Great for shade

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.

Crocosmia 'George Davidson' produces golden yellow blooms that open from orange buds on graceful, arching stems, adding movement and hot colour to mid and back borders in late summer. The flowers are loved by pollinators and make strong cut stems too.

Reaching an established height of around 60–90 cm, crocosmia forms clumps of sword-like foliage and throws up branching sprays of bloom. It’s a reliable perennial that provides colour into early autumn.

Plant corms in spring in full sun or light partial shade, in soil that is fertile and moist but well-drained. A sheltered position helps stems stay upright and extends the flowering display.

Water in dry spells during active growth, and feed in late spring for best flowering. After flowering, remove spent stems if desired, but leave foliage to die back naturally to feed the corms for next year.

Ideal for prairie-style borders, cottage gardens and large containers, crocosmia pairs beautifully with grasses and late-summer perennials.

Crocosmia masoniorum 'Orange Devil' produces bright orange flowers on upright, arching stems on arching stems, adding movement and bold colour to mid and back borders in late summer. The flowers are loved by pollinators and make strong cut stems too.

Reaching an established height of around 90 cm, crocosmia forms clumps of sword-like foliage and throws up branching sprays of bloom. It’s a reliable perennial that provides colour into early autumn.

Plant corms in spring in full sun or light partial shade, in soil that is fertile and moist but well-drained. A sheltered position helps stems stay upright and extends the flowering display.

Water in dry spells during active growth, and feed in late spring for best flowering. After flowering, remove spent stems if desired, but leave foliage to die back naturally to feed the corms for next year.

Ideal for prairie-style borders, cottage gardens and large containers, crocosmia pairs beautifully with grasses and late-summer perennials.

Crocosmia 'Babylon' produces large orange-red flowers with warm yellow throats on arching stems, adding movement and bold colour to mid and back borders in late summer. The flowers are loved by pollinators and make strong cut stems too.

Reaching an established height of around 80–100 cm, crocosmia forms clumps of sword-like foliage and throws up branching sprays of bloom. It’s a reliable perennial that provides colour right into early autumn.

Plant corms in spring in full sun or light partial shade, in soil that is fertile and moist but well-drained. A sheltered position helps stems stay upright and extends the flowering display.

Water in dry spells during active growth, and feed in late spring for best flowering. After flowering, remove spent stems if desired, but leave foliage to die back naturally to feed the corms for next year.

Ideal for prairie-style borders, cottage gardens and large containers, crocosmia pairs beautifully with grasses and late-summer perennials.

Lilium 'Roselily Double Oriental Mix' brings a pollen-free mix of double pink and white oriental lilies to summer borders and patio pots, with bold, upward-facing blooms that make a striking feature. The flowers are richly coloured and long-lasting, adding instant impact to planting schemes and bouquets alike.

Reaching an established height of around 90–120 cm, these lilies form sturdy stems and glossy green foliage, with multiple buds per stem. They flower reliably in mid to late summer and return each year in the right conditions.

Plant bulbs in spring or autumn in a sunny or lightly shaded position with well-drained, fertile soil. Work in compost and avoid waterlogged sites; lilies prefer moisture during growth but hate sitting in winter wet.

Water during dry spells while shoots develop and as buds form, then reduce once flowering finishes. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring and again as buds appear, and remove spent flowers while leaving stems and leaves to die back naturally.

Ideal for borders, containers and cutting gardens, lilies create a dramatic vertical accent and pair beautifully with perennials and grasses. Their strong stems make them excellent cut flowers, and established clumps can be lifted and divided every few years if needed.

Lilium 'Roselily Anouska' brings double pink, pollen-free oriental lily blooms to summer borders and patio pots, with bold, upward-facing blooms that make a striking feature. The flowers are richly coloured and long-lasting, adding instant impact to planting schemes and bouquets alike.

Reaching an established height of around 90–110 cm, these lilies form sturdy stems and glossy green foliage, with multiple buds per stem. They flower reliably in mid to late summer and return each year in the right conditions.

Plant bulbs in spring or autumn in a sunny or lightly shaded position with well-drained, fertile soil. Work in compost and avoid waterlogged sites; lilies prefer moisture during growth but hate sitting in winter wet.

Water during dry spells while shoots develop and as buds form, then reduce once flowering finishes. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring and again as buds appear, and remove spent flowers while leaving stems and leaves to die back naturally.

Ideal for borders, containers and cutting gardens, lilies create a dramatic vertical accent and pair beautifully with perennials and grasses. Their strong stems make them excellent cut flowers, and established clumps can be lifted and divided every few years if needed.

Dahlia 'Cornel Brons' brings bronze-orange pompon blooms on strong stems 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 90 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.

Dahlia 'Almand’s Joy' brings giant dinnerplate flowers in soft purple and white shades 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 1 m, 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 'Sir Alf Ramsey' brings large dinnerplate blooms in purple and white tones 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 1–1.5 m, 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 'Holland Festival' brings huge orange blooms tipped with white 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 90 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.

Anemone coronaria 'De Caen Mixed' brings a jewel-toned mix of red, blue and white flowers to borders and containers, opening with clean, papery petals around a dark eye that reads beautifully from a distance. These jewel-like blooms add instant sparkle to spring and early-summer displays, and look especially striking planted in drifts.

Growing from corms, this anemone forms a tidy clump of finely cut foliage with compact, upright stems. Once established it produces a steady succession of flowers that sit neatly above the leaves, making it ideal for edging, patio pots, and cutting. Expect reliable performance in cool, bright conditions.

Soak corms for a few hours before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the ground with organic matter for best results, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots develop.

Water during dry spells and avoid waterlogging, particularly in heavy soils. A light feed as growth begins supports flowering, and removing spent blooms helps keep the display tidy. In colder areas, a winter mulch or container protection can improve return and longevity.

Perfect for cutting gardens and seasonal arrangements, anemones offer long-lasting stems when picked just as buds begin to open. They also provide early nectar for pollinators, bringing colour and wildlife value to smaller spaces as well as mixed borders.

Anemone coronaria 'Sylphide' brings soft rosy-pink flowers with a dark centre to borders and containers, opening with clean, papery petals around a dark eye that reads beautifully from a distance. These jewel-like blooms add instant sparkle to spring and early-summer displays, and look especially striking planted in drifts.

Growing from corms, this anemone forms a tidy clump of finely cut foliage with compact, upright stems. Once established it produces a steady succession of flowers that sit neatly above the leaves, making it ideal for edging, patio pots, and cutting. Expect reliable performance in cool, bright conditions.

Soak corms for a few hours before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun or light partial shade. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the ground with organic matter for best results, keeping the soil evenly moist while roots develop.

Water during dry spells and avoid waterlogging, particularly in heavy soils. A light feed as growth begins supports flowering, and removing spent blooms helps keep the display tidy. In colder areas, a winter mulch or container protection can improve return and longevity.

Perfect for cutting gardens and seasonal arrangements, anemones offer long-lasting stems when picked just as buds begin to open. They also provide early nectar for pollinators, bringing colour and wildlife value to smaller spaces as well as mixed borders.

Geranium × oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’ is a hardy geranium that produces a steady flow of soft salmon‑pink blooms over a long season. The flowers sit above clumps of divided green foliage, making it an excellent, reliable plant for borders, path edges and relaxed ground cover.

It grows happily in full sun or partial shade and copes with many garden soils, as long as the ground isn’t waterlogged. Use it at the front of borders, underplanting roses and shrubs, or weaving between taller perennials to soften edges and fill gaps with colour.

Plant in spring or early autumn, water well to settle in, and add a mulch of compost to conserve moisture and feed the soil. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and lightly trim back after a flush to encourage fresh growth and more blooms later on.

The pink flowers are especially effective with blues and purples, silvery foliage and white accents. It’s also a helpful plant for pollinators, and its spreading habit helps suppress weeds once it has knitted together into a dense, low mound.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. Give it a little room and occasional water in dry spells, and it will quickly form an easy, repeatable patch of colour that returns year after year with minimal attention.

Hosta (Tardiana Group) ‘Halcyon’ is prized for its thick, blue‑grey leaves that form a tidy mound in shaded borders. In summer, slender stems carry soft purple, bell‑shaped flowers that add a gentle lift above the foliage without stealing the show.

Plant in fertile, moisture‑retentive soil that drains well. Partial shade is best, though it will tolerate some sun if the ground stays evenly moist. It’s ideal under shrubs, along shady paths, or as a calming foil to brighter, variegated hostas and woodland perennials.

Set plants at the same depth as they were growing and water well while they establish. Mulch in spring to keep roots cool, feed the soil and reduce watering. In autumn, let foliage die back naturally, then clear away old leaves before new shoots emerge in spring.

‘Halcyon’ brings dependable structure and colour contrast: pair it with ferns, bleeding hearts and astrantias, or use it to edge a border where you want a clean, repeating rhythm. The flowers can also be enjoyed as simple, understated cut stems indoors.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. With steady moisture and a little patience, it will bulk up into a long‑lived clump that returns reliably year after year.

Geranium ‘Brookside’ is a hardy cranesbill that quickly forms a spreading mound of dissected green leaves, topped with masses of clear violet‑blue flowers with pale centres. It’s an easy, generous perennial for weaving through borders and keeping the garden looking fresh for months.

Plant in moderately fertile soil that drains well, in sun or light shade. It’s ideal at the front of borders, alongside roses, or as ground cover between taller perennials. Once established it’s resilient, but it looks its best with occasional watering in prolonged dry spells.

For the longest display, deadhead spent flowers and give the plant a light trim if it becomes untidy—this often encourages another burst of blooms. A spring mulch of compost helps retain moisture and feeds the soil for stronger growth and flowering.

The cool, blue‑violet tones are perfect with whites, soft yellows and silvery foliage, and the open, saucer‑shaped flowers also make a natural partner for ornamental grasses. It’s a reliable filler that also feels special when planted in larger drifts.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. Settle it in well for the first few weeks and it will soon knit into a long‑flowering patch that returns each year with minimal fuss.

Dicentra ‘Luxuriant’ is a fern‑leaf bleeding heart that forms a neat clump of finely divided foliage, then sends up arching stems of dangling blooms from late spring. It’s a lovely choice for softening paths, edges of borders, and the front of woodland‑style planting.

Plant in moist, humus‑rich soil that won’t bake dry in summer. Partial shade is ideal, though it can cope with sunnier positions if the ground stays evenly moist. Tuck it between hostas, ferns and heucheras, or use it as a gentle underplanting beneath shrubs.

Set plants at the same depth they were growing and water well to settle the roots. Mulch in spring to conserve moisture and keep the soil cool. If flowering slows, a light trim and regular watering can encourage a fresh flush of growth.

The flowers are a rich cherry tone that reads as pink‑red in the garden, bringing a warm accent without overpowering neighbours. It also mixes beautifully with blues and silvers, and the airy stems give movement even when planted in drifts.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, ready for seasonal dispatch. Give it time to establish, and you’ll be rewarded with reliable spring‑to‑summer colour and attractive foliage that keeps borders looking full and finished.

Anemone × hybrida ‘September Charm’ is an RHS Award of Garden Merit Japanese anemone with softly cupped, rose‑pink flowers that open from late summer into autumn. It’s a gentle, luminous colour that lifts borders as the seasons change. Petals are slightly deeper pink on the reverse, so the flowers keep their colour as they sway.

Grow in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile soil that stays moist but well‑drained. It’s ideal for the middle of a mixed border, where its wiry stems can rise through nearby plants without looking heavy. A spot with morning sun and a little later shade often keeps foliage at its best.

‘September Charm’ forms clumps and can spread once happy, making it useful for naturalistic planting and larger drifts. The flowers are also lovely in simple vase arrangements, especially with seed heads and grasses. It’s excellent with sedums, rudbeckias and grasses for a long‑season display.

Mulch in spring, water in dry weather, and avoid waterlogging in winter. Once established it’s resilient and will come back year after year with minimal fuss. If the clump expands too far, divide in spring and replant sections where you want them.

Cut stems back after flowering, or leave them standing for winter interest and tidy in spring. A pollinator‑friendly perennial for extending the season. It’s an easy way to keep borders looking fresh into autumn.

Anemone coronaria ‘Mount Everest’ (St. Brigid) is a striking spring windflower with frilly, double white blooms and a fresh green centre. The compact plants suit borders, gravel gardens and pots, and the flowers are excellent for cutting. Each bloom is packed with petals for a soft, ruffled look.

These are Mediterranean corms, so drainage matters. Plant in a sunny to lightly shaded position, in gritty compost or well‑worked soil, where winter wet won’t linger around the corms. A raised bed or pot is ideal, and a sheltered spot helps protect new shoots.

For the best display, soak the corms briefly before planting, then set them 5–7cm deep. Group planting gives a fuller look, and they combine beautifully with tulips, muscari and early grasses. If you’re planting in containers, mix in grit to keep compost free‑draining.

Keep the soil just moist while shoots appear, then water during dry spells. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally so the corms can recharge for next year’s growth. Deadheading can extend the flowering window, and stems last well in a vase.

In colder or very wet gardens, lift and store the corms dry once the leaves yellow, or grow in containers you can shelter. A simple way to bring crisp white highlights to spring planting schemes. Where winters are mild and drainage is good, corms can be left in the ground to return.

Canna 'Crimson Beauty' brings a bold, tropical feel to summer planting, with deep crimson-red blooms with subtle pink highlights 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 up to 150cm in good conditions. 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.

Canna 'Apricot Frost' brings a bold, tropical feel to summer planting, with warm apricot blooms with soft peach tones held above lush, paddle-like foliage. It’s perfect for patio pots and sunny borders where you want instant impact from midsummer into early autumn.

Fast-growing and dramatic, cannas create height and structure in mixed planting, reaching around 50–100cm depending on conditions. 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 about 30–50cm apart so each clump has room to open its leaves.

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.

Canna 'Mixed Colours' brings a bold, tropical feel to summer planting, with a cheerful mix of yellow, orange, red and coral tones 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 about 50–70cm. 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 ‘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.

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.

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.

Astilbe ‘Brautschleier’ (also known as ‘Bridal Veil’) produces elegant, creamy-white plumes that float above fresh green foliage, brightening shady borders and moisture-retentive beds in early summer.

A fully hardy, clump-forming perennial, it reaches roughly 50–100cm depending on conditions. The tapering flower spikes create a soft vertical accent and look especially effective planted in groups.

Grow in moist but well-drained or even boggy soil in dappled shade or indirect sun. Astilbes are drought intolerant and can scorch in hot sun, so consistent moisture is the key to success.

Water during dry spells, mulch in spring, and cut back spent stems as needed. Divide established clumps in late winter or early spring to maintain vigour and keep flowering strong.

Perfect for woodland borders, waterside planting and shady containers, ‘Brautschleier’ pairs beautifully with hostas and ferns. The flowers are also useful for cutting and add texture to arrangements.