Achillea nobilis subsp. neilreichiiA lovely yarrow with tasteful soft creamy-primrose-yellow flowers held above fine, downy, grey-green foliage; great for the herbaceous border or gravel bed in full sun. 30-60cm (1-2ft).
Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'Striking purplish-black foliage. Pink flower spikes from July to September. Attractive long lasting seed heads. 60cm (2ft) high.
Adenophora potaniniiThis species has pendant bell-shaped flowers which are rich violet-blue in colour. A great plant for sun or light shade, appreciating some moisture at its roots. We also grow a lovely pale lavender flowered form and a pale pink form. 75cm (30”).
Adiantum aleuticum 'Japonicum'An elegant semi-evergreen fern, with spidery fronds of mid green on black stalks; the new growth is flushed coppery-pink in spring and early summer. Best in a moist, well-drained soil, in partial shade. 45cm (18”). We have a few available for sale each year, they are vegetatively propagated from our own stock.
Adiantum venustum (Himalayan Maidenhair Fern) AGM.A beautiful low growing fern, with triangular, mid-green fronds rising from creeping rhizomes. In spring and early summer the growth is tinted bronze-pink. We have planted this hardy species in moist shade with other small choice plants such as small lilies and anemones which like similar conditions. 15cm (6”).
Agapanthus 'Streamline'A great favourite of ours - an exciting hybrid carrying globes of pale powdery-blue flowers throughout summer; foliage is neat and restrained, almost dainty in habit. 40cm (16”).
Agapanthus africanus 'Albus' AGM.A superb white form of agapanthus flowering from July to September. 60cm (2ft).
Agastache foeniculum Anise HyssopA perennial with a striking aniseed scent. From mid-summer onwards it produces mint-like spires of violet-purple flowers. Best grown in a well-drained soil in full sun where it will be appreciated by a multitude of insects and humans alike. Can sometimes be short lived but self seeds freely. 60-90cm (2-3ft).
Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop'A striking and useful low growing foliage plant with very dark glossy leaves and blue flower spikes to 30cm (12”) in height. Tolerates sun or shade and any soil.
Allium cernuum Nodding OnionThis little onion is especially useful when mixed in amongst other low growing border plants, pushing its flower heads up through the surrounding plants in June. Each inflorescence is borne on a stiff stalk, which curves sharply at its apex, suspending the umbel of around 30-40 vivid purple, bell-shaped flowers. 30-45cm (12-18”).
Allium nutansThroughout June and July this bulbous perennial sends up 30cm (12”) high inflorescences, each topped by a half round umbel of densely packed lilac-pink flowers, all held above discrete narrow mid-green foliage. A welcome plant for the front of the border.
Althaea cannabinaA strong upright perennial that will need no staking, its habit and flowers being similar to Hollyhock but more refined. Clusters of cup-like, five-petalled, sugary-pink flowers opening from midsummer and through autumn. The three or more lobed slightly hairy foliage is attractive and provides a good foil for other plants through the season. 1.8m (6’) or more.
Amsonia tabernaemontanaA clump forming perennial from eastern North America grown for its handsome elliptical mattgreen leaves. In summer it holds dense panicles of baby-blue flowers. Each tubular star-like flower identifies the plant as a member of the Vinca (periwinkle) family, although this refined plant has no ideas of world dominance. Grow in full sun. 60cm (2ft).
Anemanthele lessoniana (Stipa arundinacea) Pheasant Tail GrassA very colourful grass with dark green leaves streaked with red and orange-brown. Flowers are borne in airy panicles of contrasting ruddy-brown, (they look like the pheasant’s tail when they first appear). It tolerates a heavy cold soil and partial shade but is happiest on a light soil, and colours up best in sun. 60cm (2ft) or more.
Anemone flaccidaAn enchanting woodlander, forming a mat of fresh apple-green fleshy leaves in spring. Each leaf is divided into three lobes, above these on short stems are held up to three creamy-white flowers each 2.5cm (1”) across. An easy plant ideal for a shady spot, where it can spread slowly by means of creeping rhizomes. 20cm (8”). Summer dormant.
Anemone huphensis 'Splendens'This lovely autumn flowering perennial has soft pink flowers, crimson on the reverse – elegantly growing to 75cm (30”) in height.
Anemone huphensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich' ('Prince Henry') AGM.An old cultivar originally raised in 1902 and still going strong today. It produces showy, deep rose-pink, semi-double blooms with an orangey-yellow centre. 120cm (4ft).
Anemone multifidaAn appealing little Anemone that in early summer bears 2.5cm (1”) flowers, the colour of best Cornish clotted cream, with a highlight of buttery-yellow stamens. A perennial suited to sun or partial shade, in a well-drained but rich soil. 30cm (12”).
Anemone nemorosa 'Alba Plena'A white, double flowered form of our native Wood Anemone. 15cm (6”). The wood anemones all flower in March & April and are ideal for underplanting shrubs or in woodland planting schemes. All are summer dormant.
Anemone nemorosa 'Bracteata Pleniflora'A most unusual form of wood anemone bearing semi-double flowers, some of the petals pure white, some white speckled green and others wholly green. Around these petals is a collar of toothed green leaves that combine to give the appearance of a much larger flower. 15cm (6”) high.
Anemone nemorosa 'Robinsoniana' AGM.“One of the best known selections… robust and large flowered.” That is how Christopher Lloyd describes this cultivar; the flowers are larger than those of the species with the petals a pale creamy-blue outside, very pale lavender-blue inside and with bright yellow stamens in the centre. The foliage grows to 15cm (6”), finely cut and deep green, held on reddish hued stalks.
Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal' AGM.Another white flowered variety, again different and this time with large double white flowers, in the centre of these is a boss of dense white tepals; very neat attractive appearance. 15cm (6”).
Anemone nemorosa 'Wilks' Giant'Large white flowers on slightly taller foliage.
Anemone ranunculoides AGM.Bright shiny yellow flowers held over deeply divided foliage. A vigorous woodland species that flowers from March to April. Similar in habit to Anemone nemorosa and requiring a similar site. 10cm (4”).
Anemone sylvestrisA spreading habit for sun or part shade, lightly scented flowers around April/May. 12''
Anemone sylvestris 'Elise Fellmann'This pretty woodlander grows 30cm (12”) in height and bears fully double creamy-white flowers. A choice plant for a shady site which does not dry out too much.
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' AGM.A favourite and probably the best pure white Japanese Anemone, with showy, broad-petalled, single flowers each with a green centre surrounded by delicate golden-yellow stamens. Flowering from July through to the end of October. 120cm (4ft).
Anemone x hybrida 'Profusion'A floriferous variety with rose-pink flowers produced from August to October, flowers held well clear of the vigorous foliage but not requiring staking. 120cm (4ft).
Anemone x hybrida 'Richard Ahrens'A particularly vigorous variety, growing 1.5m (5ft) high. Pale rose-pink flowers in late summer and autumn. Grows equally well in sun or light shade and makes a superb ‘back of the border plant’ for late summer & autumn.
Anemone x hybrida 'Whirlwind'A semi-double, white-flowered hybrid with narrow incurved petals giving a ruffled appearance. Flowering from September and into October. 120cm (4ft).
Anemone x lipsiensisThis little gem is a cross between A. ranunculoides and A. nemerosa, producing a hybrid intermediate between the two both in size and colour. The buttery-yellow flowers are produced in March. Before the flowers open, the dark green, finely cut foliage, supported on low creeping stems provides a foil for other small woodland plants. Suitable for a moist leafy soil, in a partially shaded site. 10cm (4”).
Anemonella thalictroidesA charming little woodlander with foliage like that of a Thalictrum, hence its species name. The flowers open from March through to early June. Each flower measures 2.5cm (1”) across and is pinkish-white with a yellow centre; these flowers arise from tuberous roots that are summer dormant. It likes a shaded spot where it can quietly put its feet down and expand to form small colonies. 15cm (6”).
Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana AGM.Forms a mound of silvery-grey foliage, covered in flowers from the start of May and on throughout summer. Each daisy flower is white with a yellow centre and the plant benefits from deadheading to prolong the display. Valuable for a sunny dry position and looking extremely good when grown through gravel or toppling over low walls. 30cm (12”).
Anthemis tinctoria 'Sauce Hollandaise'A very free-flowering form, with palest cream flowers produced in summer, not surprisingly the colour of hollandaise sauce. Forms a dome of dark green, slightly downy foliage to 60cm (2ft) and if cut back, over-winters as a cushion of shoots.
Aquilegia viridifloraA sweet little thing – the flowers of this small aquilegia are an unusual and lovely combination of olive green & brown. 15cm (6”) high. We find it best suited to a well drained, semi-shaded woodland bed with other small plants.
Arisaema candidissima AGM.A distinctive species that, according to the American plant hunter Dan Hinkley, is the ‘Queen of the genus’. Late to rise, the big bold spathe flowers of sugar-pink, white and soft apple-green appear at the end of June. Following the flowers are the leaves that are surprisingly undervalued, for they make a wonderful long lasting display. An easy Arisaema to grow, as long as it doesn’t dry out in the summer. 40cm. (16”).
Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver Queen' AGM.A distinctive species that, according to the American plant hunter Dan Hinkley, is the ‘Queen of the genus’. Late to rise, the big bold spathe flowers of sugar-pink, white and soft apple-green appear at the end of June. Following the flowers are the leaves that are surprisingly undervalued, for they make a wonderful long lasting display. An easy Arisaema to grow, as long as it doesn’t dry out in the summer. 40cm. (16”).
Arum italicum 'Chameleon'A wonderful foliage plant - flower arrangers will love this one.
Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' AGM.In late autumn just when all other foliage is looking a bit jaded, up springs the new growth of the ‘Lords and Ladies’, arrow-shaped leaves of shiny green picked out with pale green and white marbling. Very popular with flower arrangers. Bright orange-scarlet berries in autumn. 30cm (12”).
Aruncus dioicus AGM.Goat’s Beard. A handsome plant, looking like a giant astilbe. At 180cm (6ft) high & 120cm (4ft) spread it is a good space filler. Plumes of creamy-white flowers. Thrives in any soil, in sun or shade.
Arundo donax (Giant Reed)One of the tallest grasses which over winters safely outside in the UK, producing an abundance of impressive new growth each spring. An impressive species with wide grey-green foliage. It is best cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring, to allow the new shoots to form unhindered. Growing over 3.6m (12ft) high in a good year.
Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's Tongue Fern) AGM.An attractive fern and one of our natives. It is grown for its bold, evergreen, glossy fronds which arise fresh each year, their undulating margins and simple shape contrasting well with the leaves of hostas and feathery ferns. 60cm (24”).
Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) AGM.Another native fern, this time with semi-evergreen, delicate pinnate fronds held on wiry, shiny black stems. Can be naturalised into walls and steps. 10-15cm (4-6”).
Aster 'Little Carlow' (cordifolius hybrid) AGM.A really good small flowered Aster, with large heads of powder-blue to violet flowers, each with an orangey-yellow centre, produced throughout autumn. Fairly unfussy as to its requirements, it makes good bedfellows with rudbeckias and ornamental grasses. 90cm (3ft).
Aster 'Ochtendgloren' AGM.A great favourite of ours – so dainty are the sprays of pink flowers, that they remind us of daisies in the lawn. Flowers from September and on through October. 90-120cm (3-4ft) in height.
Aster divaricatusA valuable clump-forming perennial with wiry, blackish stems that carry fresh green leaves and topped through late summer & autumn by loose heads of small white flowers, each with a pale yellow centre. Ideally suited to a moist and moderately fertile soil in partial shade. 60cm (24”).
Aster ericoides 'Pink Cloud' AGM.A small leaved Aster forming a bushy plant made up of slender, erect, many branched stems each laden with a mass of small pale pink flowers with yellow centres. Flowering through late summer and autumn. 80cm (30”).
Aster laevis 'Calliope'Glossy, dark green leaves on tall, almost black stems. Sprays of lavender-blue flowers in September-October. 1.5m (5ft) high.
Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black'A most unusual Aster with deep burgundy to black foliage that remains attractive throughout the season. Flowering stems branch freely, supporting masses of small white daisy flowers, each picked out with a rose-pink centre. The shrubby nature and rigid stems of this hybrid means it can be left unsupported. 90cm (3ft).
Aster novae-angliae 'Andenken an Alma Pötschke'This one flowers through the months of September and October. Erect branching stems bear large flowers of a most striking and vivid magenta-carmine. Tolerant of much neglect and abuse, it will even thrive on heavy clay soils, growing up to 75cm (30”) tall.
Aster novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' AGM.Throughout late August and into October, this hybrid produces flowers with numerous rows of narrow soft pink petals and a yellow central floret; excellent for cutting as they last so well in water. 90-120cm (3-4ft).
Aster novae-angliae 'Lucida'This variety has large flowers, rich ruby-red petals and a yellow centre, appearing in sprays during late summer and continuing throughout the autumn; strong stems mean it won’t need staking. 120cm (4ft).
Aster novae-angliae 'September Ruby'Just when you think you have got enough novae-angliae asters, you see another good one. ‘September Ruby’ is a stunner with its semi-double flowers of glowing maroon – they really catch your eye in the late summer border. 120cm (4ft) high.
Astilbe 'Fanal' (x arendsii) AGM.One of the earliest flowering astilbes, it has dense dark crimson plumes borne in early summer, set off wonderfully by the deep green handsome leaves. The flower heads can be left on the plant well into the winter where their skeletonised forms are highly decorative. 60cm (2ft).
Astilbe 'Grete Pungel' (x arendsii)A very distinct variety with strong, tall spires of pink flowers, whose shade appears to fluctuate within the same plant from very pale to deep pink.
Astilbe 'Sprite' AGM.A useful compact variety growing just 30cm (12”) high. Soft pink flowers.
Astilbe chinensis var. pumila AGM.A smaller Astilbe growing just 45cm (18”) high with dense fluffy heads of purple-mauve flowers.
Astilbe simplicifolia 'Bronze Elegans'Clump-forming perennial to 50cm (20”) high. Lovely tinted foliage and plumes of tiny starshaped pink flowers are produced from July to September.
Astrantia 'Buckland'A particularly good form of Astrantia with very large ‘flowers’, freely produced. Each inflorescence is made up of white, green and pink jagged bracts surrounding pale pink flowers. Happy in sun or light shade and a variety of soils. 60cm (2ft).
Astrantia 'Hadspen Blood'A popular and well known variety with dark red flowers.
Astrantia major subsp. involucrata 'Shaggy' AGM.A showy form of A. major, with green-veined, green tipped, white serrated bracts. Contained in the centre of the bracts are the small white to pale green flowers. 60cm. (2ft).
Astrantia maxima AGM.This floriferous species produces larger flowers than A. major and they are of an attractive strawberry-pink colour, arriving in late spring and not finishing till midsummer. The spreading foliage is pleasant mid-green, three-lobed and arising from a creeping rootstock. Requires a good to moist soil, in sun or partial shade. 60cm. (2ft).
Athyrium felix-femina 'Victoriae'The fronds of this distinct and attractive hardy fern are slender and much divided.
Athyrium felix-femina (Lady Fern) AGM.One of the commonest and most graceful of our native ferns; a deciduous species producing tall, upright, pale green fronds in spring, which gradually arch elegantly over, during the summer. An excellent species for the woodland garden, mixing in well with Anemone nemorosa and other early shade-loving perennials. 90-120cm (3-4ft).
Athyrium niponicumAs the species name would suggest, this is a Japanese native, growing in damp woodlands and spreading by means of short creeping reddish-brown rhizomes, from these arise handsome mid-green, deciduous fronds with reddish-purple midribs. 30cm (12”).
