May

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.

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.

Verbascum nigrum is one of the most reliable and long-flowering verbascum, it is also one of the truly perennial species. The variety ‘Album’ bloom profusely in late spring with masses of white flowers with attractive violet filaments, held on candelabra like branches. They bloom throughout the summer, with a few sporadic flowers still in September to early October.

Verbascum nigrum is one of the most reliable and long-flowering verbascum, it is also one of the truly perennial species. This European native bloom profusely with masses of golden-yellow flowers. First thing in the morning, the flowers are alive with bees getting on with their day’s work. Take time to stand and admire them for a few minutes. They will pay you no heed, they’re far too busy.

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.

Verbascum are a wonderful plant for making a garden feel uncontrived, producing masses of flowers without taking up lots of space on the ground. ‘White Blush’ is one of the most popular varieties. Growing to just 100cm, the dark crimson buds open to reveal large white flowers with deep purple stamens.

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.

Nasturtium “Peach Melba Superior” is a gorgeous variety, with bright cream, semi-double flowers with mahogany-red markings in the throat. Uniform and compact in habit, this dwarf plant is good excellent in containers, the beautiful flowers are carried well above the foliage for maximum effect.

Tropaeolum ‘Tip Top' is a premium series that provides uniquely coloured flowers that are a great addition to the nasturtium family. ‘Pink Blush’ sports tender, vintage-cream flowers, finely veined with apricot-pink. The subtle palette gives a relaxed, modern look to borders and larger containers alike.

Tropaeolum 'Sahin's Rumba' is a vibrant and sprawling variety of nasturtium, grown for its striking, jewel-toned flowers and attractive, rounded foliage. The blooms are often with splashes or streaks of contrasting colour, giving the plant a lively, painterly look.

Glowing cherry-coral blooms give this variety a warm, tropical quality, and the versatile colour mixes well with so many things. Nasturtium 'Jewel Cherry Rose' has a more mounding growth habit than other trailing nasturtiums, but stem length is sufficient for arranging, and it won’t overtake the garden.

Tropaeolum minus 'Black Velvet' is a visually captivating and versatile plant that combines ornamental beauty with culinary and ecological benefits. This compact, bushy nasturtium is celebrated for its striking, velvety deep-red to near-black flowers, which provide a dramatic contrast in the garden.

Tropaeolum 'Salmon Baby' is a very striking and attractive nasturtium that produces an abundance of semi-double salmon-pink flowers which contrast beautifully against the dark foliage. Extremely easy to cultivate, this neat and compact variety has edible flowers and is an excellent companion plant.

Tropaeolum 'Purple Emperor' is an exciting brand new palette of nasturtium, with a vintage colouration that is quite unique to nasturtiums. The buds initially open a dusky, antique burgundy and fade in the most beautiful way to a vintage lavender-rose.

Notable for its rare flower colour, Nasturtium 'Milkmaid' produces blooms in a lovely soft, creamy hue. The top of the milk rather than full cream, and at around 2 metres in length it can be trained to ascend trellises, fences, or arches, or allowed to trail gracefully. An excellent choice for gardeners seeking a more understated palette.

Nasturtium ‘Gleam Hybrids’ is a moderate spreading variety and the variety we would recommend for hanging baskets and for containers. They offer a particularly nice colour selection with all the shades you expect, primrose, gold, orange, red and mahogany plus a few surprises.

Tropaeolum 'Fiery Festival' is a trailing nasturtium variety that boasts vibrant bright red blooms with yellow centers. Its vines can extend up to 150cm, making it ideal for ground cover, hanging baskets, or climbing supports. Additionally the flowers are edible and serve a useful role in companion planting.

Nasturtium 'Bloody Mary' is an award winning Nasturtium with a unique flower pattern. Dramatic 5cm flowers in shades of dark red, coral red, cream, and unique bicolours, make a melodramatic scene in the flower bed, container or vase. Highly decorative they are in flower from May right through to October.

Brilliant sizzling, orange-scarlet flowers cover this vibrant ornamental plant, Tithonia produces one of the best flowers for attracting butterflies to the garden. Very easy and rewarding and perfect for new gardeners and children, sow direct in May and June for fast and furious, fabulous flowers.

Thymus serpyllum is one of the most versatile groundcovers. Forming dense evergreen cushions of flowers these low maintenance plants don’t require mowing, watering or care, and can take a lot of abuse. Its leaves can be used as a culinary herb and its uses in the garden are almost unlimited.