A small growing grass long associated with the aesthetic of Japanese gardens. Ideal for a shady spot, which gets morning sun and isn’t allowed to dry out, or for planting in a pot in light shade. It makes a graceful plant with fine arching golden-yellow leaves. Read more about Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
Grown mostly for its beautiful dark amethyst purple silver sheened evergreen foliage it never-the-less has charming flowers, a myriad tiny white bells dangling gracefully and glossy purple stems. Read more about Heuchera ‘Amethyst Mist’
‘Black Sea’ makes astonishing clumps of glossy, dark purple-burgundy almost black foliage, the whole topped with cream flowers on 45cm tall stems during late spring and summer. ‘Black Sea’ is the most vigorous of all the very dark leaved Heucheras. Read more about Heuchera ‘Black Sea’
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’
Scalloped leaves are glowing gold when they emerge in early spring. They soften to amber and peach as the season progresses. Sprays of creamy pink flowers are carried on 40cm tall stems. Foliage clumps grow to 20cm tall by 40cm across. Read more about Heuchera ‘Caramel’
Beautiful both in flower and in foliage ‘Glitter’ has silver leaves with contrasting black veins and a soft violet underside. 40cm tall stems carry a cloud of fuchsia pink flowers during late spring and early summer. The foliage clumps grow 25cm tall by 40cm across. Read more about Heuchera ‘Glitter’
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 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’
Classically variegated foliage with vivid green margins and decorative gold centres. Hostas are vigorous in growth when grown in the shade and if well watered will make a 40cm tall by 60cm wide clumps. Ideal for pots. Read more about Hosta ‘Beach Boy’
'Venus' is a medium sized Hosta that has deliciously fragrant white flowers and grows in shade or filtered sunlight where it should be kept well-watered in the summer months. The flowers are suspended well above the foliage to superb effect. Read more about Hosta plantaginea ‘Venus’
This wonderfully fragrant, vigorous growing variety was voted Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association a few years back. Read more about Hosta ‘So Sweet’
This Taiwanese form makes a low graceful shrub clothed with narrow, glossy green leaves and topped by white lace-cap flowers during summer. Best grown in a moist lightly shaded spot where it will make 80-100cm tall by as much across. Read more about Hydrangea scandens ssp chinensis f. formosana
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 PBR Hydrangea ‘Forever’
A breakthrough in Hydrangea breeding ‘Magical Revolution’ will flower for almost half the year does very well in pots. When in flower pots can be brought inside to decorate the house. Read more about Hydrangea ‘Magical Revolution’
A fine Hydrangea paniculata selection with large floral cones . The fertile flowers stay green throughout the season whilst the white infertile flowers age to soft pink in the autumn. Growing 140cm by as much across it is in flower from mid summer until late autumn. Read more about Hydrangea paniculata ‘Greenspires’
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’
One of the finest dwarf shrubs for a dry climate. This statice, to quote E.E. Lord, “..... will endure dry conditions and inland frosts alike”. Limonium peregrinum forms a low rounded evergreen shrub with leathery bright green leaves. Read more about Limonium peregrinum
“One of the very best of the more richly coloured honeysuckles, long in cultivation; prior to 1750.” Writes G.S. Thomas in his seminal work “Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos’. Read more about Lonicera x americana
Massed clusters of flowers with white thread like petals are attractive in spring when they appear amongst the mid-green foliage. New growth in this cultivar is caramel coloured. Read more about Loropetalum chinense ‘Blonde N Gorgeous’
A dwarf Miscanthus with bronze feathery flower heads which are produced well clear of the leaves during summer and autumn. It is best when grown in drifts rather than as individual specimens. Sun 60cm x 50cm. Read more about Miscanthus oligostachyus ‘Eileen Quinn’
This rarely offered dwarfing cultivar makes a 60cm tall tussock of narrow arching leaves and during summer 100cm tall flowering stems produce coppery gold feathers. Good reddish foliage in autumn. 100cm x 80cm. Read more about Miscanthus sinensis ‘Yaku Jima’
This exciting new intergeneric hybrid between Bergenia and Mukdenia inherits its deep near red flowers from its Bergenia heritage and jagged leaf edges and intense autumn colour from its Mukdenia parent. The thick leathery leaves are handsome the season long. Read more about x Mukgenia ‘Nova Flame’
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
Almost identical in its grey leaves and ethereal mauve flowers to Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ but the habit of this plant makes it so different and so desirable. It is very neat, upright and tidy in growth not at all lax. Read more about Nepeta ‘Dropmore’
One of the tallest of all catmints making a strong upright plant some 120cm tall by 100cm wide. It produces spikes of ethereal mauve blue flowers from spring until the autumn. A drought tolerant sun loving perennial. Read more about Nepeta racemosa ‘Otway Towers’
