A to Z for genus list
Click on genus for plants
- paeonia
- papaver
- parahebe
- pasithea
- pennisetum
- penstemon
- perovskia
- persicaria
- phlox
- physocarpus
- picea
- pimpinella
- polemonium
- polygonatum
- polystichum
- potentilla
- pratia
- primula
- prunus
- pterocephalus
- pulmonaria
- pulsatilla
Key to symbols
new this year
sun
semi-shade
shade
ready in July
bulb
likes boggy areas
happy anywhere
liked by bees
grass
likes troughs
P
PAEONIA
MLOKOSEWITSCHII
Paeony, Molly the Witch. A very choice clump-forming perennial produces single bowl-shaped, pale lemon-yellow flowers, in early summer. Two year old plants which will take about three years to reach flowering size, but worth the wait!
Paeony, Molly the Witch. A very choice clump-forming perennial produces single bowl-shaped, pale lemon-yellow flowers, in early summer. Two year old plants which will take about three years to reach flowering size, but worth the wait!
50 cm
papaver
ORIENTALE VARIETIES A must for the herbaceous border. Make sure you decide where you want it, before you plant–it propagates by root cuttings. Each individual flower is not very long lasting but they are very showy and produce a succession during the early summer. They do like a sunny situation and even do well in our heavy clay soil. After flowering the plant goes dormant so we inter-plant with annual Cosmos which seems to be very effective.
ORIENTALE (GOLIATH GROUP) ‘BEAUTY OF LIVERMERE’
Large blood red flowers, with dark central blotches to the petals, in midsummer. Sells on sight, as very upstanding, a 'sock it in the eye' type of flower.
Large blood red flowers, with dark central blotches to the petals, in midsummer. Sells on sight, as very upstanding, a 'sock it in the eye' type of flower.
90 cm
ORIENTALE ‘MRS PERRY’
Pale pink flowers with black central blotches.
Pale pink flowers with black central blotches.
75 cm
ORIENTALE ‘PATTY’S PLUM’
Plum coloured poppy, with dark centre, in midsummer.
Plum coloured poppy, with dark centre, in midsummer.
90 cm
ORIENTALE ‘RASPBERRY QUEEN’
Large shocking pink flowers, with thick black markings in the centre. A very striking oriental poppy, not easily missed!
Large shocking pink flowers, with thick black markings in the centre. A very striking oriental poppy, not easily missed!
1 m
ORIENTALE ‘SNOW GOOSE’
Semi double pale pink and almost white frilly flowers.
Semi double pale pink and almost white frilly flowers.
60 cm
parahebe
‘SNOW CLOUDS’
Glossy green leaves with white flowers and a deep pink eye. Forms a small evergreen mound.
Glossy green leaves with white flowers and a deep pink eye. Forms a small evergreen mound.
25 cm
PASITHEA
CAERULEA
Say the name to yourself and it sounds as if you have developed a lisp. A good drought tolerant plant with loose spikes of good blue flowers from May to August. Hardy.
Say the name to yourself and it sounds as if you have developed a lisp. A good drought tolerant plant with loose spikes of good blue flowers from May to August. Hardy.
pennisetum
ALOPECUROIDES ‘HAMELN’
Brown hairy caterpillar flowers in early autumn.
Brown hairy caterpillar flowers in early autumn.
50 cm
ALOPECUROIDES 'RED HEAD'
Forms green tussocks of foliage, with dark reddish-brown fluffy flowers, like hairy caterpillars from mid to late summer.
Forms green tussocks of foliage, with dark reddish-brown fluffy flowers, like hairy caterpillars from mid to late summer.
60 cm
penstemon
The larger Penstemons can be treated like a hardy fuchsia and cut to 15 cm above the ground in April (they will then provide a long display of flowers from mid to late summer). As a general guide, the narrower leaved Penstemons are the hardiest. The smaller ones just need a light trim in the autumn after flowering to help keep their shape, and very well-drained soil.
BARBATUS 'PETER CATT'
A rosette of glossy green foliage, sends up spikes of scarlet-orange tubular flowers from midsummer. Great for the flame border.
A rosette of glossy green foliage, sends up spikes of scarlet-orange tubular flowers from midsummer. Great for the flame border.
80 cm
‘EVELYN’
Small, pretty tubular-shaped, rose-pink flowers with paler pink insides, for weeks in summer. Hardy
Small, pretty tubular-shaped, rose-pink flowers with paler pink insides, for weeks in summer. Hardy
65 cm
FIREBIRD’ (syn. P. ‘SCHOENHOLZERI’)
Largish pinky crimson tubular flowers, with white in the throat, for months from July. Very hardy.
Largish pinky crimson tubular flowers, with white in the throat, for months from July. Very hardy.
75 cm
‘GARNET’ (syn. P. ‘ANDENKEN AN FRIEDRICH HAHN’)
I’ll stick with the English name although the German one would make a good tongue twister. Garnet red flowers in summer. Very hardy.
I’ll stick with the English name although the German one would make a good tongue twister. Garnet red flowers in summer. Very hardy.
75 cm
GLABER
A smaller Penstemon with lilac-blue flowers and pinky buds in early summer. Very hardy. We only have this available during the spring.
A smaller Penstemon with lilac-blue flowers and pinky buds in early summer. Very hardy. We only have this available during the spring.
45 cm
HETEROPHYLLUS 'JEANETTE'
Tubular white flowers for weeks in summer. Seems very hardy.
Tubular white flowers for weeks in summer. Seems very hardy.
60 cm
‘HIDCOTE PINK’
Pink tubular flowers for months in summer and early autumn. Seems pretty hardy.
Pink tubular flowers for months in summer and early autumn. Seems pretty hardy.
60 cm
HIRSUTUS var. PYGMAEUS
A mound of purple tinted foliage, with lilac-mauve flowers and a white throat, in midsummer. Prefers well drained soil.
A mound of purple tinted foliage, with lilac-mauve flowers and a white throat, in midsummer. Prefers well drained soil.
10 cm
MENSARUM
Suspect this is going to be for those of you who like a bit of a challenge, comes from desert regions! Needs very well-drained poor soil to thrive. Spikes of rich, cobalt-blue flowers in summer. Should be ready in May.
Suspect this is going to be for those of you who like a bit of a challenge, comes from desert regions! Needs very well-drained poor soil to thrive. Spikes of rich, cobalt-blue flowers in summer. Should be ready in May.
60 cm
'OSPREY'
White tubular flowers, with a pink outer edge, in summer. Suspect needs shelter from cold winter wind.
White tubular flowers, with a pink outer edge, in summer. Suspect needs shelter from cold winter wind.
90 cm
'PENSHAM WEDDING DAY'
White tubular flowers, for weeks later in the summer. Suspect not very hardy so shelter from cold winter wind.
White tubular flowers, for weeks later in the summer. Suspect not very hardy so shelter from cold winter wind.
80 cm
PINIFOLIUS
A dwarf shrub of pinnate leaves with tubular orangey-red flowers from early summer onwards. Very hardy.
A dwarf shrub of pinnate leaves with tubular orangey-red flowers from early summer onwards. Very hardy.
25 cm
PINIFOLIUS ‘MERSEA YELLOW’
Lemon-yellow flowered form of the above.
Lemon-yellow flowered form of the above.
25 cm
'PORT WINE'
Tubular maroon flowers, with paler insides, for weeks, from midsummer. Hardy in most gardens, but seems more susceptible to eelworm than some.
Tubular maroon flowers, with paler insides, for weeks, from midsummer. Hardy in most gardens, but seems more susceptible to eelworm than some.
75 cm
'SIX HILLS'
Good rich pink flowers for the size of the plant, in summer.
Good rich pink flowers for the size of the plant, in summer.
10 cm
perovskia
ATRIPLICIFOLIA
Grey felty leaves grow up the white coated stems. Many branching terminal spikes of blue flowers that sort of glisten as they are coated in fine hairs, in late summer. Likes well-drained soil.
Grey felty leaves grow up the white coated stems. Many branching terminal spikes of blue flowers that sort of glisten as they are coated in fine hairs, in late summer. Likes well-drained soil.
1.1 m
persicaria
AFFINIS 'SUPERBA' (syn. PERSICARIA AFFINIS 'DIMITY')
A mat-forming, evergreen perennial with dark green leaves turning brown in autumn and spikes of pale pink flowers becoming deep pinkish red, from July to October.
A mat-forming, evergreen perennial with dark green leaves turning brown in autumn and spikes of pale pink flowers becoming deep pinkish red, from July to October.
25 cm
AMPLEXICAULIS J. S. CALIENTE’
A clump forming perennial with glowing orange-red bottlebrush flowers for weeks from July.
A clump forming perennial with glowing orange-red bottlebrush flowers for weeks from July.
70 cm
phlox
Most of the phlox we grow apart from are good for the rockery. They form low, often trailing mounds of needle-like leaves, covered in flowers in early spring. They do not seem to thrive in too dry a situation and the Phlox bifida types do well in partial shade. If cut back slightly after flowering it keeps them from getting too woody.
CAESPITOSA
Very tight mound of needle-like foliage, with palest lilac flowers in spring. Likes fairly well-drained soil.
Very tight mound of needle-like foliage, with palest lilac flowers in spring. Likes fairly well-drained soil.
4 cm
CAESPITOSA ‘ZEIGEUNERBLUT’
A compact plant with near blood-red flowers in spring.
A compact plant with near blood-red flowers in spring.
5 cm
DOUGLASII ‘CRACKERJACK’
A compact phlox, making a tight mound of dark green needle-like leaves with red flowers in spring. Ready in May.
A compact phlox, making a tight mound of dark green needle-like leaves with red flowers in spring. Ready in May.
5 cm
DOUGLASII ‘ICE MOUNTAIN’
A compact cushion of leaves with a mass of small white flowers in spring.
A compact cushion of leaves with a mass of small white flowers in spring.
5 cm
DOUGLASII 'WATERLOO'
Forms a tight mound of narrow dark green leaves and intense crimson-red flowers. Prefers well-drained soil. Ready in May.
Forms a tight mound of narrow dark green leaves and intense crimson-red flowers. Prefers well-drained soil. Ready in May.
5 cm
PANICULATA FLAME ‘CORAL’
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Bright coral, scented flowers for weeks from July.
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Bright coral, scented flowers for weeks from July.
40 cm
PANICULATA FLAME ‘VIOLET’
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Lavender-blue, slightly scented flowers for weeks from July.
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Lavender-blue, slightly scented flowers for weeks from July.
40 cm
PANICULATA FLAME ‘WHITE’
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. White flowers for weeks from July.
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. White flowers for weeks from July.
40 cm
PANICULATA FLAME ‘WHITE EYE’
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Scented white flowers, with red centres for weeks from July.
An herbaceous phlox, with a compact habit, useful for later summer colour. Scented white flowers, with red centres for weeks from July.
40 cm
‘PETTICOAT’
Pink flowers with darker markings, in spring. Prefers slightly more neutral soil.
Pink flowers with darker markings, in spring. Prefers slightly more neutral soil.
10 cm
SUBULATA 'ALEXANDER'S SURPRISE'
Pink flowers with darker centres in spring.
Pink flowers with darker centres in spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA 'BAVARIA'
A striking phlox with white flowers and indigo blue centres in spring.
A striking phlox with white flowers and indigo blue centres in spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA ‘LILACINA’
(syn. P. SUB. ‘G. F. WILSON’) Flowers are pale, ice-blue, in spring.
(syn. P. SUB. ‘G. F. WILSON’) Flowers are pale, ice-blue, in spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA 'PURPLE BEAUTY'
Low growing mound covered in lilac-purple flowers in spring.
Low growing mound covered in lilac-purple flowers in spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA ‘SCARLET FLAME’
Dark pink, almost red flowers in spring.
Dark pink, almost red flowers in spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA ‘TAMAONGALEI’
White flowers with radiating pink lines on petals during the spring.
White flowers with radiating pink lines on petals during the spring.
7.5 cm
SUBULATA ‘WHITE DELIGHT’
Low growing trailing mound. White flowers during spring.
Low growing trailing mound. White flowers during spring.
7.5 cm
PHYSOCARPUS
OPULIFOLIUS ‘DIABOLO’
An easy to grow deciduous shrub with striking purple foliage on reddish young stems in spring. Rounded heads of white flowers in early summer. Sun or dappled shade. (PBR)
An easy to grow deciduous shrub with striking purple foliage on reddish young stems in spring. Rounded heads of white flowers in early summer. Sun or dappled shade. (PBR)
2.5 m
picea
GLAUCA ALBERTIANA ‘CONICA’
A neat cone-shaped dwarf evergreen conifer with bright green needle-like leaves. Very slow growing, ours is still only 1.6 m high after fifteen years. Suitable for the larger rockery.
A neat cone-shaped dwarf evergreen conifer with bright green needle-like leaves. Very slow growing, ours is still only 1.6 m high after fifteen years. Suitable for the larger rockery.
2.5 m
pimpinella
MAJOR ‘ROSEA’
Very similar to a pink flowered cow parsley, but with slightly less divided leaves. Dusky pink flowers on upright stems in May and June.
Very similar to a pink flowered cow parsley, but with slightly less divided leaves. Dusky pink flowers on upright stems in May and June.
90 cm
polemonium
CAERULEUM ‘BRISE D’ANJOU’
Upright Jacob’s Ladder with creamy variegated foliage and small violet blue flowers in April-May. It benefits from fairly rich, moist soil. (PBR)
Upright Jacob’s Ladder with creamy variegated foliage and small violet blue flowers in April-May. It benefits from fairly rich, moist soil. (PBR)
40 cm
‘LAMBROOK MAUVE’
Sprawling stems of lilac-mauve flowers on and off throughout summer. Not too dry a situation.
Sprawling stems of lilac-mauve flowers on and off throughout summer. Not too dry a situation.
45 cm
‘NORTHERN LIGHTS’
Upright stems of large blue, scented flowers for weeks, from early summer. Not too dry a situation.
Upright stems of large blue, scented flowers for weeks, from early summer. Not too dry a situation.
50 cm
polygonatum
X HYBRIDUM
‘Solomon’s Seal’. Hanging, cream flowers under arching stems in May. Valuable plant for shade. Harmful if eaten.
‘Solomon’s Seal’. Hanging, cream flowers under arching stems in May. Valuable plant for shade. Harmful if eaten.
80 cm
X HYBRIDUM 'STRIATUM'
Variegated Solomon's Seal. Hanging, cream flowers under arching stems of variegated foliage, in May. A valuable plant for shade.
Variegated Solomon's Seal. Hanging, cream flowers under arching stems of variegated foliage, in May. A valuable plant for shade.
65 cm
POLYSTICHUM
SETIFERUM ‘PLUMOSOMULTILOBUM DENSUM’ (SYN. P. SETIFERUM ‘PLUMOSUM DENSUM’)
Densely divided evergreen fronds. Happy in shade, even dry shade once it has its roots down.
Densely divided evergreen fronds. Happy in shade, even dry shade once it has its roots down.
40 cm
SETIFERUM 'PULCHERRIMUM BEVIS'
An attractive, evergreen fern with lacy arching fronds.
An attractive, evergreen fern with lacy arching fronds.
1 m
potentilla
We only grow the herbaceous varieties – all have strawberry-like leaves, some hairy, some not, with flowers of various colours. Most are long flowering during late spring and summer.
CRANTZII
A low dense mound of green leaves with a mass of golden yellow flowers throughout late spring and summer.
A low dense mound of green leaves with a mass of golden yellow flowers throughout late spring and summer.
7.5 cm
X HOPWOODIANA
Palest pinky-apricot with white, darker pink on outer edge, with deep red eye for months in summer, on trailing stems. Ready in May. (We only ever have a few)
Palest pinky-apricot with white, darker pink on outer edge, with deep red eye for months in summer, on trailing stems. Ready in May. (We only ever have a few)
30 cm
NEPALENSIS ‘MISS WILLMOTT’
Large rich pink flowers with darker centre from mid to late summer, on sprawly stems.
Large rich pink flowers with darker centre from mid to late summer, on sprawly stems.
45 cm
NITIDA ‘RUBRA’
A ground-hugging silver leaved plant, with rich pink flowers in summer. Needs quite a lot of sun to flower well. Prefers well-drained soil.
A ground-hugging silver leaved plant, with rich pink flowers in summer. Needs quite a lot of sun to flower well. Prefers well-drained soil.
5 cm
recta var. sulphurea
Branching stems of pale yellow flowers, from mid June to autumn. Cut down if gets scruffy, will send up new flowers.
Branching stems of pale yellow flowers, from mid June to autumn. Cut down if gets scruffy, will send up new flowers.
75 cm
RUPESTRIS
Red tinted, branching stems of clear white flowers with small yellow eye from May to July.
Red tinted, branching stems of clear white flowers with small yellow eye from May to July.
45 cm
THURBERI
Sprawly stems of single, deep crimson flowers from July.
Sprawly stems of single, deep crimson flowers from July.
30 cm
X TONGUEI
Peachy-apricot flowers with a deep carmine-red eye in summer, on sprawling stems. Very popular.
Peachy-apricot flowers with a deep carmine-red eye in summer, on sprawling stems. Very popular.
12 cm
PRATIA
PEDUNCULATA ‘COUNTY PARK’
Ground-hugging carpet of green leaves, covered in dark blue flowers in summer. Benefits from moist humus-rich soil. If happy can be a bit invasive.
Ground-hugging carpet of green leaves, covered in dark blue flowers in summer. Benefits from moist humus-rich soil. If happy can be a bit invasive.
1 cm
primula
Most Primulas benefit from being divided every two or three years.
AURICULA 'MARIE CROUSSE'
Double, dark purple flowers in spring.
Double, dark purple flowers in spring.
10 cm
'CHESHIRE LIFE'
Reminds Steve of his roots! Quite similar to an oxslip, with a mass of smallish primrose yellow flowers in clusters on top of stems, flowers for weeks from spring. Sun or dappled shade, not too dry.
Reminds Steve of his roots! Quite similar to an oxslip, with a mass of smallish primrose yellow flowers in clusters on top of stems, flowers for weeks from spring. Sun or dappled shade, not too dry.
15 cm
CHUNGENSIS
A candelabra primula with whorls of reddish buds that open into orange flowers in midsummer. Likes moisture-retentive soils.
A candelabra primula with whorls of reddish buds that open into orange flowers in midsummer. Likes moisture-retentive soils.
45 cm
GOLD LACED GROUP
Clusters of deepest maroon flowers edged in creamy gold around the petals in late winter and early spring.
Clusters of deepest maroon flowers edged in creamy gold around the petals in late winter and early spring.
15 cm
'INNISFREE'
A striking primula with purple foliage and dark red flowers with small yellow centres, for weeks from early spring.
A striking primula with purple foliage and dark red flowers with small yellow centres, for weeks from early spring.
15 cm
‘LEMON AND LIME’
Double cream flowers with very fine green edging to edge of petals, in spring.
Double cream flowers with very fine green edging to edge of petals, in spring.
10 cm
MARGINATA' KESSELRING'S VARIETY'
Auricula-like leaves, with mauve flowers in spring
Auricula-like leaves, with mauve flowers in spring
5 cm
X PUBESCENS ‘CHRISTINE’
Auricula-like foliage. Maroon flowers at odd times during the year!
Auricula-like foliage. Maroon flowers at odd times during the year!
5 cm
X PUBESCENS 'HARLOW CARR'
Auricula-like foliage with soft ivory-white flowers that age a palest lilac-cream, in spring.
Auricula-like foliage with soft ivory-white flowers that age a palest lilac-cream, in spring.
5 cm
PULVERULENTA
A tall candelabra primula with cerise pink flowers on white bloomed stems from late spring to early summer. Likes moisture retentive soil.
A tall candelabra primula with cerise pink flowers on white bloomed stems from late spring to early summer. Likes moisture retentive soil.
90 cm
VERIS
‘Cowslip’. Naturalises well in short grass. Yellow flowers in April and May.
‘Cowslip’. Naturalises well in short grass. Yellow flowers in April and May.
15 cm
VERIS 'KATY MCSPARRON'
Double flowered form of the wild cowslip. Clusters of double yellow flowers in spring.
Double flowered form of the wild cowslip. Clusters of double yellow flowers in spring.
20 cm
VULGARIS
Wild primrose, grown from seed. Needs no description.
Wild primrose, grown from seed. Needs no description.
10 cm
prunus
INCISA ‘KOJO-NO-MAI’
Makes a rounded shrub covered in beautiful palest pink, almost white flowers in April, always commented on! Good coloured foliage in spring and autumn. Ours is only 1 metre high after fifteen years so very slow growing.
Makes a rounded shrub covered in beautiful palest pink, almost white flowers in April, always commented on! Good coloured foliage in spring and autumn. Ours is only 1 metre high after fifteen years so very slow growing.
pterocephalus
PERENNIS (syn. P. PARNASSI)
Pale green felty foliage with round heads of pretty pink scabious-like flowers in summer. Makes a large carpet.
Pale green felty foliage with round heads of pretty pink scabious-like flowers in summer. Makes a large carpet.
10 cm
pulmonaria
Otherwise known as ‘Lungwort’. They like a moist soil in sun or shade. After flowering, they can be cut right back to promote fresh new leaves, which provide useful groundcover. They flower in late winter to early spring, providing valuable early nectar for bees.
'BLAKE'S SILVER'
Wonderful silver-grey foliage which offsets the pink flowers, during late winter and spring.
Wonderful silver-grey foliage which offsets the pink flowers, during late winter and spring.
25 cm
'BLUE ENSIGN’
A good blue form, with plain green leaves.
A good blue form, with plain green leaves.
25 cm
'DIANA CLARE'
Good all silver foliage, with large violet-blue flowers in late winter, early spring.
Good all silver foliage, with large violet-blue flowers in late winter, early spring.
25 cm
'OPAL' (syn. P. 'OCUPOL')
Green foliage with silver markings, and beautiful pale blue flowers from late winter and early spring.
Green foliage with silver markings, and beautiful pale blue flowers from late winter and early spring.
25 cm
SACCHARATA ‘LEOPARD’
Pinky brick-red flowers from late winter to spring, over silver spotted foliage.
Pinky brick-red flowers from late winter to spring, over silver spotted foliage.
30 cm
pulsatilla
All Pulsatillas are harmful if eaten.
VULGARIS
‘Pasque flower’. Purple, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April, followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
‘Pasque flower’. Purple, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April, followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
15 cm
VULGARIS ‘ALBA’
White, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April. Followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
White, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April. Followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
15 cm
VULGARIS PINK-FLOWERED
‘Pasque flower’. Soft pink, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April. Followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
‘Pasque flower’. Soft pink, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April. Followed by fluffy seed heads in June.
15 cm
VULGARIS var. RUBRA
Red ‘Pasque flower’. Red, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April; form beautiful fluffy seed heads in June.
Red ‘Pasque flower’. Red, slightly nodding heads of flowers in March and April; form beautiful fluffy seed heads in June.
15 cm