Lamium maculatum ‘James Boyd Parselle’Don't be put off by the fact that this is a dead nettle. It is a very worthy garden plant. Bright silver leaves and bright, light pink flowers May to August. Makes good ground cover in semi-shade, but is not over vigorous. Cut back after flowering. 20cm (8”) high.
Lamium orvalaA great favourite here, forget all you’ve heard about Dead Nettles; this plant forms neat clumps and excels in heavy to partial shade. In spring, red-tinted, heavily toothed new growth appears, to open out into attractive leaves, which also have bronze autumn colour. The spikes of deadnettle flowers are velvety-brownish-pink with white markings and are often said to resemble orchids. Forms tidy clumps to 45cm (18”) high.
Lathyrus vernusKnown as the spring pea, this is an old cottage garden favourite, grown not surprisingly for its fresh bunches of violet-blue and pink pea flowers. Of immense value in the spring border; growing in either sun or partial shade. 30cm (12”). An easy and very long lived perennial, best left undisturbed. A valuable tip is that you should not try to split this plant - you often end up with no root on anything. Instead you should propagate by seed.
Leucanthemella serotinaFlowering very late in the season, from September to November, when its large, pure white flowers with a green-yellow centre provide a nice accent at the back of the border. It prefers a good
to moist soil in full sun or part shade. 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft).
Lilium mackliniaeWhat a charming little lily this is, native to the Himalayas, we find it grows here with ease. Our stock seems to reach 30cm (12”) in height, although it may grow taller in some conditions. At the top of its narrow foliage are several elegant cup-like flowers held semi-pendant, and a delicate shade of purple flushed with rose-pink, the stamens are picked out with a rich purple. Suitable for a site in part shade with a well-drained soil. It sets good seed & germinates well.
Lilium nepalenseAs the name suggests this lily is from the Himalayas. A stunning species growing up to 90cm (3ft), bearing large, nodding, bicoloured flowers, creamy-apple-green on the outside and half of the interior, with the remainder a rich chocolate brown to crimson colour, beside which the orange stamens positively glow. Each stem can carry up to five recurved trumpets, opening in succession and with a delightful perfume. We find them easy to grow in cool shade, but they are often late to start into growth in spring and once growing need plenty of water.
Linum perenneFlax. Useful, although short-lived perennial. Attractive fine blue-grey foliage 30-45cm (12-18”) in height. Bright blue flowers in summer. Sunny well-drained site required.
Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’A vibrant perennial with unmistakeable deep purple-red, almost black foliage, held on tall upright purple stems. The intense scarlet flowers appear in a succession through late summer and autumn. It prefers a moist soil and can be used to good effect planted alongside Matteuccia struthiopteris or hostas, where the contrast between the texture and colour of foliage will be greatest. 90cm (3ft). Protect from slugs in spring.
Lobelia x speciosa ‘Tania’Striking deep carmine flowers. Again, good to moist soil preferred. 75cm (30”) high.
Lobelia x speciosa ‘Tania’Striking deep carmine flowers. Again, good to moist soil preferred. 75cm (30”) high.
Lobelia ‘Russian Princess’Another sun and moisture-loving perennial, with dark purple foliage, against which are held intense purple-pink flowers. Suited to sun or partial shade, it over winters best when covered with a light mulch. 90cm (3ft).
Lychnis chalcedonica AGMMaltese Cross. Why has this plant gone out of fashion? Flat heads of startling red flowers in summer, make this a valuable accent plant. 90-120cm (3-4ft) high.
Lychnis cognataA stunning flowered lychnis – large, pale tangerine coloured flowers in summer. Slightly sprawly habit, best suited to a little shade.
Lythrum salicaria ‘Blush’A selection of our native Purple Loosestrife. Soft, baby-pink flowers appear in summer on 90cm (3ft) tall slender spires. This is a very hardy and moisture tolerant plant, as can be seen when walking by the flood plains of Shropshire where the true species colonises large areas.
Lythrum salicaria ‘Robert’Another selection of Purple Loosestrife; with bright, deep pink flowers borne on upright 90cm (3ft) tall flower spikes.
