Summer Bulbs & Plants

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', often called black mondo grass, is a striking evergreen perennial grown for its arching, near-black strap-like foliage that creates year-round contrast in pots and planting schemes.

In summer it produces short spikes of pale purplish flowers, followed by dark berries, but it is the dramatic foliage that makes this plant such a favourite for edging, gravel gardens and contemporary combinations.

Plant in sun or partial shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It is slow to spread, making it easy to place precisely where a dark accent is needed.

Water while establishing and trim away tired leaves in spring if needed. Once settled it is low maintenance and forms tidy, long-lived clumps.

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.

Paeonia 'Coral Sunset' produces luminous coral-pink flowers that soften as they age, often revealing warmer apricot and golden tones toward the centre for a glowing late spring display.

The blooms are large and well presented on sturdy stems, making this a reliable border peony as well as a superb cut flower for seasonal arrangements.

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or light shade, placing the eyes only shallowly beneath the soil surface and choosing a site where the plant can remain undisturbed.

Water in dry weather while establishing, mulch around but not over the crown, and leave foliage in place until it dies back naturally in autumn.

Calla Lily 'White Flirt' (Zantedeschia) is a refined, elegant variety with clean white spathes surrounding a pale yellow spadix, carried above dark green, lightly flecked foliage.

Its neat habit and long-lasting flowers make it a superb choice for patio pots, sheltered borders and cutting, where the crisp white blooms bring a calm, contemporary feel.

Plant in rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, once frost danger has passed. Sheltered positions help the flowers remain at their best for longer.

Water regularly while in growth and feed during the flowering season. In colder gardens, lift and store the rhizomes dry and frost free after the foliage has died back.

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.

Dahlia ‘Crazy Love’ is a beautifully poised variety, producing crisp white blooms delicately tipped and lightly streaked with pale purple, with a subtle greenish-yellow flush at the base. The effect is refined yet striking—perfect for bringing a touch of theatre to summer planting without losing its elegance.

With strong stems and a generous flowering season from mid-summer until the first frosts, it makes an excellent choice for borders and patio containers, and is equally at home in the cutting garden for fresh, polished arrangements.

Canna 'Golden Lucifer' brings a bold, tropical feel to summer planting, with vibrant yellow blooms speckled with orange-red flowers held above lush, paddle-like foliage. It’s perfect for patio pots and sunny borders where you want instant impact from midsummer into autumn. Their broad leaves also add a strong, architectural texture even before the first flowers open.

Fast-growing and dramatic, cannas create height and structure in mixed planting, often reaching around 1–1.5m. They look brilliant with dahlias, salvias and ornamental grasses, and the strong stems help fill gaps in new borders.

For the best display, start rhizomes into pots in spring and grow on somewhere warm and bright. Plant outside once the risk of frost has passed, in a sheltered spot in full sun or light shade, and firm the soil well. Space plants so each clump can expand.

Cannas love rich, moisture-retentive soil and regular watering. Keep compost evenly moist in containers and feed every few weeks through summer to support flower production. Mulching the ground helps conserve moisture and keeps roots cool in hot spells.

When autumn frosts blacken the foliage, cut stems back and lift the rhizomes to store frost-free over winter in barely moist compost. Replant next spring after the last frosts and you’ll be back to tropical colour, lush leaves and fresh blooms.

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.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Rubinstern’ is a notably upright purple coneflower, carrying ruby-red, daisy-like blooms set around a warm orange-brown central cone. It brings a confident lift of colour from late summer into autumn, sitting particularly well in sunny borders and cutting gardens.

Supplied as bare root plants, ‘Rubinstern’ settles into a tidy clump and makes a refined, cottage-garden style statement without fuss. Pollinator friendly and pleasingly long-lasting in arrangements, it is a dependable perennial for considered planting schemes.

• Flower colour: ruby-red with an orange-brown cone
• Habit: upright
• Ideal for: borders; cut flowers

Anemone coronaria 'Levante Wine Double' produces richly coloured double flowers in deep wine-red to purple-red tones, with the ruffled, florist-style look that makes the Levante series so distinctive.

These showy blooms rise on sturdy stems above compact foliage and are ideal for cutting gardens, patio containers and front-of-border planting where their layered petals can be admired.

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, avoiding sites that remain wet in winter. Soak the corms before planting to encourage fast emergence.

Water during dry spells while in growth and deadhead to extend flowering. Once the foliage yellows, allow the corms to rest dry if you garden in a cold or wet area.

Gladiolus ‘Las Vegas’ is a striking sword lily with clear lemon-yellow blooms neatly edged in orange-red, finished with a gently ruffled margin. The flowers are carried on tall, elegant spikes, bringing poised height and a confident note of colour to summer borders. It also makes a superb cut flower, adding structure and warmth to arrangements.

Why we like it

• Lemon-yellow flowers with a refined orange-red edge
• Excellent for borders and cutting
• Strong, upright stems for a clean, architectural effect

Gladiolus nanus ‘Elvira’ is a refined, dwarf gladiolus, bearing softly pink flowers on neat, upright stems. It brings early-summer colour with a poised, elegant presence—particularly well-suited to borders and equally charming when cut for the house.

Compact yet impactful, this variety reaches around 60cm, offering a considered way to introduce gladioli without overwhelming smaller spaces. Plant in groups for a more natural, generous display.

Why you’ll love it

• Soft pink blooms with a delicate, romantic air
• Neat, upright growth—excellent in borders
• Ideal for cutting, with stems that arrange beautifully
• Flowers in early to mid-summer

A show-stopping peony with shell-pink outer petals surrounding a ruffled crown of buttery-cream staminodes.

Strong stems hold the generously sized, lightly perfumed blooms above tidy mid‑green foliage, making it ideal for cutting and for adding drama mid‑border.

Flowers from late spring into early summer in sun or light shade; once established it’s long‑lived and very low maintenance.

Anemone coronaria 'Levante Fucsia' lights up the border with vivid fuchsia-pink double blooms, combining the bold colouring of classic coronaria anemones with the fuller, ruffled form of the Levante series.

Its showy flowers are excellent for cutting and add instant colour to pots and front-of-border displays, especially when planted in generous drifts.

Plant in fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or light partial shade. Soak the corms before planting and avoid positions that remain cold and wet for long periods.

Water while the plants are actively growing and remove spent flowers to keep the display going. In heavy soils, lift and store the corms dry once the leaves have died back.

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