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Key for symbols
new in 2008	grass	shade
liked by bees	likes boggy areas	semi-shade
ready in July	likes troughs	happy anywhere
bulb	sun

Plant list for this page Click on a genus to go straight to that position on the page

ACANTHUS	ANGELICA
ACHILLEA	ANTENNARIA
ACONITUM	ANTHEMIS
ADONIS	ANTIRRHINUM
AETHIONEMA	AQUILEGIA
AGAPANTHUS	ARABIS
AGASTACHE	ARENARIA
AGERATINA	ARISAEMA
ALCEA	ARISARUM
ALCHEMILLA	ARMERIA
ALLIUM	ARTEMISIA
ALSTROEMERIA	ASARINA
ALYSSUM	ASPERULA
AMSONIA	ASTER
ANCHUSA	ASTILBE
ANDROSACE	ASTRANTIA
ANEMANTHELE	AUBRIETA
ANEMONE

acanthus

SPINOSUS
Beautifully architectural plant – deeply cut, glossy green, spiny leaves. Large prickly spikes of purple flowers with white lower lips from July to September. 1.3 m

ACHILLEA

'CARMINA BURANA'
Flat heads of deep wine-mulberry coloured flowers, from midsummer. Seems a stronger grower than Achillea 'Summerwine'. 60 cm

achillea clavennae (syn. achillea argentea)

CLAVENNAE (syn. A.ARGENTEA)
Wonderfully silver woolly foliage, with small white daisy flowers. Hardy if in very well-drained soil. 15 cm

‘FANAL’ (syn. A. ‘THE BEACON’)
A spreading carpet of feathery green foliage with large flat heads of scarlet flowers with yellow centres from June to August. 75 cm

‘HELLA GLASHOFF’
Large flat heads of buttery-cream flowers, for weeks, from midsummer. 40 cm

‘SALMON BEAUTY’ (syn. A. ‘LACHSSCHONHEIT’)
Feathery green spreading mat of foliage with large flat heads of salmon pink flowers turning peachy in summer. 75 cm

‘TERRACOTTA’
Flat heads of soft terracotta coloured flowers which age to palest yellow. The old with the new flowers makes a lovely combination, greyish leaf. Lasts for weeks in summer. 70 cm

ACONITUM

All Aconitum are poisonous.

CARMICHAELII (syn. A. FISCHERI)
Tall spikes of blue monkshood flowers in autumn, a valued splash of colour for the borders at that time of year. 1.2 m

NAPELLUS 'BERGFURST'
Tall spikes of violet-blue flowers, for weeks from late June. 1.2 m

‘NEWRY BLUE’
Dense spikes of mid-blue hooded flowers in early summer. 1.4 m

ADONIS

AMURENSIS
Rich yellow flowers nestle in a crown of feathery leaves, during early spring. A slow growing woodland plant.
20 cm

AETHIONEMA

'WARLEY RUBER'
Pretty rich pink flowers, over glaucous foliage, in late spring and summer. Prefers well-drained soil, in sun.
12 cm

AGAPANTHUS

‘LILLIPUT’
Round heads of deep blue flowers, in July. A nicely compact plant. Good in tubs or in a fairly well-drained, sunny border. 30 cm

‘PURPLE CLOUD’
Good deep purple flowers in late summer. Not as hardy as some of the others we grow, so probably best in a pot and taken under cover in winter. 80 cm

‘STREAMLINE’
Large heads of pale blue flowers in summer, on shortish stems. Prefers a bit of winter protection. 30 cm

WHITE
We do not know the correct name, but we have decided it is too good to leave out of the catalogue each year. Seems a good hardy Agapanthus with white flowers in late summer. 75 cm

AGASTACHE

FOENICULUM
Anise Hyssop. An upright, aniseed-scented perennial, with downy leaves, whitish-green underneath. Dense spikes of purple-blue flowers, from June to September. Prefers sun and a fairly sheltered position.
1.2 m

AGERATINA

ALTISSIMA ‘CHOCOLATE’
(syn. EUPATORIUM RUGOSUM 'CHOCOLATE')
Good dark purple foliage, with small white flowers in autumn. 1 m

ALCEA

ROSEA 'NIGRA'
Hollyhock. Tall, strong stems of deepest purple-maroon flowers all summer, with round scallop-shaped leaves. 1.8 m

RUGOSA
Hollyhock. Tall, strong stems of pale yellow flowers all summer, with round, scallop-shaped leaves. A real cottage garden plant. Have near the back of the border so if the leaves get a bit of rust it does not offend! 2 m

ALCHEMILLA

ERYTHROPODA
Slightly more glaucous leaves than A. mollis – otherwise very similar, only in miniature. Sprays of tiny yellow flowers in summer. 15 cm

ALLIUM

These can be grouped together in the onion family. All have that distinctive smell, especially when the stems are crushed or cut. The ones listed below all thrive in a sunny, fairly well-drained soil, unless otherwise stated.

'AMBASSADOR'
Very dense heads of violet-pink flowers on tall sturdy stems in May and June, a showy allium. 1 m

ANGULOSUM (syn. A. PYRENAICUM)
Broad, slightly curved foliage at base; strong stems of rounded heads, lilac-pink in summer. A butterfly favourite. 40 cm

CAERULEUM
Blue balls of flowers on tallish slender stems, in July.
45 cm

CARINATUM ssp. PULCHELLUM
Interesting heads of lilac-pink flowers, some flowers on the heads standing upright some cascading down, in July-August. Prefers moisture-retentive soil. 40 cm

CERNUUM
A more herbaceous clump-forming Allium with nodding umbels of dark pink flowers during summer. Does well in a sunny, dry situation. 40 cm

allium

CRISTOPHII (syn. A. ALBOPILOSUM)
Giant heads of starry purple-pink flowers on fairly short stems in summer – very dramatic! Slow to increase.
30 cm

‘GLOBEMASTER’
Wonderfully large heads of violet-purple flowers on tall stems, in early summer. Lasts for weeks, as the new flowers cover the old ones when they go over. 1 m

HOLLANDICUM ‘PURPLE SENSATION’
(syn. A. AFLATUNENSE ‘PURPLE SENSATION’)
Round heads of deep violet flowers on tall stems in early summer – good for drying. 1 m

allium

KARATAVIENSE
Grown especially for their attractive, broad strap-like leaves which are glaucous, tinged with purple. Has large palish-pink drumstick flowers on short stems, in early summer. Self-seeds. 15 cm

KARATAVIENSE ‘IVORY QUEEN’
Broad, showy foliage in early spring. Round heads of ivory- white flowers in May, on short stems. 15 cm

'MERCURIUS'
Round heads of rich violet-pink flowers with slightly blue tinted centres on shortish stems. 60 cm

MOLY ‘JEANNINE’
A better cultivar than A. moly, with larger yellow flowers in May. Establishes well; cheerful for the front of the border or on the rockery. 30 cm

‘MONT BLANC’
Upright stems topped by round balls of creamy white flowers, in May and June. 1.3 m

OREOPHILUM
Loose umbels of rich pink flowers in May, establishes well. 15 cm

allium

ROSEUM
Nodding heads of soft pink flowers in early summer. Often forms new bulbils on top of the flowers. Clumps up well. 30 cm

SCHUBERTII
The ultimate exploding firework flower! Dramatic heads of lilac flowers in early summer. May not flower the first year, so either buy it when the bud is showing, or be prepared to wait a year. Needs a very sheltered spot in well-drained soil, or could be grown in a pot and kept inside until the worst frosts are over. 40 cm

Allium senescens ssp. montanum var. glaucum

SENESCENS ssp. MONTANUM var. GLAUCUM
Slightly twisted, glaucous linear leaves with rounded heads of lilac pink flowers in late summer. The flowers are always covered in small tortoiseshell butterflies at the nursery. 20 cm

'SILVER SPRING'
A striking combination of white drumstick flowers, with the centres ageing to pink in May-June. 60 cm

SPHAEROCEPHALON
Egg-shaped flowers of deep crimson-purple, from mid to late summer. 75 cm

ALSTROEMERIA

PSITTACINA
Peruvian Lily. Upright stems, with green and dark red tubular flowers, for weeks in midsummer. Prefers a fairly sheltered situation, in good soil. The sap may cause a skin allergy. 1 m

ALYSSUM

OXYCARPUM
A compact Alyssum for the rockery with small yellow flowers. Also grows well in tufa. 10 cm

SPINOSUM ‘ROSEUM’ (syn. PTILOTRICHON SPINOSUM ‘ROSEUM’)
We struggle to propagate this treasured alpine, but 120 cuttings later and less than 20 rooted we feel we have now cracked it! A slightly prickly mound of small silver foliage, covered in masses of tiny pink flowers in summer. Prefers well-drained soil. 10 cm

AMSONIA

ORIENTALIS (syn. RHAZYA ORIENTALIS)
Similar to an herbaceous Phlox, with ice blue flowers in midsummer. Seems to run a bit. 60 cm

ANCHUSA

AZUREA 'FELTHAM PRIDE STRAIN'
Ours are seed grown. A short-lived perennial which makes a dwarf, compact plant. Gentian blue flowers for weeks in summer. Prefers a deep and well-drained soil, in sun. 90 cm

ANDROSACE

This genus is impervious to cold but dislikes winter wet, so plant in a well-drained, gritty soil in full sun.

LANUGINOSA
Hairy grey leaves on trailing stems. Pink flowers with a darker eye from mid to late summer. 5 cm

Androsace studiosorum 'Salmon's Variety'

STUDIOSORUM ‘SALMON’S VARIETY’
(syn. A.SARMENTOSA ‘SALMON’S VARIETY’)
A mat of hairy rosettes of leaves with deep pink flowers in early summer. 10 cm

ANEMANTHELE

LESSONIANA (syn. STIPA ARUNDINACEA)
Arching habit of leaves which are a mixture of olive green, rusty brown and orange. Looks wonderful with the sunlight shining through the leaves. Ready about May. 70 cm

ANEMONE

All anemones are poisonous.
BLANDA These corms are ideal for growing under deciduous trees; they have sunlight during their flowering period and then the shade from the trees is ideal through the summer when they like to be kept more dry. It must be said though that they are very good-natured plants and will thrive almost anywhere.

BLANDA BLUE
Blue flowers from February to the end of April. 10 cm

BLANDA ‘RADAR’
Carmine pink flowers with white centres, from March to April. Slower to establish than the other Anemone blanda types that we grow. 10 cm

BLANDA ‘WHITE SPLENDOUR’
White flowers with a pink flush to the back of the petals, from March to May. 15 cm

CORONARIA (ST BRIDGID GROUP) ‘LORD LIEUTENANT'
Semi-double, deep blue anemone flowers in late spring, early summer. Prefers well-drained soil. 30 cm

CORONARIA (DE CAEN GROUP) ‘THE BRIDE ’
(syn. A. CORONARIA 'DIE BRAUT')
Single, pure white anemone flowers in late spring, early summer. Prefers well-drained soil. 30 cm

anemone

HUPEHENSIS and HYBRIDA VARIETIES
These are wonderful gently spreading plants for late summer and autumn flowering. They do like their roots in the cool, so are ideal for shady situations – but if their roots are shaded by shrubs or paving, they will grow happily in the sun.

HUPEHENSIS var. JAPONICA ‘PAMINA’
Rich-pink, double flowers with prominent golden stamens from August onwards. 60 cm

HUPEHENSIS ‘PRAECOX’
Single, reddish-pink flowers from late July onwards.
60 cm

X HYBRIDA ‘HONORINE JOBERT’
Single white flowers from August onwards. Brightens up a shady corner. We never have enough! 1.2 m

X HYBRIDA ‘LORELEY’
Single pink open flowers from July onwards. 1.2 m

anemone

X HYBRIDA ‘WHIRLWIND’
(syn. A. X HYB.WIRBELWIND)
Semi-double white flowers from August onwards. 1 m

MULTIFIDA ‘MAJOR’
Neat clumps of palmate leaves, with upturned cups of creamy-yellow flowers in spring. Forms cotton wool seed heads in midsummer. 25 cm

NEMOROSA
‘Wood Anemone’. White flowers in March and April. Spreads by creeping, underground rhizomes. Ideal for naturalising under deciduous trees. 10 cm

NEMOROSA ‘ROBINSONIANA’
Larger than A. nemorosa, with large pale lavender-blue flowers. Will also naturalise. 15 cm

RIVULARIS
Branching stems of white flowers with blue backs to the petals, from May to July. Prefers moisture-retentive soil. 60 cm

SYLVESTRIS
‘Snowdrop windflower’. Like a dwarf version of white Japanese Anemone, only it flowers in early spring, and then again later on. Quite a vigorous spreader. 20 cm

ANGELICA

‘EBONY’
Wonderfully dark, almost black, divided leaves, with heads of dark buds opening to pink flowers in summer. Biennial, so collect seed, which is best sown fresh. Prefers moisture retentive soil. 90 cm

ANTENNARIA

‘RED WONDER’
Ground-hugging mat of silver foliage, with pinky-red flowers in late spring. 10 cm

ANTHEMIS

MARSCHALLIANA
Mat-forming with dense silky-grey leaves. Solitary yellow daisy-like flowers from May to July. 20 cm

PUNCTATA ssp. CUPANIANA
Low hummocks of silver-grey divided foliage covered in white daisy flowers from early April to autumn. It is worth trimming once or twice during the season to stop it getting straggly. 25 cm

TINCTORIA ‘E. C. BUXTON’
Cut-leaf green foliage, with lemon-yellow daisy flowers throughout summer. 75 cm

TINCTORIA ‘SAUCE HOLLANDAISE’
Cream daisy flowers, for weeks in summer. Will flower for longer if dead-headed. 60 cm

ANTIRRHINUM

HISPANICUM ssp. HISPANICUM 'ROSEUM'
Rounded and hairy glaucous leaves on rather brittle stems. Pink snapdragon flowers in summer. Needs a well-drained, sunny and sheltered situation. Often self-seeds in gravel. 15 cm

AQUILEGIA

Dainty-looking plants with attractively divided foliage. They seed themselves enchantingly amongst other plants. Harmful if eaten.

ALPINA
Dark blue flowers from late spring to early summer.
60 cm

BARNEBYI
Glaucous foliage, with delicate salmony, pale lemon spurred flowers in late spring, early summer. Sometimes self-seeds 30 cm

BERTOLONII
A lovely little columbine with deep violet flowers in early summer. Gently seeds itself about in the gravel, on our raised bed. 20 cm

FORMOSA
Short spurred, orangey-red flowers with dangling yellow stamens, from late spring. Likes fairly damp soil. 75 cm

LONGISSIMA
Long spurred, pale yellow flowers in early summer.
75 cm

VULGARIS var. ALBA
White flowers which lighten a shady corner. 60 cm

ARABIS

FERDINANDI-COBURGI ‘AUREOVARIEGATA’
Flat mats of golden variegated foliage sending up stems of delicate white flowers in early spring. 15 cm

ARENARIA

MONTANA
A good hummock of narrow dark green leaves, covered in a mass of white flowers all summer. 15 cm

ARISAEMA

A woodland plant, with exotic looking spathe flowers at different times in summer. Likes a deep, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Poisonous.

CANDIDISSIMUM
Pink and white striped spathe flower; very showy in June. Comes up in very late spring (you are almost bound to think you have lost it during the winter... but have faith!). Usually the flower comes before the tri-lobed leaves. 25 cm

ARISARUM

PROBOSCIDEUM
Mouse Plant. A rhizomous plant which goes dormant in summer. Clumps of arrow-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves with hooded, dark brown-purple spathe flowers and long tails, in spring, which resemble mice diving for cover under the leaves. Just a bit of fun really. Poisonous. 15 cm

ARMERIA

JUNIPERIFOLIA (syn. A. CAESPITOSA)
‘Dwarf thrift’. The plant is like a green pin cushion, covered in round heads of pink flowers in early spring and then on and off later on. 7.5 cm

JUNIPERIFOLIA 'ALBA'
White flowered form of the above. 7.5 cm

MARITIMA ‘CORSICA’
A soft brick-red thrift which makes a change from the more usual bright pink. Flowers in late spring. 25 cm

MARITIMA ‘RUBRIFOLIA’
Purple tinted foliage, makes a darker hummock for the pink thrift flowers, in late spring, early summer. 12 cm

MARITIMA ‘VINDICTIVE’
Round heads of rich pink flowers in early summer, over a green mat of needle-like leaves. 15 cm

‘NIFTY THRIFTY’
Worth having just for the clever name! A golden variegated thrift with pink flowers in spring. 10 cm

ARTEMISIA

LACTIFLORA GUIZHOU GROUP
A basal clump of serrated leaves with reddish tints especially in spring. Thin arching spikes of creamy white flowers from July. Looks good next to the dark stems of Aster laevis ‘Calliope’. Prefers a moisture-retentive soil. 1 m

SCHMIDTIANA ‘NANA’
Prostrate mat of filigree silver foliage. Likes a well-drained sunny position. 6 cm

ASARINA

PROCUMBENS
A trailing plant with greeny-grey felty leaves. Pale yellow, snapdragon flowers from late spring to autumn. Not fully hardy, but usually sets a good amount of seed. 15 cm

ASPERULA

GUSSONEI
Makes a green mossy mat, covered in tiny starry pink flowers, in summer. 3 cm

SINTENISII
Small, greyish felty leaves form a low mat with tiny pink flowers in early summer. Needs well-drained soil. Suitable for a trough. 5 cm

ASTER

These are an easy-to-please group of herbaceous plants with the great advantage of having late summer flowers. All like a sunny position, with the exception of A. divaricatus which is happy in sun or shade. Butterflies and bees love the flowers.

&nbs