Hardy Perennials

Wisteria sinensis is surely the most distinctive of climbers and by far the most captivating when in bloom. This hardy climber will give stunning displays every year. Bearing large pendent clusters of fragrant violet-lavender flowers in late spring to early summer, the foliage appears once the flowers are over.

Viola x wittrockiana 'Frizzle Sizzle F1' has a unique flower, and is possibly quite unlike any pansy that you have seen before. Large flowers, completely ruffled along the edges. 'Frizzle Sizzle Lemonberry' produces ruffled lemon-yellow flowers with dark blotches and berry purple edges.

Viola x wittrockiana 'Frizzle Sizzle F1' has a unique flower, and is possibly quite unlike any pansy that you have seen before. Large flowers, completely ruffled along the edges. 'Frizzle Sizzle Raspberry' produces gorgeous ruffled red flowers with dark blotches and berry purple edges.

Viola x wittrockiana 'Frizzle Sizzle F1' has a unique flower, and is possibly quite unlike any pansy that you have seen before. Large flowers, completely ruffled along the edges. 'Frizzle Sizzle Lemonberry' produces ruffled lemon-yellow flowers with dark blotches and berry purple edges.

Cultivated in Switzerland in 2004 from the famous 'Queen Charlotte', One would think that 'Reine de Neiges', or 'Snow Queen' would be a white bloomer. The flowers are almost white, a clear crisp ice-blue. Long blooming and upward facing, their fragrance is intense.

Introduced in Germany in 1900, 'Konigin Charlotte' are famously grown for their perfume. The violet coloured flowers are extremely fragrant, This cultivar is unique in that its flowers turn upward making them viewer friendly. It is also one of the longest flowering violets with scented flowers.

Sorbet 'F1 Raspberry' has tricolour patterns with cap, face, whiskers and eye colours, with luscious deep raspberry red upper and lower petals with dark whiskers and a golden eye. It is a stunning new colour pattern, with a bright face that seems to be basking in the spring or autumn sunshine

One of the most striking colour combinations of the series, Sorbet 'Orchid Rose Beacon' blooms with bicoloured flowers of bicoloured flowers of with rose and purple-pink face, with dark whiskers and a golden eye. Absolutely gorgeous, it can be slipped into almost any gaps where you need a little brightness.

Viola 'F1 Sorbet Hybrids' are a unique miniature hybrid that combines the charm of violas with the explosive colours of pansies. The series has some of the most amazing colour selections you'll ever see.

To garden with an Oudolf-esque plant like Veronicastrum, it is not necessary to turn your outdoor space into a prairie: you are allowed to keep your flower beds. Naturalistic planting travels well, and Veronicastrum holds its own in a formal border as well as in the middle of a lawn which has turned into a meadow.

Gardeners are often looking for good solid perennials that will have attractive flowers, be easy to take care of, grow nicely but not take over the garden. One group of plants that should be considered is the Veronicas. They provide some of the clearest, truest blues in the perennial border.

Veronica longifolia prefers a position in sun or part shade in moist well-drained soil. The sophisticated blue spires bloom in midsummer and last for several months. They make a strong vertical statement and are an excellent contrast to more traditional flowers shapes when positioned at the front of the border.

Relatively new to cultivation Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta' is the smallest growing of the perennial Verbascums. Soundly perennial and drought tolerant it produces delicate flower spikes with whorls of tissue thin purple blooms that ascend to the finest point. It is by far the darkest flowered mullein available.

Verbascum phoeniceum is a stately plant, which combines architectural form with beautiful colouring. 'Rosetta' produces elegant spires of intense pink blooms which are always much admired. They bloom throughout the summer, with a few sporadic flowers late into the year.

English gardeners are very familiar with this plant and consider it essential for a well-structured garden. Verbascum phoeniceum 'Hybrids Mix' flower freely, giving a glorious plethora of colours from delicate salmon to rich claret. A true perennial which can flower the first year given an early sowing.

The poise of the lovely Verbascum phoeniceum 'Flush of White' makes this plant a natural candidate for the front of the border, even though its height might suggest, that it should go at the back. In summer winds, which snap off delphiniums and toss sunflowers awry, the Verbascum stands defiant.

Verbascum ‘Snow Maiden’ is an incredibly beautiful mullein that grow to just 36 to 48cm tall. With masses of soft white flowers each with delicate yellow filaments they flower in June and continue to appear over a long summer, often right through to September. Very easy to grow from seed.

Verbascums are statuesque in both foliage and flower. This elegant species, native to the Olympus mountains is arguably the finest of the genus. Tall flower spikes rise from the centre of the foliage, each are weighted heavily with bright, golden-yellow blooms giving the effect of an enormous candelabra.

One look at this species of Verbascum and you will realise why it is also called ‘Arctic Summer’. Tall, white, fleecy flower stems emerge from felted evergreen leaves in early summer. Its stems and leaves are covered in a silvery down that gives it an appearance of being permanently covered with frost.

Valeriana officinalis is a graceful wildflower that is native to Europe and Western Asia. The tall, branched flower stalks are held atop a low mound of foliage, the densely clustered flowers are sweetly scented and usually white with a hint of pink.