Beds & Borders

Ajuga genevensis is used throughout the world yet this relatively uncommon form is less well known. This very well behaved, evergreen groundcover has deep gentian blue flower spikes and is by far the showiest of the species. It is often the plant of choice for smaller areas or along edges and pathways.

For most of the year Ajuga is a pleasant, quiet achiever, a very versatile low growing ground cover, with evergreen, rosette-like foliage that hugs the ground like an evergreen carpet but those weeks in spring when the blue flowers appear are simply quite magical.

Alcea ficifolia is reliably perennial and unlike the biennial forms which produce a single spire, they produce many upright stems, resulting in a bushy form. ‘Happy Lights’ is a beautiful strain, a bold blend of white, pink, purple, red, and yellow blooms. If sown early they will bloom in their first year.

Alcea ficifolia is a lesser known perennial hollyhock species native to Siberia, it is a substantially more robust plant than the common hollyhock and unlike the biennial forms which produce a single spire, Alcea ficifolia produce many upright stems emerging from the base, resulting in a bushy form.

Alcea ficifolia is a most impressive plant, reliably perennial, it produces many upright stems resulting in a bushy form. The 'Henry Vlll' series is highly valued for its vigor and reliability, they produce huge, single butter-yellow, saucer shaped flowers that grow up to 15cm (6in) wide.

Alcea ficifolia is a less-known variety of hollyhock. Reliably perennial, with attractive palmate foliage, the plant produces many upright stems and has a bushy form. 'Single Mix' produces large, single saucer shaped flowers that appear from May to October in a gorgeous variety of shades - cream, gold, rose pink, copper and plum.

‘Chater’s Double’ give a wonderful mixed colour range of large, fully double flowers that are nearly pom-pom in appearance. Rosettes of big hairy leaves will develop by autumn then die back before winter. It will bloom the following summer .... the word bloom being an understatement!

This gorgeous award winning Hollyhock has the distinction of being the shortest in the Alcea rosea family. 'Queeny' is a dwarf Hollyhock that reaches only 60cm in height with fully double blooms. Unlike the tall varieties, it is a perennial that can also be used as an annual as it will bloom in its first year.

Hollyhocks are a mysterious and prolific flower with a long and rich history. Traditionally associated with cottage-style borders, the dramatic, near-black flowers of Nigra work equally well in a contemporary, minimalist garden. This unique variety creates an impressive impact against most backgrounds.

Allium connoisseurs will tell you this little-known Allium is the most beautiful of them all. They point to nodding clusters of delicate wavy-edged bells in soft shades of rose and lilac set above masses of slender grass-like glaucous foliage. Allium narcissiflorum is one of the treasures of the genus.

Allium sphaerocephalon is a quite unique, summer-flowering plant that prized by gardeners because of its striking floral display. The tall stems are good at adding colour and movement to the garden, they provide light vertical accents when drifted through borders.

Speckled and freckled and striped and stippled, the intricately patterned petals of the Alstroemeria flower are a wonder to behold. Don't be fooled by their delicate appearance, they are one of the worlds' most popular cut flowers, these lily-like flowers are as long lasting as they are gorgeous.

This ever-popular annual is perhaps more versatile than you might imagine – good in the border, most effective as a cut flower in arrangements, a good pot-plant and, not often appreciated – if carefully dried, the colour of the spikes remains unchanged for a considerable time.

Amaranthus caudatus viridis is the green form of the popular drooping amaranthus. The lime green flowers, which slowly fade to cream as they age, form dramatic tassel-like panicles which can grow to 60cm long and seem to drip from the branches in profusion throughout summer and early autumn.

Amaranthus tricolour is grown for its beautiful foliage. 'Summer Poinsettia Mix' is a colourful mix of tropical splendors. Juicy colour combinations: deep green leaves topped with creamy chartreuse, vivid yellow, purple with red, and a tricolor mix of red, green and gold.

Ammi visnaga 'Green Mist' is a new variety of Queen Annes Lace, with larger, darker green and more mounded umbels than its cousin Ammi majus. It flowers from June to September the blooms are initially flattened and lime green, turning white. The textured flower heads are a flower arrangers dream.

Amsonia hubrichtii provides three seasons of interest. It comes into bloom around the second week of May, the flowers have an almost lily-like appearance, but it is in autumn when it reaches its true glory when the leaves and stems turn a brilliant gold to amber.

Amsonia illustris is perhaps the boldest of the Amsonias, a little taller and showier with shiny green leaves and larger blue flowers. They flower reliably year after year, are not fussy about soil or situation and are very hardy. The foliage stays green through summer and turns a brilliant gold in the autumn. This is an extraordinary long lived designer perennial that deserves wider use.

One of the loveliest of the species, Amsonia tabernaemontana is a rarely seen, easy to grow perennial that gives reliable performance year after year. It will create a massive impact when their flower buds open to reveal elegant blue flowers in spring and summer, and will provide shining colour in autumn. Long-lived and adaptable, this attractive and unusual addition to the border warrants more inclusion in our gardens.