Salvia uliginosa Bog Sage AGMA sage originating in the damp grasslands of eastern South American and settling happily into UK gardens. It is a useful plant for the late summer border, where its graceful wavering stems are filled with sky-blue flowers that have a long season. For a moist or moisture retentive soil and as long as the roots don’t freeze it will provide many years of interest. 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft).
Sanguisorba obtusaThis robust clump forming perennial from the alpine meadows of Japan has large pink bottle brush flowers from July to September. It makes a good cut flower. 60-90cm (2-3ft) high.
Schizostylis coccinea ‘Hilary Gould’The autumn border can be uplifted by the mass of deep rose-pink flowers produced by this strong growing perennial. Like all Schizostylis it requires a sunny position with rich, moist soil and protection from cold winds. 45cm (18”).
Schizostylis coccinea ‘Sunrise’ AGMWith large, clear, salmon-pink flowers, this is probably one of the best of the Kaffir Lilies. Site them where the afternoon sun can shine through the flowers making them appear to glow. 45cm (18”).
Schoenoplectus lacustris subsp. tabernaemontani ‘Albescens’An unusual form of our native Bull Rush, its green leaves vertically striped with irregular patches of white. Can be grown either in a damp, fertile soil or it can be planted in a pond with its roots placed up to 30cm (12”) beneath the surface. 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft). (The name Bull Rush is often misapplied to Reed mace - Typha - the big reed with the familiar velvety-brown pokers).
Schoenoplectus lacustris subsp. tabernaemontani ‘Zebrinus’Another form of Bull Rush, this time the variegation runs horizontally, the upright cylindrical grey green leaves are broadly overlaid with heavy cream bands. Cultivation as Schoenoplectus l.t.‘Albescens’. 90-120cm (3-4ft).
Scoliopus bigelowiiA peculiar little plant from the cool moist shade of sequoia forests from California to Oregon. With a charm all its own, this spring flowering member of the Trillium family produces spikes of greenish-purple flowers adorned further with white and purple markings. Intriguing if not beautiful, a plant that will reward the inquisitive gardener. 15cm (6”).
Scopolia carniolicaA member of the Solanum (Nightshade) family from Central Ukraine & Lithuania, that during spring produces 2.5cm (1”) bell-like flowers of an intense purple colour on the outside and a pleasing yellow-green inside. Requiring a semi shaded position with good to moist soil, it is perennial in habit, dying back after flowering allowing summer bloomers to take over the display. 60cm (2ft).
Scutellaria scordiifoliaA vigorous, sun loving creeping perennial displaying sprays of bright blue tubular flowers from early June into late July. Good at the front of a border or on the edge of a raised bed. 15-20cm (6-8”).
Sedum spathulifolium ‘Cape Blanco’ AGMSuitable for rockery, scree or alpine trough in full sun. Silver-grey foliage with a white bloom and yellow flower heads.
Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’ AGMSun loving plant for any well drained situation. Dark evergreen foliage and deep red flower heads in mid summer. 10-15cm (4-6”) high.
Sedum telephium subsp. maximum ‘Atropurpureum’ AGMGrown for its succulent foliage – turning darker as the season advances. During summer it produces masses of pink flower buds which open a contrasting white. In winter the sight of frost adorning the faded flower heads is an added attraction. Give this plant full sun to bring out the best of the coloured foliage. 45cm (18”).
Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’ AGMForms lovely hummocks of glaucous purple-grey foliage to 20cm (8”) in height. Dusky wine-red flowers. Neat habit. Good for rockery or raised bed and looks particularly stunning with slate.
Semiaquilegia ecalcarataLoose flower stems full of delicate nodding, spurless, mauve-pink to purple flowers are produced during late spring. A Chinese woodlander, but tolerant of sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil. 15-30cm (6-12”).
Serratula seoaneiA really useful plant for the rock garden or front of a sunny border. Growing up to 30cm (10”) in height and bearing thistle-like purple flower heads in autumn.
Sidalcea candida ‘Bianca’Sidalceas originate from Western N. America and thrive in humus-rich neutral to acidic soil. During summer, this pretty variety sends up dense spires of purest white, open-faced flowers, set off against rounded shallowly lobed leaves and rising to 60cm (2ft).
Sidalcea ‘Elsie Heugh’ AGMA cottage garden favourite, looking like miniature Hollyhocks, with open-faced flowers held on erect spikes up to 90cm (3ft) high, each fresh pale pink petal delicately fringed along its margins. A hardy perennial suited to sun or partial shade, flowering during June and July.
Sidalcea ‘Rosanna’Another variety with distinct large, purple-pink flowers in late summer. 90cm (3ft).
Sisyrinchium ‘Biscuitella’Flowers are an unusual combination of ‘biscuity’ shades! 25cm (10”) high.
Sisyrinchium ‘Dragon’s Eye’10-15cm (4-6”) high. Striking flowers with pale violet petals, veined dark purple and with a dark purple base to each petal, inside the flower has a bright yellow eye. Full sun.
Solidago ballardiiA fantastic form of Golden Rod, reaching 1.5-2.1m (5-7ft) in height. It has a strong, clump forming habit and the foliage is attractive and self-supporting. Dense sprays of bright golden-yellow flowers in late summer and autumn. Excellent for cutting.
Solidago ‘Golden Baby’This miniature golden rod is free flowering & grows just 45Cm (18”) high.
Solidaster luteusClump-forming perennial 60-75cm (24-30”) high, with dense heads of long-lasting lemon-yellow flowers in late summer.
Stipa gigantea Giant Feather Grass AGMA grass with densely tufted evergreen foliage, producing magnificent shimmering panicles of silver to purplish green spikelets which turn a rich autumnal gold when ripe, giving the illusion of giant oats. 1.8m (6ft).
Stipa tenuissima Pony Tail GrassA first rate grass. A few years ago we said that if we only grew one grass this would be it, and we are still of the same opinion. A deciduous species sending up bright green narrow leaves in spring and forming dense tufts, in July these are accompanied by silky flowers starting silvery-green and aging to a rich buff. In the slightest of air movements the whole plant sparkles, not to mention the beautiful form when highlighted by winter frost. Thrives with good drainage and a sunny site. 45cm (18”)
Stokesia laevisAn evergreen perennial with lance-shaped leaves, woolly flower stems and large 10cm (4”) cornflower flowers; ranging in colour from purplish-blue, pink or white. Flowers throughout the summer and into early autumn, preferring a sandy soil in full sun. 60cm (24”).
Symphytum ‘Lambrook Sunrise’Forms large robust clumps of foliage which is bright yellow in spring and early summer. Blue flowers. 45cm (18”).
Synthyris missurica var. stellataA little woodlander, growing in moist areas of Western North America, over wintering as a clump of rounded hairy heart-shaped leaves, dark green in colour and reaching 5cm (2”) across. To herald spring it sends up dense racemes of bell-shaped, violet-blue flowers, surrounded by sharply serrated bracts. 15cm (6”).
