Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow'
Find out how to grow Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' Popular for its late spring and early summer dark plum-purple flowers, it makes a stronger show than the more well-known 'Nora Barlow' which has much paler, pinker colours. ... [... more]
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Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
Find out how to grow Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' Common Name: Houttuynia Cultivar: 'Chameleon' 'Chameleon' has striking leaves, which first appear above ground in late spring or early summer, then rapidly create a dense ground cover of red, ... [... more]
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Thymus vulgaris 'Silver Posie'
This charming thyme is as pretty as it is useful in the kitchen. It has silver-margined, aromatic leaves, which are complemented by pinky-purple flowers in late spring and early summer. To keep the plant compact, trim it back after ... [... more]
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Papaver orientale 'Patty's Plum'
Find out how to grow Papaver orientale 'Patty's Plum' Cultivar: 'Patty's Plum' Oriental poppies are among the most flamboyant of the early summer flowers, with enormous, often frilly double blooms in loud colours. 'Patty's Plum' is definitely a ... [... more]
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Phlox subulata 'Emerald Cushion Blue'
A dense, mound-forming evergreen perennial that forms cushions of hairy, narrow, bright green leaves. Plants produce blue star-like flowers from late spring to early summer. It is ideal in rock gardens, as edging for a flower border, or in stone ... [... more]
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Allium cernuum
This delightful species of ornamental onion has very narrow leaves and produces loose umbels of nodding, long-stalked, purplish-pink flowers in early summer. It is best grown in wilder areas of the garden as it is a vigorous grower and spreads ... [... more]
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Aubrieta 'Elsa Lancaster'
The most popular of rock plants, aubrietas are reliable plants that form wide carpets of colour in late spring and early summer. 'Elsa Lancaster' has purple flowers which are held in small bunches above unusual plump foliage. Choose a planting ... [... more]
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Barrenwort, Epimedium
Spring and early summer flowering epimediums perk up the ground beneath trees and make excellent ground cover. The new foliage is often a shade of coppery red, with a lively show of flowers from yellow to rich ruby. The main choice is between the ... [... more]
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Arisaema triphyllum
An interesting species from North America with large tri-foliate leaves and green and purple-striped spathes in spring and early summer followed by clusters of conspicuous bright red fruits in autumn. It's perfect for adding an exotic touch to a ... [... more]
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Asiatic hybrids (mid-summer flowering)
Lilies are a must for any garden - with gorgeous blooms and a wonderful scent, they add an unmistakeable touch of summer glamour. Most lilies are easy to grow and, given the right choice, will flower from early summer through to autumn in sun and ... [... more]
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Rosa 'My Girl'
A good choice for a light yellow rose (darker towards the flower centre) with a decent scent. The blooms appear individually or in small clusters on stout stems from early summer, and stand up well to heavy showers. Two extra plusses are that the ... [... more]
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Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria'
A dense bush of a California lilac, it has masses of blue flowers in spring and early summer above the dark green foliage. Like its species parent, it's extremely reliable. A good alternative is 'Puget Blue', which is a magnificent dark blue. The ... [... more]
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