PRICES: The plants in this catalogue are not priced. Prices vary according to size, rarity, difficulty of propagation and stocks available. As a general rule, well-rooted plants in the following sizes fall within the price range shown, larger sizes occasionally available.

2 3/4" (7cm) diameter £1.50 - £2.50

4" (10cm) diameter £2.50 - £3.50

5" (13cm) diameter (= 1 litre) £3.00 - £4.50

6 1/2" (= 2 litres) £4.00 - £7.00

SEEDS: £1.50 per packet plus 50p for postage.

MAIL ORDER: reluctantly undertaken (October to March only). If you cannot visit, please send a list of the plants you want with your name, address and phone number and a cheque made out to Derry Watkins. Across the cheque write "not more than £25" or whatever amount you think it will come to (minimum plant value: £10 plus delivery: £9.50). I will fill in the date and the exact amount according to what plants and what sizes are in stock, adding on £9.50 for handling and next day delivery. If orders are very small (ie mostly rooted cuttings) I may send by post for less. I send the smallest size available unless instructed otherwise. If you order in autumn, I may well hold onto your order until spring if more of the plants will be available then. Please let me know when you will be away on holiday so the plants don’t sit on your doorstep for weeks. To avoid all this hassle, I can also deliver to shows, which I do all over the country in spring and summer. Please ask for list of shows.

GARDEN VISITING: Our new garden will be open for the NGS on three Tuesday afternoons in 1999: June 15, July 20 and August 17. Private and group visits welcome on other days by arrangement.

LECTURES: In autumn and winter I lecture on gardening subjects to groups within fifty miles. COURSES: In autumn I teach one day gardening courses at the nursery (see back cover of this catalogue).

HOURS: From March to September we are open from ll to 3 daily at least. When I am at home the nursery is open from 10 to 5 daily. From October through February it is a good idea to ring, though I am usually here. There is a map inside the back cover.

Derry Watkins

SPECIAL PLANTS

Greenways Lane

near Cold Ashton

Chippenham

Wiltshire SN14 8LA

Phone: Bath (01225) 891686

E-mail:derry@sclegg.demon.co.uk

 

SECTION I: TENDER PERENNIAL PLANTS page 2

SECTION II: HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS page 7

 

 

TENDER PERENNIALS: Plants in this section are all tender, that is they will not survive freezing, but they are perennial, that is they will live for many years provided they do not freeze. Unless noted otherwise all tender perennials like sun and good drainage. They will bloom all summer long, normally from late May to October. They need frost protection but not heat in winter (I try to keep them above 35oF, but they survive 28oF from time to time). Many will bloom all winter if kept above 45 oF.

Virtually all tender perennials are extremely easy to root from cuttings. Cuttings rooted in autumn and overwintered in the original pot take almost no room. Keep them cold (but not freezing), dry and hungry all winter. The more stunted they are, the better they will survive and the sturdier the resulting plants will be. Pot them up in March and probably again at the end of April. Be nice to them in the spring and they will then grow extremely fast, giving you big flowering plants to put outside at the end of May.

BH BORDERLINE HARDY: Those plants marked BH will stand some frost and have a better than 50/50 chance of surviving outside in a sheltered position, especially if the drainage is good and you mulch the base of the plant. So leave the big plant in the ground and take a few cuttings inside as an insurance policy. Again, they like plenty of sun unless noted otherwise. Some borderline hardy plants are listed in the Hardy section.

* NEW INTRODUCTIONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA are marked with a *. In 1993 I spent three months in South Africa on a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship, looking for new plants to introduce into horticulture in England. It would be safest to assume the plants I brought back from this trip are tender as we have no experience of growing them outside in this country. Please let me know if you have success wintering them over outdoors. In 1997 I spent two weeks collecting seed in the Drakensberg and Lesutho. Most of these seeds were collected at over 8,000ft, and many at over 10,000ft where it frequently freezes overnight. Many of these should be hardy in England.

 

þ SEEDS are available of varieties marked þ . Cost: £1.50/packet + 50p postage.

 

 

TENDER PERENNIAL PLANTS

* – new introduction from South Africa

þ – available as seed, £1.50/packet

Y – RHS Award of Garden Merit

BH – borderline hardy

Alonsoa (was Diascia) unilabiata þ South African annual, avoid overwatering 10"

dark pink flowers with evil little fangs, rewards close inspection

Alyogyne an Australian form of Hibiscus, stunning conservatory plants 4-5ft

A. hakeifolia þ thin almost leafless stems, enormous translucent lavender flowers

A. huegelii ‘Santa Cruz’þ tall arching stems, enormous glistening lavender flowers

*Anisodontea elegans shrubby, blooms profusely in spring and a bit in autumn 36"

spectacular large satin-pink wagonwheel shaped flowers on small grey leaves

Arctotis (=Venidio-Arctotis) ‘Flame’ -Cape Daisy- loves sun 12"

coppery red shining daisies, grey leaves

Argyranthemum ‘Summer Melody’ best of new Marguerites 18"

compact green bush covered in delightful pale pink flattened pom-poms

Astelia banksii (I think) BH fat clump of very silver arching narrow leaves 15"

Azorina see Campanula vidalii

Begonia maculata ‘Wightii’ good houseplant, fast-growing, self-supporting 6ft

silver spotted leaves, pink flowers yearround, showy pink seedpods, bamboo-like stems

Campanula isophylla ‘Mayi’ –variegated Star of Bethlehem– Y 9"

trailing stems, white variegated leaves, purply-blue flowers, pale pink furry new growth

Campanula vidallii (=Azorina vidallii) þ shrubby Campanula from Canaries 24"

shiny evergreen leaves on stout trunk, large waxy pale pink bells, avoid winter wet

Canna big bold foliage with even bigger bolder flowers, dies down in winter 4-5ft

C. ‘Durban’ purple and dark red striped leaves, brilliant orange flowers

C. ‘Lucifer’ dwarf, green leaves, scarlet flowers edged yellow, free-flowering 24"

C. ‘Striata’ (=C.malawiensis ‘Variegata’) yellow striped leaves, orange flowers

*Carissa macrocarpa 36"

spiny evergreen shrub with fragrant white flowers and bright red fruits at same time

Cerinthe major purpurascens þ hardy annual, self sows, collect seed to be sure 24"

amazing deep slate blue to indigo bracts drooping over violet flowers, glaucous leaves

Clerodendron myricoides ‘Ugandense’ minimum 45oF. 30"

enchanting pale and dark purple flowers with stamens like butterfly antennae

Clianthus puniceus ‘Albus’ -Glory Pea- Y BH may resprout from base outdoors 4ft

evergreen shrub, hanging bunches of lobster claw shaped white flowers, likes sun

*Coleonema pulchrum –Confetti Bush or Breath of Heaven– can clip as topiary 20"

fine pink or white flowers spangled through a haze of tiny scented leaves

Convolvulus sun & drainage, usually hardy once established, morning glory flowers

C. altheoides elegantissimus (=C.a.tenuissimus) trailing/climbing, fine silver

leaves, large pink flowers, rampant when happy, can be invasive BH 10"x30"

C. cneorum Y shining silver leaves, white flowers, pink buds, shrubby BH 20"

C. sabatius (=C.mauritanicus) Y profusion of blue flowers, trailing 6"x15"

C. sabatius ‘Dark form’ darker blue flower, more compact plant 5"x12"

Cosmos atrosanguineus –Chocolate Plant– BH 30"

chocolate-scented and chocolate-coloured flowers, mulch tubers well or bring in

Cyrtanthus elatus (=Vallota speciosa) –Scarborough Lily– Y 30"

large scarlet flowers on stout stems, good for sunny windowsill, blooms July-Aug

Dahlia protect tubers from frost

‘Bishop of Llandaff’ Y deep red semi-double flowers on purply-black foliage 30"

‘Bednall Beauty’ darker red more double flowers, same leaves, smaller plant 15"

Dampiera diversifolia prostrate, vivid deepest purply-blue small flowers 2" x 10"

Dipladenia sanderi (=Mandevilla sanderi) evergreen climbers, need warmth 10ft

‘Alice du Pont’ very big deep pink flowers, pleated leaves, vigorous

‘Rosea’ big pale pink flowers

Echium candicans –Pride of Madiera- spectacular biennial 5ft

tall spires of blue flowers on handsome greyish leaves

Felicia ‘Astrid Thomas’ (=’Reads Blue’) chunky deep blue daisies, best Felicia 24"

Hardenbergia evergreen climbers from Australia, bloom Jan - March climbs to 8ft

H. comptoniana Y racemes of deep violet small pea flowers, three-lobed leaves

H. violacea Y similar with smaller narrow leaves, winter-blooming

Heliotropium arborescens –Heliotrope, or Cherry Pie– 36"

tender shrub, sweet-smelling purple flowers, likes sun and warmth

Isoplexis tender evergreen shrubby foxgloves from Canaries, like some shade 30"

I. canariensis wonderful burnt orange hooded flowers in summer

I. sceptrum bigger furry leaves, big heads of rounded, pink/orange flowers

*Jasminum multipartitum bushy, not a climber 36"

shiny evergreen leaves, intensely fragrant white flowers, long curved petals, pink buds

Jovellana violacea Y shrubby, small leaves decked with fat little lavender bells 24"

Ledebouria socialis (=Scilla violacea) –Wood Hyacinth– good houseplant 4"

attractive fleshy silver leaves spotted green, purple below, tiny white flowers in spring

*Limonium sea lavenders from South Africa, like good drainage, dry beautifully

*L. maritimum tiny plant with sprays of tiny pale pink flowers 6"

*L.peregrinum stunning heads of shining papery pink / mauve flat florets 36"

*L.purpuratum þ similar to L. peregrinum, but smaller and more slender 18"

Lobelia laxiflora var. angustifolia BH if mulched well 24"

upright stems with soft orange & yellow tubular flowers, narrow leaves, stoloniferous

Lobelia bridgesii likes sun and good drainage, mulch well BH 36"

like a pink Lobelia tupa (see Hardy List), exotic-looking

Lophospermum erubescens (= Maurandia lophospermum) þ 6ft

‘Red Dragon’ vigorous climber, big deep rose shining trumpets, downy leaves

Lotus clawed flowers like flames, fine trailing foliage, good drainage but not too dry

L. bertholetii Y fine silver leaves, deep red flowers in May if thriving Feb, trails 36"

L. b. x maculatus fine grey foliage, orangey-red flowers May-July trails 24"

L. maculatus Y grey-green foliage, yellow-orange flowers May-Sept trails 18"

Mackaya bella (=Asystasia bella) likes shade, 2" white flowers with dark veins 3ft

Mandevilla (see also Dipladenia) 10ft

M. boliviensis exquisite white flowers with yellow throats, evergreen climber

Mimulus lax shrubs, upright if tied occasionally, shiny sticky evergreen leaves

M. aurantiacus (=M. glutinosus) Y masses of soft orange flowers 36"

M. bifidus prostrate with flattened pale apricot flowers 8"

M. bifidus ‘Buff’ yellow-apricot flowers with darker lines 24"

M. bifidus ‘Popacatapetl’ masses of ivory white flowers 24"

M. bifidus ‘Verity Purple’ masses of deep purple flowers with white edge 24"

M. puniceus deep red flowers

Monopsis ‘Midnight’ NEW (European PBR) roots as it goes 3"x12"

smothered in beautiful deep purple pointed flowers for months, trailing but tidy habit

Nematanthus ‘Tropicana’ Y minimum 45oF, good houseplant, filtered light 12"

shining dark evergreen leaves inset with odd pouched red & orange streaked flowers

Nemesia ‘Blue Bird’ new large-flowered good blue hybrid 15"

‘Confetti’ fairly hardy, masses of pale pink flowers, scented

‘Innocence’ white-flowered, scented

*Ochna serrulata –Mickey Mouse Plant– evergreen shrub, reddish young leaves 36"

yellow flowers, five shiny black berries on red sepals look like mouse face with ears

Osteopermum (=Dimorphotheca) –Cape Daisies–

‘Giant’ pure white 4" flower, blue reverse, glistening blue centre, stunning 3-5ft

‘Silver Sparkler’ Y white flowers, blue reverse, boldly variegated leaves 20"

Otacanthus coeruleus big fat two-lippped flower on long tube, needs warmth 30"

Pandorea shiny-leaved evergreen climber 12ft

P. jasminoides ‘Alba’ (=‘Lady Di’) pure white flowers

P. jasminoides ‘Charisma’ white variegated leaves, white flowers, red throat
  1. jasminoides ‘Rosea’ clusters of 2" pale pink flared trumpets dark pink throat

PELARGONIUMS (often called "geraniums")

ANGEL PELARGONIUMS like miniature regal pelargoniums, but bloom all summer

‘Catford Belle’ Y lavender flower blotched purple 10"

‘Sancho Panza’ Y dark purple flower, white edged 10"

‘Seeley’s Pansy’ pale pink and purple flower 12"

REGAL PELARGONIUMS –Pelargonium domesticum– bloom extravagantly in June

‘Black Knight’ dark purple flower edged in white, rather tall 24"

‘Dark Secrets’ large deepest red flower, darker in middle 18"

‘Fifth Avenue’ nearly black, large, slightly ruffled flowers 18"

‘Lord Bute’ Y purply-black flowers with pale pink edge 24"

‘Voodoo’ Y deep red fairly small flower, like glowing embers 18"

SCENTED PELARGONIUMS

‘Galway Star’ Y improved P. crispum’Variegatum’, lemon-scented 12"

‘Lady Plymouth’ Y white-edged grey-green scented leaves, pale pink flowers 24"

‘Mabel Grey’ Y very strong lemon smell, rough leaves, pink flowers 20"

P. tomentosum Y vigorous, large velvety leaves reek of peppermint 36"

SPECIES PELARGONIUMS

P. x ardens rare Victorian hybrid with small glowing deed red flowers, tuberous 18"

P. ionidiflorum fine-leaved species, delicate deep magenta flowers, graceful 8"

P. luridum fine featherlike leaves, flesh-pink flowers, tuberous 12"

P. quinquelobatum þ bizarre shade of bronzey-green small flowers 8"

P. x sanguineum (=P. schottii) feathered grey leaves, purple flowers 18"

P. sidoides NEW round grey leaves, small very deep purple flowers 12"

‘Splendide’ (=P.ovale x P.tricolor, but often called P.violaceum or tricolor) 12"

long grey serrated leaves, ½ red ½ white flower, unusual & handsome, not easy

STELLAR PELARGONIUMS star shaped leaves and flowers

‘Apricot Star’ chocolate markings on leaves, single coral flowers 15"

‘Arctic Star’ white starry flowers, green leaves 15"

‘Bird Dancer’ Y dark markings on leaves, very narrow pale salmon petals 15"

‘Shalimar’ chocolate markings on leaves, single pink starry flowers 15"

‘Vancouver Centennial’ Y chocolate leaf with pale edge, brilliant red flowers 10"

ZONAL PELARGONIUMS Pelargonium zonale –ordinary "geraniums"–

‘Crimson Unique’ Y brilliant deep red flower 15"

‘Distinction’ narrow dark margin on round pale green leaf, vivid red flowers 20"

‘Frank Headley’ Y white variegated leaves, single light coral flowers all year 24"

‘Joy’ white flower with wide ruffled pinky-orange edge 15"

‘Princess Anne’ large-growing, large pale pink single flowers white centre 30"

IVYLEAF PELARGONIUMS Pelargonium peltatum –trailing geraniums–

‘Flakey’ Y miniature, tiny crisp green and white leaves, lavender-white flowers 3"

‘L’Elegante’ Y white-variegated leaves flush pink, lavender-white flowers 6"x 24"

Pericallis lanata Kew form (=Senecio heritieri Kew form) 10"

grey leaves, vivid deep magenta single daisies, lax habit, likes a little shade

Phormium –New Zealand Flax– BH sword-like foliage, like sun and drainage 36"

‘Dazzler’ vigorous, red and bronze streaked leaves

‘Jester’ bold green and pink streaked leaves

‘Rainbow’ hybrid slender deeper red and bronze streaked leaves

‘Sundowner’ Y pink, bronze, cream and green streaked leaves

P. tenax Purpureum Y very dark plain red-brown leaves, a bit hardier

Plumbago capensis (=P.auriculata) Y blue flowers, classic conservatory climber 20ft

P.c.‘Alba’ same with white flowers P.c. Very Blue same with deeper blue flowers

*Podalyria sericea pale pink pea flowers on silver-leaved shrub 36"(or more?)

Polianthes tuberosa - The Tuberose - Y needs warmth and sun, dry in winter 36"

creamy white gardenia-like flowers, intensely fragrant, redolent of tropical nights

Polygala x dalmaisiana (=P.myrtifolia grandiflora) Y evergreen shrub 36"

glaucous leaves, purple pea-like flowers with white fringe at lip, blooms year round

Prostanthera -Australian Mint Bush- very fragrant foliage, BH 30"

‘Poorinda Ballerina’ elegant airy panicles of white flowers

Rhodochiton atrosanguineum (= R. volubile) Y þ 4ft

climber, 2" long black tubular flowers hanging from long-lasting flared purple bracts, heart-shaped leaves turn purple when cold, obscene but charming, easy from seed

Salvias many are reasonably hardy if the winter drainage is good, all like sun

S. blepharophylla brilliant red flowers, shiny leaves, dark stems and calyxes BH 18"

S. caccalifolia Y deep blue flowers in late summer

S. chamaedryoides Silver bright blue flowers, small grey leaves BH 12"

S. confertiflora very upright narrow orangey red flower spikes in autumn 36"

S. corrugata NEW deep blue flowers, shiny crinkled leaves, rusty felted below 24"

S. discolor Y nearly black flowers, grey-white leaves with blackcurrant smell 15"

S. greggii ‘Peach’ Y apricot flowers, small shiny leaves, dark stems, upright 30"

S. guaranitica (=S.ambigens, =S.concolor) Y deep blue flowers, vigorous 5ft

S. leucantha Y greyish leaves, flower spikes like purple and white chenille 4ft

S. microphylla ‘Trebah’ NEW like pinky-white form of S.g. ‘Peach’ 20"

S. muhlerii þ NEW greyish leaves, small deep purple flowers BH 12"

Salvia patens fairly hardy, but slugs like young shoots. Mulch, or bring tuberous root indoors in winter, or collect and sow seed annually BH

Salvia patens species Y large flower of most intense gentian blue BH 36"

S.p. ‘Cambridge Blue’ Y þ large pale blue flowers BH 36"

S. reptans (S.leptophylla) trailing dark stems, small dark blue flowers 15"

S. uliginosa –Bog Sage– Y clear blue flowers late summer BH 48"

S. verticillata ‘Purple Rain’ see Hardy List

Sanvitalia ‘Little Sun’ NEW trailing, likes sun 3" x 18"

myriad yellow daisies all summer, very good basket plant

Sollya heterophylla (= S. fusiformis) –Australian Bluebell Creeper– Y 4-5ft

small sky blue bells all summer, narrow leaves, delightful climber

Sphaeralcea munroana deep coppery pink mallow flowers BH trails to 3ft

S.m. ‘Shell Pink’ same with pale pink flowers, hardy with sun and good drainage

Sprekelia formosissima – Jacobean Lily - Y þ bulb, keep fairly dry in winter 12"

enormous (up to 5" wide) dark red flowers in spring

Streptocarpus –Cape Primrose– houseplant, large strap-shaped leaves, blooms May to Oct, showy, easy in the right position, avoid direct sun, water well but let dry between waterings.. (MK) are Wahroonga Hybrids bred by Martin Kunhardt.

*‘Blue Pencil’ white flowers with fine blue lines (MK) 12"

*‘Blue Upstart’ upturned pale blue flowers with dark stripes, neat habit (MK) 10"

*‘Clouds’ palest lavender-white large flowers, slightly ruffled (MK) 15"

‘Falling Stars’ Y an avalanche of small pale blue flowers 10"

‘Gloria’ Y many small pale pink flowers 12"

‘Huge White’ U.S.import, enormous flared white flowers slightly ruffled, fussy 12"

‘Kim’ Y dwarf, very dark purply-blue velvet flowers 7"

*‘Pink Fondant’ rounded white flower pale pink lip, very large, fragrant! (MK) 18"

*‘Pink Upstart’ upturned pale pink flowers, neat habit (MK) 10"

*‘Plum Crazy’ rich red-purple velvety flowers, very floriferous, compact (MK) 12"

*‘Purple Passion’ large plant, large deep purple flowers (MK) 15"

‘Snow White’ Y dwarf white, very compact and floriferous 7"

*‘Sugar Almond’ large plant, large pale to mid pink flowers, look edible (MK) 15"

*‘Sweet Violet’ dwarf, royal purple flowers (MK) 8"

*‘Violet Lace’ dark purply-blue net of veins on blue petals, sinister (MK) 12"

S. holstii small shiny leaves, trailing, deep blue flowers 10"

S.saxorum ‘Boysenberry Delight’ small velvety leaves, trailing, purple flowers 10"

*Strobilanthes anisophyllus 24"

long shiny purplish-black leaves, long lavender-white tubular flowers – stunning

Sutherlandia frutescens–Balloon Pea- þ BH fairly hardy on a sunny dry wall 36"

bright red flared pea flowers, big shining inflated seedpods, fine leaves, white stems

Swainsona galegifolia ‘Albiflora’ 30"

elegant airy habit, sprays of white pea flowers, fine leaves, from Australia

Tecoma (=Tecomaria) capensis Y ‘Apricot’, ‘Aurea’, ‘Coccinea’, ‘Salmonea’ 4ft

evergreen shrub with narrow curved flaring trumpets in yellow, red or salmon

Thunbergia gregorii ‘Sunlady’ likes sun and rich soil 4ft

large brilliant orange flat-faced flowers, climber, can grow as annual

Tibouchina semidecandra (=T.urvilleana) -Glory Bush- Y prune hard March 10ft

velvety leaves, enormous purple flowers Aug-Nov (Aug-April if kept above 40oF)

Tradescantia ‘Maidens Blush’ good houseplant

trailing, pink green and white variegated leaves, likes some shade, not too dry

Tropaeolum –Nasturtiums– perennial if take cuttings, trailing, like poor soil & sun

‘Crimson Beauty’ (=‘Red Wonder’) deep vivid red flowers, dark leaves 12"x24"

‘Darjeeling Gold’ new double golden yellow nasturtium 12"x36"

‘Hermine Grasshoff’ Y bright red-orange very double flowers, Victorian 12"x36"

‘Margaret Long’ double apricot nasturtium 12"x36"

Tulbaghia ‘Silver Lace’ BH needs sun, good drainage, shelter 10"

grey-green and white striped leaves, dainty grey-lilac flowers, subtle and lovely

*Turraea obtusifolia –South African Honeysuckle– bushy not climbing 24"

dark evergreen leaves, elegant white flowers (supposed to be fragrant), red berries

Tweedia coerulea (=Oxypetalon coeruleum) Y 24"

icy blue velvety flowers, velvety leaves, wonderful seedpods, prune hard in spring

Verbenas trailing, very floriferous trails to 20"

*‘Blue Prince’ large head of pale blue flowers with dark eyes, slightly fragrant

‘Pink Parfait’ pale pink / deep raspberry bicolour flower, very fragrant

 

SECTION II : HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS

 

Acanthus –Bear’s Breeches- architectural, can be invasive, sun or light shade 4ft

A. mollis purple hooded bracts over white flowers in tall spires, shiny leaves

A. spinosus ‘Spinossisimus’ same flowers, leaves deeply cut to white midribs

Achillea ageratum ‘W.B. Childs’ individual creamy white flowers, airy 15"

Achillea millefolium dense flat flowerheads June-Oct, needs sun & drainage 20"

‘Anthea’ pale cream flowers above a fountain of grey, does not run

Fanal’ (=‘The Beacon’) crimson flowers

‘Lilac Beauty’ very floriferous, almost too strong a colour, sturdy plants

‘Salmon Beauty’ (=‘Lachschonheit’) shades of pale pinky-salmon

‘Terracotta’ from deep apricot through cream

‘Walter Funcke’ deep red and burnt orange

Achillea nobilis neilreichii soft cream flowers above fine grey foliage, runs 15"

Aconitum –Monkshood– hooded flowers July-Aug, poisonous, good in shade

A. x cammarum ‘Bicolor’ Y purple-edged white helmets 40"

A. hemsleyanum herbaceous climber, dark purple hooded flowers 6ft

A. ‘Ivorine’ ivory white flowers, June 36"
  1. lycoctonum subsp vulparia pale yellow long narrow flowers 36"

A. napellus deep blue flowers, dark shiny leaves 50"

A. ‘Spark’s Variety’ Y dark blue, tall, late-blooming 50"

A. ‘Stainless Steel’ metallic grey-blue flowers, grey-green foliage 30"

Adlumia fungosa –Climbing Fumitory– þ vigorous biennial climber for shade 20 ft

1st year mound of fine frothy leaves, 2nd year swags of pale pink lockets to the roof

Agapanthus –Lily of the Nile– likes full sun, mulch in winter

‘Headbourne Hybrids’ hardy, mostly blue 30"

‘Lilliput’ very dwarf, dark blue sprays of flowers July-Aug BH 10"

‘White Superior’ vigorous, white, early flowering, reasonably hardy 30"

Ajuga reptans ‘Catlins Giant’ Y groundcover 5"

dark shining leaves glorious in winter, 18" spires of blue flowers in spring

Ammi visnaga þ hardy annual, superb cut flower 40"

big flat platters of tiny white flowers over finest dill-like foliage, self sows

Anchusa azurea (=Anchusa italica) ‘Loddon Royalist’ Y sun and drainage 36"

large intense deep blue forget-me-not flowers June, rough leaves, herbaceous

Anemone canadensis þ pale lemon upward-looking saucers 12"

Anemone japonica (=A. x hybrida) –Japanese Anemone– shade tolerant, easy

‘Honorine Jobert’ Y large white single flowers Aug-Oct 36"

‘Queen Charlotte’ Y large pale pink semi-double flowers Aug-Oct 36"

‘Whirlwind’ pure white semi-double flowers Aug-Oct, Victorian variety 36"

Anemone nemorosa –Wood Anemone– spreads gently in shade 6"

‘Allennii’ Y rosy lavender single flowers with blue reverse

‘Robinsoniana’ Y pale grey-blue-lavender flowers, exquisite

‘Viridiflora’ pale green flowers

Anemone sylvestris –Snowdrop Windflower– good groundcover 15"

nodding fragrant white flowers in late spring

Anemonopsis macrophylla likes shade and humusy soil, avoid windy spots 30"

nodding pale purplish-blue flowers on slender dark stems above attractive foliage

Angelica hardy biennials, like rich soil not too dry, ok in shade

A. atropurpurea þ darkest purple foliage, flat grey-pink flowerheads, stunning 36"

A. gigas þ statuesque, purple-flushed stems, round purple flower heads, stunning 5ft

Anthemis tinctoria –Ox-eye Chamomile– 36"

‘E.C.Buxton’ large pale yellow daisies above dark green fine basal leaves

‘Sauce Hollandaise’ same but even paler

Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravens Wing’ –Black-leaved Cow Parsley– þ 30"

fine dark foliage, Queen Anne’s Lace flowers, self sows gently about 60% true

Anthyllis vulneraria coccinea –Red Kidney Vetch- þ likes sun & drainage 3"x15"

deep red clover flowers, prostrate mat of lobed silky leaves, long-blooming

Antirrhinum fairly hardy perennial snapdragons, need sun & perfect drainage 8"

A. glutinosum (=A. hispanicum ssp. hispanicum roseum) pale pink flowers

A. molle velvety grey leaves, creamy white flowers, pale pink buds

Aquilegia vulgaris –Granny’s Bonnets– sun or shade, will cross and seed

‘Jewel’ tiny jewel-like plants with blue, pink or white flowers 5"

‘Magpie’ (=‘William Guinness’) þ black and white flowers 30"

‘Red Hobbit’ very dwarf, deep red flowers 8"

‘Yellow Queen’ very large clear yellow and white flowers 30"

Arisarum proboscoides Y -Mouse Plant- likes shade, not too dry, spreads 4"

hooded purple brown flowers with 6" long tails nestle in glossy leaves, just like mice

Artemisia ‘Oriental Moonlight’ NEW probably likes light shade 15"

wonderful pale lemon and green splashed leaves, keeps its variegation all year

Arum italicum ‘Pictum’ (=A.i. ‘Marmoratum’) Y summer dormant 12"

cream-veined leaves in winter beloved of flower arrangers, white spathes, red berries

Asphodeline lutea –Yellow Asphodel– or –-Kings Spear– þ full sun, fragrant 48"

dense spikes of star shaped yellow flowers above twisted narrow grey-green leaves

Aster dumosus ‘Lady in Blue’ double blue flowers, dwarf 12"

Aster lateriflorus likes light shade and reasonable amount of moisture

‘Lady in Black’ nearly black leaves, tiny white daisies with raspberry centres 36"

‘Prince’ similar to ‘Lady in Black’ but smaller and denser, blooms later 20"

Astrantia major likes some shade, cut back after blooming 24"

‘Lars’ dark red flowers like Victorian posies

‘Sunningdale Variegated’ Y white splashed leaves, subtle pink and green flowers

Atriplex hortensis Rubra - Purple Orache – þ annual, likes sun, not too dry 36"

very attractive dark purple foliage, insignificant flowers, edible leaves

Borago pygmaea (=B. laxiflora) purest milky blue pendant bell flowers, self seeds 5"

Brunnera macrophyllla ‘Hadspen Cream’ Y likes good soil, not too dry 18"

large leaves brilliantly edged with cream, small deep blue forgetmenot-like flowers

Calamintha nepeta ssp. glandulosa ‘White Cloud’ 15"

good minty smell, lots of fine white flowers over a long period

Camassia quamash likes damp rich soil, sun or shade, will multiply if happy 36"

blue stars on tall spikes in late spring, handsome, edible bulb

Campanula

C. cochleariifolia Y -Fairy Thimbles- small pale blue or white bells, creeps 3"

C. lactiflora tall, floriferous, blooms in midsummer, herbaceous

‘Loddon Anna’ Y pale pink open bells on tall spikes 48"

‘Prichard’s Variety’ Y pale violet blue open bells, more compact 36"

C. latiloba ‘Hidcote Amethyst’ Y pale purple shading through deeper purple 36"

C. ‘Chettle Charm’ (=‘George Chiswell’) white flower with thin blue edge 24"

C. planiflora (=C.nitida) clear blue flowers, whole plant looks lacquered 10"

C. punctata masses of 2" long nodding white bells speckled red inside 24"

C. p. ‘Rubriflora’ heavily speckled pinkish red flowers 24"

C. pyramidalis -Chimney Bellflower- enormous biennial, blue or white 6ft

C. takesimana very similar to C.punctata but airier habit, blooms later 30"

Cardamine pratensis ‘Flore Pleno’ –Double Lady’s Smock– Y shade tolerant 8"

double pale pink flowers, self sows, will naturalize in long grass, likes some moisture

Carex –New Zealand Sedges– sun or light shade not too dry or too boggy

C. flagellifera þ arching mound of glossy red-brown leaves, graceful 36"

‘Silver Sceptre’ NEW semi-evergreen white variegated leaves, upright 15"

C. testacea –Orange Sedge- fine arching orange flushed evergreen leaves 24"

Cephalaria gigantea -Giant Yellow Scabious- sun or light shade 6-8ft

pale primrose pincushion flowers on tall sturdy stems in midsummer

Chaenomeles ‘Geisha Girl’ -Flowering Quince- outrageous pinky-apricot flowers 4ft

Chaenorhinum origanifolium (=Scutellaria oreganifolia) ‘Blue Dream’ 3"

tiny rounded leaves smothered in blue-purple flowers for months, enchanting

Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’ some shade, not too dry, spreads slowly 24"

lacy green leaves, flat heads of lacy pink flowers in late spring and summer, charming

Cichorium intybus roseum –Pink Chicory– 36"

lovely pale pink double flowers on sturdy stems for many weeks, easy

Cimicifuga simplex Atropurpurea (=C. ramosa Atropurpurea) 4-5ft

handsome dark purple leaves and stems, white wands of fine flowers Aug-Oct, fragrant

Cistus evergreen shrubs, like a sunny sheltered well-drained position

C. ladanifer –Gum Cistus– Y very aromatic leaves, white flowers 5ft

C. skanbergii Y low arching habit, pink shading to pale pink flowers 30"

Claytonia (=Montia) siberica –Spring Beauty, Candy Flower, Miners Lettuce- 8"

pink-veined pretty weed, blooms most of year, self sows in damp shady places, edible

Clematis recta ‘Velvet Night’ herbaceous, will trail or scramble 5ft

young foliage deep purple, myriad scented small creamy white flowers July-Oct

Codonopsis clematidea leaves have musky smell which you love or hate 12"

delicate pale blue-green 1" pendulous bells with subtle internal markings, scrambles

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ hardy herbaceous, likes sun 20"

clear pale yellow daisies above fine dark green foliage

Cornus - Red-Stemmed Dogwoods – cut hard back in Feb/Mar 5ft

C. alba ‘Elegantissima’ Y variegated leaves in summer, red stems in winter

C. stolonifera ‘Sunshine’ golden leaves in summer, red-orange stems in winter

Corydalis elata brilliant blue like C.flexuosa but blooms later and is taller 20"

Corydalis flexuosa likes humus and light shade, blooms Mar-June, summer dormant

‘Pere David’ brilliant blue flowers over fine ferny green foliage 12"

‘Purple Leaf’ purply blue flowers over fine ferny dark foliage 12"

Cotula hispida fine silver mat studded with tiny yellow buttons, sun & drainage 3"

 

Crocosmia hardy corm, most bloom in Aug, like sun and good drainage

‘Dusky Maiden’ bronze leaves, tawny flowers BH 30"

‘Emily Mckenzie’ late-blooming, wide open deep orange flowers dark throat 24"

‘Gerbe d’Or’ bronze leaves, golden flowers, like a larger hardier Solfaterre 30"

‘His Majesty’ large brilliant red-orange flowers, blooms August BH 36"

‘Lucifer’ Y sprays of brilliant deep red flowers, big plant, blooms July 36"

C. paniculata Red vigorous form 30"

‘Solfaterre’ Y soft butter yellow flowers, bronze leaves, a little less hardy BH 18"

‘Star of the East’ large open glowing orange flowers with pale centres BH 36"

Delphinium grandiflorum (=D. chinense) ‘Blue Butterfly’ þ 12"

finely cut leaves, brilliant blue flowers, short-lived perennial, can grow as annual

Dianthus barbatus Nigrescens Group –Sweet William ‘Darkest of All’– Y 15"

nearly black leaves and nearly black flowers, wonderful, seems fairly perennial

Diascias reasonably hardy perennials, easy, bloom June-Oct, like sun, prune spring

(HH –bred by Hector Harrison in Yorkshire)

‘Coral Belle’ new vibrant shade of coral (HH) 12"

‘Ice Cracker’ like ‘Blush’ but pure white and more compact 10"

‘Lady Valerie’ Y covered in large deep apricot flowers (HH) 12"

‘Louise’ extra large upturned flowers of soft salmon colour (HH) 12"

‘Red Ace’ best deep red variety, floriferous (HH) 10"

‘Twinkle’ Y deep purply-pink flowers, prostrate (HH) 8"

D. integerrima Y long stems tipped with deep pink flowers, elegant, hardy 15"

*D. integerrima ‘Blush’ white flowers age pink, trailing stems, elegant, hardy 15"

D. rigescens Y long stems tipped in large shell pink flowers, showy BH 15"

*D. unilabiata (=Alonsoa u.) þ annual, evil little faces in dark pink bonnets 10"

D. vigilis ‘Jack Elliot’ billows of pale pink flowers, reliable 12"

Dicentra –Bleeding Hearts– herbaceous, likes some shade, lovely foliage

‘Bacchanal’ deepest red-purple narrow hearts, ferny green leaves 12"

‘Stuart Boothman’ Y finely cut purply grey foliage, flowers like rosy hearts 12"

D. eximia ‘Snowdrift’ pendant white hearts for many months, green foliage 12"

D. scandens þ herbaceous climber, ferny foliage decked with yellow lockets 4ft

Digitalis –Foxglove– bloom June/July, like shade, poisonous, seed true if isolated

‘Pam’s Choice’ NEW very tall biennial, large white flowers with purple blotch 8ft!

‘Sutton’s Apricot’ þ biennial, lovely pale pink bells 48"

D. lanata Y þ biennial/perennial, honey-coloured flowers netted with veins 24"

D. lutea þ perennial, spires of narrow pale yellow flowers, shiny leaves 24"

D. x mertonensis Y þ perennial, large flattened crushed strawberry flowers 36"

Elymus magellanicus good blue grass, needs a sunny well drained position 15"

Epilobium angustifolium –Rose Bay Willowherb- these spread, but not aggressively

‘Album’ –White Rose Bay Willowherb– spectacular white spires July-Sept 4ft

‘Isobel’ –Pink Rose Bay Willowherb– exquisite new pale pink form 3ft

Epilobium glabellum part shade, not too dry 6"x12"

creamy white flowers all summer, hardy if flowering shoots cut back late August

Epimedium x rubrum Y elegant evergreen groundcover for shad, 12"

red new leaves and red autumn leaves, cut back in Feb to reveal red flowers in Mar

Eragrostis curvula -African Love Grass- þ 36"

graceful thin grass with large airy flower panicles late summer to early winter

Eremerus ‘Cleopatra’ beautiful soft apricot foxtail lily 4ft

Erodium chrysanthum mound of fine grey leaves, sprays of creamy flowers 8"

Eryngium -Sea Holly- like sun and poor free-draining soil

E. alpinum Y steely blue flowers with elaborate ruff of purple-flushed bracts 24"

E. bourgatii þ glaucous foliage veined white, steely blue thistle flowers 8"

E. planum ‘Blauer Zwerg’ round umbels of small deep blue flowers 18"

E. variifolium white-veined evergreen rosette, grey-blue flowers, silver bracts 15"

Erysimum –Perennial Wallflowers– fairly hardy, replace every 2-3 years

‘Bowle’s Mauve’ Y greyish leaves, purply flowers most of year 30"x 30"

‘Constant Cheer’ Y multicoloured bronze/purple/red flowers 30"x 30"

‘Devon Sunset’ new hybrid – purple, lavender to cream flowers 30"x 30"

Euphorbia easy in sun or shade, yellow-green flowers

E. amygdaloides ‘Rubra’ wonderful red foliage yearround, handsome & easy 18"

E. cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’ ground cover, deep red young growth 10"

Filipendula -Meadowsweet-

F. ulmaria ‘Variegata’ bold yellow-splashed leaves, fine white flowers 24"

F. vulgaris ‘Plena’ (=‘Multiplex’) fine creamy white flowers, flat ferny leaves 15"

Francoa tall sprays of flowers above mound of big scalloped leaves, sun or shade 4ft

F.ramosa ‘Alba’ pure white flowers on branching stems

F.sonchifolia ‘Rogerson’s Form’ deep pink flowers, bigger grey leaves, BH

Fritillaria meleagris Y –Snakeshead Fritillary– hardy bulb 12"

nodding purple or white chequered bells in spring, prefers some shade and not too dry

Gaura lindheimeri likes sun and drainage, herbaceous, hardy once established 4ft

G. lindheimeri Y graceful wands of pinky-white star-shaped flowers June-Oct

G. lindheimeri ‘Corries Gold’ same with gold and white streaked leaves

G. lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’ new lovely pink form

Geranium –Cranesbills– easy, herbaceous, some rampant, mostly shade tolerant

G. ‘Anne Thomson’ smaller tidier version of ‘Anne Folkard’, less yellow 20"

G. ‘Bertie Crug’ rich pink flowers on small dark leaves, trailing habit, full sun 5"

G. canariense like G. palmatum but violet flowers, reddish stems, tender 20"x20"

G. cinereum ‘Ballerina’ Y palest pink flowers veined purple, blooms May-Oct 5"

G. c. ‘Laurence Flatman’ very similar with slightly darker flowers 5"

G. c. subcaulescens ‘Splendens’ Y brilliant purple-red flowers, dark eye 5"

G. ‘Crug Pewter’ silvery brown leaves and large white flowers 12"

G. himalayense ‘Plenum’ fully double lavender-blue flowers 20"

G. incanum rosy-purple flowers, very fine leaves, likes sun and drainage BH 6"x18"

G. koreanum þ new species, clear pink flowers, glorious autumn colour 10"

G. maculatum ‘Chatto’ rounded clear lilac pink flowers fading pale pink 24"

G. orientalitibiticum groundcover for shade, spotted leaves, deep pink flowers 6"

G. palmatum Y þ self sows, keep a few seedlings inside BH 30"x30"

showy and vigorous, vivid pink flowers in May above large handsome leaves

G. ‘Patricia’ dark purply-pink flowers, dark eye 30"
  1. phaeum ‘Samobor’ wonderful dark blotched leaves, dark purple flowers 30"
  1. pratense albiflorum þ large pure white flowers 30"

G. p. ‘Johnson’s Blue’ Y the bluest Geranium 30"

G. p. ‘Mrs Kendal Clark’ Y tracery of white veins on pale blue grey flowers 36"

G. p. ‘Plenum Violaceum’ very double deep violet blue flowers, blooms July on 30"

G. p. ‘Striatum’ (=‘Splish-Splash’) blue flowers streaked & stippled white 30"

G. p. ‘Victor Reiter’ purple foliage when young, blue flowers 24"

‘Midnight Reiter’ black-purple foliage when young, darkest seedlings 24"

Geranium (continued)

G. procurrens dark-eyed luminous purply-pink flower,groundcover for dry shade 8"
  1. pulchrum þ broad silvery leaves, pink flowers, shrubby 15"

G. pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ small vivid violet flowers Apr-Nov, self sows 12"

G. renardii Y crinkled grey-green leaves, white flowers with dark veins 10"

G. renardii ‘Phillipe Vapelle’ big dark purply-blue flowers 15"

G. renardii ‘Zetterland’ grey-blue flowers with dark veins 10"
  1. riversleaianum ‘Mavis Simpson’ prostrate, sheets of silvery pink flowers 5"

G. robustum ‘Hannays’ þ greyish leaves vigorous, white-centred pink flower 30"

G. ‘Rosie Crug’ big white flowers and pewtered bronze leaves 12"

G. ‘Salome’ like larger more intense G. procurrens, but does not root as it goes 12"

G. sanguineum ‘Album’ Y white flowers all summer, graceful open habit 12"x20"

G. s. striatum (=G.s.lancastriense) Y pale pink flowers, dark veins, compact 4"

G. soboliferum NEW fine ferny leaves, late-blooming, likes moisture 30"

G. traversii ‘Elegans’ silvery leaves, pale pink flowers, BH 8"x15"

G. wallichianum ‘Buxtons Blue’ Y bright blue with white eye, late-blooming 10"

G. wlassovianum magenta purple veined flowers, wonderful autumn foliage 20"

Glaucium flavum –Horned Poppy– þ needs sun and very good drainage 24"

wavy grey leaves, shining warm yellow flowers, 9" long narrow seedpods (the horns)

Gypsophila repens ‘Rosea’ prostrate, fine glaucous leaves, pale pink flowers 3"x12"

Hedysarum coronarium -French Honeysuckle- þ likes sun & good drainage 36"

spikes of deep red pea-like flowers all summer above clump of handsome leaves

Helictotrichon sempervirens Y beautiful blue grass (the drier the bluer) 40"

Helleborus orintalis –Lenten Rose- lovely flowers early spring, likes shade 18"

Helleborus x sternii needs sun and good drainage, has marbled leaves, pale flowers 18"

‘Boughton Beauty’ a particularly good form, purple stems, grey-purple flowers

Hemerocallis –Day Lily– easy hardy herbaceous perennial, blooms July-Aug

‘Eeny Fanfare’ dwarf day lily with brilliant red flowers 15"

‘Gentle Shepherd’ creamy white flowers above arching leaves 30"

‘Stella de Oro’ Y dwarf, clear yellow fairly small flowers, blooms June to Oct! 15"

Hepatica nobilis Y likes shade, lime tolerant 5"

clear pale blue jewel-like flowers in early spring nestled in dark lobed leaves

Heuchera herbaceous, clump-forming, shade tolerant

‘Palace Purple’ Y deep purple leaves good for cutting, tiny white flowers 18"

‘Stormy Seas’ large ruffled dark red leaves with metallic silver mottling 12"

Heucherella (NEW Heuchera x Tiarella hybrids) partial shade, bloom April-July 12"

‘Rosalie’ chocolate splashed lime-green leaves, pale pink flowers

‘Silver Streak’ silvery purple-flushed leaves topped with pale pink flared bells

Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Y very large yellow-green leaves, slug resistant 36"

Ipheion ‘Rolf Feidler’ Y likes sun, mulch in winter BH 4"

deep blue star-shaped scented flowers, multiplies slowly, grassy leaves smell of onions

Iris ensata ‘Gipsy’ enormous purple-streaked white flowers, needs very wet site 4ft

Iris unguicularis ‘Mary Barnard’ needs sun and good drainage, likes crowding 12"

winter-blooming, scented violet blue flowers, cut in bud and bring inside to open

Juncus decipiens ‘Curly-Wirly’ –Corkscrew Rush– 15"

curious spiralling shiny evergreen stems, likes boggy conditions but tolerates drier

Kitaibela vitifolia fast-growing hardy but short-lived mallow relative 6ft

green calyx peeps out between fringed white petals in wide open shallow cup

Kniphophia ‘Light of the World’ luminous pale orange Red Hot Poker 36"

Lathyrus –Sweet Peas– some hardy, some tender, some annual, all easy from seed

L. laxiflorus prostrate, grey-blue flowers on grey-green leaves, subtle 6"

L. nervosus (=L.magellanicus) -–Lord Ansons Blue Pea– þ 6ft or more

elegant grey-blue sweetpea flowers, substantial leathery greyish leaves, BH

L. sativus þ brightest blue small pea flowers, scrambling vine, hardy annual 24"

L. tingitanus þ annual, big shining deep magenta flowers, easy climber 5ft

Linaria –toadflax– herbaceous, summer blooming, like sun

L. alpina fine grey-green leaves, brilliant purple flowers with orange eye 3"

‘Tony Aldis’ new interspecific hybrid, good pink flowers, glaucous leaves 30"

L. purpurea ‘Canon Went’ fine leaves, slender spires of pale pink flowers 36"

L. triornithophora purple horned flowers like ‘3 birds’, glaucous leaves BH 36"

L. triornithophora ‘Pink Form’ þ same with pale pink flowers BH 36"

Lithodora diffusa ‘Heavenly Blue’ Y well-drained but not too dry 5" x 24"

spreading evergreen, intensely blue flowers, likes sun and humus, not necessarily acid

Lithodora rosmarinifolia sunny sheltered position 15"

winter-blooming evergreen shrublet with gentian blue flowers, rare

Lobelia ‘Queen Victoria’ Y blooms July-Oct, like moist rich soil, mulch in winter 36"

deep purple leaves & stems, bright red flowers BH

Lobelia tupa dark red flowers, purple stems, pale downy leaves, well-drained BH 4ft

Lunaria annua ‘Alba Variegata’ Y þ biennial, seeds itself gently 36"

1st year plain, 2nd year white-splashed leaves and white flowers, spectacular in shade

Lupinus worth growing for their leaves but nice flowers too, need sun and drainage

L. albifrons (var.collinus?) tender, silver with purply-blue flowers 12"

L. chamissonis fine silverish foliage, blue and white flowers 18"

L. variicolor prostrate, fine grey-green foliage, purply-blue flowers 4" x 18"

Lychnis coronaria ‘Oculata’ þ easy hardy herbaceous, true from seed 30"

clump of grey leaves, white flowers develop pink centres

Lysimachia ephemerum elegant and understated 36"

handsome grey-green leave, slender wands of small white flowers

Malva ‘Bibor Felho’ (=M.mauritiana?) þ short-lived but seeds itself, hardy 4ft

shining purple on darkest purple flower, floriferous, very fast-growing, instant shrub

Matthiola –Perennial White Stock– þ renew every 2-3 years 30"

rounded dome of grey leaves on stout stem, very fragrant white flowers May-June

Meconopsis betonicifolia -Blue Himalayan Poppy-Y likes shade, humus, moist 18"

big extraordinarily blue flowers, put grit at base to improve drainage, lime tolerant

Melianthus major Y usually herbaceous outdoors, 5ft if no frost, sun & drainage 36"

handsome large glaucous leaves, casts wonderful shadows, architectural, winter mulch

Mertensia siberica (=M.pterocarpa) þ likes sun and good drainage 12"

grey-green hosta-like leaves and bright blue flowers in summer, protect from slugs

Michauxia tchihatchewii biennial/short-lived perennial, sunny, well-drained 5ft

extraordinary 4" white flower like fireworks in midsummer, stunning

Millium effusum ‘Aureum’ bright yellow airy little grasss, self sows gently 12"

Morina longifolia þ likes sun and drainage 36"

spiky thistle-like basal rosette sprouts amazing stems of white flowers turning pink

Nepeta nervosa cut back hard after blooming for tidiness and second flush 18"

dense spikes of rich blue most of summer, likes sun and good drainage, will spread

Nicotiana two spectacular short-lived perennials for shade, can be annuals from early sowing, will often resprout if mild winter 5ft

N.mutabilis þ NEW, myriad dangling white flowers turn pink, bloomed till Xmas

N.sylvestris Y very fragrant, long-tubed white flowers splay out from tall stems

Oenothera –Evening Primrose– all fairly short lived but easy from seed, like sun

O. acaulis þ enormous glistening fragrant white flowers, dandelionish leaf 5"x10"

O. odorata large pale yellow flowers age to apricot, fragrant, red stems 36"

O.‘Siskiyou’ large fragrant pink-veined white flowers, long-blooming, spreads 12"

Omphalodes linifolia – Venus’s Navelwort – Y þ hardy annual, will self sow 8"

white forgetmenot flowers on pale blue-grey leaves in spring, likes sun & good drainage

Onopordum nervosum - Scotch Thistle- Y hardy biennial, may self sow 8ft

enormous much-branched white sculptures with small purple thistle flowers

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ Y spreads slowly 4"

shining black strap-shaped leaves hug the ground, black berries, amazing in pale gravel

Origanum hybrids need sun and perfect drainage 4"x12"

O. ‘Barbara Tingey’ exquisite pink/green/white bracts in tidy mound BH

O. ‘Kent Beauty’ same with larger, more translucent, paler pink bracts BH

O. laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’ Y reddish aromatic foliage, showy purple bracts 18"

O. ‘Rosenkuppel’ dark pink flowers, dark purple calyxes, round green leaves 10"

Oxalis magellanica likes damp shade, creeps about 1"

O.m. little single white flowers nestle among the tiny bronze leaves

O.m. ‘Flore Plena’ (=‘Nelson’) double white flowers like tiny roses

Panicum virgatum ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ -Switch Grass- sun and good drainage 36"

upright fountain of green turns red bronze in autumn and lasts most of the winter

Papaver –Poppies– like sun and good drainage

P. alpinum tiny clump of fine grey leaves, pink, yellow, orange or white poppies 5"

P. atlanticum ‘Flore Plena’ (I thought was P.rupifragum) þ 18"

hairy leaves, soft orange semi-double flowers for months, self sows gently

P. miyabeanum clear lemon yellow poppies over furry glaucous leaves 5"

P. nudicaule ‘Garden Gnome’ dwarf Iceland Poppy, many colours 12"

P. orientale ‘Black and White’ Y big very white flowers with black blotch 36"

P. Helen Elizabeth’ over the top salmon pink with black eye 36"

P. orientale ‘Mrs Perry’ Y soft salmon pink flowers 36"

P. orientale ‘Patty’s Plum’ big grey/purple flowers, extraordinary colour 36"

P. orientale ‘Perry’s White’ big white tissue paper flowers, dark blotch 36"

P. somniferum ‘Black Beauty’ black very double Opium Poppy, annual 30"

P. somniferum ‘White Cloud’ pure white single Opium Poppy, annual 36"

P. triniifolium beautiful fine cut grey leaves, soft brick red flowers, biennial 12"

Pennisetum orientale -Fountain Grass- Y þ good for cutting &/or drying 24"

pale pink fluffy soft bottle brush flowers in late summer, arching stems

Penstemon cut back hard in April, easy from summer cuttings, like sun & drainage

‘Thorn’ white with very narrow pink rim to flower, deep pink tip to bud 15"

P. digitalis ‘Huskers Red’ wonderful deep red foliage, pinky-white flowers 30"

Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ Y hardy deciduous sub-shrub, sun 5ft

aromatic deeply cut grey-green leaves on grey-white stems, violet-blue flower spikes

Phlox likes moist rich soil

‘Chatahoochee’ Y trailing, exquisite pale blue flowers with dark red eye, shade 8"

P. carolina ‘Bill Baker’ mound of bright pink flowers, sun or shade 15"

Phygelius aequalis ‘Yellow Trumpets’ Y likes sun and moisture 30"

clusters of long narrow creamy yellow trumpets most of summer

Plantago major easy, self sows true, dead head if you don’t want lots

‘Rosularis’ –Rose Plantain– þ seedheads like large crinkled green flowers 10"

‘Rubrifolia’ -Purple-leaved Plantain- þ handsome red-purple leaves 10"

Polystichum setiferum ‘Plumosum Densum’ likes shade, lime tolerant 15"

evergreen Soft Shield Fern, much divided fronds, attractive yearround, easy-going

Potentilla thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’ deepest red large flowers 20"

Pratia pedunculata (= Lobelia pedunculata) ‘County Park’ sun or shade 1"

evergreen creeping mat of small leaves, dark blue star-shaped flowers, not too dry

Primula these like shade and moisture, tolerate sun if very moist

P. capitata dark violet flowers on silvery white stems, divide regularly 12"

P. florindae –Giant Himalayan Cowslip– Y þ fragrant hanging pale yellow bells, blooms June to August, nice seedheads all winter, easy, vigorous 30"

double Primulas hardy, spring-flowering, divide every year or two 6"

‘Dawn Ansell’ white flowers like fat roses in a green ruff

‘Eugenie’ soft violet blue flowers like fat roses

Pulmonaria –Lungwort– good groundcover for shade, bloom early, cut hard 12"

  1. longifolia ‘Ankum’ long heavily silvered leaves, brilliant deep blue flowers

P. officinalis ‘Sissinghurst White’ Y white spotted leaves, white flowers

P. rubra ‘Redstart’ pinky-red flowers, plain leaves, blooms all winter, Nov-March!

P. rubra ‘David Ward’ pinky-red flowers, boldly variegated leaves, needs shade

Pulsatilla –Pasque Flower– Y sun, good drainage, silky seedheads, feathery leaves 6"

P. vulgaris purple, ‘Album’ white, ‘Rubrum’ dark red flowers, in early spring

‘Papageno’ white, pale pink, red, lavender or purple fringed and double flowers

Rehmannia elata (= R. angulata) –Chinese Foxglove– þ BH likes sun 36"

hardy if dry in winter, hairy leaves, fat rose-purple flowers. Divide, take seed or cuttings

Rubus cockburnianus ‘Golden Vale’ –Golden Ghost Bramble– cut back in Feb 5ft

gold leaves, colours better in sun, thicket of white stems all winter, tip rooting

Salvia verticilata ‘Purple Rain’ like purple balls threaded along stem 24"

Sarcococca humilis –Christmas Box– Y shiny evergreen small shrub 36"

very fragrant white flowers in winter, sun or shade but not too dry

Saxifraga fortunei ‘Black Leaf’ NEW shiny nearly black leaves, pink flowers, shade 10"

Scabiosa caucasica ‘Perfecta’ and ‘Perfecta Alba’ –Pincushion Flower– 20"

a blue and a white Scabious, very long blooming and reliable, like chalk

Schizostylis coccinea –Kaffir Lily– likes moist rich soil and sun, autumn-blooming

S.c. var. alba white flowers, less vigorous 15"

‘Prof Barnard’ vigorous, pinky-red flowers, good cut flowers 20"

Scilla peruviana þ fairly hardy bulb, likes sun or light shade & good drainage 10"

rounded heads of up to 50 violet-blue sparkling flowers May-June on stout stem

Sidalcea easy, sun or light shade, not too dry, cut back after blooming 30"

S. candida white flowers July- August

‘Elsie Heugh’ clear pink flowers with frilled petals

Sisyrinchium –Rock Iris– flowers June-July, likes sun and good drainage

‘California Skies’ small fans of iris-like leaves, large deep blue flowers 6"

‘Pole Star’ rockery plant, small fans of iris-like leaves, pure white flowers 3"

S. striatum ‘Aunt May’ cream-striped iris-like leaves, spires of cream flowers 15"

Stipa most beautiful of all grasses, shimmering in flower, move beautifully in wind

S. arundinacea –Pheasant Grass– þ arching evergreen grass, sun or shade 30"

bronze/orange/red in autumn, silky sprays of bronze brown seed heads

Stipa gigantea Y 18" clump of grass, seedheads glorious with sun behind 6ft

golden anthers dangle from open panicles of silvery awns on 6ft stems, well-drained

S. tenuissima þ fine soft evergreen grass with slender waving blond plumes 15"

Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’–Shrubby Germander- Y sun and drainage BH 4ft

evergreen, grey aromatic leaves, 2-lipped large blue flowers, mine blooms all winter

Thalictrum -Meadow Rue- likes some shade, good soil, not too dry

T. aquilegifolium maidenhair fern like foliage, fluffy purple flowers in June 3ft

T.a. ‘Album’ same with white flowers 3ft

T.delavayii (=T.dipterocarpum) Y fine ferny foliage, fluffy purple flowers July 4ft

T.d. ‘Hewitts Double’ Y same with smaller, rounder, more purple flowers 4ft

Tiarella ‘Ninja’ distinctive dark-blotched leaves, pale coral flowers, likes shade 12"

Trachelospermum jasminoides -Confederate Jasmine- Y evergreen climber BH 15ft

very fragrant creamy twisted star flowers, reddish autumn colour, hardy if sheltered

Verbascum likes sun, any soil, cut back Nov, short-lived but easy to propagate

V. blattaria albiflorum þ white flowers on dark stems with dark leaves, airy 30"

V. chaixii ‘Album’ þ spires of white flowers with furry purple stamens, dense 36"

V. ‘Gainsborough’ Y loose spires of clear pale yellow flowers all summer 36"

V. ‘Helen Johnson’ Y wonderful soft tawny apricot flowers 36"

V. ‘Jackie’ similar to Helen Johnson, but shorter 18"

V. phoeniceum hybrids slender spires of purple, pink or white 30"

V. wiedemannianum furry silver rosette, dark purple flowers,keep dry in winter 36"

Verbena heads of small flowers, butterflies like it

‘Boughton House’ blue-purple flowers, upright, vigorous, spreading, hardy 30"

‘Homestead Purple’ trailing, purple flowers spreads to 36"

V. bonariensis (= V. patagonica) þ tall, narrow, architectural, purple flowers 5ft

Veronica –Speedwell–

V. austriaca ‘Ionian Skies’ fine leaves, light blue flowers, sun or light shade 6"

V. peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’ bright blue flowers, winter leaves bronze 5"x15"

V. prostrata (= V. rupestris) Y dark evergreen mat, brilliant blue flowers 4"x36"

V. prostrata ‘Alba’ same with white flowers 4"x36"

Viburnum some of the best shrubs in the garden, very diverse, sun or light shade

V. burkwoodii semi-evergreen, very fragrant pinky-white flowers 10ft

V. davidii compact handsome evergreen, small white flowers, very blue berries 4ft

V. tinus ‘Eve Price’ winter blooming evergreen, pink buds, white flowers 10ft

Viola long-blooming, shade tolerant, cut back when get straggly

‘Irish Molly’ glowing copper/yellow/bronze pansies, can flower itself to death 5"

‘Molly Sanderson’ Y pure black little pansies 5"

‘Rebecca’ little creamy white pansies stippled purple at edges, fragrant 5"

‘Vita’ subtle grey-pink small pansy flowers 5"

V. sororia ‘Albiflora’ fat-cheeked creamy white violets 5"

V. sororia ‘Freckles’ white violets speckled blue all over 5"

Wahlenbergia gloriosa BH 2"

deep blue open stars above mat of tiny dark shiny leaves

*Wahlenbergia undulata seed collected at 9000 ft in the Drakensberg 15"

big pale blue wide open bells on long thin stems, so far appears hardy, spreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL PLANTS is 7 miles north of Bath. It is ¾ mile down Greenways Lane, which turns West off of the A46, 100 yards South of the A420 roundabout. We are not in Cold Ashton village. From March to Sept the nursery is usually open 10am - 5pm daily (but at least 11am - 3pm daily). The rest of the year we are usually open 11am - 4pm daily, but it is wise to ring to check.

Telephone: (01225) 891686.

Postal Address: SPECIAL PLANTS, Greenways Lane,

Cold Ashton, Chippenham, Wilts, U.K. SN14 8LA

E-mail: derry@sclegg.demon.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GARDENERS BREAKS

 

TAKING CUTTINGS TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Learn how new plants grow from cuttings and practice soft and semiripe cuttings on a wide variety of plants. Take home a tray full of cuttings.

CONSERVATORY GARDENING WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER

How to get the most from your greenhouse: choosing the best plants for your conditions, watering, fertilizing, pests & diseases, composts etc.

GARDENING WITH GRASSES FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER

Using ornamental grasses of every colour, size and habit for year round effect. Where to grow them, what to grow them with, how to propagate.

GROWING PLANTS FOR SALE WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER

Easy to grow and easy to sell varieties, how to propagate and look after them. Where to sell, how to advertize, pricing, planning production

WINTER CUTTINGS THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER

Follow-up to Taking Cuttings. Root cuttings, hardwood cuttings, bulb scaling, division, layering, air layering – dormant season techniques.

Courses designed to teach real skills and give as much practical hands-on experience as possible. Numbers limited to fifteen. Coffee and homemade lunch included. Courses are repeated if they fill up, so other dates are often available. Please ring to confirm dates before booking.

Cost: £40 (£70 for two courses) Time: 10am-4pm

Place: SPECIAL PLANTS Phone: 01225 891686