Interesting Foliage

'Albion Black Pod' is much less common than the usual Nigella varieties, It bears delicate romantic white flowers with intriguing little green stamens that are surrounded by ferny foliage. At the end of the season, the petals drop and the blossoms transform into dark plum fairy lanterns.

'Albion Green Pod' is an unusual species of Nigella. The flowers are followed by fresh green, very ornamental seed capsules, are held on stiff stems that are perfect for use as a cut flower. They dry readily and easily, are very decorative and very useful for fresh and dried bouquets and winter decorations indoors.

An unusual twist on the classic cottage garden flower, Nigella 'Transformer' adds intriguing texture with its uniquely shaped flowers and upright, seed pods. A good choice for borders, mass plantings or cut flowers. Used fresh or dried the seed pods are a great filler in bouquets, cut flower production is just 12 to 16 weeks.

Nigella papillosa ‘African Bride’ is a most attractive variety. Deep rich purple stamens that highlight pure white blooms are followed by intriguing red seed pods. A hardy annual that is very easy to grow, it is rather special as a cut flower, and lovely in summer borders too.

Named for the famous Dutch Delft blue pottery, Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’ is an eye catching hardy annual with flower petals in varying shades of blue and grey, and intricate deep-purple centres. They make a splendid addition to mixed beds and border displays and the flowers attract and feed bees as well as other beneficial insects.

Nigella papillosa ‘Midnight' is a very handsome variety with gorgeous, velvety, dark purple flowers which stand above attractive, lush green feathery foliage. Ornamental, dark purple, spider-like seed pods extend the interest of this border star well into autumn. Sowing to flowering takes just three months.

Despite its American provenance Panicum virgatum was originally taken up by German landscapers and gardeners. Renowned for its steely coloured blue-grey to blue-purple leaves, but it is the contrast between the rigid, stainless-steel foliage and purple-pink froth that really charms.

'Emerald Chief' is a good Panicum virgatum selected seed strain. Hardy with sturdy upright deep green growth and great autumn colour. The panicles open red pink in late summer and its foliage turns from green to a lovely deep gold. This chief stands up tall throughout the winter months.

Pennisetum alopecuroides is an especially appealing species, it changes its appearance and colour throughout the growing season. In late summer graceful fountain-like plumes emerge in profusion, they slowly change colour to a blend of green, soft pinks and light-colored maroons before maturing to light tan.

Pennisetum alopecuroides var. viridescens has broader leaves and darker flower heads than the regular species and, growing to around 60cm tall, it is also slightly smaller. It has graceful smoky purple-black plumes that contrast nicely with the slender arching, glossy, deep green foliage.

This attractive plant will be equally at home in the flower border or keeping company with the sage and thyme in your herb garden. Delightfully aromatic, the floral-peppermint scent is subtly different from other mints. Mountain mint is a great nectar plant, its honey is much sought after.

Rosularia is a rosette forming succulent that closely resemble other Crassulaceae such as Sempervivum and Echeveria. It distinguishes itself in spring time when the small green clusters change to a vibrant rich reddish tone. Rare yet hardy, they are seldom seen other than in specialist nurseries or rock garden collections.

Santolina, commonly known as Lavender Cotton is a small shrub with soft, woolly, finely divided foliage, that make neat, rounded bushes. They are valuable for mass planting, ideal for knot gardens and small hedging around herb gardens etc. It will stand any amount of clipping and shaping - a perfect plant for control freaks.

The papery bracts of Scabiosa stellata is an example of perfect geometry. A delicate geodesic sphere of translucent papery, cone shaped bracts adds a new shape to the garden. The everlasting seed heads make excellent cut flowers and are perfect for dried arrangements.

Hugely impressive in any garden, Sedum telephium ‘Emperors Wave’ boasts succulent, blue-green foliage and masses of star-shaped flowers in glorious shades of deep pink and purple. They are popular with late season perennials and ornamental grasses. The extreme contrast in flower shape enhance each other, adding to the textures and colours of the late season garden.

Sedum ussuriense is at its best in late summer and through autumn, the blue-green succulent, rounded leaves are followed by a glowing display or carmine-red flower clusters. It even pleases the eye in winter when its seed heads turn into a stage for dew drops and ice crystals.

A mixture of many attractive low-growing sedum varieties representing a wide range of foliage types and flower colours. Low maintenance, durable and interesting, grow them on walls or banks, as a ground cover or as a green roof. Sedum strut their stuff where many other plants dare not venture!

Sedum Roof Garden Mix is a formula mixture of many important varieties for roof gardens in full foliage and flowering colour range. Low maintenance, durable and interesting, grow them on walls or banks, as a ground cover or as a green roof. Sedum strut their stuff where many other plants dare not venture!

Whether planted in large numbers or used as a single specimen Sempervivum are both beautiful and enduring. A selection of winter hardy species, the sheer variation of colour, texture and size of these fascinating succulents is almost infinite and their tendency to produce offsets makes for easy increase.