February

Cyperus alternifolius is a very popular both as a house plant and pond plant. The bracts are symmetrically arranged in an umbrella formation and held atop elegant stems that sway with the breeze, giving a tropical touch to the garden. They are also excellent when used in fresh or dried floral arrangements.

Dahlia 'Decorative Giants' produces a range of large flowered, long stemmed blooms in an eclectic mix of both colours and forms. They are ideal for making a splash of colour in the border or in the vase from the end of July to the first frosts, providing large orbs of colour when so many flowers are past their best.

Daucus carota 'Purple Kisses' is a large flowered chocolate coloured Queen Anne’s Lace. Delicate, lacy, flat-topped clusters in shades of old rose-pink, through burgundy to chocolate, and bloom for most of the summer from just one planting. They look great en masse and the plant pairs well with almost anything in the garden or in the vase.

Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires of large, semi-double blooms. In a gorgeous vintage shade of dusky, cherry-blossom pink, each bloom has a white centre known as the 'bee'. The sturdy spikes are very attractive to bees and make a wonderful cut flower.

The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that if sown early will flower in the current year. Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Dark Blue' has densely packed spires of dark blue flowers each with a dark bee. It is ideal for borders and can be grown as a container plant.

The Magic Fountains series is a delightful delphinium that grows 75 to 90cm tall. The plants have a good compact habit and because of their short stature and healthy thick stems, does not require staking. 'Magic Fountains Lavender' is a a gorgeous lavender, each bloom has a white centre, called the 'bee'.

The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that is more heat tolerant and less fussy than most other varieties and if sown early will flower in the current year. Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Lilac Pink' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires, each bloom has a white bee.

Delphinium 'Pure White Fountains' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires of pure white blooms. The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that if sown early will flower in the current year. The sturdy flower spikes are very attractive to bees and make a wonderful cut flower.

Belladonna 'Bellamosum Dark Blue' has beautiful single dark violet-blue flowers. Very popular with florists, they are suitable for greenhouse, field or garden cut flower production. When the blooms are over, cut back the plants and they will re-bloom until frosts.

Belladonnas are informal delphiniums that are good for the border as well as useful for flower arranging.'Casablanca' has beautiful single snow-white flowers on strong stems. These good natured delphiniums have good mildew resistance and are very hardy, able to withstand temperatures down to minus 30°C.

No other blue quite measures up to the almost iridescent hues of Delphinium “Cliveden Beauty”. The multi-branching plants grow to just 75 to 90cm tall so are suitable for most gardens and do not need staking in most situations. The many individual blooms are clear light blue, each with a white centre.

Astolat is a rare and unusual delphinium colour; it blooms with spires of soft blush to deep rose-pink flowers, each with a dark central ‘bee’. It is a stunning delphinium that looks gorgeous planted in bold clumps for a dramatic statement.

Delphinium 'Black Knight' produces gorgeous spires that are laden with intensely coloured deep purple flowers. These dark-eyed delphiniums are stunning when planted in bold clumps in the garden and are one of the most spectacular cut flowers you can grow.

In the Arthurian legends Sir Galahad is renowned for his gallantry and purity, he is perhaps the knightly embodiment of pure virtue. In the garden, Delphinium 'Galahad' is a subtle and beautiful delphinium with spires of elegant white blooms.

Often called the Queen of the Border, Delphinium 'Guinevere blooms with spires of Lavender rose with white bees that bloom the first year from a December greenhouse sowing. Bring a touch of nostalgia back to the garden, they are worth almost any effort to grow because they are so beautiful.

Deschampsia cespitosa is a lovely variety of ornamental grass especially valued for it’s tall flower plumes. The sprays of airy delicate flowers, eventually changing to bronze add texture and colour to the winter garden and deliver a knock-out punch to cut-flower arrangements.

'Pixie Fountain' is a dwarf variety of Deschampsia cespitosa, just as pretty as its larger cousin. The flower stems growing to a height of 60cm. Perfect for many situations, adding dimension, texture, and a breezy quality to the garden.

Dianthus arenarius 'Little Maiden' is a super Dianthus for the rock, roof or fairy garden. The plants grow quite densely and grow only about 10cm high. Pure white, fragrant flowers with delicately fringed edges are held above compact symmetrical domes, tight little clumps that rock gardeners call buns.

Dianthus carthusianorum provides a splash of bright magenta from June until September, producing a succession of slender stems topped with a cluster of fragrant flowers. Perfect for giving an airy feel to borders, it looks great when planted amongst ornamental grasses, in gravel gardens or in more ‘wild’ effect gardens and meadows.