G-H

Hyssop is a strong-flavoured aromatic herb which is enjoying a revival with home gardeners. An ideal plant for use in containers or as a low hedge or border within the herb garden. Highly attractive to bees, it makes excellent honey and is a must for any wildflower garden.

Hyssop, once recognised as a medicinal herb is enjoying a revival with home gardeners. An aromatic herb similar to rosemary or lavender, it makes an excellent low hedge and more unusual alternative to box. The plants are a dark, vibrant green with a spiky, upright habit and narrow tongue-like leaves. 'Pink' Hyssop sports vibrant, pink flowers.

Hyssopus officinalis 'Alba' is a much less well known variety of hyssop. Also known as 'White Hyssop' the plants sport bright white flowers from July to October. Widely used as a 'taste enhancing' herb or wildlife plant, the plants are a dark, vibrant green with a spiky, upright habit and narrow tongue-like leaves which have a peppery scent when stroked.

A deep blue carpet of bluebells is an unforgettable sight to anyone visiting many of our native woodlands. The spring spectacle of seeing a wood not only greening, but also 'blueing' is one of the joys of the year. When bluebells are in flower, spring has truly arrived.

Humulus lupulus, is a climbing hardy herbaceous perennial. The Hops are actually the female flower cones or 'strobiles' of the plant. Hops are used as a sedative and relaxant, sleeping on a pillow filled with hops is said to help insomnia. Leaves and shoots are eaten either cooked or in salads, the flavour is said to be delicious.

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.

In spring, Dame’s Rocket lights up the woodland edges with her blossoms, providing nectar for hummingbirds, moths and butterflies, and fragrance for the soul. Very easy to grow, sow seeds directly where they are to flower in early summer.

Dames Rocket produce flowers varying in colour from deep rich purple, through all the paler lilac shades to white. Highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects, the fragrant flowers perfume the air in late spring and early summer evenings.

Gorgeously scented pure white flowers are held above rosettes of dark green leaves. Like all sweet rockets it is highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects, the fragrant flowers perfume the air in late spring and early summer evenings. The night-scented stock is a close relative.

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.

Based on hybrids bred by the doyenne of the Hellebore world, Helen Ballard, these must be some of the finest and most beautiful of the race we have to offer. Large flowers are produced in a variety of colours from dark purple to white - often extravagantly mottled and marked.

Hellebore 'Blackthorn Strain' is a carefully selected seed strain, with delicate pink flowers backed with pink and green, the stems, petioles and often the anthers are an enchanting ripe berry rose. The saw-toothed foliage is pewter-blue above, burgundy-grey beneath.

Heliopsis ‘Summer Nights' is a special selection made by Dale Hendricks of North Creek Nurseries, USA. Introduced in 2004 it produces a profusion of single blooms in early to mid-summer, with rich, deep golden-yellow petals and deep mahogany centres. The foliage is red-tinted and the stems are tinted dark burgundy.

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.

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.