April

A graceful perennial with an airy, romantic presence, Gaura 'Emmeline Pink Bouquet' blooms in a sparkling combination of bright pink, blush and apple blossom shades, it grows quickly and flowers from a young age. Light on her feet, she never asks for much - just sun, well-drained soil, and a bit of space to dance.

Gaura 'Cool Breeze' is a stunning new variety that is now available from seed. It produces a flurry of dazzling pure white, starry blooms on graceful slender stems. They have pale green stamens and buds instead of the usual pink. A first year flowering perennial, very easy to grow it will bloom in around 14 weeks from an early sowing.

Our native Meadowsweet is a familiar sight, with fernlike foliage and tufts of graceful, fragrant creamy-white flowers. Also known as Queen of the Meadows, the flower heads are frequently visited by bees attracted by the heavy scent which can be so evocative of summer days in the countryside.

Used in many culinary dishes, the leaves and seeds of Fennel have a sweet aroma and an aniseed flavour. The fine clouds of feathery, bronze-purple leaves are wonderful in the herb garden or among tall perennials and grasses. The foliage acts as a delicate veil through which flower heads of plants can be seen.

One of the grandest of plants, Euphorbia characias 'Wulfenii' has upright stems clothed with whorls of fleshy, mat grey-green leaves that lend the whole plant a textural quality that is unparalleled. From March to June the plants are topped with intense chartreuse-green flowers'.

Wonderfully ornamental, Eucalyptus pulverulenta 'baby blue' is the silver dollar of florists worldwide. The elliptical, aromatic, blue-green leaves are stacked along lengthy, multi-branched stems. This cultivar of bridal bouquets and garlands, the bluish grey of its foliage makes it a wild card for floral arrangements.

Eucalyptus parvifolia is an extremely versatile variety that makes a wonderful bouquet addition. It can be grown as an annual from seed if started early, each shrub-sized plant produces loads of stems that are perfect for flower arranging and can also be dried for later use.

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Silver Drop' is a wonderful fragrant foliage in high demand in the cut flower trade. Bred especially to provide small round, blue-green leaves that are better for fine floral work. Use it as filler in mixed bouquets where they add interesting colour, texture and aroma.

Eucalyptus citriodora is a beautiful, fast growing species with sword shaped leaves that have an amazing citrus fragrance when crushed. the essential oils mainly consist of 80-90% citronella - at outdoor events a lush garland of eucalyptus helps keep insects at bay.

Currently one of the most desirable floristic materials, popularised by social media influencers, Eucalyptus cinerea has fragrant, blue-grey, round leaves that have remarkable durability and remain in good condition for weeks after cutting. The stems can be seen hanging in steaming showers where their fragrance can truly be appreciated.

What spring garden would be complete without a bed of delightful, sweet-scented Wallflowers, harbingers of warmer weather to come? Erysimum cheiri, formerly Cheiranthus cheiri 'Ivory-White' is a fabulous form. A compact variety with a bushy habit which is ideal as an underplanting to tulips and other spring bulbs.

Erysimum ‘Fire King' is another old and tried variety, with striking, flame-like, glowing orange-scarlet flowers. They are especially valuable because they bloom in the period between primroses and summer annuals and will supply the household with an abundance of cut flowers for many weeks.

‘Fair Lady Mixed' is a classic tried and trusted variety. Reliably hardy, this uniform mixture blooms in a wide range of colours, both pastels and bright colours and includes the more unusual dusky-pink shades. Marvelous, fragrant and floriferous, they are extremely easy to grow and very rewarding.

Wallflower ‘Cloth of Gold' is a favorite with gardeners, each plant wears a cloak of the finest gold and the large golden-yellow flowers are filled with a sweet fragrance, from mid-spring and throughout summer. They are a perfect foil for daffodils and many other spring bulbs.

This old English cottage plant is making a comeback, and no wonder. The astonishing, velvety Wallflower 'Blood Red' with deep crimson-red flowers is a favourite with gardeners. They are ideal for borders and edging, they could also be used in large containers….and of course, walls!

Erysimum cheiri 'Sugar Rush F1' is a versatile and hardy biennial that stands out for its striking, jewel-like hues and for its repeat blooming cycle in both autumn and spring​. In a mix of sweetly scented vibrant shades, they can be in flower as little as 9 weeks from sowing. The perfect addition to autumn and winter gardening.

Renowned for its striking, jewel-like hues that stand out even in cooler weather. 'Sugar Rush Orange' produce bright orange, spicily scented blooms on compact plants. With multiple side branches that accompany the main flower spike, they create a dense, mounded display perfect for borders, containers, or window boxes.