OTHER PLANTS

A diverse range of plants including annuals, biennials, climbers and trees.

Acer davidii – Pere David's maple
Deciduous snake-bark maple. Bark striped green and white often young stems coloured red. Oval deep green leaves turn yellow in autumn. Best in sheltered site and given some protection in severe weather when young. Strong growing.

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica
Evergreen climber. Pretty leaves and small bell flowers in cream with red spotting. Best in sheltered site as flowers appear in winter and early spring. Prune as necessary.

Clematis tangutica 'Sun Star'
Easy, vigorous climber with yellow bell-like flowers followed by fluffy seedheads which persist throughout the winter. Prune in spring as necessary.

Cerinthe major 'Purpurescens' - Honeywort
An annual, but worth growing for its unusual glaucous foliage and small blue, bell-like, flowers. Self seeds freely, seedlings will overwinter to flower the following year. Happy in sun and most free-draining soils. Height 60cm Spread 30cm. (Seeds can be collected and sown the following year, in April, where they are to flower. Seeds are ripe when black.)

Dianthus barbatus 'Homeland' - Sweet William
Red flowers over long period in summer. Enjoys open sunny position. Biennial but can be short-lived perennial and may self seed. Height up to 60cm. Price Code OL

Dianthus barbatus 'Nigricans' - Sweet William
Dark foliage and dark black-red flowers over long period in summer. Enjoys open sunny position. Biennial but can be short-lived perennial and may self seed. Height up to 50cm. Price Code OL

Dipsacus fullonum – Teasel
Stately biennial. Should self-seed, providing structure and highlights in unusual places! Seedheads attractive throughout winter to people and birds alike. Height 2m. Price Code OL

Eucalyptus gunnii – Cider gum
Evergreen silver-blue juvenile leaves on neat tree with peeling cream, pink and brown bark. Best coppiced to produce masses of silvery foliage on slender stems. Otherwise will produce tall conical tree. Enjoys sun and well-drained soil. Protect from severe weather when young.

Lunaria annua var. variegata – Honesty
A variegated form of white flowered honesty with creamy markings on the leaves. Self-seeds true if the purple form is not too close. Happy in sun or part-shade in most soils. Annual or biennial habit. Height 80cm. Spread 45cm.

Onopordum acanthium- The Scotch Thistle or Cotton Thistle
An architectural treasure – but big! A tall, branching, spiny biennial with silver-grey woolly leaves and deep purple-pink thistle flowers, loved by butterflies. May seed. Likes rich well-drained soil, preferably in full sun. Height 2 m plus. Spread 1 m. Price Code OL

Osteospermum hyoseroides 'Gaiety
Showy annual with vivid orange daisy-like flowers. Dead-head regularly to encourage flowering throughout summer. Excellent container plant. Best in sun. Height to 60cm, can be sprawling. Price Code OA

Primula auricula – various
Hardy perennial, with glossy, sometimes mealy, leaves and sprays of primrose-like flowers in spring. Can be grown in the border but best grown in pots and admired at closer quarters. Mealy leaved varieties best grown under cover as rain spoils leaves.

Salvia argentea
Attractive woolly silver foliage and white flowers. Dislikes winter wet. Enjoys sun and poor well-drained soils. Height 70cm, spread 40cm.

Salvia viridis var. comata – Painted sage
An annual with striking red, blue, pink bracts. Unusual bedding, also used for cooking. Height 60cm. Spread 30cm plus. Price Code OA

Schizanthus x wisetonensis – Poor man's orchid
Bright green feathery foliage and abundant flowers in a range of colours make this a delightful pot plant or bedding plant. Annual. Likes sun. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code OA

Silybum marianum – Blessed Mary's Thistle
Biennial, with architectural leaves. Very spiny, white-marbled green leaves form an impressive rosette. Purple-pink thistle flowers. Can self-seed. Position with care. Sun and well-drained soil preferred. Height 1.2m, spread 60cm plus.

Viola nigra - 'Bowles black violet'
A cheerful annual violet which self seeds readily. Can prove a short-lived perennial. Small black flowers in abundance. Sun or part shade in average soil. Try with Milium effusum 'Aureum' for contrast. Height to 15cm. Spread 25cm. Price Code OA

Last updated: 31 March, 2006