Spring Bulbs & Plants

English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non‑scripta) create one of the most recognisable spring displays: arching stems lined with fragrant, bell‑shaped blooms in deep, woodland blue. They’re a lovely way to bring a natural, British feel to gardens and wild corners.

They’re ideal for naturalising beneath deciduous trees, along shady hedgerows, or at the edge of a border where the soil stays cool. In the right spot, bulbs will spread steadily and form a beautiful carpet over time, returning reliably each spring and filling gaps before summer perennials wake up.

Bluebells prefer humus‑rich, moderately fertile soil that drains well but doesn’t dry out. If your soil is heavy or very sandy, improve it with leaf mould or compost to boost structure and moisture retention, and choose partial shade to keep the ground from baking.

Plant bulbs in autumn about 8cm deep and 8–10cm apart. Leave them undisturbed once planted—bluebells bulk up best when they’re allowed to settle and multiply in place, creating thicker clumps and more flower stems each year.

After flowering, let the foliage die back naturally to feed the bulbs for next year. Bluebells can spread in favourable conditions, so choose a planting area where you’re happy for them to roam and mingle, especially in woodland-style planting, alongside ferns and other shade lovers.

Ismene ‘Sulphur Queen’ is a particularly refined spider lily, valued for its elegant, creamy-yellow blooms and gentle fragrance. Each flower is beautifully poised, with a subtle green-striped throat, bringing a softly exotic note to summer pots and sheltered borders.

Plant where it can enjoy warmth and good drainage, then lift and store the bulbs over winter for best results. An excellent choice for cutting, too—its blooms add poise to a simple vase arrangement.

For a late-summer border with a touch of theatre, Dahlia ‘Grand Prix’ is a superb choice. A robust, bushy variety, it produces bright lemon-yellow, double blooms neatly tipped in white, held above handsome dark green foliage. Flowering from summer until the first frosts, it is equally at home in the border and in a vase.

• Colour: lemon-yellow with crisp white tips
• Flower form: double
• Habit: clump-forming, bushy
• Use: borders and cut flowers

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ is an enduring favourite: a herbaceous peony of great poise, producing sumptuous, fully double white blooms with the faintest greenish nuance and a refined perfume. In early summer the flowers rise above handsome, deeply divided dark-green foliage, bringing quiet luxury to borders and cutting gardens alike.

Once established, it settles into a long-lived clump and becomes more generous with each passing season. Particularly lovely when threaded through roses and shrubs, where its sculptural flowers feel perfectly at home.

• Flowering: May–June
• Height: 80cm
• Spread: 50–100cm
• Position: Sheltered
• Supplied as: Bare root

With its sumptuous, fully double blooms in deep purple tones, Ranunculus ‘Purple’ brings a certain evening richness to spring and early summer displays. Each flower is neatly rose-like, held on upright stems above fresh, mid-green foliage—particularly striking in pots on a sunny terrace or in a sheltered border where the light can catch the petals.

A splendid choice for the cutting garden, too: pick just as the buds begin to loosen for elegant stems to enjoy indoors. For best results, plant into free-draining soil in a bright, sheltered position and avoid winter wet.

• Colour: Purple
• Flower form: Fully double, rose-like
• Best for: Containers, sheltered borders, cutting garden
• Hardiness: Half Hardy

For a touch of sun-warmed colour with a decidedly refined air, Ranunculus 'Orange' is a splendid choice. Its richly saturated blooms open in generous, layered rosettes—beautifully poised in pots and truly invaluable for cutting, where the colour lifts both simple and formal arrangements.

Plant the corms into a bright, sheltered position with sharp drainage. In colder spells, a little winter protection is well judged; this variety is Half Hardy and appreciates being kept safe from hard frosts.

• Colour: Orange blooms over mid-green foliage
• Best for: Pots & containers, and cutting
• Habit: Clump-forming, upright—neat and well-mannered in the border

Dahlia ‘Arthur Hambley’ is a classic Giant Decorative variety, boasting enormous lavender-pink blooms that command attention in any garden border or floral display.

Standing tall at around 120cm, this robust variety produces huge, fully double flowers that can exceed 25cm in diameter. The petals are broad and slightly curved, creating a lush, full shape with a soft, silvery sheen that glows in the evening light.

Plant in full sun to maximise flowering potential, ensuring the soil is free-draining and enriched with organic matter. Due to the sheer weight of the blooms, robust staking is required from the moment of planting to prevent wind damage.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and pinch out the growing tips in early summer to promote bushier growth and more flowering stems. Feed regularly with tomato fertiliser to fuel the production of its giant blooms.

Perfect for the back of the border, ‘Arthur Hambley’ creates a stunning backdrop for lower-growing perennials. Its long, strong stems make it an exceptional cut flower, where just a single stem can make a dramatic statement in a vase.

Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (best known as ‘Autumn Joy’) is an iconic late-season perennial that brings structure and changing colour to the garden just as other summer flowers begin to fade. It is prized for its succulent foliage and long-lasting flower heads.

The plant forms a sturdy, upright clump of fleshy, glaucous green leaves. Large, flat flower heads emerge in summer like broccoli florets, starting pale green, turning starry pink, and finally maturing to a rich rusty-red and copper in autumn.

Plant in full sun to prevent the stems from becoming leggy, in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. This variety is exceptionally drought-tolerant and performs brilliantly in sandy or rocky soils where other plants might struggle.

Water sparingly once established; this plant resents "wet feet" and over-feeding, which can cause it to flop. Leave the dried flower heads on the plant over winter—they look beautiful frosted and provide shelter for insects before being cut back in early spring.

A brilliant choice for extending the season, ‘Autumn Joy’ provides vital nectar for late-flying butterflies and bees. It looks spectacular planted in groups or alongside ornamental grasses and purple Asters for a classic autumn display.

Dahlia ‘Seduction’ is an alluring decorative variety known for its elegant pink and purple picotee petals. Each bloom features a pale, milky-white base that is delicately edged with deep violet-pink, creating a defined and sophisticated outline.

The plant is robust and floriferous, producing a high volume of medium-sized flowers throughout the season. The distinct colouring of the petals gives the blooms a three-dimensional quality, making them pop against the dark green foliage.

Plant in full sun to partial shade, in soil that has been improved with compost. This variety is excellent for adding detail and intricacy to a border without overwhelming other plants with solid blocks of colour.

Keep the plant well-watered during dry spells and stake if necessary to support the weight of the flowers. Deadhead faithfully to ensure a display that lasts well into autumn, and protect the tubers from frost during winter.

A brilliant choice for romantic cottage gardens, ‘Seduction’ draws the eye with its intricate detailing and pairs beautifully with deep purple flowers like Salvia ‘Caradonna’ or dark-leaved Heucheras.

Dahlia ‘Rainbow Silence’ is a delightful decorative variety that features a harmonious blend of soft peach, lilac, and yellow tones. The petals transition gently between these warm, sunset hues, creating a multifaceted bloom that looks different from every angle.

This variety forms a bushy, medium-height plant with strong stems that display the flowers well above the foliage. The blooms are fully double and rounded, offering a classic dahlia shape with a modern, pastel colour twist.

Plant in a sunny, sheltered position in moist, fertile soil. The complex colouring of the petals is best appreciated in a spot where the flowers can be viewed up close, such as near a path or patio.

Water regularly during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed every couple of weeks once the buds appear. Remove spent flowers to channel energy into new growth and lift the tubers for winter storage in colder regions.

A brilliant choice for pastel-themed gardens, ‘Rainbow Silence’ provides a soft, glowing presence in the border and makes a wonderful cut flower that bridges the gap between pink and yellow arrangements.

Dahlia ‘Playa Blanca’ is a striking white cactus variety that brings texture and brightness to the summer garden. Its name, meaning "White Beach," perfectly describes the clean, fresh look of its spiky, incurved petals that radiate from a tight centre.

The plant is a vigorous grower, producing straight stems that are ideal for cutting. The unique cactus form, with its rolled, quill-like petals, adds a modern, architectural element to floral arrangements and garden beds alike.

Plant in full sun to maintain the snowy whiteness of the blooms, in soil that is rich in organic matter. Good drainage is vital, as dahlia tubers can rot in cold, wet ground.

Support the plant with stakes or netting to keep the stems upright during heavy rains. Deadhead frequently to promote a long flowering window, and lift the tubers in autumn to store them safely away from frost.

A brilliant choice for contemporary garden designs, ‘Playa Blanca’ offers a crisp, sculptural look that contrasts beautifully with soft grasses and broad-leaved foliage plants.

Dahlia ‘Platinum’ is an elegant decorative variety that graces the garden with pristine white blooms, often touched with a whisper of lilac or cream at the heart. Its sophisticated form and clean colour make it a versatile addition to any planting scheme, acting as a palate cleanser amongst brighter colours.

This variety grows into a sturdy bush with broad, lush leaves that provide a dark green backdrop for the luminous flowers. The blooms are waterlily-esque in shape, with broad, slightly cupped petals that create a serene and structured appearance.

Plant in a sunny, open spot in fertile, well-drained soil. It appreciates a position with good air circulation to keep the foliage healthy and free from mildew later in the season.

Water consistently, directing moisture to the base of the plant rather than the foliage. Lift the tubers after the first frost blackens the leaves, clean them off, and store them in a frost-free environment for replanting next spring.

A brilliant choice for sophisticated, neutral borders, ‘Platinum’ brings a sense of calm and purity to the garden, glowing softly in the twilight and mixing effortlessly with all other colours in the vase.