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- Bee Friendly
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- RHS AGM
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' ('Stapleford Gem') is a larger, taller cultivar with strong upright flowering spikes of creamy white flowers, painted lilac and pink on the outside. 60cm, flowering throughout Summer. This is a cultivar with a confused history. It is entirely possible that two similar cultivars were named 'Sour Grapes', one raised by Nellie Britten in the late 1930's and the other given to Marjery Fish in the 1950's. Further confusion comes from a similarity and mixed labelling in the trade with P.'Stapleford Gem'. I don't want to make any claims as to which ours is, I would just say that it is a strong grower of dense habit with distinctively dark, slightly hairy leaves which at some times of the year are markedly cross shaped in the way they grow on the stem. The flowers vary dependant on conditions but are a mix of lilac and blue shades and most lovely. If there is a Penstemon expert out there who would like to help with identification, I'd welcome the input. Cut back lightly in Autumn, harder in SpringLinks
Penstemon Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
(Penstemon digitalis 'Purpureus') This herbaceous Penstemon has much to recommend it. The foliage is richly beetroot stained, forming an evergreen clump in Winter. The flowers are white, stained with lavender and pink, rising up to 1m on dark stemmed panicles. Penstemon digitalis is native to the East of Canada, stretching down into the USA. Naturally it grows in moist sandy soils in full sun. Husker Red was created in 1983 by Dale Lindgren at the University of Nebraska and named in honour of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, an intercollegiate Athletic team. Named perennials of the year for 1996 by The Perennials Plant Association. Penstemon digitalis 'Dark Tower' (also one of Dale Lindgren's) is taller and darker in the foliage.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Penstemon Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
A recent addition to the range of Persicaria, being one of the darkest to date. Flowers are produced over a very long season in a rich deep congealed blood red. Height between 80 and 120 cm. A firm favourite of our good friend Dinah, and she knows a thing or two about Persicarias. Very drought tolerant. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
This variety was a chance seedling identified by Alan Bloom. It is shorter than the species with an extended flowering season all the way from July through to November. The flowers are a rich magenta pink with electric blue stamens. Height 100cm (sometimes more) by 70cm wide. Very drought tolerant. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon'. This is a really excellent foliage plant if you want to add a dramatic splash of burgundy foliage into a scheme. You can either leave it to grow to its full height of about 1m with terminal clusters of white flowers or regularly trim it to the base to produce fresher stronger coloured growth. The leaves tend to be coloured in 3 patches, a dark triangle at the base, followed by a silvered 'V' and finally the red main part of the leaf. They can be rather changeable in colour. New growth in good light is rich burgundy, but later in the season it tends more towards brown and can be quite green in low light or shade. Don't worry if the early growth gets frosted off, which it often does, it soon recovers.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Phlomis russelliana. This is a very useful, robust perennial. Not only is it reliable, but its overlapping leaves and gently running form make particularly useful weed-smothering mats, especially useful as it is happy on dry limey soils. The leaves are an attractive felty sagey green and the flower stems are stiff and upright, carrying densely packed whorls of downward curved flowers, each paler on top and rich lemon yellow on the lip. to 1m in flower.RHS AGM
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- RHS AGM
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- Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
An exceptionally pure white Phlox with large dense heads of flowers (6-9") of good substance. Grows to 3' (1m) and from its initial flowering in July it is capable of repeat flowering until September if dead-headed and well cared for. Superb, heady, rich fragrance. Nice apple-green foliage is resistant to powdery mildew and even spotting providing conditions are good. This variety was discovered in its native America as a chance seedling. For full sun to partial shade in a moist fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. 36-40". Native Phlox paniculata are reserved and nurtured by the Brandywine Conservancy Volunteers at Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania. In August 1987, the Phlox seedlings were inspected by the coordinator and Richard Simon of Bluemount Nurseries. Together they selected a white fragrant form with clean foliage and it was named 'David' by Mrs FM Mooberry, the project coordinator, for her husband. 'David' may well be a direct descendant of the original Phlox sent to Europe in 1930 by John Bartram. It was 'Perennial of the Year' in America in 2002 Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Phlox Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
This a particularly striking cultivar with a broad creamy white edge to the leaves. Despite the lack of chlorophyll it is a fine vigorous clone which will make a strong clump. The flowers are white with a pink central stain. Darwin's Joyce / Choice is synonymous with Norah Leigh, but is a particularly robust. Named for the mother of Mrs Joan Elliott, the Elliots being a well known nursery family. 90-100cm Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Phlox Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Phlox paniculata 'White Flame'. One of a new wave of Phlox with a compact habit and greater resistance to disease. It is a strong grower that will flower profusely, especially when given adequate feeding. Large heads of pure white flowers from June to September. 45cm Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Phlox Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Polystichum braunii. Prickly Shield Fern. A highly desirable fern whose beautiful fronds are silvery when young; becoming bristly as they age. Semi evergreen, keeping its fronds all Winter if conditions aren't too harsh. 60-90cm. Trim of old leaves to see the beuty of the emerging new fronds. Prefers moist shade, but will tolerate a fair degree of dryness. Has a very wide distribution with forms coming from America, Central Europe and AsiaDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Ferns - Garden Pictures
Ferns for Moist Sites
Ferns for Dry Sites
Ferns - Deciduous or Evergreen
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Polystichum munitum. Christmas or Western Sword Fern. A really excellent evergreen fern whose fronds are long; even and gracefully curved making a lovely shape. The old fronds will need to be cut back in Spring to see the beauty of the newly emerging scaly croziers. A large and adaptable fern with a slowly spreading habit. 90cmDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Ferns - Garden Pictures
Ferns for Moist Sites
Ferns for Dry Sites
Ferns - Deciduous or Evergreen
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Polystichum polyblepharum A magnificent large fern from Japan which will adapt to many positions, including dry shade. Glorious deep green shining fronds last really well into winter. As they emerge in Spring they are a pure delight, russet brown and covered in golden bristles. 90cm. The specific epithet 'polyblepharum' refers to the resemblance of the sori to 'many eyelids'. 60cmDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Ferns - Garden Pictures
Ferns for Moist Sites
Ferns for Dry Sites
Ferns - Deciduous or Evergreen
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum' ( 'Plumosum Densum'). A dense crown produces a spiral of soft pale green fronds the segments of each of which is congested and overlapping creating an effect is like a feather. The newly emergant fronds, reddy-brown with a dense covering of translucent scales, are an absolute delight - well worth the effort of trimming away the old foliage. Easily grown and adaptable and one of the lovliest ferns. Tolerates quite dry soils. 100cmDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Ferns - Garden Pictures
Ferns for Moist Sites
Ferns for Dry Sites
Ferns - Deciduous or Evergreen
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
This variety is a cross made between R.aesculifolia and R.podophylla by Eric Smith and Jim Archibald at the Plantsman Nursery. The leaves are like R.podophylla except that they are longer in each segment relative to the width and larger overall. The ends of the leaves escecially will take on red tones during the Summer months, more so than R.podophylla under the same conditions. The impressive flower spike is tall, creamy white and columnar.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
As its name suggests, the leaves of this Rodgersia are like the Horse Chestnut. Like podophylla, they are palmate, with all the leaflets arising from a central point but unlike it the leaf ends are much more rounded with the whole leaf outline being round too. They can be up to 50cm across. The flowers are white and are carried in a lax arching panicle on rusty stems up to 2m long. Farrer, who first saw this in Western China described it as a magnificent sight with huge clumps of large metallic leaves. There are many forms of this species in cultivation. -
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- Bee Friendly
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- RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' is one of the last flowers of Summer with rich glowing yellow daisies each enhanced by its black central cone. There is a warmth to the tone of this plant that assorts so well with all the other colours of late Summer Autumn. Reliable cheerful colour for the late season. 1m. Any soil in full sun. Leave the spent flower stems on for a winter decoration and to provide food for the birds - Goldfinches love the seeds.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Rudbeckia Compared
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Potsize - 1L
Rudbeckia triloba 'Prairie Glow'. A real beauty for the Summer and Autumn garden. A mass of small, black-eyed daisies are well spaced out all over a bush 3-4ft tall like a warm glowing sunset. The new flowers are reddish with yellow tips but as they mature the red bleeds until no two flowers are alike. A plant that manages impact without being over dense. July-September. This Rudbeckia can be so floriferous that it frequently flowers itself into an early grave. Hence it can be best to treat it as potentially annual.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Rudbeckia Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Salvia pratensis 'Swan Lake'. Good, reliable perennial sage for the front section of any border. Upright spikes carry relatively dense heads of pure white flowers. 50cm. Summer flowering. reblooms if cut back after first flowering. Originally a sage of meadows and hence quite amenable to naturalising.
Good for Bees
Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Salvia Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Salvia sclarea 'Turkestanica' (Clary) is a magnificent show-stopping biennial to add impact to the garden. Large attractive rosettes of blue green foliage develop a branching flower head to 75cm tall in the second year. The flower are lavender with a white lip but the real stars of the show are the large showy white & pink bracts. Clary has been long cultivated both for ornament and flavour, having been used as a substitute for hops and to flavour wine. The names 'Clary' and 'sclarea' both derive form the Latin 'clarus' = clear; a reference to the use of the mucilaginous seeds to clear eyesight. The essential oil is often used in perfumery. Salvia sclarea – Clary, Horminum, Gallitricum, Clear Eye, See BrightDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Salvia Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Sanguisorba 'Chocolate Tip'. All the wow factor of 'Arnhem' and its smart little flowers but on a more modest scale of plant. The foliage still makes a luxurious mound but is finer in all its aspects than either 'Arnhem' or menziesii and shows a red midrib. The flowers are perhaps a shade darker and the flowering stems are plentiful and rise about 3 feet. It manages to make a statement in the border without adding too much weight.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Sanguisorba 'Pink Tanna'. This is delightful member of an increasingly trendy genus. Each flower is a tight pink cheese puff, made fluffy with an all round coating of black tipped, white stamens. The flowers waft in the wind making a see-through haze of pink and white. One of those plants that is lovely from a distance and intriguing on close inspection. A magnet to insects and needs no staking. Attractive foliage, with leaves that are pinnate like a Rowan tree, form spreading low clumps. This is the pink member of the 'Tanna' series of sanguisorba, being about mid height in the range that sanguisorba grow at 60-80cm. Great Burnet, Burnet Bloodroot Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Sanguisorba menziesii. An unusual and rather special plant for the summer border. Lovely mounds of dissected and smartly toothed grey-green leaves emerge early and act as a valuable foil for Spring bulbs. Then in June it sends up lots of long wiry self-supporting stems, each crowded with neat, almost cone-like flowers, each tightly packed with dried blood red florets which then erupt into shaggy pink foxtails. Makes an interesting focal point and especially good as a cut flower.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
This is a fairly new variety. What distinguishes it is its dense, rounded habit and particularly large flower heads which are long and narrow and a deep rich congealed blood red. 100cm in flower, July to September.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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Good for Bees
Potsize - 1L
Like a half sized, shorter version of Sanguisorba 'Arnhem', this lovely sanguisorba sports waving heads of raspberry red cone-like flowers on stiff stems above pinnatifid foliage. For full sun but not too dry borders. Flowering in mid Summer. Korea. 4 feet high.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
I keep wanting to call this one 'Beaujolias' rather than 'Bordeaux', but then again after a glass or two of either what does it matter, the plant is still lovely. It sits about mid height amongst the Sanguisorbas, half way between 'Arnhem' and 'Chocolate Tip' and about in the middle for colour as well. It is a deep burgundy, (there goes another), less red than 'Arnhem' and less sombre than 'Chocolate Tip' and flowers in late summer on stiff swaying stems up to 1.5m tall.Links
Botanical Style Photographs
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- Butterfly Friendly
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- Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
('Pixie Yellow'). An outstanding selection by the University of Georgia. A compact dwarf habit and an abundant and free flowering tendency producing a cloud of pale creamy yellow pincushion flowers throughout the season. 40cm. The pistils are clean white.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Scabious Compared
Botanical Style Photographs (Scabiosa)
Botanical Style Photographs (Succisa / Succisella)
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Prairie Mallow. A lovely mid-border plant which forms a small clump from which rise 60cm plus flowering stems set with palest pink, fringed saucer blooms. One of the prettiest of all the Sidalceas. A fairly trouble free plants, but will perform best in a soil which is well drained but with constant moisture available, disliking very dry sites. Also known as checkerblooms, they come from the Central and Western United States.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over -
Potsize - 1L
Silene dioica 'Firefly'. Double flowers in the most shocking pink imaginable makes this a plant that is sure to be noticed. Can be grown in a sunny border, where it will make a substantial clump, or in a wilder setting in dappled shade. 60cm tall by as much wide if space and nutrition allows. Will flower on and on from early summer onwards.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over -
Good for Bees
Potsize - 1L
Succisella 'Frosted Pearl'. This is Balkan species, a relative of our own native Devil's Bit Scabious, and like it an inhabitant of wet meadows. It flowers earlier than Succisia, usually by early August and tends to be denser and less airy than its British counterpart. 60cm. The flowers are pearly white with just a hint of pinkish lavender and are a great nectar source for all sorts of insects.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Scabious Compared
Botanical Style Photographs (Scabiosa)
Botanical Style Photographs (Succisa / Succisella)
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Potsize - 1L
This variety has its roots firmly in Thalictrum aquilegifolium and so has broad heads like lavender-pink fluffy clouds which are quite strong in colour and set strikingly on black stems. Plant it in a sunny spot but make sure it doesn't want for water in the growing season. 1.5m plusDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Thalictrum Compared
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Potsize - 1L
The Nimbus series are Terra Nova selections of Thalictrum aquilegifolium. They have been selected for having a relatively short height at 28 inches and an absolute abundance of stems and flowering heads. In this they are much shorter and more floriferous than Black Stockings. They have fresh green foliage and dark stems ( dark, but a little greyer than Black Stockings ). The flower heads are a pale pink, flat topped powder puff. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Thalictrum Compared
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Potsize - 1L
The Nimbus series are Terra Nova selections of Thalictrum aquilegifolium. They have been selected for having a relatively short height at 28 inches and an absolute abundance of stems and flowering heads. In this they are much shorter and more floriferous than Black Stockings. They have fresh green foliage and dark stems ( dark, but a little greyer than Black Stockings ). The flower heads are a white, flat topped powder puff which are succeeded by lavender pink seed heads. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Thalictrum Compared
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Potsize - 1L
Tricyrtis 'Pink Freckles'. This is a variety which leans towards Tricyrtis formosana. It is earlier flowering than most with compact habit. The flowers are relatively broad in the petals with a bas colour of pink stained white, moderately spotted with burgundy. Height 60cmDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Tricyrtis Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Possibly the tallest of all the Trollius, standing up to twice as tall as some of its European counterparts. The flowers stand up high and proud above the glossy dark foliage, 2 inches across, wide open with a central blazing cage of narrow petaloid segments. With the glowing orange colour it reminds me of a the Olympic cauldron in full blaze. It is a native of high rainfall areas in Northern China up through Siberia and so wants a cool constantly moist position to thrive. Reliable and hardy and excellent by a pond where it will never fail to get noticed when in flower in May. 90cm -
RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Once a rarity, this large impressive fern from North America is now much more commonly seen. It comes form the Western Coastal region of North America, from British Columbia right down to California. The relatively narrow fronds are held mostly erect and will reach about a metre in length. In the wild they can reach 2m (even reports of 3m) but in our climate 1m is more realistic. To get the very best, Woodwardia fimbriata would prefer a moist soil, moist atmosphere with warm Summers and mild Winters. Give it time as well as it is slow to settle and increase, but the wait and patience will be worth it as it is a most impressive fern. Cold tolerance should go down to about -10C. Unlike some Woodwardia the new growth of this species is green and it also lacks the bulbils that some species carry. -
Potsize - 1L
This is a relatively new cultivar which has come from New Zealand. The flowers are more upward facing than the standard Zantedeschia, slightly shorter and posses a lovely carmine glow to the base. In shape they tend more towards a Calla lily, more funnel shaped with less of a broad flare. Reports are that it is as hardy as Green Goddess, which we have had outside for many years, and that it will take a little more dryness than usual. Like all Zantedeschis it is best to cover younger plants with a generous mulch until they are well established. 60cm -
Potsize - 1L
We're a bit confused over this one. We bought this plant in micropropagated several years ago as Zantedeschia 'Flamingo', but is less fully pink than we expected. We are not sure if it was supposed to be the plant bred in the Netherlands by The Klaver Brothers, Theo and Kees for the cut flower trade, or another cultivar which vies for the name. Whichever, believe the pictures which show the plant that we have. It has the beautiful chalice form of Zantedeschia but coloured with a lovely soft sugar pink, especially on the outside. It is a vigorous grower that will bloom freely once established and cut beautifully (cut it as the bud opens). 80cm. For a warm sunny spot with access to plenty of moisture. The crowns are best protected with a deep mulch in the early years and otherwise if Winters turn very cold.