November

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.

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.

Persian Cornflower is an attractive clump forming cornflower, with bushy, branched plants and the unusual characteristic of being perennial and flowering in the first year. Very adaptable to both dry and moist locations. Large deep lavender-pink blooms adorn the divided foliage throughout summer.

Centaurea macrocephala is a magnificent perennial that ideal for providing vertical interest in a sunny, well-drained herbaceous border. The golden-yellow shaggy thistle-like blooms are on strong stems and mid-green, lance-shaped leaves are followed by attractive seed heads.

Native to the meadows and woods of the mountains of Europe, Centaurea montana flowers from late spring with large flowers that are fringed in an intense violet-blue with deep purple centres and most attractive, very deeply cut petals. Easy to grow, it is an excellent garden plant as well as cut flower.

'Snow in Summer' lives up to its name in late spring when the foliage is smothered in luminous white flowers. Beautiful used as a path edging, in a stone wall or cascading over containers. Try it amongst your spring bulbs - tall lily flowering tulips above a dense carpet of white Cerastium… Breathtaking!

Actaea cordifolia comes into its own late in the season, when multiple stiff and stout stems emerge from the base of the plant. It displays impressive long racemes of chalky-white blooms that are composed of numerous, tiny individual star-like, fragrant flowers.

Actaea simplex 'Atropurpurea' is an exceptionally beautiful selection, valued for its large Astilbe-like leaves of purple black. Its dark hue makes a wonderful backdrop for colourful foliage and flowering shade plants. In late summer, long, fluffy spires in pale pinkish-white, rise above the dark foliage.

What gardener with a heart and soul could resist the spring flowers of Corydalis, whose winged petals with upswept spurs suggest a flight of elfin butterflies. These woodland ephemerals are highly useful at the front of the border, with miniature bulbs such as crocus, muscari or scillas.

Dierama pulcherrimum is a distinctive-looking perennial with tall arching stems of bell-shaped, flowers. The flowers bloom in shades of pink, mauve and carmine appear in mid summer. Each stem drops with the weight of the flowers which earns them the most romantic of names - Angel's Fishing Rods.

Echinacea pallida is one of the more rare members of the Echinacea family. They have much longer, ray flowers than those of the more familiar purple coneflower, the plants bloom earlier and continue to bloom sporadically through the autumn months.

Siberian wallflowers are at their best in early to mid-May. With cheerful deep orange blooms, they are very easy to grow and combine well with other plants; indeed wallflowers demand companions and set the mind racing regarding potential planting combinations.

Erysimum cheiri 'F1 Sugar Rush Primrose' produce a pale primrose, cream-yellow blooms in both autumn and spring. With multiple side branches that accompany the main flower spike, they create a dense, mounded display, 30cm tall. Perfect for borders, containers, or window boxes

Renowned for its striking, jewel-like hues that stand out even in cooler weather. 'Sugar Rush' is ultra-fast in production and does not require cool temperatures for flowering. Emerging with an apricot/burgundy flush, the spicily scented, bi-coloured flowers of 'Sugar Rush Purple' turn lilac/purple as they mature.

Erysimum cheiri 'F1 Sugar Rush Red’ has upright clusters of deep, bright red blooms blooms that fill the air with delicious scent. Tough and easy to grow, they are hardy enough to overwinter in many regions and will often flower over several months from spring and right through to early summer.

One of the most notable features of the 'Sugar Rush' series is its unique dual-season flowering. Unlike traditional wallflowers that primarily bloom in spring, 'Sugar Rush' flowers in both autumn and spring​. 'Yellow’ produces upright clusters of bright, golden-yellow blooms that fill the air with delicious scent.

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.

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.

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!