This is Sweet Violet, 'Bournemouth Gem'. In the early 1800s, there was a successful trade in sweet violet posies and this variety is one of many which were bred at that time, valued for its long stems and good scent. It has survived to this day and w...

Hardy geraniums are reliable, long-flowering, easy-to-grow plants. They are commonly known as cranesbill geraniums, cranesbills or true geraniums and have been grown in British gardens for hundreds of years. Many hardy geraniums are excellent ground ...

We currently have over 60 plants on offer, with sale prices starting at just £2.95. Click here for the list!

Old fashioned pinks, cottage pinks, old world pinks, garden pinks. All common names for Dianthus. The Greeks called the Pink, 'The Flower of Zeus' or 'The Divine Flower' and the word Dianthus is derived from Dios (God) and Anthos (Flower). Old names ...

We are often asked if it is ok to put our plants in the ground in autumn. It is! Traditionally, autumn was the main time for planting hardy perennials, because they would be bare-rooted. The advent of cheap plastic pots made container growi...

We grow most of the plants we sell ourselves and one way we produce new plants is by taking root cuttings. Pictured are Symphytum roots, taken today. With luck these will each turn into a small plant and be potted on before the winter and will be rea...

We are often asked when the best time to plant is, or whether our plants can be planted in autumn.Our plants are all pot-grown and they can be planted at any time of the year, but autumn is the traditional time to plant hardy perennials and experienc...

Dianthus 'Letitia Wyatt' is a double pink Dianthus with a lovely clove scent. Its tall, strong stems make excellent cut flowers. Unlike some 'Pinks', this is a strong grower and has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit as it makes an excellent ...

Japanese anemones are wonderful plants for late summer and autumn flowers. Tall, multi-branched stems over lush green foliage hold many long-lasting large flowers in pink or white. These plants are drought-tolerant and happy in full sun or full ...

This stunning new Fumewort has electric blue flowers and attractive grey-blue foliage. A really eye-catching plant which is not at all fussy and is easy to grow and scented flowers over a long period. It's most happy in shade, where it stands out wel...

Known variously as Chinese Blackberry lily, Chinese leopard flower and Dwarf tiger lily, Belamcanda chinensis flowers for weeks on end. Distinctive leopard-coloured flowers are held on tall stems in summer. In autumn, pear-shaped pods burst...

Platycodon is known as the Balloon Flower due to the large flower buds, which resemble hot-air balloons. Available in blue or white, these hardy perennials flower for much of the summer and are ideal for containers, rockeries or the front of bor...

Lady's Bedstraw is a British native wildflower found in meadows across the country and in Europe, but now sadly much less commonly than previously. Finely cut foliage topped by myriads of tiny golden flowers in June and July which fill the air with a...

Geranium 'Sirak' is new to us this year and it has already become a favourite. Like many of the Hardy Geraniums we sell, it grows pretty much anywhere and has a long flowering period, from June to October. Beautiful flowers.www.shireplants.co.uk/hard...

Edelweiss, as imortalised in The Sound of Music. Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss) is an alpine from the high mountains of Europe. Its flowers and foliage are covered in tiny hairs, appearing almost wooly, protecting it from the sun and cold. The...

Grow Purple Four-Leaved Clover and be forever lucky. Perhaps! The leaves are edged with fresh green and white flowers emerge from May to September.Easy to grow and suitable for use in summer bowls, or to create extra colour and texture in a...

This is one reason why we don't use chemicals on our plants. This little chap was waiting to surprise me as I was moving plants this morning....

Now is a good time to plant perennial Wallflowers (Erysimum) for a good display of flowers this year and for several years to come. Mention perennial Wallflower and most people think of the ubiquitous 'Bowles Mauve' but there are many other varieties...

Aquilegias have been cultivated in Britain since the 13th century and are one of the most traditional cottage garden plants. Their many common names include Columbine, Granny's Bonnets, Doves in the Ark, Doves Round, A Dish, Old Woman's Nightcap and ...

Lady's Smock is a British native wildflower found in meadows and verges. It grows happily in amongst grass and other meadow plants, in most soil types, including very wet. Like most native plants, it is very useful for our native pollinators. It can ...