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.

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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.

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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.

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.

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.

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

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.

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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 Endless Black Steel Zambia

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

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.