Very ornamental deciduous shrub or small tree with erect branches and upright habit. Foliage rounded or oblong opening coppery red turning soft green in summer, richly coloured red and orange in autumn. Smothered with white flowers on upright racemes in May. Raised by Graham Hutchins at Country Park Nursery, Hornchurch in Essex.Height and spread: Height 15ft (4.6m) spread 4ft (120cm). Position: Best grown in a sunny and sheltered spot. Hardy down to -5C (23F). Perfect with... Try planting with shrubby Lavatera, taller Dahlias, herbaceous Malva and hardy Hibiscus. Alyogyne growing tips: This plant requires reasonably fertile, free-draining soil to prosper. Flowering can be encouraged by feeding the plants in the spring with a high potash fertiliser such as Sulphate of Potash or liquid fertiliser Tomorite.
AVAILABILITY: Click on Check Availability to check stock. Items marked Pg (Pot grown) are normally available all year round.
This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.
This excellent, hardy, high-yielding, variety produces bright green spears with deep purple tips. This hybrid has excellent botrytis (grey mould) resistance.Height and Spread: 90cm x 60cm (3ft x 2ft). Position: Full sun. Perfect with... steamed and just add butter! Bred by... Limseeds in Holland. Asparagus growing tips: Plant the pot-grown plant as normal; make sure they are planted to the same depth as they are in the pot. The soil where they are to be grown should be well-prepared working in liberal amounts of compost as good drainage and a rich soil is essential for this crop. Weed clearance is also important as planted asparagus beds need no further stress from other plants. The plants will take a full season to fully establish and you can start cropping (sparingly) from the second year of planting. A well-set up asparagus bed can produce superb crops for a decade or more!
This is another step forward in asparagus breeding as this variety produces high yields of uniform, purple spears which are typically richer in antioxidants than traditional green asparagus. It is also much sweeter than other varieties.Height and Spread: 90cm x 60cm (3ft x 2ft). Position: Full sun. Perfect with... and just add butter! Bred by... An American selection of the variety 'Violetto d'Albenga' (Italian breeder). Asparagus growing tips: Plant the pot-grown plant as normal; making sure they are planted to the same depth that they are in the pot. The soil where they are to be grown should be well-prepared working in generous amounts of garden compost or planting compost as good drainage and a rich soil is essential for this crop. Weed clearance is also important as planted asparagus beds must have no stress from other plants. The plants will take a full season to fully establish and you can start cropping (sparingly) from the second year of planting. A well-set up asparagus bed can produce superb crops for a decade or more! Cropping normally commences on April 23rd and ends on Midsummer Day (usually around the middle of June), but these date are always approximate!
A dense, compact, hardy, evergreen shrub with beautifully even branched stems. Incredibly floriferous; the shrub produces flowers not just once, but twice a year with a profusion of white fragrant flowers which are attractive to bees. The shrub is hardy down to -8C (18F).Height and Spread: 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3ft). Position: Full sun, but tolerates partial shade, well-drained soil. Perfect with...associating with other shrubs, in patio containers, mixed border plantings and even used for a small informal hedge. Bred by...Former Hillier propagator, Peter Moore, from Longstock Park Nursery, developed and bred this variety. 'White Dazzler' is a hybrid between Choisya dumosa and Peter's earlier and hugely successful variety Choisya 'Aztec Pearl'. It was awarded the Top New Plant Introduction Prize at the leading UK Trade Show (Four Oaks) in 2008. Choisya growing tips: A low maintenance shrub, tidy the plant after flowering and simply trim to shape, if required, during the summer months. A granular feed of Vitax Q4 in spring will ensure plants are kept healthy and vigorous.
A lovely evergreen with vivid purple brown foliage in spring and early summer, appearing to have a 'sheen' of olive oil over the leaf. Hardy in the UK down to - 8C (18F). The name Coprosma means 'smelling like dung' and refers to the smell (methanethiol) given out by the crushed leaves, so avoid doing this! Raised by Graham Hutchins at Country Park Nursery, Hornchurch in Essex.Height and Spread: 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3ft). Position: Prospers best in well-drained soil in full sun. This plant requires a sheltered spot, out of cold prevailing winds. Protect with horticultural fleece in very frosty weather. Perfect with... This plant makes a perfect backdrop to hot pinks, orange and yellow flowering perennials and shrubs such as Potentilla and foliage Hebes. Coprosma growing tips: If growing in a pot, do make sure the compost is gritty and free-draining as too much moisture surrounding the roots could cause problems. Likewise, in the open border, incorporate generous amounts of horticultural grit into the soil, especially if clayey and on the heavy side. Light sandy soils will need some moisture-retention added, so garden compost or well-rotted manure could be worked into the soil to achieve this.
A truly outstanding new plant, discovered on John Woods Nursery, Woodbridge in Suffolk, as a sport of Coprosma 'Pacific Night'. The evergreen foliage has the same glossy depth of colour as 'Pacific Night', but is variegated with tones of bright coral contrasting with deep purple. The colour is most intense in spring and again in late autumn. With its neat habit, it is the perfect choice for patio containers and will prove a hit for those gardeners who like reliable, easy-care container plants. Hardy in the UK down to - 8C (18F). The name Coprosma means smelling like dung and refers to the smell (methanethiol) given out by the crushed leaves, so avoid doing this! Discovered by John Woods Nursery, Woodbridge in Suffolk.Height and Spread: 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3m). Position: Prospers best in well-drained soil in full sun. This plant requires a sheltered spot, out of cold prevailing winds. Protect with horticultural fleece in very frosty weather. Perfect with... This plant makes a perfect backdrop to hot pinks, orange and yellow flowering perennials and shrubs such as Potentilla and foliage Hebes. Coprosma growing tips: See Coprosma Pacific Night
The slender, upright, sword-like leaves are striped in grey-green, pink shades, brown and almost white with rich pink margins. It's not a quick grower, rarely reaches more than 1.2m (4ft) in five years, and has very short internodes (the length of stem between the leaves) - all qualities which make it ideally suited for containers. Its distinctive look makes it a good choice if you are looking for an impressive standalone centre piece in the garden too! Once the tree has reached maturity, large panicles of small, sweet-scented flowers can be produced in late spring to summer. Bred by... Cordyline 'Southern Splendour' arose in New Zealand over 10 years ago as a variegated sport of the well-known Cordyline 'Red Star'.Height and Spread: Ultimate 5m x 1m (15ft x 3ft). Keeping the plant in a pot will effectively 'bonsai' the roots and keeps the plant smaller. Position: A well-lit area of the garden is essential for this highly variegated foliage plant. The soil should be well-worked and if heavy improve by adding generous amounts (about a 2-gallon bucket is sufficient) of horticultural grit into the soil and planting hole and mix it well. This plant is also excellent in coastal sites. Perfect with... Purple Leaved Ajuga or the lime-green cascading foliage of Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight' if grown in a pot. If planted out into the garden, underplant with striking red or orange Pelargoniums (geraniums) or groundcover Lady's Mantle. Corydline growing tips: Despite its tropical appearance, this plant benefits from watering, especially in its first couple of growing seasons to help aid strong root establishment. You will find most growth will develop in spring and early summer after the plant comes out of winter dormancy. Apply some slow-release plant fertiliser such as Osmocote around the base of the plant in April as this will ensure strong, healthy growth. In very cold weather, the leaves can be protected using a horticultural fleece tube pulled over the plant.
This shrub is fast-growing, hardy, and very attractive. Its name describes perfectly the showy variegated foliage of the previously little known dwarf bush honeysuckle. The subtle yellow flowers look effective against the cooling green and white foliage. Although the blooms will not stop traffic, the foliage certainly is stunning. It performs best in partial shade where the white variegations are most welcome, bringing light to dim corners of the garden. In colder areas, it holds its foliage late, a real bonus when early cold snaps bring a quick end to the garden season. Bred by... Dr. Peter Podaras found a variegated mutation on a branch growing at Cornel University, New York State. He successfully propagated it, and it proved to be reliable with good vigour. It was taken up with US nurserymen and it has been recently introduced to the UK.Height and Spread: 90cm x 90cm (3ft x 3ft) in five years. Position: Sun or partial dry shade and good drainage around its roots. Perfect with... work in with shade-loving Bergenia, Hosta and the Shuttlecock Fern. Diervilla growing tips: This is a very undemanding plant. It will spread by underground rhizomes and can be pruned in early spring to keep growth neat and compact.
UK grown, potted, pure white bulbs with an elegant bouquet. Suitable for autumn and spring plantings. Excellent storing qualities so will store well into the New Year.Height and Spread: Plants attain upwards of 60-75cm (2-2.5ft) in rows. Position: A bright spot in any well-drained reasonably well-worked soil will suffice for this crop. Perfect with... Garlic makes a perfect companion plant as it has natural fungicidal and pesticidal properties. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which when crushed acts like a natural pesticide to help deter aphids. The smell is also good for masking the smell of carrots thus deterring carrot fly, so planting garlic close by is a clever move. Add to butter for that perfect garlic bread. ‘Garlic is the future’ according to top comic Peter Kay! Bred by... a relatively new introduction originating from SW France. Garlic growing tips: A strong growing variety in every sense of the word! This variety’s strong scent acts as a perfect insect repellant in the vegetable garden. Planting depth 5cm (2in) and space them at 15cm (6in) apart. The bulb, when harvested, can easily be split into separate cloves and grown on individually in the vegetable plot for the following season.
This perennial thistle grows tall with arching, deeply lobed, silver-green leaves making it highly decorative as well as productive. The flowers develop a large head from an edible bud and this is split into two portions, the lower fleshy 'heart' and the immature inedible florets called the 'choke'. Crop the flowers in August or September. Height and Spread: 1.5-2m x 1.8m (5-6.5ft x 6ft). Position: Sunny, sheltered, location in light or well-worked soil. Good drainage is essential if you plan to establish in clay soils. Flowers are perfect with… melted butter, vinaigrette or hollandaise sauce. Artichoke growing tips: Ideally, this plant requires a permanent bed to grow and develop, mulching annually with garden compost or well-rotted manure will keep the plant strong and productive.
This is an oriental hybrid hellebore which forms masses of incredible double, snow white double blooms in winter and early spring. They flower best when they've had a little frosting, certainly milder winters can mean fewer blooms initiating. Bred by... Named after Mrs Betty Ranicar, a fine Tasmanian plantswomen.Height and Spread: 30-60cm (1-2ft). Position: Hellebores like moist loamy soil with a little lime and leaf mold incorporated into the soil. You can successfully use them as ground cover around the base of deciduous shrubs, conifers, or broad-leafed evergreens, and when possible try and plant them in an elevated spot to admire their nodding flowers. Perfect with... why not underplant with bright and vivid spring bulbs in a shady border. Helleborus growing tips: Avoid giving these plants fertiliser in their dormant period (April-August), but wait until cooler conditions return and then give them a good balanced granular fertiliser such as Vitax Q4 or Toprose. Apply the fertiliser and water well in and that should help promote strong new flowering growth.
Best described as a rare, double pink pleated hellebore, which makes it hugely unusual and highly desirable amongst hellebore aficionados, creating a fantastic display in late winter into spring. Bred by... The Amazing Breeding Company, outside Europe but Dutch sourced by nurserymen Bartels Stek.Height and Spread: 60cm x 60cm (2ft x 2ft). Position: Hellebores like moist loamy soil with a little lime and leaf mold incorporated into the soil. You can successfully use them as ground cover around the base of deciduous shrubs, conifers, or broad-leafed evergreens, and when possible try and plant them in an elevated spot to admire their nodding flowers. Perfect with... why not underplant with bright and vivid spring bulbs in a shady border? Helleborus growing tips: See Helleborus orientalis Betty Ranicar
A showy heuchera with robust, white-veiled foliage with slightly ruffled edges. The intense deep-red bell-shaped wand-like flowers form on short stalks and it flowers profusely from April to August. (a true re-bloomer).Height and Spread:35cm x 30cm (13in x 12in). Position: Full sun to partial shade. Perfect with...blends effortlessly with most other perennial plants, good to grow alongside garden pathways, or grow in pots to make individual statements. Heuchera growing tips: Generally you will get the best leaf colour if plants are grown in partial shade, however, if you do plant in full sunshine, do make sure the soil is consistently moist. We would recommend mulching around these plants in late autumn, before the soil becomes too cold. Regularly deadhead the flower spikes to encourage further flowers.
Red mophead blooms on highly attractive and interesting black stems, which look glorious on frosty mornings.Height and Spread: 1m (3ft). Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant is prone to wilting. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea receives shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Hydrangea growing tips: The soil should be well-improved at planting so it remains moist throughout the growing season. On dry, sandy soils mulching would be recommended. The hydrangea flower colour is dependent on soils; pink blooms in alkaline soil and blue blooms in acidic soil. You can use Hydrangea colourant (a copper-based product) to add to your soil at planting to keep your plants flowers blue, but this will need to be done regularly. You can leave the spent faded blooms on throughout the winter as they provide useful protection from hard frosts (this help protects the growing tips) and resourcefully the birds will harvest the spent flower heads for nesting material in late winter.
Pure white mophead blooms on highly attractive and interesting black stems, which look glorious on frosty mornings.Height and Spread: 1m (3ft). Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant is prone to wilting. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea receives shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Often hydrangeas are grown in groups together and as they flower from May through to October. They look fabulous en mass. Hydrangea growing tips: See Hydrangea Black Steel Zambia
Fantastic large mophead blue blooms are a real showstopper, and incredibly they flower all summer long on both old and new wood. Bred by... Bailey Nurseries, in the US, discovered the Endless Summer Hydrangea, but it was leading hydrangea expert, Dr. Michael Dirr, who developed and helped launch this plant in 2004.Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft). Produces a nicely rounded shrub but can be kept smaller by pruning back in late summer. Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant may wilt. It will also flower on new basal shoots which make it ideal for gardens subject to frost. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea will receive shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Often hydrangeas are grown in groups together and as they flower from May through until October. They look fabulous en mass. Hydrangea growing tips: See Hydrangea Endless Black Steel Zambia
Fantastic large mophead pink blooms are a real showstopper, and incredibly they flower all summer long on both old and new wood. Bred by... Bailey Nurseries, in the US, discovered the Endless Summer Hydrangea, but it was leading hydrangea expert, Dr. Michael Dirr, who developed and helped launch this plant in 2004.Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft). Produces a nicely rounded shrub which can be kept smaller by pruning back in late summer. Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant may wilt. It will also flower on new basal shoots which make it ideal for gardens subject to frost. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea will receive shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Often hydrangeas are grown in groups together and as they flower from May through until October. They look fabulous en mass. Hydrangea growing tips: See Hydrangea Endless Black Steel Zambia
Fantastic large lacecap white blooms are a real showstopper, and incredibly they flower all summer long on both old and new wood. Bred by... Bailey Nurseries, in the US, discovered the Endless Summer Hydrangea, but it was leading hydrangea expert, Dr. Michael Dirr, who developed and helped launch this variety in 2007.Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft). Produces a nicely rounded shrub which can be kept smaller by pruning back in late summer. Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant may wilt. It will also flower on new basal shoots which make it ideal for gardens subject to frost. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea will receive shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Often hydrangeas are grown in groups together and as they flower from May through until October. They look fabulous en mass. Hydrangea growing tips: See Hydrangea Endless Black Steel Zambia
Hydrangea 'Twist-n-Shout' is the latest release from the 'Endless Summer' Collection. This is one of the new repeat-blooming lacecap hydrangeas, so effective as it flowers on both old and new growth all summer long, hence the series name of 'Endless Summer'. The gorgeous blooms are rose-pink or periwinkle blue, depending upon your soil type and neatly encircle the blooms that feature a distinct lacy deep pink centre to the flower. Bred by... Bailey Nurseries, in the US, discovered the Endless Summer Hydrangea, but it was leading hydrangea expert, Dr. Michael Dirr, who developed and helped launch this plant in 2009.Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft). Produces a nicely rounded shrub but can be kept smaller by pruning back in late summer. Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant may wilt. It will also flower on new basal shoots which make it ideal for gardens subject to frost. Perfect with... other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea will receive shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Often hydrangeas are grown in groups together and as they flower from May through until October. They look fabulous en mass. Hydrangea growing tips: See Hydrangea Endless Black Steel Zambia
Now here's a hydrangea which flowers profusely but does it at a much shorter height, at around 3ft (1m) rather than the usual 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m). The 15cm (6in) mophead blooms are in wonderful shades of rosy-pink that deepens as the flowers age. 'Pia' is one of the few hydrangeas that stay pink under conditions that would turn most hydrangeas blue.Height and Spread: 1m x 1.2m (3ft x 4ft). Position: Does best in partial shade, as in full sun the flowers are prone to fade and the plant is likely to wilt. Perfect with...other garden plants in mixed borders where the hydrangea receives shade from other shrubs and small trees. This variety makes a great standalone feature in a large container in shade. Hydrangea growing tips: The soil should be well-improved at planting so it remains moist throughout the growing season. On dry, sandy soils mulching would be recommended. You can leave the spent, faded, blooms on throughout the winter as they provide useful protection to the growing tips from hard frosts and resourcefully the birds will harvest the spent flower heads for nesting material in late winter.
A stunning hydrangea with a twist: the satin-white cone-shaped flowers turn shades of pink as they age. Easy to grow and remarkably tough, bushy, shrubby plant which is hardy down to -20°C (-4°F). The colouration can vary on soil types, growing conditions and climate.Height and Spread:1.8m x 1.5m (6ft x 5ft). Position: Sun or half shade, and will even thrive in north-facing situations! Try to shelter from cold winter winds, if possible. Perfect with...a useful shrub to mix with other plants, or even for creating a really unusual informal hedge line. Bred by...Sapho, a French grower, introduced it into the UK in 2007. A Bronze Medal winner at the Plantarium Plant Exhibition in 2006 (Boskoop, Holland). Hydrangea growing tips: Hard pruning late in the summer will ensure bigger flowers and improve the overall shape and limit height. Try and remove older stems, later in the summer, to encourage fresh growth. ‘Vanille Fraise’ is one of the few hydrangeas which can be cut back hard at the end of winter and blooms on new wood. However, never cut wood back which is older than two years as it will not make new growth. The hydrangea flower colour is dependent on soil types; pink blooms in alkaline soil and blue blooms in acidic soil. You can use Hydrangea colourant (a copper-based product) to add to your soil at planting to keep your plants flowers blue, but this will need to be done regularly.
Also known by the names sunroot or sunchoke; in fact it is a relative of the sunflower hence its Latin name, Helianthus tuberosus. It is the tuber that is the delicious part of the plant and it is said to have been named by the French explorer, Samuel de Champain. However, it is also thought that that 'Jerusalem' is a corruption of the Italian 'girasole' which means sunflower, and that it was called an artichoke because of the similarity of the flavour of the tubers to globe artichokes. The knobbly tubers are distinct in their look and flavour. Affectionately called fartichokes, as they can have that effect on some people! The Jerusalem artichoke was titled 'best soup vegetable' in the 2002 Nice Festival for the heritage of the French cuisine!Height and Spread: 1.5-3m x 90cm (5-10ft x 3ft). This is an herbaceous perennial so it naturally dies down through the winter. Position: An open location suits them best, in full sun or partial shade. Perfect with... you can cook these in much the same way as potatoes or parsnips and are excellent roasted, sautéed or dipped in batter and fried, or even puréed to make a wholesome soup. Jerusalem artichoke growing tips: Just like potatoes use a hoe to earth-up the base of the stems when the plants reach 30cm (12in) high. Keep plants moist in dry weather. Support the crop with canes to help reduce wind damage from the autumn winds. Remove any flowers that form. The tubers are best left in the ground and harvested when wanted. Any tubers remaining in the ground will shoot again the following season.
We are all familiar with the popular bleeding heart with its green foliage and dark-pink heart lockets, but the twist here is that new shoots of 'Gold Heart' are a dazzling bronze-yellow as they emerge, then turning bright golden-yellow and then lime-green in midsummer. This unique colour change only occurs if they stay in a shaded position. Bred by... Selected and developed by Nori Pope at Hadspen Garden and Nursery in Castle Cary, Somerset.Height and Spread: 1.2m x 45cm (4ft x 18in). This plant will die-back to soil level in late summer so why not associate with plants which will mask the 'Gold Heart' after it has finished its early display? Position: Partial shade. Perfect with... perfect foil if set against other dark leaved perennials such as Heucheras, Ajuga and perennial Lobelia with flower or foliage interest. Dicentra growing tips: Prefers a fertile, moist, well-drained soil well-worked with compost. We would recommend deadheading the blooms as they fade to encourage further flushes. As the plants emerge, protect the new tips with some preventative control if snails and slugs are a problem in the garden.
A compact evergreen perennial with very bright, eye-catching, weeping foliage. The leaves are green with a prominent, golden yellow, central strip tinged orange in areas. In mid-spring it produces masses of pure white, star-like flowers in clusters just above the vibrant foliage followed by attractive large yellow berries in autumn. This is a very hardy plant down to a temperature of -18°C (0°F).Height and Spread: 60cm (24in). Position:Full sun or semi-shade. Prefers a moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Perfect with...other low-growing herbaceous plants and ornamental grasses. Bred by ... Native New Zealand plant introduced into the UK in 2003. Libertia growing tips: Feed in spring with a fertiliser such as Vitax Q4, sprinkled around the base of the plant. If grown in a pot do make sure there is good drainage in the base of the container.
An evergreen perennial with eye-catching green to red-bronze upright, narrow leaves. White flowers, on stems shorter than the leaves, nestle neatly in the foliage in spring. Attractive burnt orange berries follow in the autumn.Height and Spread: 75cm (2.5ft). Position: Full sun or semi-shade. Prefers a moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Perfect with...other herbaceous plants or in mixed borders. Looks good when combined with ground-hugging drifts of heuchera and heucherella. Bred by ... a New Zealand discovery. Libertia growing tips: Feed in spring with a fertiliser such as Vitax Q4, sprinkled around the base of the plant. If grown in a pot do make sure there is good drainage in the base of the container.
A neat, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with arching, strap-like, glossy green leaves which produces deep rich purple flowers in autumn, followed by purple berries.Height and Spread: 30cm x 45cm (12ins x 18ins). Position: A partial to fully shaded location preferred. Perfect with...other liriopes, heuchera, periwinkles and blue fescue grasses. Liriope growing tips:Preferably plant in slightly acid soil which must be well-drained. You can cut back growth in the spring to encourage fresh growth. This plant has a good weed suppressive rating. Once established, liriope is drought tolerant.
Highly attractive dark-leaved Phormium, neatly compact at only 75cm (30in) high, and with much narrower leaves when compared to many varieties seen at the Garden Centre.Height and Spread: Up to 75cm (2.5ft). Position: Sun or partial shade. Perfect with... as a standalone, in containers or as a feature plant planted directly into the soil. You can underplant successfully with dwarf bulbs such as daffodils, snowdrops and scillas and even the dark-leaved dahlias can provide a great exotic look! Bred by...Spotted four years ago as a rogue seedling from possibly Phormium tenax ‘Atropurpureum’ by nurseryman Neil Alcock of Seiont Nurseries in North Wales. Phormium growing tips: They are remarkably tough, and do well in most gardens. Do make sure you give the plant a good start by working and improving the soil prior to planting. On heavy soils, work some horticultural grit into the soil to help drainage. Placing large stones or boulders around the plants is often a good way of displaying them as well as having the advantage of helping plant growth by reflecting light and heat on to their foliage.
An evergreen ericeous (this plant is lime-hating) plant with highly attractive small variegated leaves, which are white edged and turn pink in winter. In spring it has bright red new growth followed by ivory-white Lily-of the Valley like flowers. Bred by... One specimen of Pieris 'Mountain Fire' showed unusual variegation at the G. van Santvoort Nursery in Holland. This particular plant was carefully selected and developed and named 'Carnaval' in 1996 and awarded Gold Medal Winner, a prestigious award, in 1999 by The Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society.Height and Spread: 1.5m (5ft). This is the ultimate height and it would take between 5-10 years to reach maturity. Like all Pieris, 'Carnaval' responds well to light pruning in late spring to keep in shape. Position: Will grow in full sun, or partial shade. Perfect with... makes a splendid container plant, but equally impressive in mixed borders with other acid-loving plants. Pieris also work well on the edge of woodlands with acid soils. Pieris growing tips: Grows best in moderately fertile, humus-rich, acidic soil. Young plants may need a little protection with horticultural fleece in the winter until established.
A spreading, deciduous, rounded, shrub or small tree (in time) with crooked, dense, twiggy branches carrying masses of small pure white flowers, studded with pink in March and into early April. The serrated green leaves undergo a lovely colour change turning bronze to crimson in the autumn. The plant often produces dark purple fruits in late autumn. The overall compactness of this plant makes it ideal for the smallest of gardens, as a container plant, or for a Japanese-themed garden.Height and Spread: Up to 2m (6ft) but is incredibly slow growing; it can take up to 50 years to reach full maturity! Position: Full sun but will tolerate semi-shade or at least shelter if placed near to larger trees and shrubs. Perfect with... associates well with the corkscrew hazel and the purple foliage of Cotinus Royal Purple. A good companion when in full flower would be Scilla siberica or the early grape hyacinth, Muscari. Bred by...Found growing wild on the volcanic slopes of Mount Fuji. Prunus growing tips: This is a really easy-to-grow plant. Work plenty of organic material (planting compost or well-rotted manure) into planting hole together with some bonemeal. You can prune lightly directly after flowering to maintain shape as well as cutting back to healthy wood any dead or diseased branches and also cutting out any that cross.
Hardy, upright growing variety with small, mid-blue flowers set against short, dark green, ginger-scented, needle-shaped leaves. This variety has an excellent compact habit as well as extraordinary culinary flavour.Height and Spread: 60cm (24in). Position: Full sun essential. Can be grown in open borders, or grow it in a container. Perfect with...planting with your favourite herbs, including parsley, sage and thyme. Bred by ... Native New Zealand plant introduced into the UK in 2003. Rosemary growing tips:Fast-draining soil is essential. Heavy soils should be well-worked and grit added. Rosemary can be used fresh or dried for flavouring many dishes and dried is excellent in stuffings. You can use the flowers in salads.
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