Shire Plants Blog

Snake's Head Fritillaries

Snake's Head Fritillaries

The Snake's Head Fritillary is an attention grabbing bulb which is classed as native, although Gerard (1597) says it was introduced by his friend Jean Robin. It flowers in March and April and can be cut for the vase. Although mostly purple, occasiona...
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Native Wild Carrot

Native Wild Carrot

Daucus carota is the British native wild carrot. Lage white umbel shaped flowers of white, or very pale pink, from June to September are loved by lots of pollinators. After flowering, the flowerhead folds inward to develop a concave head of seeds, re...
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Native Bluebells Available Now

Native Bluebells Available Now

Bluebells are steeped in tradition, myth and legend. A wish made when you see the first bluebell open in spring will come true. It is said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside out without tearing it, you will win the heart of the one y...
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Bronze Celandane

Bronze Celandane

This is a beautiful form of Celandine with double bronzy-orange flowers which have attractive darker markings as they age. Green foliage with lighter markings completes the package.Celandine are one of the delights of early spring and among the first...
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In-TheGreen Bulbs Available Now

In-TheGreen Bulbs Available Now

Native plants can take a little while to establish but in-the-green bulbs provide instant plants that will naturalise to create large clumps of blooms for the spring garden. This method of transplanting bulbs is generally more successful and quicker ...
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​The Petticoat Daffodil

​The Petticoat Daffodil

The Petticoat Daffodil is a beautiful and unusual dwarf daffodil with delicate papery cream flowers, resembling petticoats, among dark-green needle-like foliage. It is perfect for containers, alpine garden or rockery. Sold by us as potted bulbs which...
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Interesting Mints

Interesting Mints

After Eight Chocolate Mint, anyone?"The savor or smell of the Mint rejoyceth the heart of man, for which cause they use it to strew in chambers and places of recreation, pleasure and repose, and where feasts and banquets are made." - Gerard's Herbal ...
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Asiatic Drumstick Primula

Asiatic Drumstick Primula

These Asiatic Primulas give great value. They flower for much of the summer and into autumn, if it stays mild like this year, sending up tall 'drumsticks' of purple-blue flowers above neat clumps of foliage. They are easy to grow in any soil that doe...
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Autumn Plant Sale

Autumn Plant Sale

The Shire Plants Autumn plant sale is now on! There's still time to plant hardy perennials to get established before winter. Autumn is the traditional time for planting, because they establish (root growth) quickly in soil which retains summer heat f...
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