Many plants tolerate shade but may not flower freely in that position. Heucheras have such dynamic and interesting foliage that they make up for the lack of flowers with their extraordinarily diverse colours and textures. Recent breeding work has brought some startling new cultivars to the fore. Read more about HEUCHERAS
This is the toughest and most drought tolerant of all the heucheras and to my mind the most handsome. It makes large clumps of large leaves which are ornamental the year round. Read more about Heuchera maxima
A strong grower that makes a mound of large, glossy, heavily ruffled, almost-black leaves. Grow in filtered sun in warmer regions however it will tolerate some shade. 25 cm(H) x 35 cm(W). Read more about Heuchera ‘Black Taffeta’
This vigorous clone makes a gently suckering evergreen carpet of rich ruffled red leaves. Grow in filtered sun in warmer regions however it will tolerate some shade. 30 cm (H) x 45 cm (W). Read more about Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’
This vigorous growing shade lover makes a 60cm wide 30cm tall mound of frilly leaves with a silvery bloom. Spires of small white bells are held above the foliage mounds during mid to late spring. Read more about Heuchera ‘Marmalade’
The evocatively named 'Obsidian' produces vigorous clumps of dark purple-burgundy almost black foliage, the whole topped with cream flowers on dark 45cm tall stems during late spring and summer. A wonderful contrast plant with some of the more vivid colours. Read more about Heuchera ‘Obsidian’
An outstanding foliage plant for a woodland garden this vigorous new clone makes a gentle carpet of rich ruffled peach and red coloured leaves. Read more about Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’
Clouds of rose-pink bells are held on stiff 40cm tall stems over evergreen mounds of silver sheened plum veined leaves. More tolerant of drier conditions than many of its kin it will still need watering regualary during dry periods. Best planted in a lightly shaded spot. Read more about Heuchera ‘Peppermint Spice’
A strong grower that makes a mound of generous sized lime-edged bright red centred leaves with vivid red bells of flowers in spring. Grow in filtered sun in warmer regions however it will tolerate some shade. 25 cm(H) x 35 cm(W). Read more about Heuchera ‘Red Lightning’
A strong grower that makes a mound of generous sized lime green leaves with vivid red bells of flowers in spring. Grow in filtered sun in warmer regions however it will tolerate some shade. 25 cm(H) x 35 cm(W). Read more about Heuchera ‘Tokyo’
Lace cap variety with mid pink or blue flowers depending on soil ph. Strongly growing with attractive black stems flowering from late spring. Frost hardy. Protect from hot winds and afternoon sunshine and keep moist in the drier months. Height to 1.2m. Read more about Hydrangea ‘Black Lace’ Obsidian Collection (TM)
A superb pot speciment 'Desire' has deep mauve blue or pink flowers depending on soil acidity. Flowering from mid spring till late summer. A dwarf habit suitable for small gardens & pots. Best in light shade 80cm x 80cm Read more about Hydrangea ‘Desire’ 'You & Me' Series
Bred in the magical city of Kyoto ‘Forever’ has magical double flowers, soft pink or soft blue depending on soil acidity. ‘Forever’ will flower from mid-spring until late summer. It is dwarf in growth habit making it suitable for small gardens and pots. Best in light shade. Read more about Hydrangea ‘Forever’ PBR
Another variety from Kyoto, ‘Romance’ has deep mauve blue or deep pink flowers depending on soil acidity. ‘Romance’ will flower from mid-spring until late summer. It is dwarf in growth habit making it suitable for small gardens and pots. Best in light shade. Read more about PBR Hydrangea ‘Romance’ You & Me Series
‘Storm Cloud’ will carry, from late spring into summer, large mop top flower heads, blue or mauve depending on soil acidity. Acidic soil produces the bluest flowers. The bare black stems are showy in winter. Best grown in a moist well drained spot in light to medium shade. Read more about Hydrangea ‘Storm Cloud’ Obsidian Collection (TM)
Hydrangea ‘White Knight’ will carry, from late spring into summer, large white mop top flower heads. The bare black stems are showy in winter. Best grown in a moist well drained spot in light to medium shade. Makes a good pot plant.
130cm x 130 cm Read more about Hydrangea ‘White Knight’ Obsidian Collection (TM)
This Hypericum cultivar is a chance seedling that was found in the 1940s in Rowallane Garden, now the headquarters of the National Trust in Northern Ireland. Read more about Hypericum x hybrid ‘Rowallane’
Whilst Iris ensata is native to northern China, Korea, eastern Russia as well as Japan, it is Japanese gardeners who first started the long process of turning a fairly small modest although beautiful Iris wildling into the extravagant, flamboyant fantasies that these Iris have become.
Although Iris ensata varieties can take odd periodical flooding the crowns will drown if they are permanently under water. In its natural habitat Iris ensata grows at the side of ponds or in wet meadows where the soil is always moist and will grow happily in well nourished garden soil as long as they are given a good soak during hot dry periods.
Iris ensata will also grow happily in pots. Indeed this was how the old Japanese garden masters used to grow them. The pots were brought indoors when the plants started to bloom and carefully placed to display their full glory.
Iris ensata is herbaceous, meaning that is it dies down to the root stock every winter.
In the Lambley garden we often pick the flowers when they are in pencil that is just before they begin to unfurl. The blooms open perfectly indoors. Read more about Iris ensata The Japanese Iris
Rose-violet flowers deepening towards the centre with white pencil veining, yellow signal and white style arms. The 15-20cm across blooms are carried on 1 metre tall stems.
Raised more than sixty five years ago ‘Diamond Night’ is described by the Historic Iris Preservation Society as “...this immensely dignified marble-type flower is a marvel in blue shades. Read more about Iris ensata ‘Diamond Night’
Perhaps the deepest purple with bright lemon centres. Iris ensata will also grow happily pots. Indeed this was how the old Japanese garden masters used to grow them. Read more about Iris ensata ‘Frostbound Mulberry’
The white centre of the large flat blooms merges to purple at the edges. The 15-20cm wide flowers are carried on 1 metre tall stems. Iris ensata is herbaceous, meaning that is it dies down to the root stock every winter.
“Each petal has a grape purple edge that feathers into the pure white centre. A small sunshine yellow signal is tucked into the base of each widely ruffled petal.” The 18-20cm wide flowers are carried on 1.2 metre tall stems.
Whilst Iris ensata is native to northern China, Korea, eastern Russia as well Japan it is Japanese gardeners who first started the long process of turning a fairly small modest although beautiful Iris wildling into the extravagant, flamboyant fantasies that these Iris have bec Read more about Iris ensata ‘Sopi No Roi’
We have been very fortunate to obtain a limited number of rarely available Magnolias to offer in our standard 10cm pots ideal for mail order. These are ideal for planting now while the weather is cool and the deciduous forms are in their full dormancy. Read more about MAGNOLIAS
All of our plants are offered in a 10cm diameter pot unless otherwise indicated. Plants grown here are frost hardy to minus 5C unless stated otherwise. They may be evergreen or deciduous, or herbaceous and overwintered by being cut back to near pot level.Read more about Standard Pot Size
Not invasive in any way and not really a bamboo, this attractive evergreen shrub has dark green pinnate foliage and masses of large glossy bright red berries during autumn, winter and early spring. Read more about Nandina domestica
Pelargonium reniforme is one of an interesting and beautiful group of frost hardy South African Pelargoniums. It’s been growing in our dry garden for three years and has performed so well we have planted another large patch by the side of a gravel path. Read more about Pelargonium reniforme
One of my favourite Penstemon with the loveliest blue-mauve white throated flowers beautifully poised on long pedicels. Flowering as it does from late spring until winter it has been a mainstay of our double borders for many years. Read more about Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’
Penstemons are among the most robust of garden plants showing excellent frost and drought tolerance. ‘Chester Scarlet’ is a medium sized evergreen perennial with large leaves and erect panicles of deep crimson – scarlet flowers. Flowering summer- autumn. Read more about Penstemon ‘Chester Scarlet’
Bred in the 1920’s and still one of the best of its kind, Penstemon ‘Garnet’ has been a stalwart of our double flower borders for at least ten years. Read more about Penstemon ‘Garnet’
Deep violet-purple tubular flowers are carried on 90cm tall stems from late spring until late autumn. Glossy, dark green foliage adds to the affect. Plant in any sunny or lightly shaded spot. Removing spent flower stems will keep the display looking fresh. Read more about Penstemon ‘Midnight’
We grow this in our dry garden where its silver leaves and whorls of yellow claw like flowers are handsome the year round. We cut it back halfway during winter to keep it tidy. It flowers on new wood from spring until autumn. Read more about Phlomis grandiflora ‘Lloyds Variety’
Lambley imported this beautiful evergreen shrub from Olivier Filippi’s nursery in the South of France. A hybrid between P. fruticosa and P. longifolia it is one of the showiest plants in the genus. Read more about Phlomis ‘Le Sud’
This new import is, to my mind, the most beautiful in foliage of all the Phlomis. At Lambley it has made a handsome, evergreen shrub a metre or so tall by nearly as much across in a year. Read more about Phlomis ‘Lemon Blush’
A rare and beautiful Phlomis from the region of the Judean mountains in Israel. Handsome evergreen foliage, hairy silver beneath and grey above with whorls of quite deep yellow claw-like flowers which are produced over a long period from spring into summer. Read more about Phlomis platystegia
A new addition to our list Phlox ‘Jagger’ is covered by fragrant, brilliant lavender-purple flowers each with a magenta eye. Read more about Phlox ‘Jagger’
This is a terrific new (to us) Salvia raised by Robin Middleton who has the excellent web page Robin’s Salvias. ‘Penny’s Smile’ is a seedling of Salvia ‘Silkes Dream’. It makes a shrub to 100cm tall by as much across. Read more about Salvia ‘Penny's Smile’
