Summer Bulbs & Plants

Lilium 'Manitoba Morning' is a graceful martagon lily with soft coral-pink flowers, lightly speckled and carried in airy clusters on tall stems that bring height and movement to early summer planting.

It is especially well suited to naturalistic borders and lightly shaded gardens, where its reflexed flowers and whorled foliage create a more relaxed, woodland feel than many other garden lilies.

Plant bulbs in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, taking care not to let the bulbs sit in winter wet. Once settled, martagon lilies dislike disturbance and often improve year after year.

Water during prolonged dry weather while in growth, and leave stems to fade naturally after flowering so the bulbs can store energy for the next season.

Paeonia 'Bartzella' is a striking intersectional peony with large, lemon-yellow blooms often lightly flushed or marked near the centre, bringing a luminous focal point to late spring borders.

The flowers are carried on strong stems above handsome divided foliage, combining the flower power of herbaceous peonies with the sturdy framework and garden presence of Itoh types.

Plant in full sun or light shade in fertile, well-drained soil, taking care to position the eyes only a little below the soil surface for reliable flowering.

Once established, peonies are long-lived and resent disturbance, so water in dry spells early on, mulch annually and allow the foliage to die back naturally each autumn.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ (East Friesland) is a compact and highly reliable perennial sage, prized for its intense violet-purple flower spikes that bring long-lasting colour to sunny borders, gravel gardens, and wildlife-friendly planting schemes.

Forming a neat, low-growing mound of aromatic, grey-green foliage, it produces a profusion of stiff, upright stems packed with small, tubular blooms. Its dense, bushy habit makes it perfect for edging paths or adding structure without blocking views further back in the bed.

Plant in a fully sunny position for the most vibrant display, thriving in light, moderately fertile, and well-drained soil. This variety is famously drought-tolerant once established and performs exceptionally well in sandy or chalky conditions where other plants might struggle.

Water regularly during its first season to establish the roots. To extend the flowering season, cut back the faded flower spikes in mid-summer; this often triggers a fresh flush of blooms in early autumn. Clumps can be divided every few years in spring to maintain vigour.

A brilliant choice for attracting bees and butterflies, ‘Ostfriesland’ provides a rich splash of colour at the front of the border. It pairs beautifully with the silver foliage of Artemisias, the bright yellows of Rudbeckias, or the soft sway of ornamental grasses.

Hosta ‘Big Daddy’ is a statement perennial for shade, grown for its huge, blue-grey, heavily puckered leaves that form a dramatic mound in borders and large containers, bringing texture and calm structure all season.

A clump-forming plant, it can reach around 60cm high (and larger in time) with a substantial spread, making it ideal as a focal point in shady beds. In early summer it produces stems of pale, bell-shaped flowers.

Plant in partial shade in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Hostas prefer cool roots and benefit from shelter from hot afternoon sun to keep foliage looking its best.

Water regularly during dry weather, particularly in pots, and mulch in spring to conserve moisture. Protect new shoots from slugs and snails, and remove spent flower stems for a tidy finish.

Perfect for woodland borders, shady courtyards and container displays, ‘Big Daddy’ pairs beautifully with ferns, brunnera and hellebores, and provides bold foliage contrast alongside finer-textured plants.

Dahlia 'Bishop of Auckland' brings velvety red blooms with a golden centre over dark foliage to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches around 90–100cm, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Dahlia ‘Lake Michigan’ is a mesmerizing decorative variety that captures the imagination with its ombre violet-purple and white blooms. The flowers feature a stunning gradient effect, with darker purple centres fading to crisp white tips, resembling a watercolour painting.

The plant has a vigorous growth habit, producing plenty of foliage and strong stems that hold the flowers upright. The blooms are perfectly formed and symmetrical, making them highly photogenic and excellent for adding a touch of artistry to the garden.

Plant in a sunny location with protection from strong winds, in soil that has been enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. This variety loves heat and will reward you with more intense colouration in a warm, sheltered spot.

Provide support with canes or netting as the plant reaches its full height. Regular deadheading is essential to prevent the plant from setting seed and to ensure a succession of blooms right up until the first frost.

A brilliant choice for gardeners who love unique colour patterns, ‘Lake Michigan’ stands out in white gardens or cool-toned borders, pairing elegantly with silver foliage and purple salvias.

Dahlia 'Honka Pink' brings starry orchid-style blooms in clear pink to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 60–70 cm, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Canna ‘Tropical Yellow’ is a compact, tropical-looking plant that produces rich yellow flowers with subtle red spotting, adding bright, sunny colour to patios, borders and exotic planting schemes.

A vigorous, clump-forming canna, it reaches around 50–100cm and carries its blooms above very large, dark green leaves. Flowers appear from midsummer to mid autumn, giving a long, reliable display.

Plant rhizomes in spring once the soil is warming, in full sun or light partial shade, in rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. It performs brilliantly in large containers where watering is easy to manage.

Water freely through the growing season and feed regularly once growth is established. Deadhead spent blooms to keep plants tidy and encourage more flowers, and shelter from strong winds if grown in an exposed site.

Ideal for pots, summer bedding and sub-tropical borders, this canna combines well with dahlias and grasses. In colder areas, lift and store rhizomes frost-free over winter to protect from hard frosts.

Dahlia 'Hartenaas' brings sugar-pink flowers with pale tips to borders and containers, offering a lighter, more playful look than many large border dahlias.

Its relatively compact habit makes it easy to place in mixed planting, while the plentiful blooms still provide plenty of stems for small arrangements and regular cutting.

Plant into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position once frosts have passed, and keep the soil evenly moist while plants are establishing.

Remove spent flowers often to keep new buds forming, and lift tubers in autumn in colder regions for winter protection.