If there was ever a plant that provokes comment it is the Allium ‘Purple Sensation’.  When planted in generous drifts through perennial planting it brings a spectacular impact and raises a border onto another level during the Spring. Allium Purple Sensation There are an enormous amount of Alliums or ornamental onion varieties available but we have always loved the simplicity and visual impact of the ‘Purple Sensation’.  It will slowly bulk up in number, spreading by seed until a border is a billowing mass of purple flower heads in mid May.  The flowering time of Alliums will r ..read more

After seeing the low Autumn sun shining through the new flower heads of our recently planted Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ we had to award it our plant of the month. This grass has been one of our favourites for many years as it has a rigid, upright stance and refuses to be knocked down by strong winds or rain.  Lasting well past the New Year before being cut to the ground in early Spring. Use as a single statement plant or plant in groups or even as a hedge to bring an interesting prairrie style to your planting schemes.  We like to group these grasses with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Abeli ..read more

This month we have been thinking about plants which are suited to very challenging areas in the garden.  One of the most difficult conditions to establish planting is beneath deciduous trees, dry soil and shade together present a double whammy. Gallantly overcoming this challenge is this month’s plant of the month, the Euphorbia amygdaloide var. robbiae.  A short, evergreen plant which spreads easily by underground runners, eventually forming a dense, weed suppressing blanket. In early spring it bears upright spikes of lime green flowers which contrast with dark green glossy foliage ..read more

If we had to choose one shrub which says winter it would be the Holly and more specifically the Silver Holly or Ilex aquifolium ‘Argenteovariagatum’ to give it it’s full title. Ilex aquifolium ‘Argenteovariatum’ This Ilex manages to be both sturdy and delicate at the same time, with glorius cream edged leaves forming a dense pyramid shaped shrub or small tree.  During the late autum and into winter crimson berries appear adding to the show.  Allowed time this holly will reach 12 metres as a tree but is rather slow growing so easily pruned to a small dense mound or even as an unusua ..read more

During the change of seasons there are some plants which have saved their party piece until right to the end of the season, we’re talking about berries.  We’ve picked two which, at the moment are stealing the show, the Pyracantha ‘Soleil d’Or’ and the Crataegus lavallei carrierei.  As regular readers of this blog will know the Crataegus is one of our favourite small trees, it just does everything you could ask for. Crataegus lavallei This hawthorn is a small garden tree which forms a compact, neat crown.  The thick, dark green leaves tend to be held well into winter making it ..read more

This month we are singing the praises of a super little tree which should bring a smile to your face in the spring and also the autumn, the Amelanchier lamarckii.  As we are starting to run out of time to plant new trees in the garden this is a last minute call to act. Amelanchier lamarckii Originally from North America this little tree forms a neat, shrubby shape which is clothed in foamy star shaped flowers in March and April.  The flowers are followed by coppery-pink leaves which turn to a pleasant green-yellow colour as the season moves on. In autumn the Amelanchier’s final per ..read more

During the Spring and Summer months evergreen plants play a supporting role to the more showy flowering varieties, now it is their time to shine and bring life to an otherwise dreary landscape.  This month we are championing the beauty and usefulness of an evergreen fern; the Polystichum munitum. Polystichum munitum The Polystichum munitum or Western Sword Fern is native to America where it is widely used as a low maintenance groundcover plant for woodland settings.  If given ideal conditions it will reach a metre in height and width, although the specimen we have seems content to ..read more

As autumn starts to establish itself on the garden it is vital to have plants which will continue to contribute to the structure and colour of the landscape.  This month we have gone for Rhamnus alaternus ‘Argenteovariagata’ – quite a mouthful of a name but a real star at this time of year. Rhamnus alaternus ‘Argenteovariagata’ An evergreen shrub originally from the Mediterranean region this Rhamnus is one of the most versatile plants.  If left untouched it will form a large, rounded shrub of 4mx4m which has real presence and is useful for a central shrub in a large border scheme ..read more

Once summer starts to give way to autumn the race is on to keep the garden interesting and attractive.  It’s still too early to cut down perennials to tidy the borders so we like to rely on autumn interest plants to divert attention from plants which are on the wane.  This month we have gone for a beautiful mini Gladiolus type lily, the Schizostylis coccinea, also known as the Kaffir lily. Schizostylis coccinea With spires of vivid pink lily like flowers rising 60cm above strap leaves from August until well into winter, the Schizostylis is at home in a sunny spot which has damp soi ..read more

This month we have been inspired by the hot weather to champion a stalwart of the prairie style planting, a style which conjures up images of endless North American landscapes.  As well as soft waving grsses, a good prairie planting scheme needs tall perennials and the best one of all is the Echinacea purpurea or the coneflower Echinacea purpurea Echinaceas are tolerant of most soil types and prefer a sunny spot, although they will accept dappled shade.  The long lived flower heads are held on strong stems which shouldn’t need staking making them a good low maintenance choice.  ..read more