Beds & Borders

'Melton Pastels' is a great border plant, densely flowering plant with strong stalks of pin cushion flowers in shades of shades of pink, cherry red, mauve and purple. The tall stems make excellent cut flowers and are good for the middle of the border, giving a succession of blooms through till autumn.

Knautia macedonica has been hugely fashionable for years and is likely to remain so for many more. This lovely and versatile perennial blooms from late spring to autumn with dark-crimson, richly glamorous pompoms. Established plants produce literally hundreds of blooms in one season.

Iris bulleyana is a classic species Iris from western China. It belongs to a small group of oriental species which are entirely hardy and are of great value to the gardener. The plants are successful in any moist garden soil. Flowering from June to July, the blooms with mid purple flowers and dark purple veins.

Hosta are grown predominantly for their outstanding foliage, from leaves as small as a teaspoon up to those larger than a dinner plate, colours range from deep blues to silvers, darkest shiny greens to bright yellows, from a single solid hue to the myriad of variegations the choice is almost overwhelming.

Herniaria glabra is a relatively unknown perennial that deserves to be used more often in our gardens. The nursery industry calls it ‘Green Carpet’ and well they should. This lovely bright green creeper spreads effortlessly in all directions. An excellent choice for between flagstones or as a lawn substitute.

From the Tian Shan Mountains of northern China comes this tough little subshrub that is among the finest expressions of silver foliage to be found. Helichrysum thianshanicum is a superb silver leaved evergreen, subshrub that forms a tight mound of eye-catching silver foliage.

Helichrysum bracteatum is the most well known and is probably the best of all the everlasting flowers. They make one of the finest subjects for bouquets, apart from being useful for beds and borders. It is the cut flower grower's staple. 'King Size Silvery-White' produce substantial slky-white blooms that are held atop strong multi-branching bright green stems.

The cut flower grower's staple, producing tall vigorous branching plants that are filled with large papery flowers. Helichrysum 'Silvery Rose' produce large pearlescent white blooms, frosted with a delicate rose pink colour at the tips. Reminiscent of vintage mother of pearl, they bloom ten weeks after sowing and continue till first frost.

Helichrysum bracteatum 'King Size Salmon Rose' is a lovely mixture of buff, peach and salmon colours. Apart from being useful for beds and borders, the papery, double flowers make one of the finest subjects for bouquets, they are also an excellent dried flower.

Known as an 'everlasting' because the flowers will last indefinitely when dried, Helichrysum bracteatum bloom non-stop from ten weeks after sowing and continue until late autumn. The soft lemon double blooms on tall, well-branched plants are useful for beds and borders and one of the finest subjects for bouquets.

Helichrysum 'Frosted Sulphur' is a welcome addition to the range, the colour of fresh buttermilk, soft ivory with a hint of cream. With an opalescent quality that gives them a soft glow. Very easy to grow from seed with little or no attention. They dry to a lovely creamy-ivory which blends well with everything..

Helichrysum 'King Size Creamy-White' produce creamy-white, vintage-toned blooms that are one of the finest subjects for bouquets and especially valued for wedding work. They are also an excellent dried flower, the papery flowers give an excellent natural colour.

Growing to around 90cm tall, Helichrysum 'King Size Bright Rose' are very easy to cultivate, growing well with little or no attention. The flowers bloom non-stop from ten weeks after sowing and will continue to flower until late autumn. Useful for beds and borders and one of the finest subjects for bouquets, and to cap it all, pollinators love them.

Helichrysum bracteatum is the most well known and is probably the best of all the everlasting flowers. 'Swiss Giants Mixed' is a special selection of large flowered, double strawflowers. Vigorous and gorgeous in the garden, and perfect for drying. Fill your beds with colour, these stunning blossoms need very little to thrive other than light watering and good drainage.

Most gardeners are familiar with the annual sunflower, however, it is the perennial varieties that coexist most happily with other garden plants. Helianthus mollis is a lovely perennial with butter-yellow flowers. It grows 120cm tall and requires little more attention than an annual cutting to the ground.

Perennial sunflowers typically don’t grow quite as tall and large as their annual friends. However Helianthus maximiliani is a wonderful exception. It grows slowly through the summer months as a group of short stems, until late summer when the stems bolt and the flowers head for the sky.

Helianthus ‘Vanilla Ice’ is one of the prettiest sunflowers varieties available. With clusters of delicate pale creamy-yellow flowers with dark chocolate centres this compact variety grows to just 120 to 150cm (4 to 5ft) tall is suitable for the border or can be left add a naturalised charm to a wildlife friendly garden.

Helianthus debilis 'Italian Green Heart' produces creamy white flowers with contrasting green centres. Growing 100 to 120cm tall, the flowers are perfect for fresh, cut flower arrangements - especially if gathered while they are still in bud.