Shrubs

Perovskia 'Little Spire', commonly known as Russian Sage, is a popular ornamental plant prized for its elegant and compact appearance. This deciduous perennial belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is a smaller, more refined version of the traditional Russian Sage. Native to Central Asia, it thrives in dry, sunny conditions and is well-suited to garden borders, rockeries, and containers.

The 'Little Spire' variety typically grows to around 60-75 cm in height, with a spread of approximately 45 cm. Its upright, slender stems are covered in finely dissected, aromatic, silvery-grey foliage, which provides visual interest throughout the growing season. The foliage emits a pleasant scent when brushed against or crushed, adding to its appeal.

One of the plant’s most striking features is its spires of small, tubular, lavender-blue flowers, which bloom from midsummer through early autumn. These delicate flowers are held in loose panicles that extend above the foliage, creating a soft, airy effect. The long flowering period and vivid colour make Perovskia 'Little Spire' an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly gardens, as it attracts bees and other beneficial insects.

Perovskia 'Little Spire' is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, although it can tolerate a range of conditions. Regular pruning in early spring helps maintain its shape and encourages strong new growth.

In addition to its ornamental value, this compact plant is highly resilient to deer and rabbits, adding to its versatility in a range of garden settings. Overall, Perovskia 'Little Spire' is a charming, durable plant that brings colour, fragrance, and structure to any garden.

Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ is a striking evergreen shrub that adds vibrancy to gardens, particularly in autumn. A member of the Rhamnaceae family, it is often referred to as a Californian Lilac, though it bears no relation to true lilacs. This variety is prized for its compact, bushy growth and its attractive blue flowers, which bloom later in the season compared to many other ceanothus varieties, typically appearing from late summer through to early autumn.

The shrub grows to a medium height, often reaching between 2.5 to 4 metres in both height and spread, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as part of a mixed border. Its dark green, glossy leaves form a dense canopy, providing interest year-round, even when not in bloom. However, the real show begins when the clusters of bright blue flowers emerge, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ prefers a sheltered spot with full sun, ideally planted against a south or west-facing wall where it will thrive in well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to shape after flowering, and it is drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for UK gardens, especially in coastal areas where conditions can be dry and windy.

In addition to its beauty, this shrub offers ecological benefits, providing a late-season source of nectar for pollinators. Its compact size and autumnal bloom time make it a perfect choice for gardeners looking to extend the season of interest in their borders, while its evergreen foliage ensures year-round structure. Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ is a stunning and resilient addition to any garden, offering both aesthetic and ecological rewards.

Ceanothus 'El Dorado' is a striking, evergreen shrub prized for its attractive foliage and vibrant flowers. Known for its compact form, this plant typically reaches around 1 to 1.5 metres in height and spread, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, borders, or as a feature plant in containers.

The foliage of Ceanothus 'El Dorado' is its standout feature. Its leaves are dark green with a distinct yellow margin, creating a striking contrast. The yellow-edged leaves add a bright, cheerful element to the garden throughout the year, even when the plant is not in bloom.

In late spring and early summer, Ceanothus 'El Dorado' produces clusters of small, vivid blue flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. The combination of blue blossoms against the golden-edged foliage creates a stunning display. The flowers are densely packed into panicles, giving the shrub a luxuriant appearance.

This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, though it benefits from some shelter from harsh winds and frost. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it will perform best with regular watering during dry spells.

Ceanothus 'El Dorado' is also an excellent choice for coastal gardens, as it is tolerant of salt winds. Its evergreen nature ensures it provides structure and colour to the garden year-round.

Whether used as a feature plant or as part of a mixed border, Ceanothus 'El Dorado' adds a bright splash of colour and texture to any garden. Its combination of vibrant foliage and eye-catching flowers make it a popular choice among gardeners seeking an easy-to-grow yet visually striking plant.

Hypericum Radiance is a striking semi-evergreen shrub, highly valued for its ornamental appeal and low maintenance. It is part of the Hypericum genus, commonly known as St John's Wort, and is cherished for its vibrant, long-lasting display of flowers and berries.

Growing to a height and spread of approximately 60cm (2ft), Hypericum 'Radiance' has a compact, mounding habit, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, containers, or mixed borders. The plant features attractive, lance-shaped, golden variegated leaves, which bring year-round interest even when the shrub is not in bloom.

During summer and early autumn, this plant bursts into life with a profusion of bright yellow, star-shaped flowers. These blooms are notable for their striking contrast against the variegated foliage and are a magnet for pollinators, such as bees. Each flower is adorned with prominent stamens, adding texture and visual appeal. After flowering, the shrub produces small, decorative red berries, extending its season of interest well into autumn.

Hypericum 'Radiance' thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, though it is quite adaptable to a range of soil types. It is hardy in most parts of the UK and tolerates occasional drought once established. Regular pruning after flowering can help maintain its shape and encourage fresh growth. It is also fairly disease-resistant, although some monitoring for rust or leaf spot is recommended.

This versatile shrub offers year-round beauty, from its striking foliage to its cheerful blooms and berries, making it a wonderful addition to any garden seeking vibrant, low-maintenance plantings. It is particularly well-suited to borders, slopes, or ground cover, bringing colour and interest through the seasons.

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens,' commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is an ornamental perennial plant renowned for its striking dark foliage and distinctive appearance. This cultivar belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is native to Japan, where it thrives in woodlands and shaded areas. In the United Kingdom, it has gained popularity as a garden ornamental for its unique aesthetic qualities.

The most notable feature of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is its almost-black, strappy leaves that grow in dense clumps. The rich ebony colouration intensifies as the plant matures, creating a captivating contrast with other plants in the garden. During the summer months, it produces small, insignificant bell-shaped, pale pinkish-white flowers on delicate stems. However, it is primarily grown for its striking foliage rather than its flowers.

Black Mondo Grass is a low-maintenance plant, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add drama to their landscapes without excessive effort. It thrives in partial to full shade, making it suitable for shaded borders, rock gardens, or even as ground cover beneath trees. This plant is adaptable to various soil types, provided they are well-drained, and it is relatively drought-tolerant once established.

When it comes to care, Black Mondo Grass requires minimal attention. Pruning is optional but can help maintain its tidy appearance. It is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a hassle-free addition to any garden. In colder regions of the UK, some winter protection, such as a layer of mulch, may be beneficial to ensure its survival.

The Dryopteris filix‑mas ‘Crispa Cristata’, often called the crested male fern, is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking structure and texture in shaded or partially shaded areas. This hardy, semi‑evergreen fern thrives in moist, humus‑rich soils and is well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, or as an underplanting beneath trees and shrubs. Its strikingly frilled, crested fronds create an intricate, sculptural effect that brings a sense of movement and detail to any planting scheme.

Unlike many delicate ferns, ‘Crispa Cristata’ is robust and low maintenance, tolerating cold winters and recovering well each spring. Its dense growth habit forms attractive clumps that help suppress weeds, making it practical as well as ornamental. The plant’s refined, curled fronds look beautiful alongside hostas, heucheras, and other foliage plants, while its deep green color provides a calming backdrop to brighter flowers.

In smaller gardens, it works perfectly in pots or shaded corners where it can be appreciated up close. With minimal care,simply remove old fronds in late winter, it will reward you with year‑round elegance and a unique, timeless appeal.

Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue', commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a striking ornamental grass that is cherished for its vivid blue foliage and compact growth habit. This perennial grass forms neat, dense clumps that typically reach a height of 20-30 cm and spread to about 20-30 cm wide, making it an excellent choice for borders, rockeries, and container planting.

The foliage of Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' is its most notable feature. The slender, needle-like leaves are a striking silvery-blue, providing a cool, soothing contrast to the greens and other colours in a garden. This intense blue colour is most prominent in the spring and early summer, adding a refreshing splash of colour to the landscape. As the seasons progress, the foliage maintains its appeal, though it may take on a slightly greener hue during the winter months.

In late spring to early summer, Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' produces delicate flower spikes that rise above the foliage. These flowers start off a soft blue-green and mature to a light tan colour, adding a subtle ornamental element without detracting from the plant's overall blue theme. The flowers can be left in place for winter interest or cut back to maintain the plant's tidy appearance.

Blue Fescue is a hardy plant that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it an ideal choice for low-maintenance gardens. It also works well in urban settings due to its tolerance of pollution and poor soil conditions. Regular trimming of the older foliage in early spring can help maintain the plant's tidy appearance and encourage new growth.

Overall, Festuca glauca 'Intense Blue' is a versatile and visually appealing grass that adds texture and colour to a variety of garden settings, making it a favourite among gardeners looking for year-round interest and low-maintenance beauty.