Alternanthera dentata (Joy Weed) is originally from the tropical and sub tropical rainforests of the West Indies through to to Brazil. Mainly grown for its red foliage Alternanthera dentata makes a great low growing perennial ( to 18 inches) border…
Alpinia are often known as gingers these are a great ornamental plant that do well in a range of conditions. The varieties differ greatly in flower form and foliage however many are very attractive plants. Alpinia zerumbet is known as…
Alocasia plants or ‘elephant ear plants’ are a group of wonderful foliage plants often grown as indoor plants. One of the outstanding cultivars is Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’, pictured. Grown for the large and exotic foliage that we like to call…
Also known as ‘Ladys Mantle’, Alchemilla mollis is an excellent low growing ornamental grown mainly for its lovely textured foliage which is covered in fine hairs that hold water droplets and create a lovely glistening effect in the morning. Used…
One of the most widely used ground-covers Ajuga has a number of species and a few named cultivars. With variety both in the foliage color and the flower color as well as the size this is a long flowering plant…
If a plant was named after a Russian port city then you would think it might be fairly hardy. Ajania pacifica is such a plant. Also known as the ‘Pacific Chrysanthemum’ or ‘Silver And Gold Chrysanthemum’ this a rosette forming…
If you are looking for a long flowering perennial then Agastache are well worth considering. With over 30 species and many named varieties these are drought tolerant plant that are also great bird attracting plants and sometimes referred to as…
Adenium desert rose or Adenium obesum are heat tolerant succulents from Africa. You will see them when in flower in the ‘Big Boxes’, however many of the select varieties are best sourced from online specialists. The flowers are large for…
Actaea plants are grown for their foliage as well as the flowers that appear late in summer. Best suited to a shaded to part shaded woodland situation. They do require good drainage. With many species and cultivars available for sale…
With more to Achillea than meets the eye, a number of varieties and cultivars are available for sale. Some more garden worthy than others. All are tough plants that require little attention once established, they have allow water requirement and…
Achillea Tomentosa is a low growing mat forming ground cover plant also known as Woolly Yarrow. A hardy spreading perennial that grows well in many areas of the USA. Outstanding plants for those hot dry positions in the garden, Woolly…
With tall flower spikes from spring through summer Acanthus mollis also has great textured leaves. It makes an interesting feature plant in the border, and can also be grown in mass plantings to line a fence or path. The foliage…
With many Peony varieties in cultivation they are grown both as garden plants and for cut flowers. In China, Peonies, or as we sometimes call them, the Peony Rose are regarded as an omen of good fortune, love and wealth.…
Paeonia suffruticosa is the name used for what we commonly call the Tree Peony. They are hybrids and come in a dazzling number of flower colours. You will see some sold as Chinese Tree Peonies, and these are the ones…
With wonderful ferny foliage, Peony tenuifolia is often overlooked in favour of modern peony cultivars, we believe it deserves a place in the garden. Known as the ‘Fern Leaf peony’ . The foliage in itself is attractive and the blood…
If you are looking for a peony with a ‘little bit extra’, then Peony obovata could be the one. This is a woodland species form Japan. Sometimes called the Japanese forest peony, Peony obovata, or to be correct Paeonia obovata…
We have to admit that we have not yet flowered ‘Molly the Witch’, however next spring we are have greta hopes that Paeonia mlokosewitschii, for that is Molly’s botanical name, will grace us with her presence. Growing species peonies, rather…
American lutea hybrid peonies or ‘Moutan’ peonies are a hybrid between Paeonia lutea, Paeonia delvayi and the Japanese Paeonia suffruticosa. It was the French who first started this course of hybridisation, however it was in America that hybrids with stronger…
The difference between these two popular peonies is how they have been bred over 100s of years. Chinese and Japanese growers have concentrated on different aspects of the flower. So although they some from mostly the same species, the hybridisation…
Wonderful flowers over a long period and fragrant as well, ITOH peonies are a well kept secret, but only because they are a little difficult to propagate, so commercial growers are not really promoting them. Developed in Japan by Toichi…
Best known as the Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia rotundifolia is one of this small genus that also includes species such as Tithonia diversifolia or tree marigold. All Tithonia species are native to Mexico and are usually grown as an annual, planted…
With its huge leaves Gunnera manicata is one of the wonders of the plant world. In the garden it adds texture and scale, as well as being a focal point in itself. The main attraction are the large leaves which…
Aconitum are commonly called Aconites, Wolfsbane and Monkshood all the same thing, except it is better to differentiate by using the species name as they are very different plants in some ways. Aconitum napellus and aconitum carmichaelii which are the…
A woodland plant from both China and North America Podophyllum are a plant that adds texture to the garden with its tough leathery foliage. The species we see a lot of is Podophyllum peltatum, however it is the Asian species…
