Shire Plants Blog

Monkey Flower Red Dragon

Monkey Flower Red Dragon

I love the scarlet red flowers of this Monkey Flower, 'Red Dragon'. It flowers all summer and is happy in sun or shade, as long as the soil isn't too dry - it grows in many situations, from boggy pond edges to containers.The name Monkey Flower c...
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A Hairy Strawberry?

A Hairy Strawberry?

Fragaria vesca 'Muricata' is a very interesting strawberry which was first recorded in ‘Gerard’s Herball in 1597 but then disappeared from all record. The flowers are not white, as most strawberry varieties are, but green. The fruits also appear gree...
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The Plant for Chocolate Lovers

The Plant for Chocolate Lovers

The Chocolate Cosmos has dark brown, almost black flowers which are strongly scented of chocolate, in mid and late summer. It loves a hot sunny position and needs protection from severe frost. We grow ours at home in a large pot and move it into...
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Old 'Pink' Cranmere Pool

Old 'Pink' Cranmere Pool

Dianthus 'Cranmere Pool' is a beautiful repeat-flowering Dianthus with very pale pink double flowers, flushed darker towards the centre, which consists of a bright red zone. The flowers have a lovely clove scent and they make excellent cut flowers, h...
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Purple Comfrey

Purple Comfrey

Symphytum 'Moorland Heather' has dark dusky purple flowers from spring to early summer and then again later in the year if cut back. This variety doesn't spread and take over as some comfrey's do and the flowers are loved by bees.Comfrey foliage is e...
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