### Fully hardy ## Can survive outside in mild regions/sheltered sites J Move inside for winter
Phyllostachys nigra
An attractive, tall, upright bamboo with stunning blackish-brown stems. Wind rustling through leaves makes lovely sound. Plant in large containers. Under plant spring bulbs for seasonal colour.
Care: Remove older stems to thin out and show off newer stems.
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Miscanthus sinensis
Ornamental grass with upright stems and arching silky flowers. Foliage has fall color or is evergreen. Good in containers and planted in groups.
Care: Leave flowers and stems over winter for added interest. Cut back to soil level in late winter.
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Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam can be grown as a hedge in large containers. Foliage turns a rich yellow in fall. Plant retains leaves in winter, although it’s not an evergreen.
Care: Keep containers well watered in growing season and feed monthly at the same time. Clip regularly for shape.
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Rosa rugosa
Apple-green glossy foliage and single pink or white flowers in summer.
Loved by bees. Huge red hips in fall. Good hedging plant and easy to grow.
Care: Leave rose hips for winter interest. Feed in growing season. Prune in late winter. Cut older wood to base.
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Taxus baccata
Slow-growing evergreen. Yew is easy to shape—it only needs cutting a couple of times each year. Make sure containers are large enough. Choose mature specimens for instant impact.
Care: Keep well watered and feed monthly in growing season.
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Photinia
Evergreen shrubs with glossy leaves. Newer growth is bright red. Creamy white flowers in spring. You can clip the plants into a formal or informal hedge, or grow as standard shrubs.
Care: Keep well watered and feed monthly in growing season.
See also… Buxus sempervirens p.233, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ p.233, Cornus p.233, Euonymous p.231, Fatsia japonica p.231, Lonicera p.230, Pyracantha p.233
Plants for wildlife
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Key to symbols: W Drought tolerant 4 Water often Г Keep constantly wet t Grow in full sun У Partial shade U Full shade
Buddleia
Known as the Butterfly Bush because the flowers, in shades of pink, mauve, blue, and white, provide a good source of nectar for butterflies. Some grow tall but can be kept smaller by pruning.
Care: Feed regularly in growing season. Prune each spring.
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Agastache
Aromatic leaves and upright spikes of blue, orange, or pink flowers. The small, tubular flowers invite bees and butterflies. Adds height to planting.
Care: Remove spent flower spikes throughout the season. Feed during the growing season.
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Dipsacus fullonum
The tall stems of teasel have conical seed heads lasting through winter that add interest and are good for birds. The pale-lilac flowers are adored by bees. Plants add a striking feature to displays.
Care: Leave seed heads over winter. Cut back to base in early spring.
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Bronze fennel
Feathery bronze foliage with sulfur – yellow flat flowers in summer. Good seed heads for the birds in fall/winter. Tall, architectural shape with fragrant leaves. Looks good planted in gravel.
Care: Leave seed heads over winter. Cut back to base in early spring.
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Digitalis purpurea
Bees adore foxgloves! Flower colors on tall spikes range from traditional purple to white, apricot, and yellow. Although a woodland plant, some foxgloves enjoy sunny sites.
Care: Cut back spikes after flowering, but leave some to self-seed.
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Lonicera
Honeysuckle is useful to grow up a trellis and as larger shrubs. Fragrant summer flowers are loved by bees and butterflies. Berries follow in fall. Birds like to nest in thicker areas.
Care: Prune for shape in early spring. Tie in stems. Feed in growing season.
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See also… Aster p.226, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ p.233, Echinacea purpurea p.226, Helenium autumnale p.226, Iris versicolor p.232, Lavandula p.226, Pyracantha p.233, Rosa rugosa p.229, Sedum spectabile p.226
Plants for foliage
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### Fully hardy ## Can survive outside in mild regions/sheltered sites J Move inside for winter
Heuchera
Slender stems have spikes of small bell-shaped flowers in late spring, and interesting, mostly evergreen foliage. Leaf colour ranges from pale bronze to green, and purple.
Care: Remove faded flower spikes. Feed in growing season.
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Acer palmatum
Japanese maples have finely divided, palm-like leaves. Foliage colour varies from green to yellow to purple, turning a stunning fiery red in autumn. Choose a small variety for a container.
Care: Prune lightly in late winter for shape. Feed/water in growing season.
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Fothergilla major
Easy-to-grow shrub with glossy, oval leaves that turn brilliant orange and crimson in autumn. Small, white, fragrant flowers in early spring. Brings charm and interest all the year round.
Care: Lightly prune for shape in late winter/early spring. Do not prune hard.
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Canna
A tropical-style plant with large, upright leaves, often with striped markings or good color variations. Vibrant, showy flowers in late summer/early fall.
Adds a dazzling late-season display.
Care: Leave to die back in fall.
Protect over winter with mulch.
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Fatsia japonica
Wonderful large, palmlike leaves that are glossy green all year round. A good architectural plant that needs a bit of space and can be underplanted with spring bulbs for seasonal color.
Care: Prune to shape in early spring. Water well in growing season.
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Euonymous
Dwarf shrub with evergreen foliage, which is often variegated yellow or creamy white with green. Good for planting under large shrubs/trees or for brightening darker corners.
Care: Prune to shape in early spring. Water well in growing season.
See also… Bergenia p.227, Buxus sempervirens p.233, Ferns p.227, Helleborus p.227, Hosta p.227, Photinia p.229, Pulmonaria p.227, Taxus baccata p.229
Eichhornia crassipes
Water hyacinth has floating leaf stems to keep it on the surface. Delicate pale violet flowers in summer. Keep growth in check for small water features.
Care: Invasive. Remove plantlets regularly to reduce spreading. Do not put in natural water sources.
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Iris versicolor
Upright, swordlike leaves from early spring to late fall, with pretty blue and purple flowers in summer. Great for pond margins or boggy water features. Flowers are loved by insects.
Care: Remove dead foliage in late winter before new growth begins.
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n full sun У Partial shade U Full shade
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Elegant white or yellow funnel-shaped flowers in spring and summer. Dark – green arrow-shaped leaves add interest from spring to fall.
Care: Remove dead foliage in late winter before new growth begins. May need protection from harsh winters.
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Nymphaea
Water lilies have showy, bowl-shaped flowers that come in various colors. Floating rounded leaves create shade for submerged water plants.
Care: Deadhead flowers and remove old foliage regularly. Feed in growing season with aquatic fertilizer.
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Caltha palustris
Bright and cheery in early spring, the marsh marigold has clusters of deep-yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves from spring to fall. A natural plant choice for marsh or bog gardens.
Care: Cut back after flowering. Remove dead foliage in winter.
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Carex elata
This evergreen sedge is perfect for the edge of marsh or bog gardens. Leaves are upright and yellow, with small black flowers in summer. Adds interest all year round.
Care: Cut back stalks after flowering and remove any dead foliage regularly.
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Plants for year-round interest
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### Fully hardy ## Can survive outside in mild regions/sheltered sites J Move inside for winter
Cornus
Dogwood has attractive colored stems from mid-green, orange, and red to purple-black. Foliage is green or variegated white. White flowers in summer; berries in fall.
Care: Hard prune every other year in late winter to 2-3in (5-7.5cm) above soil.
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Calamagrostis x acutiflora
‘Karl Foerster’
Ornamental grass with feathery flowers in late summer. The green foliage turns bronze in late summer, then provides interest during winter. Loved by birds.
Care: Leave stems and flowers over winter. Cut down in late winter.
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Pyracantha
Evergreen shrub that can be grown as hedge or trained as specimens. Creamy white flowers in summer; long-lasting red/orange berries in fall. Loved by bees and birds.
Care: Prune to shape in early spring. Trim more often if used for hedging.
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Hydrangea
For blue-flowered hydrangeas, plant in acidic soil. Pink ones prefer ordinary or alkaline soil. White-flowered species prefer some shade.
Care: Leave flower heads till late winter. Hard prune H. arborescens and H. paniculata to 2-3in (5-7.5cm) above soil.
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Viburnum x bodnantense
Upright shrub with deciduous textured leaves. From fall to spring, clusters of scented, light-pink and white flowers bring winter color. Keep shrub height under control by pruning.
Care: Prune in late winter. Can be hard pruned if required.
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Buxus sempervirens
Evergreen boxwood is versatile. It can be clipped as a hedge or into topiary for extra interest. Slow-growing. Only needs 1-2 cuts a year to keep its shape.
Care: Prune to keep shape in early spring, just before growth starts.
Water well in growing season.
See also… Carex elata p.232, Dipsacus fullonum p.230, Fothergilla major p.231, Heuchera p.231, Miscanthus sinensis p.229, Photinia p.229, Phyllostachys nigra p.229, Rosa rugosa p.229, Sedum p.226
Get the Look
English garden
A mix of traditional flowering plants mingled with vegetables, fruit, and herbs makes for a gentle, romantic English garden look. Flowering plants are placed together in informal groups with different heights, shapes, and textures, creating a tapestry – style effect. Plants are left to self-seed to soften the edges of gravel or natural paving paths.
Contemporary
Bold containers, formal lines, and architectural plants sum up the contemporary planting style. Use industrial materials for hard landscaping features —scaffolding boards for terraces, stainless steel for containers and raised beds, fences painted in bold colors. Add lighting to show off your garden area at night and to highlight specimen trees and shrubs.
Plants to try
Alchemilla mollis Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ Auriculas
Campanula lactiflora Dianthus ‘Mrs Sinkins’ Dicentra spectablilis Digitalis purpurea English Lavender
Mixed planting
Seek inspiration from the countryside, whether a wildflower meadow or a prairie. Use ornamental grasses to soften the look and emulate planting in natural habitats. This style is informal, colorful, relaxed, and spontaneous. Leave seedheads on over winter since these add further interest and structure.
Combining perennials with shrubs and trees will achieve a mixed planting style. Larger plants become focal points, while layers of perennials and bulbs add seasonal highlights. The style can be adapted for smaller spaces by choosing key structural plants and adding others in groups for a pleasing effect.
