The Chinese foxglove (Rehmannia elata), is a lovely foxglove-like perennial, with prolific flowers which are long lasting. Additionally it will repeat flower and bloom over 4-5 months.Rosettes of broad, soft-haired leaves give rise to very handsome s...

This Osteospermum is new to us this year but 'Orange Orbit' has quickly become one of our favourites. Lovely bronze-orange blooms cover the plant and will do until early autumn. The open flowers are a magnet for our pollinators.Osteospermums are perf...

I love the flowers of this hardy Geranium 'Mrs Kendal Clark'. It's one of the tallest and most vigorous of the hardy geraniums, which is ideal for a sunny border. It's also happy with a fairly shady spot. Interesting pearl-grey, saucer-shaped flowers...

Sedums are hardy succulent evergreen perennials which are very drought tolerant and grow happily in poor and thin soil. They are generally covered in flowers in summer, which are loved by bees and butterflies.The smaller ones are perfect for rockerie...

Mugwort is a native wildflower steeped in folklore and tradition. For hundreds of years it was made into garlands and hung over doors to deter evil spirits. It has also been used in place of hops for beer and as a moth repellent. It was also used to ...

The Foam Flower is tough, but delicate looking, plant with many spires of tiny, white or very pale pink frothy flowers over a long period in summer.It was brought over from Tennessee in 1939 and has since been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. I...

The Orchid Primrose makes an interesting cut-flower. Here they have been cut short for a small vase, but the straight stems grow up to 60cm, so they work well for large mixed bouquets too.In the garden it forms a large clump and looks stunning in flo...

You don't need lots of space or even to grow big plants to have a few home-grown cut flowers. Small vases are perfect for displaying beautiful collections of small flowers, cut this week from the garden.These are:Viola Rebecca, Tiarella wherryi, Gail...

Darmera peltata is an exotic looking, spectacular plant that brings to mind Wyndham's 'The Day of the Triffids'. It's unusual as the flowers emerge on tall, naked stems in early spring, before large  foliage appears. Later, the plant rewards aga...

Berkheya is an attention grabbing, long-flowering perennial from South Africa. Pale silver-violet (Zulu Warrior) or white and gold (cirsiifolia) flowers, above thistle-like leaves which the rabbits leave well alone.It's very drought tolerant, and har...

Waldsteinia ternata is a very useful evergreen ground-cover which will flourish in sun or shade. Glossy green leaves, contrast nicely with sprays of golden yellow strawberry flowers in spring. It has a spreading habit but is not invasive and rabbits ...

Chrysanthemum 'E.h. Wilson' is a very old, highly-scented hardy chrysanthemum variety. Classy, single cream flowers with lemon centres and a greeny yellow eye. Six layers of petals. Lovely in the border and also great for the vase.This may be the 190...

The Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia arborescens) is an interesting variety, with foliage and flowers not dissimilar to a Lilac. Lots of fragrant purple-pink flowers from mid-summer which are loved by bees.It can grow up to 2m and is excellent in the ground or ...

Blue Light Card is the UK’s dedicated rewards and discounts service for those working, and retired from, the emergency services, NHS, social care sector, teaching community and the armed forces.We are proud to offer a discount on orders to all Blue L...

Osteospermum jucundum is a hardy Cape Marigold with masses of lovely dark-pink open blooms which close up as the sun goes down in the evening. It's loved by bees and butterflies and it flowers for months throughout the summer and into autumn.It has a...