RHS AGM
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Potsize - 1L
A good solid variety of Liriope of dark violet hue. 30cm in flower, 40 in leaf. It is much like the species but in a slightly more compact form. Like all Lily Turf, this is an excellent plant for growing in dry shady places. -
Potsize - 1L
Liriope muscari. (Liriope platyphylla, Liriope graminifolia densiflora, Ophiopogon muscari). US nickname, Lily Turf or Big Blue. A shorter form, growing to 35cm with a reputation for flowering very freely with spikes of violet blue. This is a good all rounder for every garden. Useful for ground cover, for edging or as a flowering plant in its own right. Neat, arching shining green rush-like leaves are evergreen and in their prime in Winter. They are happy in sun or shade but flower best in sun. In the US they have earned the name 'Lily Turf' as the arching grass like foliage produces spikes of densely packed violet-blue grape hyacinth-like flowers in late Autumn. Easily grown they are both hardy and drought tolerant, only requiring reasonable drainage to succeed. Named after the Greek nymph Liriope, one of the Naiad. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over -
Potsize - 1L
Great Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower. This is quite a tough, hardy and reliable Lobelia which, although not long lived, will cheerfully seed itself around any bit of wet ground. The flower spikes are relatively dense, up to 3 feet tall and are crowded with flowers of a really intense sky blue. It comes from moist to wet soils in Canada and North America and will grow in sun or shade. Its specific epithet 'siphilitica' comes from its supposed efficacy in curing the disease Syphilis, for which it was prescribed by the North American Indians. However all parts of the plant are in fact rather toxic if eaten and really quite dangerous in large quantities.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over -
Potsize - 1L
Quite distinct for a Nepeta in that it forms a dense upright bush rather than a lax mound of foliage, standing up well despite the elements. The flowers appear in a dense terminal cluster, quite large and standing proud above the foliage. The flowers are more in the style of Nepeta 'Souvenir d'Andre Chaudron' or a Dracocephalum, long like a Salvia and a strong mauvy-blue. This is a hybrid between N.yunnanensis and N.nervosa, a recent cross made by Janet Egger (Terra Nova Nurseries). 80cmLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee and Butterfly friendly
Potsize - 1L
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' is a must for the front of any sunny border where it produces with great reliability a 3-4ft wide mound of soft grey green foliage and a hazy cloud of lavender blue flowers which the bees and butterflies adore. Trim to encourage second flowering. Easy to grow and divide. A useful alternative to lavender for short hedging. This variety is more hardy combined with better damp tolerance than Nepeta faassenii. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
This is perhaps the stoutest of all the Nepeta, standing a metre or more tall with broad heads of large purple-blue flowers emerging from dark calyces. It is long in flower and great for bees. It grows best in full sun.Links
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee and Butterfly friendly
Potsize - 1L
Nepeta nervosa is a dense shrubby perennial flowering in late summer with short dense spikes of pure blue flowers. Best in well drained soil in full sun. Cut back after flowering. 30-60cm. Leaves are narrow and much greener than most Nepeta with darker flowers in denser heads. A pretty addition to the Genus. Runs a little more underground than other species. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
This fairly recent introduction has at least three things to recommend it. To start with the flowers are a much richer shade of mauve than the usually found catmint and this plant has gained a reputation for being even freer in its reblooming also. The growth is a little more compact than normal as well, up to 30cm tall and twice as much wide. An ideal plant for edging along paths or beds.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee and Butterfly friendly
RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Despite its name, 'Wlaker's Low' is much the same size as 'Six Hill's Giant' at about 60cm height and spread, though it has a reputation for collapsing less. It is a good variety, flowering slightly earlier in May, compared to June for 'Six Hills Giant', with a more arching habit and more tint to the stems. Grown side by side, you can appreciate a denser flower spike with a richer colouring. It will flower a second time if cut back hard after flowering. Well deserving of its AGM Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee and Butterfly friendly
RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Nepeta x faassenii (mussinii of gardens, N.racemosa, N.mussinii x N.nepetella) Nepeta x faassenii produces sprays of lavender blue flowers from mid Summer until Autumn over short mounds of grey green foliage. An excellent alternative to lavender as a short hedge, brilliant below roses and good at the front of any border. Catmint deserves its popularity as a cottage garden stalwart. Trim to keep tidy and encourage a second flowering. 50cm. Excellent for the bees. Many plants grown in the trade as Nepeta racemosa are in fact this hybrid. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Nepeta Compared
Catmint in the Garden
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram'. Another treasure for the Spring garden with the brightest blue forget-me-not like flowers held in short sprays, 20cm high, over clumps of smooth, crumpled, lanceolate leaves. For a shady spot in good soil. This beautiful little plant will brighten any shady spot in spring and provide good, if not vigorous, ground cover. The attractively ridged foliage is evergreen. Named for Collingwood Ingram, nicknamed 'Cherry' for his great love of Japanese Cherries. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Parahebe perfoliata - Digger's Speedwell. (Veronica perfoliata) Attractive glaucous leaves are produced on trailing stems from a central mound. Evergreen and especially attractive in spring as the young stems are produced with a curve like a cobra. Spikes of blue flowers with dainty long stamens in spring and summer curved like the emergent foliage.Links
Speedwells Compareds
Botanical Style Photographs
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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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- Bee Friendly
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- RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Penstemon heterophyllus 'Heavenly Blue' is a tough penstemon forming a low mound absolutely smothered in summer in rich blue flowers. The flower colour is predominantly blue, but overlaid with tints of pink. In some conditions, the pink can be more dominant, but the overall effect of the display is always blue. Excellent garden value at the front of the border. 18in Cut back lightly in Autumn; harder in SpringLinks
Penstemon Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 1L
Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'. Bright creamy margined fern-like foliage that emerges in Spring strongly pink tinged, remaining pink edged for some time. Flowers come later and are a clear pale sky blue produced in a long succession on lax stems. A most attractive and stable variegated Jacobs Ladder. New introduction. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Polemonium Compared
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Potsize - 1L
Polemonium yezoense var. hidakanum 'Purple Rain'. Beautiful Jacob's Ladder with fine filigree foliage, tinted purple and surmounted by an abundance of cobalt-blue flowers. Excellent at the edge of any bed. Grows best in sun. 50cm. The colour of the foliage is stronger in cooler weather and in brighter locations. Cut the spent flower stems hard back to rejuvenate the plant and enjoy a second flush of flowers. Avoid very dry locations which will leave the plants more vulnerable to mildew.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Polemonium Compared
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Potsize - 1L
A new range of primula hybrids that combine a compact growth habit with excellent sized double flowers produced from February right on through to Summer. The belarina series has been bred for their ability to go on and on flowering. 12x20cm. Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice has bright mauve purple flowers with a thin white edge.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities 3 or over or for any 10 from the 'Higly Bred Primula' categoryLinks
Primula Compared
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- Bee Friendly
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- RHS AGM
Potsize - 9cm
Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii. (Primula acaulis subsp. rubra) These Primroses looks for all the world like our native Primrose which the fairies have painted pink. Their habit and flower shape are just the same but this subspecies hails from the eastern mediterranean and grows in similar shadier and cooler conditions to those that we associate with our own wild primrose. The flowers are usually purplish pink or rosy red and can flower from February to April. >Discount of 30p per plant for quantities of 3 -9, 50p for 10 or overLinks
Primula Compared
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Good for Bees
Potsize - 1L
Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign'. A strong vigorous clone producing masses of deep blue flowers throughout early spring. Indeed one of the richest and most strident of blues amongst the lungworts with a particularly large flower. Deep mat-green leaves that are completely without spots. Assorts well with bulbs. Best grown in a moist shaded position; away from hot sun. 30cm Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Pulmonaria Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Good for Bees
Potsize - 1L
Pulmonaria Opal ( Ocupol ). A super new variety of Pulmonaria . Its ground covering leaves are borne in neat rosettes and are heavily decorated with bright silver spots. In spring umbels of opalescent pale blue flowers are produced making it a sheer delight in the winter and spring garden. 25 x 25cm. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Pulmonaria Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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- Bee Friendly
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- RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'. A cultivar bred by Beate Zillmer of Zillmer Pflanzen in Uchte, Germany. Lovely salvia with an upright bushy habit. The flowers are a rich violet blue, carried on narrow spikes and enhanced by the purple black stems and blue green foliage. Best grown in full sun. 90cm. Taller than East Friesland and much darker.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Salvia Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
A sky blue version of these lovely large flowered, perennial salvias. First flowering starts in june and July, but if dead-headed flowers for a second time in September. 50 cm. Border Ballet series.Bee Friendly
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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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Fama Deep Blue' has the usual beautiful Scabiosa caucasica form, just a darker, richer blue colouring than is usual with a paler region towards the base of each petal. Good for a sunny border, especially where the soil tends towards limey.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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Butterfly Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Blue' is an excellent modern hybrid scabious, bred to be good in the border and as a cut flower. The large blooms are of a good mid blue with typical central creamy 'pincushion' decorated with a sprinkling of pink stamens. loves a little added lime and loved by the butterflies.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 is cultivated form of our native Small Scabious, a plant to be found growing on chalky hills in Britain. When grown in the garden, free of grass competition and well fed it can grow up to 40cm, but generally below 30cm, with lovely pale lavender blue flowers produced throughout late Summer. Loved by butterfliesDiscount 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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caption id="attachment_6421" align="alignnone" width="56"] Butterfly Friendly[/caption]Potsize - 1L
Stokesia laevis 'Blue Star' possesses large cornflower-like flowers of clear lavender blue with a pink tinge towards the centre. Combine this with evergreen leaves and you have an attractive and unusual perennial for a warm well drained spot. The flowers cut extremely well for flower arrangements. Looks best when you allow it to flop at the edge of a bed. 60cm Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over -
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- Butterfly Friendly
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- Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
Succisa pratensis - Devil's Bit Scabious, Blue Buttons. Good for any damp planting and useful in meadow schemes where a Spring meadow management regime can be applied. The flowers are dusky blue buttons held on stifly branching stems. Particularly effective en masse. Grows on slightly acid to calcareous soils. A wildflower that can holds its own in the border. The curious common name, Devil's Bit Scabious has two roots. Scabious derives from the use of the plant to cure skin ailments such as scabies and even those from the bubonic plague, (Scabere is the Latin for scratch). 'Devil's Bit' derives from folk tales of the Devil biting off the short black roots in his anger at the plants medicinal abilities.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
Tradescantia 'Blue Stone' (Andersoniana Group) demonstrates spreading mounds of neat grassy foliage amongst which nestle the cheery triangular blue flowers. A reliable and colourful addition to the front of the border. Best in full sun. 30cmDiscount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Tradescantia Compared
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
The flower spikes of this plant consist of uncountable tightly packed deep purple-blue flowers with exerted stamens, giving them a velvety plush quality. Absolute magnet for bees. Very long season June to November if deadheaded. 160cm Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Veronicas Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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Bee Friendly
Potsize - 1L
A neat, bushy, dwarf Veronica with deepest sapphire blue flowers from wonderful limy-green tips. Branching flower spikes to 30cm. Very long season. June to October Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Veronicas Compared
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
Vinca minor 'La Grave' ('Bowles's Variety'). Vinca minor is the lesser Periwinkle, the smaller of the two species most commonly found. Its makes excellent ground cover in almost any soil short of a bog, growing in sun or shade. The small leaves are a deep rich green and a lovely setting for the pale sky blue flowers which are produced in the Spring. The foliage is a little larger than in 'Gertrude Jekyll'. Each flower is formed from 5 blunt lobes creating a pentagonal outline. Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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RHS AGM
Potsize - 1L
An excellent variety with abundant blue flowers a good as 'La Grave' and variegated foliage into the bargain. Possibly a little more compact or tight in growth than some of the other varieties, but despite this a great coverer of the ground. Foliage with a clean bright white edge which it keeps all year.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Botanical Style Photographs
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Potsize - 9cm
Viola riviniana Purpurea Group ( Viola labradorica ). This is an excellent edging plant, its dark purple leaves forming an excellent foil for its own violet flowers as well as those of many other perennials. It spreads well to cover the ground and I've seen it looking lovely running along the base of a wall and along the edges of a set of stone steps. This is the dark purple leaved form of our native wood violet. It is easily pleased and will grow in sun or shade in a wide range of soil types.Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or over Discount of 25p per plant for quantities of 3 or overLinks
Violets Compared