For Pots & Patios

Anemone hupehensis ‘Prinz Heinrich’ is a Japanese anemone that brings deep rose‑pink, semi‑double flowers to the garden from late summer into autumn. The blooms float above divided green foliage on wiry stems, adding movement to borders. The narrow, overlapping petals give a refined, airy finish.

Plant it in full sun or partial shade in soil that stays evenly moist but drains well. It’s especially useful for brightening the edge of woodland planting or mixed borders when many summer perennials are winding down. In hotter positions, a little afternoon shade helps flowers stay fresh.

Over time it forms a clump and can slowly spread, so give it space and avoid moving it once established. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, asters and late‑flowering salvias for a long season of interest. Plant in groups if you’d like a more natural drift over time.

Water during dry spells for better flowering, and add a mulch of compost in spring to support healthy growth. Stems can be lightly supported in exposed spots, but they usually weave naturally through neighbours. Avoid winter waterlogging, but don’t let the soil bake dry in summer.

Cut back in late autumn, or leave stems for winter texture and tidy in spring. A reliable choice for late colour with a soft, romantic look. Once established, Japanese anemones can flower reliably for years.

Anemone × hybrida 'Rotkäppchen' brings deep rose-pink, semi-double flowers to late-summer borders, opening on slender stems above handsome, deep green foliage. The saucer-like blooms hover gracefully and keep the garden going just as many perennials begin to fade, adding movement and light to mixed planting schemes.

Typically reaching around 75–100cm once established, Japanese anemones form clump-forming plants that spread gently by suckers over time. They flower for weeks from late summer into autumn and are excellent for weaving through grasses and shrubs, as well as for cutting when stems are harvested in bud.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the planting area with compost to help retain moisture. Water well after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish.

Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil, and water during prolonged dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers for a tidier display, and cut back stems once the plant has finished in autumn. Divide congested clumps in early spring if you want to control spread or increase stock.

Perfect for naturalistic borders, cottage-style planting and late-season pollinator support, these anemones also make long-lasting cut flowers. Their airy habit pairs beautifully with asters, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses, extending colour and texture into the autumn months.

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a charming miniature hosta grown chiefly for its rounded, blue-grey leaves, which form a neat, dense clump ideal for shady containers, front-of-border positions and small-space planting.

In summer it carries short stems of lavender flowers above the foliage, adding a soft seasonal lift without distracting from the plant's tidy, compact form.

Plant in partial shade in humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist but drains well, and protect young shoots from slugs while the plant establishes.

Water during dry spells, especially in pots, and remove old leaves in late winter or early spring before the new foliage emerges.

Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ is a much-loved perennial for shade, combining bold, puckered leaves with attractive variegation that brightens borders, woodland edges, and containers throughout the growing season.

The broad, heart-shaped foliage forms a generous clump and provides strong ground cover, while pale lilac summer flowers rise above the leaves on tall stems, adding a softer, seasonal highlight.

Plant in partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. A sheltered position helps prevent leaf scorch, and consistent moisture supports the best leaf colour and overall plant performance.

Water well in dry weather, mulch in spring to retain moisture, and remove old foliage once it dies back. Slug protection is helpful in spring, and clumps can be divided every few years to rejuvenate plants.

Perfect for shade borders and underplanting, this hosta also works beautifully in large pots and brings a calm, architectural feel to planting designs where flowers are secondary to foliage impact.

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ is a shade-loving perennial prized for its shimmering, silver-patterned leaves and delicate forget-me-not style blue flowers that appear in spring, lifting woodland borders and shady pots.

Forming a tidy clump, it reaches around 30–50cm in height and gradually spreads to create a generous patch of foliage. It’s a brilliant, low-effort plant for brightening darker corners all season long.

Plant in light to partial shade in moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It copes with a wide range of soil types, but appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season.

Water during dry spells, especially in the first year, and mulch in spring to keep roots cool and soil moisture steady. Remove old leaves as new growth appears to keep clumps looking fresh.

Ideal for woodland planting, shady borders and large containers, ‘Jack Frost’ pairs beautifully with hellebores, epimediums and spring bulbs, and is also a great ground-cover plant in dappled shade.

Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans is a classic shade perennial prized for its bold, heavily textured foliage that adds structure to borders, woodland gardens, and large containers from spring right through autumn.

Forming a broad, clump-forming mound, this hosta develops blue-grey leaves that become even more impressive as the plant matures, creating a strong backdrop for neighbouring flowers and underplanting.

Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in a sheltered spot with partial shade. It performs best where the ground stays evenly moist, especially during the first growing season.

Water regularly in dry spells, mulch in spring to conserve moisture, and remove tired foliage as it dies back. Protect emerging growth from slugs and snails, and divide congested clumps every few years.

Ideal for shady borders and underplanting, hostas also provide valuable cover for beneficial wildlife and bring a calm, architectural feel to planting schemes where flowers can be harder to achieve.