PERENNIALS

A selection of hardy perennials all trialled and grown at the nursery.

Acanthus mollis- Bear's breeches
Large glossy deeply-cut leaves and tall spikes of funnel-shaped white flowers. A handsome plant. Needs a sheltered, well-drained position in full sun. Dislikes winter wet. Happy in a generous container where it makes a striking architectural plant. Height to 1 m. Spread 75 cm plus.

Achillea filipendulina 'Parkers Variety'
Tall perennial with fine fern-like foliage and large flat flowerheads of a deep yellow. Reliable. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height to 1 m. Spread 50 cm plus. Price Code PA

Achillea millefolium 'Cassis'
A cherry-red version of the above. Height to 75 cm. Spread 40 cm plus. Price Code PA

Achillea ptarmica 'The pearl'
Double white flowers on tidy plants. Height to 60 cm. Spread 40 cm plus. Price Code PA

Aconitum napellus 'Corry's own'- Monkshood. Poisonous
Erect, tough perennial with deeply-divided glossy dark green leaves. Dark blue flowers in abundance from early summer. Enjoys full sun, tolerates most soils, enrich poor soils with farmyard manure for terrific flower power. Height 1m plus. Spread 60cm. Price Code PL

Anthemis carpatica 'Carpathian Snow'
Low growing creeping silver-grey stems and deeply cut leaves. Large white floweres in early summer. Best in sun and free draining soil. Height 15cm.

Aquilegia chrysantha
Delicate foliage and soft golden-yellow long spurred flowers. Sun and ordinary to light soil. Height 1m, spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Crimson star'
Crimson flowers with white corolla. Height 60cm. Spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow'
Double flowers in green tinged pink. Height to 1m. Spread 40cm. Price Code PA

Aquilegia vulgaris fl. pl. 'Ruby Port'
Double flowers of rich claret. Height 70cm. Spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Aquilegia yabeana
Deep blue long spurred flowers. Sun and average to light soil. Height 75cm – 1m, spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Althaea rosea var. nigra – Hollyhock
A short-lived perennial with tall stems bearing dark, nearly black, open flowers. Enjoys sun and good, free-draining soil. Height to 1.8m. Spread 40cm. Price Code PL

Amsonia hubrechtii
Upright bushy plant with fine narrow leaves. Plentiful light blue starry flowers. Slow to establish but hardy. Leaves colour in autumn. Enjoys sun and most well-drained soils. Height to 60cm. Spread 30cm.

Astrantia major – Masterwort
Pretty lobed leaves and a pincushion flower. White flushed wine red. Enjoys moisture retaining soil in sun or part-shade. Height 70cm. Spread 50cm. Price Code PM

Aruncus dioicus – Goat's beard
Tall, woody, hollow stems rise from a basal crown and produce open plumes of tiny creamy flowers in summer. Tolerates sun or part-shade and most soils. Height 2m, once established. Spread 1.5m.

Bellis perennis 'Pomponette'
Cultivated daisy with double flowers in red, pink, peach and white. Height 15cm. Spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Campanula latifolia – Bellflower
Strong stems support large bells of white or pale blue. Clump forming. May self seed. Happiest in free-draining ordinary soil in sun, tolerates part-shade. Height 1.2m. Spread 50cm plus. Price Code PL

Campanula makaschvilii
Arching stems bear small heart-shaped leaves and bell flowers in pink. Pretty, for front of border. Likes sun. Height and spread 50cm. Price Code PM

Campanula poscharskyana
Spreading perennial with open bell flowers in violet. Vigorous. Height 15cm. Spread beyond 1m. Price Code PA

Campanula punctata var. rubiflora
Large flowered bell flower. White or rose with red flecks. Height to 70cm. Spread 50cm. Price Code PM

Celmisia (species unknown) – New Zealand Mountain daisy
Striking evergreen. Rosettes of silver sword-shaped leaves and large daisy flowers in summer. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height and spread 25cm.

Centaurea pulcherrima
Narrow deeply cut silver-grey leaves and large vibrant rose-pink flowers in early summer. Enjoys sun and free draining soil. Height 70 cm.

Centranthus ruber- Red valerian
Loose clumps of glossy fleshy leaves. Many branching heads of red flowers, loved by butterflies, throughout summer and into autumn. Needs poor, well-drained soil in full sun to be at its best. Happy in exposed conditions. Height and spread 75 cm plus. Price Code PA

Centranthus ruber 'Snowcloud'
As above with fragrant white flowers. Price Code PA

Clematis heracleifolia
An open bushy clematis which will ramble within the herbaceous border. Small blue flowers. Height 1.2 – 1.5m.

Clematis stans
Upright woody stemmed herbaceous clematis. Large purple-blue downy flowers in late summer. Height to 1m.

Coreopsis palmata
Clumps of upright stems bearing golden yellow daisies. Best in poor well-drained gritty or sandy soils in full sun. Height to 90cm. Spread 40cm.

Crambe cordifolia
A large plant. Deeply rooted, so site carefully. Forming a rosette of rough leaves it bears in summer tall branched stems covered in tiny white flowers. Best in fertile well-drained soils in sun. Dies back after flowering. Height and spread up to 2m.

Delphinium elatum
A wild form of our familiar Delphinium, producing slender, open, strong stems bearing clear blue flowers. These stems require no staking. Enjoys sun and reasonable soil. Height to 1.5m. Price Code PM

Delphinium 'Cliveden Beauty' seedlings
Beautiful large sky blue flowers. Similar to wild form, not dense spires. Requires no staking but a sheltered site preferred. Height 1.5m. Price Code PM

Digitalis ferruginea – Rusty foxglove
Enjoying moisture retaining soil, this foxglove produces a rosette of glossy dark-green leaves and, in its second year, a tall sturdy spike of rusty yellow flowers. Usually biennial, sometimes a short-lived perennial, it often self-seeds true. Tolerates sun, prefers part-shade. Height to 1.5m. Price Code PA

Digitalis lanata – Woolly foxglove
Spikes of cream, purple veined flowers on woolly stems. Best in sheltered free-draining sites. Height to 70cm. Price Code PA

Digitalis lutea – Small yellow foxglove
Narrower mid-green leaves than the previous species. This foxglove carries a tall delicate spike of creamy-yellow flowers in its second year. Happy in part-shade on moisture retaining soil. Height 1m plus Price Code PA

Digitalis purpurea – native foxglove
Familiar wild foxglove, for naturalising. Price Code PA

Doronicum pardalianches – Leopard's bane
Not the usual form, this species carries long-lasting yellow daisies on tall stems throughout the summer. Forming gently creeping mounds of soft foliage, it enjoys part-shade in rich, free-draining soils. Height 1m. Spreading, but not aggressively! Price Code PA

Echinacea purpurea. - Coneflower
A mass of glossy dark green leaves with stems flushed purple, from which, on long strong stems, large daisy-like purple-red flowers with a dark conical centre are borne in summer. Happiest in sun and prefers humus-rich moist but well-drained soil. Height to 1.2 m. Spread 50 cm.

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'
A white flower form of the above with downswept petals and a honey fragrance. Height to 75 cm.

Echinops ritro – Globe thistle
Tall, sturdy stems bearing glossy deeply-divided thistle leaves and topped with a globe, sporting tiny blue flowers, in late summer. Enjoyed by bees and butterflies. Likes sun and most soils. Height 1.5m. Spread 70cm.

Erodium manescavii
Pretty, ferny leaves of deep green and clusters of open deep pink flowers throughout summer. Enjoys sun and rich, well-drained soil. Height to 45cm. Spread 60cm.

Erodium pelargoniiflorum
Soft mounds of scalloped leaves and clusters of open white, blotched red, flowers throughout summer. Needs sun and poor well-drained soil in a reasonably sheltered site. When happy will self seed. Height to 30cm. Spread 40cm. Price Code PB

Eryngium agavifolium – Sea holly
Evergreen rosette of sharply pointed strap-like leaves, edged with fine spines, of a bright green. Produces tall, sturdy stems carrying greenish thistle-like flowers. Needs sun and a sheltered, well-drained site. Protect from extreme cold and wet. Position carefully due to spines. Height 1.5m. Spread 60cm.

Eryngium caeruleum – Sea holly
Oval, blue flushed leaves and stems, giving rise to stiff, branched stems carrying blue thistle-like flowers. Height 75cm. Spread 60cm. Price Code PM

Eryngium planum – Sea holly
A rosette of shiny oval leaves produces branching stems bearing numerous small blue thistle flowers. Happy in sunny open sites which are not too dry. Height and spread 90cm. Price Code PM

Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum 'Atropurpureum' - Joe Pye weed
A big large-leafed plant. Produces huge purple-pink flowerheads on dark-red stems. Loved by butterflies. Height up to 2.5m. Spread 1 m.

Euphorbia polychroma Can cause skin irritation.
Soft foliage, green with a slight purple flush and sulphur yellow flowers in late spring. Enjoys sun and free-draining soil, will tolerate part-shade. Height and spread 40cm.

Euphorbia amygdaloide purpurea Can cause skin irritation
Whorls of soft purple-red foliage and bright yellow-green flowers in early summer. Enjoys part-shade, tolerates sun, in rich free-draining soil. Height and spread 60cm.

Francoa sonchifolia – Maiden's wreath
Bold evergreen clumps of glossy, lobed leaves, flushed purple, and racemes of small white, sometimes pink, flowers throughout summer. Needs sun and a sheltered well-drained position. Height 60cm plus, spread 50cm. Price Code PL

Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun'
Brilliant yellow and red flowers. Likes sun and sheltered site with free draining soil. Height and spread 30cm. Price Code PL

Geum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden'
Rosettes of lobed mid-green leaves and strong stems bearing double yellow open flowers. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height 75cm, spread 40cm. Price Code PL

Geum chiloense 'Mrs Bradshaw'
A scarlet flowered strain of the above. Price Code PL

Geum triflorum
A red-orange flowered Geum, with persistant feathery seedheads. Height 60cm. Spread 40cm. Price Code PL

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety'
Good strong ground covering geranium with stems bearing clusters of pale pink flowers. Height 30cm, spreading.

Geranium orientalitibeticum 'Orkney Pink'
Low lying bronze-green foliage with numerous vivid pink flowers. Likes sun and free draining soil. Height 12cm spreading.

Geranium phaeum – Mourning widow geranium
Clump forming perennial with upright stems bearing open dark purple-black flowers. For a shady site. Height 75cm, spread 40cm. Price Code PB

Geranium sanguineum var. striatum
Deeply cut leaves on spreading geranium sporting attractive pale pink flowers with dark veins. Height 15cm spreading.

Helenium autumnale Red & Gold Hybrids. - Sneezeweed
A late summer and autumn flowering perennial. Daisy-like flowers in yellow, gold, red and brown shades. Likes sun and any well-drained soil. Height to 1.2 m. Spread to 1 m.

Hosta pachyscapa 'Patriot'
Strong clump forming hosta with striking white varigation. Attractive lilac flowers in summer. Height 50cm, spread 50cm.

Inula hookeri
A slowly spreading perennial of stout stems bearing mid-green leaves and yellow narrow-petalled flowers in late summer. Likes most soils and sun, tolerates shade. Height 75cm.

Inula magnifica
Dark stems, dark green leaves, and bold bright yellow flowers. This is not a plant for the faint -hearted! Needs room, sun and average soil. Height 2m. Spread 75cm – 1m.

Knautia macedonica (syn Scabiosa rumelica)
Soft grey-green leaves form a mound of foliage above which lax, branching stems carry bright crimson flowers throughout summer. Likes sun and reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Height and spread to 75 cm. Price Code PL

Lathyrus latifolius – Everlasting sweetpea
'White Pearl' – 'Pink Pearl' and 'Red Pearl' offered.
Large flowers on a perennial sweetpea. Happy in good, well-drained soil, best in sun. Height 1.5m, rambles. Price Code PA

Linum perenne - flax
Slender stems and narrow leaves, in summer bears sprays of clear blue flowers. Beautiful and delicate. Happy in sun and well-drained soil. May be short-lived, but self seeds where happy. Height to 60cm, spread 30cm. Price Code PA

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal flower
Stunning red, large lobelia flowers on strong stems in mid to late summer. Enjoys rich moisture retentive soil and water side locations. Fully hardy. Height to 1.2m, spread 30cm.

Lobelia siphilitica
A perennial Lobelia. Sturdy stems bearing long spikes of sky-blue flowers from a basal clump of green leaves. Happiest in sun on moisture retaining soil. May self seed. Height to 1m, spread 30cm. Price Code PL

Lychnis atropurpurea
Leaves and stems flushed purple and purple flowers freely borne in early summer. Happiest in sun and moisture retaining soil. Height 50cm. Spread 30cm. Price Code PL

Lychnis chalcedonica – Jerusalem or Maltese Cross
Clump-forming plant with small bright-red flowers arranged in flat heads on stout stems. Eye-catching. Happiest in moisture-retaining soil. Height to 1m, spread 30cm. Price Code PL

Lychnis chalcedonica var. alba
Pure white-flowered form of the above. Price Code PL

Lychnis viscaria - Red German Catchfly
Low growing evergreen mound of narrow leaves, producing many spikes of dark purple-red flowers in late spring. Tolerant of most soils and sun or light shade. Height 40 cm spread 25 cm. Price Code PA

Lychnis coronaria
A low-lying clump of grey leaves giving rise to strong stems of white or brilliant crimson flowers (both colours stocked). Can be short-lived but self seeds when happy. Likes sun and light free draining soils. Height 60cm, spread 45cm. Price Code PA

Lysimachia atropurpurea - Purple loosestrife
Glaucous leaves and long spikes of small densely clustered deep purple flowers. Happiest in moisture retaining soil in sun or part shade. Height 60cm. Spread 30 cm.

Lysimachia punctata - Large yellow loosestrife
Pale green foliage and open yellow flowers borne on strong stems. Happiest in moisture retaining soil in sun or part shade. Can be slightly invasive. Height 80cm.

Lythrum salicaria 'Rosy Gem'
Bushy plants of mid-green foliage produce long spikes of rose-coloured flowers. Loved by butterflies and bees. Likes average to moist soil in sun. Height to 1 m plus. Spread 50 cm plus. Price Code PL

Macleaya cordata – Plume poppy
Striking grey-green leaves form a clump sending up sturdy stems bearing creamy-white flowers, often tinged pink. Enjoys full sun and dryish, well-drained soils. Height 2m. Spread 60cm plus.

Meconopsis betonicifolia – Himalayan blue poppy
Tall stems bearing open blue poppy flowers. Happy in rich woodland soil, moist but free draining. Shade loving. When happy will be perennial. Height 1m plus. Spread 40cm.

Monarda didyma 'Cambridge Scarlet'
Aromatic deep green foliage above which, on strong stems, are carried whorls of hooded rich-red flowers. The faded flower heads can remain a strong feature through to the winter. Likes sun and preferably moist soil. Height to 1 m. Spread 50 cm.

Monarda didyma – Pink form
A pale pink form of the above.

Nepeta clarkei
Upright clumps of foliage and large spikes of blue flowers from late summer. Enjoys sun and freee draining soil. Height 60cm. Price Code PL

Nepeta nervosa 'Blue Moon'
Bushy perennial and large dense violet-blue flower spikes throughout summer. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height and spread to 40cm. Price Code PL

Nepeta transcaucasica
A robust clump-forming perennial with violet-blue flowers throughout summer. Likes sun and fertile well-drained soil. Height to 1 m. Spread 50 cm plus. Price Code PL

Ophipogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
Evergreen clump-forming plant with black strap like leaves. Popular with designers! Spreads. Has undistinguished lilac flowers. Best seen against a contrasting ground covering material e.g. fine gravel or shell. Likes sun and well-drained soil, but tolerates semi-shade. (Colours best in sun). Height to 25 cm. Spread 30 cm and more. Price Code PB

Papaver bracteatum
A bold red perennial poppy. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height 1.2m plus, spread 60cm.

Penstemon barbatus var. coccinea
Rosettes of mid-green leaves give rise to stems bearing nodding red flowers. Best on a sheltered site in sun. Height to 1m. Spread 30cm.

Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
Striking dark leaves and white flowers flushed purple. Likes well-drained soil in full sun. Height 80cm, spread 40cm.

Phlomis russeliana
Large heart-shaped leaves and strong stems bearing yellow hooded flowers. Good ground cover once established. Height 1m. Slowly spreading. Price Code PM

Phlomis tuberosa
Dark green heart-shaped leaves on a good ground-covering plant with long strong stems ornamented with whorls of pink-mauve lipped flowers. Flowers best after a hard winter. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Height between 1 –2 m. Spread 75cm plus. Price Code PM

Phlox paniculata 'White Admiral'
Perennial border phlox with white flowers in late summer on strong stems. Height 1.2m, slowly spreading.

Physostegia virginiana 'Summer Snow' – Obedient plant
Erect plant. White flowers borne on strong stems with a hinged stalk that allows them to be moved individually. Fun! Height to 1m, spread 60cm.

Polemonium caeruleum – Jacob's ladder
A clump of finely divided leaves gives rise to upright flower spikes of open, lavender blue flowers in summer. Happy in sun and well-drained soil. Height and spread 60cm. Price Code PA

Polemonium caeruleum 'Album'
White flowered form of the above. Price Code PA

Potentilla 'Etna'
Sumptuous blood-red double flowers held high above silvered strawberry-like leaves. Enjoys sun and average soil. Position at front of the border! Height and spread 50cm.

Primula bulleyana
Candelabra primula with apricot flowers. Happiest in partial shade and moisture retaining or damp soil. Height 80cm. Spread 40cm.

Primula denticulata 'Ruby'
Clump-forming primula with globes of bright red-pink flowers. Happiest in partial shade and moisture retaining or damp soil. Height 30cm. Spread 30cm.

Primula florindae
A bold, clump of broad, green, spoon-shaped leaves and large heads of yellow, sometimes pale orange, fragrant flowers. Happiest in shade or partial shade and moisture retaining or damp soil. Height 80cm-1m. Spread 40 – 60cm.

Primula japonica 'Miller's crimson'
Strong growing candelabra primula with bright crimson flowers. Happiest in shade or partial shade and moisture retaining or damp soil. Height 60cm. Spread 40cm.

Primula veris - cowslip
Native plant found in damp open meadows. Clusters of yellow flowers borne on stalks in spring. Height 25cm. Should self-seed.

Primula vulgaris- primrose
Native plant found in open woodland. Clusters of yellow flowers. Height 15cm. Should self-seed.

Pulmonaria angustifolia ' Blue Ensign'
Spring flowering perennial. Strong clumps of dark leaves and stout stems crowned with small blue flowers. Prefers semi-shade. Height 35cm, spread 50cm. Price Code PB

Rheum palmatum var. palmatum – Ornamental rhubarb
Striking red stems and bold glossy leaves. Produces a towering spike of creamy flowers, sometimes pink tinged, occasionally red. Enjoys sun and most soils, best on rich, moisture retaining, soils. Height and spread 2m.

Rodgersia tabularis
Soft, round, large leaves, held flat, and tall spikes of creamy white flowers. Best in part-shade and damp soil. Height and spread 1m plus.

Rudbekia fulgida "Goldsturm" - Coneflower
An erect sunny perennial. Masses of daisy-like golden flowers with conical black centres carried on strong stems throughout summer and autumn. Happy in sun or semi-shade and tolerant of damp soils. Height to 75 cm. Spread 50 cm plus.

Rudbekia occidentalis
Large. Tall stems produce striking black cones lacking the ray-florets of usual daisies. Unusual and imposing. Happy in sun in moisture retaining soils. Height 1.2m plus. Spread 60cm.

Salvia x superba
A neat clump-forming perennial freely producing flower spikes of a dark violet-blue througout summer and into autumn. Likes sun and fertile well-drained soil. Height to 1m. Spread 50 cm. Price Code PA

Salvia x superba "Rose Queen"
A mulberry-rose coloured form of the above. Price Code PA

Sanguisorba officinalis – Great burnet
Forming a mass of pretty leaves divided into oval leaflets and bearing spikes of dark red-brown flowers. Happiest on moist ground, may self seed. Height to 1m, spread 60cm plus.

Sanguisorba tenuifolia
Ferny foliage and spikes of white bottlebrush flower heads. Height 80cm, spread 50cm.

Scabiosa drakensbergensis
Unusual large scabious with white flowers (sometimes creamy pink) through summer. Evergreen. Likes sun. Height 1.2m, spread 50cm.

Schizostylis coccinea – Kaffir lily
Iris-like foliage and red cup-like flowers in autumn. Likes sun and rich soil in a sheltered position. Height 60cm, spread 30cm. Price Code PL

Scuttelaria woronowii. - Skullcap
A loose clump of soft foliage producing throughout summer spikes of violet-blue flowers. May creep or seed where happy. Likes a hot, sunny, dry spot best in light soil. Height to 75 cm. Spread 50 cm plus. Price Code PL

Sedum 'Frosty Morn'
Variegated foliage and white flowers. More delicate than your usual sedum. Height 45cm, spread 30cm.

Sidalcea candida 'Bianca' - White prairie mallow
Attractive glossy foliage and strong stems bearing many large white flowers. Tolerates most soils and open positions. Height to 90cm spreading.

Sisyrinchium striatum
Broad iris-like foliage and strong stems bearing many pale yellow flowers. Enjoys sun and free draining soil. Can be short-lived, may self-seed. Height 50cm spread 30cm.

Telekia speciosa (syn Bupthalmum speciosum)
From spring striking heart-shaped bright green leaves later give rise to tall branching stems bearing large rich-gold daisy-like flowers. Liked by butterflies. Likes sun and well-drained soil. Will tolerate moist soil and semi-shade. Height to 1.5 m. Spread to 1.2 m. Price Code PM

Thalictrum delavayi
Very pretty thalictrum with blue-green divided leaves and large open panicles of mauve flowers with prominent dangling yellow stamens. Best in a sheltered site, in sun and well-drained soil. Height 1.5m. Spread 60cm. Price Code PM

Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum (syn. T. speciosissimum) – Meadow rue
A bold clump of blue-green leaves from which rise stems carrying clusters of pale yellow fluffy flowers. Can self seed. Tolerant of a range of soils, best in sun or part shade. Height to 2m, spread 80cm – 1m. Price Code PM

Thalictrum lucidum
Glossy, ferny foliage and fluffy greenish-yellow flowers. Height to 1.2m, spread 60cm. Price Code PM

Thermopsis caroliniana – Carolina lupin
Blue-green pea-like foliage, tinged purple, and sprays of yellow pea-like flowers. Straggles. Likes sun and rich drained soils. Height 1m, spread 60cm. Price Code PM

Trifolium rubens – Red trefoil
A large flowered clover. Very ornamental. Enjoys sun. Height and spread 60cm. Price Code PA

Verbascum olympicum
From a large rosette of soft silver-grey leaves arises a strong branched stem bearing many yellow flowers. For free-draining soils and sunny positions. Height 1.5 m plus. Spread 50 cm.

Verbascum widemannianum
A low-lying rosette of evergreen dark foliage sends out robust upright stems producing many open bright purple flowers. Remove flower spikes after flowering to encourage further spikes. Likes sun and well-drained average soil. Height between 1 – 1.5 m. Spread 50 cm.

Verbena patagonica (syn. V. bonariensis)
The designers' plant! A clump of dark green leaves from which strong upright wiry stems carry small sprays of tiny purplish-blue flowers in later summer throughout autumn. Loved by butterflies. Likes sun and a sheltered spot in average to poor well-drained soil. Has a reputation for not being hardy but has been growing in my garden a number of years without problems. Leaves do not appear until very late spring. Height to 1.5 m. plus. Spread 50 cm. Price Code PA

Veronica longifolia
Upright perennial. Strong stems carry spires of blue flowers throughout summer. Good for cutting. Enjoys damp soil in full sun. Height 1m. Spread 60cm. Price Code PL

Viola cornuta 'Alba'
Small bright green heart-shaped leaves and creeping stems bearing many pure white flowers. Excellent for a lightly shaded area where the flowers really shine. Best undisturbed on average draining soils. Happiest in light shade. Will tolerate some sun. Height 12cm spreading.

Last updated: 31 March, 2006