January

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.

Perfect for any sunny spot that needs a burst of colour. Anchusa capensis ‘Blue Angel’ is prized for its long blooming flowers. The brilliant clusters of intense cobalt blue flowers will brighten up any space. Team with other annuals and perennials for eye-popping combinations.

Anchusa italica is a wonderfully statuesque plant with vibrant, gentian blue flowers, dense foliage and lance shaped mid green leaves. 'Dropmore' is a 1905 selection that is still available today. They will thrive in a sunny border and make a great companion to rich plums and purple tones.

Anchusa officinalis is noted for its deep sapphire-blue flowers that are extremely attractive to wildlife. This relative of borage blooms from late spring right through until first frosts. In the garden it can be used as part of wildlife friendly planting scheme, they are much loved by almost all bee species.

Antirrhinum majus ‘Appleblossom’ offers soft, pastel-toned blooms in peach, apricot and soft pink that are beautifully blended so that each ruffled flower looks as though it has been delicately hand painted. The densely packed spikes bloom in succession from early summer right through to mid-autumn.

Antirrhinum majus are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border, 'Canary Bird' has excellent vigour, the densely packed spikes bloom in succession, providing months of deep yellow flowers on strong stems that are great for cutting.

Antirrhinum majus are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden, grow them in full sun, and after they are done blooming trim the plants back and they will quickly be blooming again. 'Defiance' sport clusters of uniquely shaped red blooms, a traditional warm orange-red, rather than hot crimson-red, they are very easy to combine with other colours in the garden.

Antirrhinum majus 'Kimosy' is a lovely dwarf variety of Snapdragon with a tidy, compact habit. An all-around excellent garden performer, the plants perform well in containers, in beds or in borders. In a wide range of colours they flower from early summer right through to mid-autumn.

Antirrhinum majus are one of the most reliable flowers for the garden and one of the most important 'summer cut-flowers' grown from seed. Although the usually bloom in boldly painted, bright primary colours, its lovely to be offered a softer option. 'Orange Wonder' has the most beautiful and delicate, orange-rose blooms.

Though technically classified as a short lived perennial, Antirrhinum majus are often cultivated as an annual, sown early in spring to flower in summer. They can also be grown as a biennial, sown in late summer to flower the following season. 'Rose' blooms with beautifully soft rose pink flowers.

Antirrhinum majus 'Ruby' produces densely packed spikes that bloom in succession with voluptuous, ruby red flowers. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border they also make an excellent cut flower. After they are done blooming, trim the plants back, and they will quickly be blooming again.

Worldwide, Antirrhinum is one of the most important 'summer cut-flowers', grown year-round in greenhouses they are adored by florists and gardeners alike. An all-around excellent garden performer, 'Snowflake' produces densely packed spikes that bloom in succession with pure white flowers.

Antirrhinum majus ‘Tetra Mix’ produce tall, stately plants with ruffled blooms in a rich variety of colours. The robust plants grow to around 90cm tall. Superb for contrast and for giving height to the border, they are grown year-round by florists as a cut flower and are an all-around excellent garden performer.

Antirrhinum majus ‘Brighton Rock’ is of a type that has been in cultivation since the 19th Century. Updated and revamped, it can now be found marketed as ‘Bizarre Hybrids’. Some blooms are delicately marbled, others are speckled and striped. The brighter, contrasting colours are accentuated with the most beautiful, subtle coloured blooms.

Astrantia major “Primadonna” is a splendid and most attractive cultivated variety forming bushy plants, good for ground cover, and bearing long, loosely-branched stems of very lovely flowers in various shades of wine to deep red. The papery bracts remain presentable for months, rustling in every breeze.

Pale greenish-white, pincushion-like flowers surrounded by a ruff of greenish white bracts are produced from June to October. The delicate Astrantia alba is perfect for naturalising in areas of moist, dappled shade. It works equally well in a woodland edge or in a mixed border.

Brachycome is a care-free annual that forms clouds of soft colour. It is one of the most profuse and long-flowering annuals. Cheerful little pinwheels and are held above pale green, feathery foliage. It flowers so heavily that the foliage is often obscured.

Cheerful and bright, use Calendula in beds, borders or containers. Calendula is prolific and durable, and like most hardy annuals it is easy to grow, simply sow where it is to flower. It is currently one of the top herbs used for medicinal use. Sprinkle salads and decorate cakes with the edible tangy petals.