully, we shall have plants available of this delightful pink form in 

early summer. 90cms. 

*V. ‘La France’. The ambitious stems of this bedding type verbena will gladly weave 

themselves to great effect through neighbours. Domed heads of bright lilac-mauve 

flowers throughout summer/autumn. 45cm. 

*V. rigida ‘Polaris’. The clusters of small pale lavender flowers are always much 

admired here. Pessimists would have us believe it is not hardy. 

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VERONICASTRUM sibiricum. This Asian/Siberian form is a leafier plant than the 

following with fuller branched spikes of violet blue flowers. 1.5m. 

V. s. ‘Kobaltkaars’. From Dutch nurseryman friend Hans Kramer, bearing richer 

coloured flowers than the above form. 1.25m 

V. virginicum album. The beautiful white form and difficult to hold a candle to. 

120cm. 

*V. v. ‘Adoration’. A newish Oudolf selection and new to us too. Reports are very 

good. Rosy-lilac. 1.5m 

*V. v. ‘Erika’. A form which has settled down well with us. The flowers are pale rose 

pink. Raised by eminent nurseryman, Ernst Pagels. 120cm. 

V. v. ‘Fascination’. Whorls of leaves clasp dark stems, topped in summer with 

attractive spires of tiny lavender-mauve flowers. If vertical accent is required, here’s 

the plant. 2 m+. 

*V. v. incarnatum. Soft pink flower spikes followed by persistent warm, coppery seed 

heads in winter make this a favourite here. 1.5m. 

V. v. ‘Lavendelturm’. A very vigorous and tall form with large airy tapers of pale 

lavender–lilac flowers and remarkably good chestnut-brown seed heads in early 

winter. 2m+. 

V. v. ‘Pointed Finger’. For those among you who misbehaved at school, the angle 

the flower spikes assume will remind you of a long forgotten but all too familiar 

experience. ‘Gough! – Headmaster!’ Lavender-blue. 100cm. 

*V. v. ‘Red Arrows’. Quite early to flower, the dumpy spikes are more a reddish purple 

than the name suggests. 1.2m. 

V. v. ‘Temptation’. One of the first to flower with pale lilac spikes. 120cm. 

VIOLA cornuta. A pure cornuta with small, deep purple flowers. A generous gift from 

a customer who has grown it for over 30 years. 

V. cornuta ‘Heaselands’. Such a good strong plant with large scented, pale violet 

flowers. Very reliable. 20cm. 

V. elatior. Affectionately known by gardeners as the tree violet on account of its 

distinct upright habit. Charming pale blue flowers. 30cm. 

ZIGADENUS elegans. A N. American Lily relative, which spends much of its life 

being ignored. A shame. We admire the celadon green flowers neatly arranged on their 

greyish stems. Sun and reasonable drainage. 40cm. 

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VERNONIA crinita. Leafy 1.8m+ stems are topped in Sept/Oct with a display of small 

crimson-purple aster like flowers. A late perennial which should be better known. 

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VERONICASTRUM. The following list is arguably one of the best in the country 

We adore these classic American Prairie plants. Their bold, erect outline match them 

perfectly to planting with grasses. What’s more, they are long lived and for the most 

part, very easy to please.

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GRASSES 

The grasses revolution of the last 20 years has seen the introduction of many new varieties 

but has also importantly prompted a reconsideration of their uses with the result that 

grasses are now being employed in a much more creative way by gardeners and garden 

designers alike. They have become an essential part of the English gardening vernacular 

and regardless of their fashion status and prominence in garden magazines features (and 

despite one prominent garden writer commenting to me five years ago that grasses had 

probably had their day) in all probability, they are here to stay. 

In the wild they are pioneer plants, surviving in open spaces where, wind pollinated, 

they grow in lean soils with little competition from other plants Their requirements in 

the garden are also easily met but the light provided by sunshine, particularly when low 

cast, is one of the most important ingredients of all. The striking of light and its refraction 

through the seemingly delicate flower heads and seed heads of many grasses creates an 

effect that few other plants can match. 

Grasses are very much part of our own vocabulary at Marchants, making an important 

connection between the garden and the landscape beyond. They are seen at their best 

between July and October so why not pay us a visit to see how we use them and to 

discover the remarkable beauty they can bring to a garden. 

DESCHAMPSIA cespitosa. The type species, strong growing, particularly so in sticky 

clay. The inflorescence creates the effect of a golden cloud. 1m. 

D. c.‘Tautrager’. New to us from the continent last year it grew to 90cm in last year’s wet 

and proved to be a strong upstanding plant. 

D. flexuosa ‘Tatra Gold’. Forms low, tufted mounds of narrow foliage, a lively gold-green 

through winter and spring. 25cm. 

*ERAGROSTIS curvula. S&SH 10. Far superior to the form we have been offering, by 

mid-summer the flowering stems knit together into a billowing misty mass which persists 

long into the winter months. 90cm. 

*HAKONECHLOA macra. The fresh, plain green leaves of this form make a welcome 

contrast to the ubiquitous variegated form. 

HELICTOTRICHON sempervirens. A classic grass making a tufted mound of steely 

grey foliage. The stems bow gracefully under the weight of the flower panicles. 75cm. 

*IMPERATA cylindrica rubra. The intensity of colour of the ‘Blood Grass’ increases 

with the passing of the summer months, reaching by September a glowing beetroot red. 

Requires good soil and full sun to perform well. 30cm. 

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IMPORTANT 

Many of our grasses are propagated in spring and will not become available until 

the end of May/early June. They are marked with an asterisk, i.e. * 

LUZULA sylvatica aureomarginata. The cream leaf margins of the Wood Rush make for 

a refined plant and are made even better when topped by a haze of reddish brown flowers 

in early summer. 40cm 

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*CALAMAGROSTIS x acutiflora ‘Avalanche’. A new selection from the US with 

bolder white variegation to the centre of the leaf blade than C. ‘Overdam’, making for a 

striking grass. 1.2m+. 

C. x a.‘Karl Foerster’. The vertical thrust of this plant, together with the bleached biscuit 

pallor of the spent flowers and stems provides a unique and highly effective feature 

from summer onwards. 180cm. 

*C. x acutiflora ‘Overdam’. Finely variegated leaves form a bold clump and in spring are 

attractively tinted with pink. The spent flowers are as effective as the above. 1.5m. 

*C. brachytricha. Upright in growth, the foliage might not attract much attention. The 

slender flower spikes however are most beautiful, a subtle shade of greyish pink. 1.5m. 

C. varia. Possesses all the attributes of the above. However, the flowers of this species are 

held on graceful, arching stems. 60cm. 

CAREX elata aurea . Bowles’s Golden Sedge demands retentive soil to prosper. Quite 

brilliant in its effect. 45cm. 

C. muskingumensis ‘Little Titch’. The Palm Sedge in its smallest form, a fuzz of fresh 

greenery for the border front. 15cm. 

C. m. ‘Oehme’. A striking form with a swish golden band to the edge of the leaf. 45cm. 

*CHASMANTHIUM latifolium. The intriguing flat flowers of Wood Oats are green 

on opening and persist in winter when they become copper flushed. Admire them in the 

garden or better still, pick them for the house. 

CHIONOCHLOA rubra. Only when this plant had increased in girth here did we realise 

it was alive! The fine copper coloured leaves form handsome dense tussocks. Effective in 

the border or pots. 

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MELICA nutans. The flower spikes of the Mountain Melick are one sided, the individual 

flowers being glossy and tinged with purple. A good texture plant for light woodland or 

partial shade. 

M. uniflora f. albida. The Wood Melick creeps about benignly, its spikelets spangled with 

tiny bead like whitish flowers. Understated and utterly charming. 

MISCANTHUS. My conversion to this Genus happened many years ago on a visit 

to Ernst Pagels’ Nursery in North Germany where he had spent many years selecting 

seedlings. The result of his work has provided us with some of the finest autumn flowering 

grasses available today. This also accounts for the large number of German names one 

battles to get ones tongue around! 

Flowering at the same time as Pampas Grass, they do not suffer the same unfortunate 

suburban connotation and are much easier to accommodate in mixed borders. Their beauty 

lasts long into the winter, as long that is as their bleached stems are able to resist the 

vagaries of winter’s inclement weather. Flowering on their annual growth, Jan/ Feb heralds 

the start of the shearing season when they are carefully cut back (we use a hedgetrimmer 

here) to 15cm or so before the new seasons growth begins. 

Miscanthus nepalensis. This possesses the most beautiful flowers of any Miscanthus, 

small fountain-like tresses of braded gold silk. We struggle with it in cold winters but 

many find it quite easy. 120cm 

*M. sinensis ‘Adagio’. At 1.2m this American selection has proved to be the shortest in 

our collection and is thus ideal for the smaller garden. Makes a tight, narrow leaved 

clump and covers itself in silvery buff, thin plumes. 

M. s. ‘Beth Chatto’. The last Miscanthus from Ernst Pagels, nostalgically named after his 

dear friend. The Very fine leaves arching at their tips and narrow light brown flowers 

make for an elegant grass. 1.5m+ 

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Miscanthus ‘China’. Like the following, one of the darkest, but just a notch later. 1.5m 

M. s. ‘Dixieland’. A classy variegated, American selection. A refreshing addition to any 

border. 2m. 

*M. s. ‘Ferne Osten’. An early display of dark purple flowers held well above narrow 

leaves, continues thereafter over a long season. A great favourite here. 1.5m. 

M. s. ‘Flamingo’. A cultivar with extremely beautiful pendulous, purplish pink flowers. 

180cm. AGM 

M. s. ‘Ghana’. A distinct narrow habit, upright brown flowers and superb reddish, 

purple-brown autumn colour make this a real winner. 150cm. 

M. s. ‘Grosse Fontäne’. The 2.5m stems support great arching silvery-buff flower 

plumes, always a great sight. AGM. 

M. s. ‘Kaskade’. Aptly named, the cascading flowers even when bleached by weather 

make a notable feature long into the winter months. 180cm. AGM. 

M. s. ‘Kleine Fontäne’. Drooping flower heads in shimmering pink. This is indeed a 

very beautiful ‘Small Fountain’. 120cm. AGM. 

M. s. ‘Malepartus’. The stir this plant caused when it arrived from Germany continues 

to this day. Dramatic, upright spikes of purple flowers in bold contrast to the broad, 

arching leaves. The foliage takes on glorious amber/apricot tints in late autumn. 

180cm. 

M. s. ‘Morning Light’. This justly popular Japanese selection possesses extremely 

narrow variegated foliage, which to the eye, registers as a pale silver-green. Not 

normally noted for its flowering display, it remains a peerless accent plant. 150cm. 

AGM. 

M. s.‘Professor Richard Hansen’. Another Ernst Pagels selection, with upright foliage 

and sentinel, silvery flower plumes held on lithe stems well above the leaves. 2.75m. 

M. s. ‘Punktchen’. Pale narrow bands develop on the leaves as the seasons progress, 

eventually becoming distinct punctuations. Very free flowering and highly 

recommended. 2m. 

M. s. ‘Rosi’. A very handsome newcomer from Germany, bolt upright and with a dark, 

smouldering look about it. Fine autumn colour comes as a bonus. 2m+. 

M. s. ‘Rotfuchs’. Deep rust-red narrow plumes, fading to a bleached charcoal-purple. 

2m+. 

*M. s. ‘Rotsilber’. A handsome selection, the strict, upright stems terminate in a 

fantastic display of reddish-purple croziers, equally beautiful when they fade to greysilver. 

2.2m+. 

M. s. ‘Sarabande’. Extremely fine elegant leaves form an erect column, erupting in 

September in a display of copper-gold plumes. An American selection. 180cm. 

M. s. ‘Silberspinne’. The vertical thrust of elegant narrow leaves and upright flower 

heads of brown-purple make this selection one of the finest. Splendid winter 

structure. 180cm. 

M. s. ‘Silver Sceptre’. Bolt upright with arguably the finest foliage among Miscanthus 

of medium height making it a particularly good grass for statement making. 

Marvellous in flower too. A lucky Marchants seedling. 1.8m. 

*M. s. ‘Yakushima Dwarf’. Extremely productive, casting up masses of golden plumes. 

Its narrow foliage, compact habit and beautiful shape, lends it to punctuation 

planting. Classy. 120cm eventually. 

MOLINIA. The following are without exception among the most atmospheric of 

grasses. Arising from non-invasive clumps, their erect stems bear in summer slender 

spikes of black-purple or brown/tan flowers. Their transparent nature makes them ideal 

candidates for the border front, enabling the eye to pass through to vistas beyond. To 

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cap it all, their bright, bleached stems make a strikingly beautiful addition to the late 

autumn/early winter garden. 

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea ‘Bergfreund’. Tiny bead like flowers in silvery 

brown create a floral mist and are at their most entrancing when suspended with 

droplets of water after rain. 2m. 

M. c. a. ‘Cordoba’. Upright thrusting stems and dense spikelets of purple-brown 

flowers. Impressive. 2m. 

M. c. a. ‘Fontäne’. An appropriate name given the fountain like nature of this plants 

arching stems. 2m+. 

M. c. a. ‘Karl Foerster’. Handsome purple flower infloresence. The perfect choice for a 

one man show at the border front! 180cm. Highly recommended. 

M. c. a. ‘Skyracer’. The pale brown flower heads hover over every customer’s head. A 

catchy name for a very good, very tall grass. 2.5m. 

M. c. a. ‘Transparent’. Only a pedant would argue about the differences between this 

and M. ‘Bergfreund’. They are both highly effective garden plants. 

The following forms (ssp. caerulea) require the same cultural conditions as the above 

but are much shorter in growth. 

M. c. c. ‘Dauerstrahl’. Guilt leads me to confess this grass suffered neglect here for 

years. A reappraisal followed planting and last summer few were the days when its 

soft arching beauty wasn’t appreciated at the border front. 70cm. 

M. c. c. ‘Dark Defender’. Marina Christopher’s new selection, the dark heads unusually 

persisting well into the winter months. 90cm 

*M. c. c. ‘Edith Dudszus’. A useful height at 60cm, the upright stems carry tight heads 

of black-purple flowers. A great favourite here. 

M. c. c. ‘Heidebraut’. As ethereal as the following but at 1.2m just a notch taller. 

M. c. c. ‘Moorhexe’. At 1m and with wispy panicles this is a useful intermediary 

between the short and tall Molinias. 

M. c. c. ‘Poul Petersen’. This is Piet Oudolf’s choice for planting ‘en masse’. Who am 

I to argue. 70cm 

M. c. c. ‘Variegata’. Stands alone in being virtually the only variegated Molina. Subtle 

with it. 70cm 

ORYZOPSIS milliacea. From evergreen tufts erupt filament-like flower stems arranged 

umbrella spoke fashion from the base in descending size, tier upon tier creating an 

elegant, airy effect. Almost unmatched for beauty in winter. 45cm. 

PANICUM. The ‘Switch Grasses’ of North America are a valuable addition to our 

flower borders. Strictly clump forming and trouble free, they erupt in September/ 

October into a shower of tiny reddish-purple, bead like flowers. At the same time, the 

foliage assumes crimson-purple hues, contributing greatly to the general effect. 

P. amarum ‘Dewey Blue’. Differs from the following selections in being paler in both 

leaf and flower colour and with a more arching habit. We love it. 120cm. 

P. v. ‘Cloud Nine’. The strictly erect grey-green leafy stems erupt in October into a 

spectacular billowy cloud of flowering panicles. It makes a superb punctuation. 2m. 

P. v. ‘Dallas Blues’. Excellent broad blue green leaves, making it a foliage plant of due 

merit. The flowers are nothing to boast about. 2m+. 

P. v. ‘Heavy Metal Mk2’. A seedling of ‘Heavy Metal’ which grew stronger than its 

parent with us but with all the attributes, particularly the grey foliage. 

P. v. ‘North Wind’. We so enjoy this plant with its strong vertical habit, forming a green 

column in the border. Good bronze and copper tints in autumn too. Flowers? Hmmask 

another question. 120cm. 

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*PANICUM v. ‘Red Cloud’. Impressive sized panicles of ruby red flowers. A 

handsome newcomer. 120cm. 

P. v. ‘Rubrum’. An old variety, but one which performs very well with us, flowering 

profusely and with superb autumn leaf colour. 1m. 

*P. v. ‘Shenandoah’. Particularly dark red flowers in this form and characteristic red 

staining to the foliage also. 1m. 

P. v. strictum. Bolt upright with a particularly airy flowering inflorescence. We love it! 

120cm. 

P. v. ‘Warrior’. Produces a great misty head of ruby flower spikelets that remain 

attractive in winter long after their colour has been sapped. 120cm. 

*PENNISETUM alopecuroides ‘Black Beauty’. A selected clone of the following 

with spectacular dark, busby-like flowers in autumn. Admired by all. 90cm. This and 

the following forms of P. alopecuroides enjoy moist, not dry soil. 

P. a. ex ‘Black Beauty’. Seedlings of the above which come fairly true to form. 

P. a.‘Herbstzauber’. Looking like an obese Pincushion, and softer toned than the 

above, the brown bottlebrush flowers of this fine German selection always draw 

positive comments. 50cm. 

P. macrourum. Unequivocally one of the most interesting grasses we grow. The 

flowers, not unlike cream-white Pipe Cleaners, are held aloft on stiff 180cm stems. 

Need we say more. 

P. m. ‘Short Stuff’. A shorter version than the above from Knoll Gardens but prefers 

sunshine to rain in order to flower well. 80cm 

*P. orientale. Beth Chatto’s description ‘– pink and mauve caterpillars on wiry stems’ 

takes some beating. A beautiful grass when grown well and holds its own against the 

following newer introductions. Loves chalk. 45cm. 

*P. o. ‘Fairy Tails’. American selection where it has received much praise and given its 

superb performance in the garden here, much praise from us too. 75cm. 

*P. o. ‘Karley Rose’. A much vaunted new introduction bearing dusky pink feathery 

flower plumes for several months. A good doer, managing well on Marchant’s clay. 

75cm. 

*P. thunbergii ‘Red Buttons’. A newish fountain grass with conspicuous, big bug sized 

copper-red flowers through summer. Has proved hardy here. 90cm. 

P. villosum. Spectacular long display of huge white Caterpillar-like flowers, irresistible 

to kids. (and adults too!) Hardy here but gets its annual haircut in spring only. 50cm. 

SPOROBOLUS airoides. Provides one of the airiest displays of any grass and while 

clichéd, particularly entrancing on misty/frosty mornings. Long lived. 60cm. 

STIPA calamagrostis. A graceful, arching grass whose light green flowers age to pale 

buff-gold, a colour kept through the autumn and early winter months to great effect. 

1m. 

S. gigantea. Like a giant Oat, whose flowers in some lights so shimmer with gold, 

might seem to be fed by some mysterious electricity supply. Divisions. 2m+. 

*S. g. ‘Gold Fontäne’. A German selection. Our parent plant performs well here 

normally producing an abundance of shimmering flower heads. For us, the foliage is 

noticeably compact. 

S. lessingiana. A grass of the Russian/Crimean steppes with silk spun wispy flowers 

over tufts of narrow evergreen foliage. Suited to a lean diet. 60cm. 

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STIPA ichu. (Jarava ichu) Persistent tight silvery plumes erupt for months over fine 

tufts. Like no other feather grass we know. It has proved perfectly hardy in our own 

cold garden. 50cm. £4.90 

37

Notes 

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