40 x 60cm. Clump of rounded soft leaves with yellow-green flowers in summer. Remove flower heads to prevent excess self-seeding. Sun or shade, in any soil except a bog.

10-15cm. Creeping perennial, with white flowers in spring. Woodland conditions. British native.

8-15cm. Pale blue flowers in spring. Woodland conditions.

10cm. White petals tipped green, and a ruff of green bracts. Spring flowering. Woodland conditions.

15cm. Large pale lavender flowers in spring. Creeping. Conditions as above.

5-10cm. Deep yellow flowers in spring. Woodland conditions.

75cm. Clump-forming perennial, with attractive foliage and nodding, cup-shaped, waxy lilac flowers in summer. For a shady spot, protected from drying winds, in humus-rich soil.

2 x 1.2m. Architectural plant, with tall sturdy stems bearing large, rounded heads of greenish-yellow flowers, up to 25cm.across, in early to mid-summer. Usually grown as a biennial, but if prevented from seeding, it may flower again the following year. Self seeds. Prefers deep, moist, fertile soil in full or part shade. Flowerheads dry well.

60cm. White-striped, purple spathe produced in late spring-early summer, on a stout, mottled stem.  Shade-loving, in well-drained soil. In mild areas, may be hardy if well mulched, otherwise lift in autumn and keep free from frost. 

30 x 15cm. Tuberous perennial. Attractive white-veined leaves in winter-spring. White spathes in summer, followed by orange berries (poisonous). Sun or part shade. Self seeds.

25-40cm. Feathery spikes of creamy-white flowers in early to mid-summer, over deeply cut foliage. Moist, fertile soil in full or part shade.

dioicus Kneiffii *** 90cm. Finely divided, ferny foliage, with heads of small creamy-white flowers in summer. Moisture-retentive soil, best in part shade.

60cm. Dark stems with sprays of tiny white daisies in summer to autumn. Fertile, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade.

30 x 30cm. Tuberous begonia, reasonably hardy in the South. Red reverse to leaves. Pink flowers in summer. Fertile humus-rich soil, in full or part-shade.

45 x 60cm. Similar to B. macrophylla, but with creamy-margined leaves.

20 x 60cm. Lavender-pink flowers in spring. Summer dormant. Humus-rich, moist soil in full or part-shade. Spreads steadily, may eventually become invasive.

45 x 100cm. Strongly variegated leaves, steadily spreading in habit. Fertile, humus-rich soil in part-shade.

20cm. Yellow daisy flowers from spring to late summer. Good ground cover in full or part-shade. Moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil.

30cm. Evergreen ferny foliage, with spikes of dainty yellow flowers, spring to summer. Self-seeds. Sun or shade, in fertile, well-drained soil.

30 x 30+cm. Attractive ferny foliage through the winter, with sprays of sky-blue flowers from spring to mid-summer. Summer dormant. Humus-rich soil, best in some shade. Don't allow to become completely dried out in summer!

30 x 45cm. Creamy flowers for a long period.

100-200cm. White foxglove. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Self-seeds.

60cm. Primrose-yellow bells in spring, followed by black berries in late summer. Full or part-shade, moist, humus-rich soil.

30cm. Elegant sprays of pale pink flowers.

20-30cm. Purple and white flowers.

30cm. Leaves red when young, good autumn colour. Flowers red & white.

30cm. New leaves flushed copper in spring, with pale yellow flowers.

20-30 x 30cm. Deciduous. Pure white flowers.

20-35cm. Bulb, producing elegant light yellow flowers in spring. Suitable for dappled shade, in fertile, humus-rich soil that doesn't dry out in summer. Plant deeply..

60cm. Pale pink flowers. Ideal for woodland garden.

30cm. Semi-evergreen, aromatic foliage, purple-tinted in autumn. Magenta flowers, May to July. Good ground cover, sun or shade, even dry shade!

30-45cm. Aromatic,near-evergreen foliage. Pale pink flowers in summer. Fertile soil in sun or shade.

30cm. Deciduous. Magenta-pink flowers in early summer. Fertile soil in sun or shade.

30-50cm. Lilac flowers all summer (we select plants with good flowers). Performs well, even in dry soil in shade! Self seeds a little (some say a lot!).

Lilac, darker- veined flowers. Conditions as above.

***A new introduction from Birchwood Plants in 2003. A rare and very attractive form of the above. White flowers from spring to autumn. All proceeds from the sale of this plant are given to The Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Pale bluish-purple flowers.

Swish Purple Purple flowers with paler centre.

NOT a variegated leaf, but named after the house where it was found growing! Similar to G. nodosum, but flowers are dark veined, with a pale edge.

75-100 x 80-100cm. Large attractive rosettes of foliage with bright pink flowers in summer. Performs best in part-shade, in well-drained soil. Seems hardier than it's supposed to be!!

60-80 x 45cm. Clump-forming, with deep maroon flowers in late spring-early summer. Good ground cover in shade.

A white form of the above, with golden anthers.

60-75cm. Dusky lilac-purple flowers in early summer. Fertile soil in full or part shade. Cut back after flowering.

70cm. A very attractive form, with large rich mauve flowers.

Low-growing, marbled yellow-green leaves. Bluish-purple flowers. Just a few plants available.

Dark purple flowers.

60cm. Dusky pink flowers.

Flowers as G. phaeum, but foliage has striking dark markings.

70cm. Pale lavender flowers with a darker centre.

90cm. Pale lilac flowers.

Dark maroon flowers with dark stems.

10cm. Lime-green showy bracts surround a head of tiny yellow flowers in late winter/early spring. Dappled shade in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, acid to neutral.

30cm. Yellow-margined leaves. Deep lavender flowers to 75cm.

10cm. Foliage chartreuse to yellow, gradually greening. Purple flowers to 35cm. Needs full shade

10cm. The smallest hosta. Dark green leaves, lavender flowers to 20cm.

100 x 60cm. Flowers in summer, remaining of interest into winter. Will grow in fertile, moist soil in woodland conditions. Makes a good companion for Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats).

30-90cm. Evergreen rhizomatous iris with dull purple flowers. Seed pods split to reveal attractive orange seeds in autumn. Grows well in shade.

As above, but with white-variegated leaves. Does not flower so freely, but looks striking in a shady position.

30-90cm. Evergreen rhizomatous iris with lemon yellow flowers. Seed pods split to reveal attractive orange seeds in autumn. Grows well in shade.

60-120 x 75cm. A clump-forming perennial with large attractive leaves, and bearing pale yellow flowers in late summer and autumn. Requires a lime-free, humus-rich soil, in a shady position.

30cm. Yellow poppy flowers all summer. Will grow in almost any conditions, except very dry soils. Good in shade. Self seeds. British native.

Similar to above, but with pale orange flowers.

30cm. A graceful grass, bearing one-sided awns of purple-brown flowers, late spring-early summer. Prefers light shade, in moist but well-drained soil.

60 x 30cm. Yellow foliage, particularly in spring, with dainty golden flower-heads. Moist but well-drained soil, looking especially striking in shade. Self seeds.

15 x 20cm. Dainty spikes of tiny green flowers over clumps of glossy dark green leaves. Makes good ground cover in shady spots. Neutral to acid soils. Self seeds.

15cm. Insignificant greeny-brown flowers in spring. Dense glossy foliage makes good ground cover in shady areas. Humus-rich, acid soil.

150 x 60cm. Panicles of pendent, long-tubed white flowers, sweetly scented, in mid-summer to autumn. Sun or shade. Biennial or short-lived perennial. Hardy in warmer areas.

30 x 30cm. Crinkled, golden foliage, with small pale pink or white flowers in summer. Part shade. Good culinary herb.

25cm. Forms a carpet of green and white variegated foliage, with short spikes of creamy flowers in spring. Good ground cover in full or part shade, in any soil that is not too dry.

10cm. Forms a mat of neat, oval, dark green leaves, with spikes of scented, white flowers in early spring. A good little carpeting plant for moist, humus-rich soil in shade. Deciduous or semi-evergreen.

30-50 x 30-50cm. Pinky-mauve flowers from spring into summer, with attractive foliage. Sun or shade.

20 x 50cm. Pendent white flowers in late spring, followed by blue-black fruits. Humus-rich soil in part or full shade.

75cm. 75cm. Arching sprays of pendent white bells in spring. Cool fertile soil in shade.

 

10cm. Small oxlip, with yellow primrose flowers in spring. Humus-rich soil in part shade.

20cm. Evergreen rosettes, with pale yellow flowers in spring. Humus-rich soil in part shade. Self seeds.

35cm. Large violet-blue flowers. An excellent cultivar.

35cm. Spotted leaves. Sprays of bright blue flowers.

30cm. Narrow, silver-spotted leaves, with sprays of deep bright blue flowers. Sorry, none available this year.

30cm. White-spotted leaves, pink buds opening to blue flowers in spring. Also grows in sun if not too dry. Self seeds.

White-spotted leaves, with clear pink flowers.

5cm. Attractive leaves, silver-grey mottled, and suffused purple. Deep yellow, single flowers in spring. These very attractive celandines appear in late winter-early spring, and disappear after flowering. They grow well in deciduous shade, and are usually less invasive than the wild celandine! They show a wide variation of leaf colourings.

5cm. Glossy chocolate brown leaves, with deep yellow flowers. Conditions as above.

5cm. Flowers white and orange-yellow. Conditions as above.

30cm. Large deep yellow flowers.

1.2m. Rhizomatous shrub, forming a compact evergreen thicket, with fragrant white flowers in winter. Reasonably fertile, moisture retentive soil in full or part shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

30cm. Dark bristly leaves with red reverse and red stems, producing loose panicles of creamy-white flowers in autumn. Requires humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, best in part-shade. Hardy, but it is advisable not to plant in a frost pocket.

20cm. Green leaves, with panicles of unusual pink flowers in autumn. Conditions as above.

30cm. Attractive lobed leaves, with bright yellow poppy-like flowers in summer. Deep fertile, humus-rich soil. Good in a shady area. Self-seeds occasionally..

45cm. Pale blue flowers opening from red buds.

Similar to above, with pale pink and white flowers.

60-90cm. Gold foliage in spring, with blue flowers. Needs some shade.

30cm. Sprays of deep red flowers, May to July.

60cm. Bright blue flowers all summer.

40cm. Creamy white flowers, late spring-early summer.

60cm. Evergreen, dark-veined foliage, with spikes of pink-fringed, green flowers in early summer. Humus-rich soil in sun or shade. Remove old foliage in late winter. Good ground cover in shady areas. Self seeds!

30 x 45cm. Attractive foliage with very crinkly, frilly-edged leaves, and spikes of small creamy flowers. Will grow in some shade.

20cm. Rhizomatous, slowly spreading perennial with attractive dainty foliage, and small, fairly insignificant flowers. Part shade in well-drained soil. British native.

100-120cm. Attractive ferny foliage, with clouds of rich lilac-purple flowers in summer. Reasonably fertile soil, tolerant of some shade.

20-30cm. Leaves with dark markings. Creamy flowers.

30cm. Forms a compact mound of attractive foliage, with spikes of dainty pink flowers from April, repeating through the summer. Shade-loving.

30cm. Vigorous, forming good ground cover in shade, where not too dry. Creamy white flowers.

30cm. Forms good ground cover in shade, where it is not too dry. Frothy, white flowers from pink buds.

20-30cm. Dainty light pinkish, fragrant flowers. Attractive, bronze-tinged leaves. Needs fertile, humus-rich soil.

Similar to above, with bronze leaves and white flowers.

60 x 30cm. White flowers heavily spotted with purple.

90cm. White flowers, lightly speckled with purple, in autumn.

60cm. Unspotted flowers with pink-mauve tipped petals, yellow throat. Autumn.

80cm. Glossy spotted leaves. White or pinkish purple, spotted flowers in early autumn.

80cm. Pale green leaves, with purple-spotted, white flowers from late summer to mid-autumn.

75-90cm. Cream-variegated leaves, purple-spotted flowers.

Green-flushed, white flowers.

50cm. Greenish flowers in summer.

50cm. Large, up-facing yellow flowers, late summer-autumn.

25cm. Lemon yellow, scented flowers in March-April. Will grow in light shade.

60 x 30cm. Stems bear dangling yellow flowers in spring. Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in full or part shade.

Evergreen. Good groundcover. White flowers from January to May. Sun, or deciduous shade, not too dry. Seems fairly hardy with us.

15cm. Very attractive heart-shaped leaves with dark purple centres and veins. Small slightly fragrant light purple flowers in late spring/early summer. Best in part or full shade. Beware slugs!

15cm. Dark purplish-green leaves, evergreen. Purple flowers in spring and summer. Self seeds. Can become invasive.