Need help deciding which plant to choose?
Below are a few plants from our range that we would suggest if you have a particularly tricky spot in your garden. Try our online shop for full descriptions of the plants we stock, by clicking on the view button. Alternatively, drop us an email and we will be happy to help with your selection. Knowledgeable, friendly staff are on hand at the nursery, so if you can come and visit, even better.
Dry Soil - Sun
Many of these plants hail from the Mediterranean or similarly hot, dry climates around the world. It is a good idea to add bulky organic matter to particularly hot dry sites, and a mulch of gravel or pebbles is an ideal way to conserve soil moisture.
| Achillea Anthemis tinctoria Artemisia Bismarckia nobilis Brahea armata Butia capitata Calamintha Chamaerops humilis var. argentea Convolvulus cneorum Echinops Erigeron Eryngium Euphorbia characias Euphorbia myrsinites |
Euphorbia polychroma Festuca Gypsophila Iris (bearded) Nepeta Olea europaea Salvia Sedum Sempervivum Stachys Stipa Verbena Yucca rostrata |
Dry Soil - Shade
Notoriously difficult conditions! Bulky organic matter must be added to the soil to ensure even these tolerant plants thrive rather than just survive. Add an annual mulch when the ground is still moist each spring.
| Alchemilla Brunnera Carex Digitalis Dryopteris filix-mas Epimedium Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae |
Helleborus foetidus |
Moisture-retentive Soil - Sun
This is a real opportunity as it suits many flowering plants and the showiest coloured-caned bamboos.
| Alchemilla Calamagrostis Canna Carex Cautleya Crocosmia Deschampsia Ensete Euphorbia griffithii Geranium Geum Hedychium Helleborus Hemerocallis Heuchera Knautia Lychnis |
Macleaya Miscanthus Molinia Musa Ophiopogon Panicum Papaver orientale Pennisetum Phyllostachys aurea Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. aureocaulis Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis Phyllostachys nigra Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis Rudbeckia Stokesia Trachycarpus fortunei Washingtonia filifera |
Moisture-retentive Soil - Shade
This suits many of the most textural foliage plants - great conditions for creating a tapestry of green textures. If the shade is too dense try lifting the canopies of nearby shade-casting trees.
| Alchemilla Anemone Asplenium scolopendrium Brunnera Cyathea australis Cyathea smithii Deschampsia Dicksonia antartica Dicksonia fibrosa Digitalis Dryopteris affinis Dryopteris wallichiana Epimedium |
Fargesia |
Damp Soil - Sun or Shade
These plants are happy in a constantly damp soil but will not cope with water-logging in winter.
Acorus
Carex elata 'Aurea'
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Miscanthus
Pseudosasa japonica
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Windy Sites
These plants can cope with an exposed spot and once established may be used to protect more delicate plants from the full force of the wind. Although even these will need support until they are established.
Phyllostachys bissetii
Chamaerops humilis
Pseudosasa japonica
Fargesia rufa
| Bee Plants | Butterfly Plants |
| Allium Anthemis Aster Calamintha Echinacea Echinops Eryngium Geranium Geum Helleborus Kniphofia Lavandula Nepeta Papaver Sedum Verbascum |
Aster |
Paving Cracks
If happy these plants will spread to the gaps between paving – although it is best to plant them nearby and let them find their own way there
Acaena microphylla
Alchemilla erythropoda
Alchemilla mollis
Campanula carpatica
Verbena bonariensis
Come and see for yourself
When visiting the nursery you can browse our full range and have a chat to our helpful staff. We look forward to seeing you.
Opening Times
Mondays by appointment only
Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 5pm (or dusk if earlier).
Bank Holidays 11am – 4pm.