Beds & Borders

Papaver somniferum ‘Hungarian Blue’ is a stunning new deep violet poppy that will bring rich colour and a touch of sophistication to your planting schemes all summer long. A hardy annual that is very easy to grow, plant it outside in drifts where it will cover a large area with its beautiful blooms.

A profusion of cut petals in burgundy to almost black makes 'Black Swan' a must-have flower for cottage gardens. The petals are very deeply pinnately-divided which makes it entirely different from the others, and that is the source of the variant name, laciniatum, from the Latin meaning meaning 'slashed' or 'torn into divisions'.

With their impressive variety, spectacular blooms and strange seed pods, 'Pepperbox' poppies are one of the easiest ways to add a bit of architecture and a lot of colour to your garden. The glorious, papery-textured flowers bloom in a multitude of colours, rich purples, deep reds to pale lilac-pinks.

This ancient form of cultivated poppy produces the most unusual seed pod of all poppies. The main pod is surrounded by masses of smaller pods. Primarily grown for their curious seed pods which are extremely decorative, they are much in demand for cut and dried flower arrangements.

Originally raised in the 1880's by the Rev. Wilks in his garden in Shirley near Croydon in Surrey. The flowers are often likened to tissue paper, in colours from the brightest scarlet to pure white, with all shades of pink in between and all varieties of flaked and edged flowers.

Papaver rhoeas 'Pandora' is a strikingly unique and impressive new variety, which blooms in a phenomenal combination of shades. From voluptuous deep burgundy red to paler pink-red all broken by silver grey stripes on the lower petals. They bloom from early summer and bloom for several months.

Developed by the painter Cedric Morris around 1910 'Mother of Pearl' offers the finest colours in mauves and smokey tones and is one of the most distinctive, yet subtle blends of poppies available today. Single flowers in dove greys, blackberry and lavender, mauve edged in white, and opalescent shadowy tints.

When it comes to cut flowers, the poppy may be the ‘Internet darling’ of the moment. arranged in mason jars and in hand-tied bouquets, the poppy attracts the hip and stylish with their vintage, casual feel. The pure white colour form has been separated out and is now available to gardeners.

Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow large flowering plant. It has fascinating, large, fully double white flowers, with lovely crinkled petals. Papaver 'White Cloud' is superb in the flower border. These plants are showstoppers when they're in full bloom.

Peony poppies are one of the easiest ways to add a bit of architecture and a lot of dazzle to your garden. 'Violet Blush' produces spectacular palm-sized blooms in a lovely light blushed, violet-pink colour. It is superb in the flower border and looks extra special when planted en mass.

Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow large flowering plant, Papaver paeoniflorum 'Paeony Yellow' produces ultra feminine, large flower heads with lovely crinkled petals that look like upturned petticoats. At the end of the season, the seed pods are well-suited for crafts and dried floral arrangements.

Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow large flowering plant, Papaver paeoniflorum 'Paeony Rose Pink' produces ultra feminine, large flower heads with lovely crinkled rose-pink petals that look like upturned petticoats. At the end of the season, the seed pods are well-suited for crafts and dried floral arrangements.

Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow large flowering plant, Papaver paeoniflorum 'Paeony Pink' produces ultra feminine, large flower heads with lovely crinkled pink petals that look like upturned petticoats. At the end of the season, the seed pods are well-suited for crafts and dried floral arrangements.

Indescribably elegant, Papaver paeoniflorum 'Lilac Pompom' blooms with lush frilled, dark pink-violet, often palm-sized blooms. Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow flowering plant, they are showstoppers when they're in full bloom.

Peony poppies are one of the easiest ways to add a bit of architecture and a lot of dazzle to your garden. Papaver 'Double Salmon' blooms with lush frilled, coral-pink coloured, often palm-sized blooms. The gardener is treated to some of the most dramatic flowers in the plant kingdom, absolute showstoppers when they're in full bloom.

Also known as Peony poppies, Papaver paeoniflorum producing a summer-long succession of fascinating, heavily doubled, large flowers with lovely crinkled petals. Their spectacular blooms, in a multitude of colours are one of the easiest ways to add a bit of architecture and a lot of colour to your garden.

Perfect for gardeners in pursuit of an easy-to-grow large flowering plant, with thick stalks and broad lettuce like leaves, Papaver 'Double Cream' has fascinating, large, fully double, cream flowers with lovely crinkled petals. Sown in early spring, the plants grow quickly and the first flowers appear in early July. One of the easiest ways to add a bit of architecture to your garden.

Papaver 'Black Peony' has fascinating, large, fully double, dark purple-maroon, almost black flowers, with lovely crinkled petals. When the flowers do burst, overnight, from their casings, the gardener is treated to some of the most dramatic flowers in the plant kingdom.

A range of delicate antique pinks, many with a cream-white base, suffused with rose, pinks and purple hues, beautifully offset by lush, blue-green foliage. Papaver paeoniflorum 'Antique Shades' is not a new introduction, but on old, historical variety of the type that were grown in cottage gardens and monasteries several centuries ago.

Recently renamed Papaver cambricum, formerly known as Meconopsis and often simply called 'The Welsh Poppy', is very easy to grow and is reliably perennial. The delicate cup-shaped, golden-yellow flowers are borne in abundance from late spring to early autumn.

'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.

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.