D

o
How to match over 100 stunning flowers, shrubs and trees
10 creole a garden of beaufy
How to mix and match over 100 stunning ftowers, shrubs and trees
to create a garden of beauty
DAVID SQUIRE
Published by Salamander Books Limited
LONDON. NEW YORK
,
A Salamander Book
1986 Salamander Books ltd.,
52 Bedford Row,
London WC1R 4lR,
United Kingdom
ISBN 0 86101 2186
Distributed in the UK by
Hodder & Stoughton Services,
P.O. Box 6, Mill Road,
Dunton Green, Sevenoaks,
KenlTN132XX
A ~ rights reserved. No part of this
book may be reproduced. stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical , photo-
copying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission of
Salamander Books Ltd.
All correspondence concerning the
conlent of this volume should be
addressed to Salamander Books Ltd.
CREDITS
AUTHOR
David Squire brings to this series practical experience both as a gardener
and holder of many horticultural awards (including the Wisley Diploma in
Horticulture and the NK Gould Memorial Prize from the international",
famous Royal Horticuh:ural Society al Wisley, Surrey] and as the author
of 14 books on gardening. He slililinds time 10 improve and enjoy the
colourful garden at his home in West Sussex.
Editor
Jonathan Elphick
Designer
Barry Savage
Colour and monochrome reproductions
Melbourne Graphics Ltd., London, England
Filmset
Modern TexlTypesetting Ltd" England
Printed in Belgium
by Proost International Book Production, Turnhout
CONTt:NTS
INTRODUCTION How to Use this Book 6
The Scienoe of Colour Evaluation 8
Using Colour in the Garden 10
Harmonies and Contrasts in Blues and Purples 12
CHAPTER ONE: THE FLOWER BORDER 14
CHAPTER TWO: ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS 46
CHAPTER THREE: CONTAINER GARDENING 68
CHAPTER FOUR: WALL AND TRELLIS FILLERS 76
CHAPTER FIVE: TREES AND SHRUBS 82
fNDEX: Common and Latin Names 92
Picture Credits 96

Introduction
we",
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
G
ardeners are like painters, but with a fresh canvas available
to them only once a year. Borders are planned, plant and seed
catalogues aVIdly searched and gleaned for more vibrant and
longer-lasting colours, and fellow gardeners consulted. But shaukl
you or your family have a li king for flowers of certain
colours - perhaps those that contrast with established plants In your
garden, blend hapPily against colour-washed walls, or create
memories of a cherished display in a wedding bouquet-then you
need further help at your elbow. You need a rell8.ble gulCle whICh
clearly portrays the range of plants within a partICular part of the
colour spectrum, and that IS the purpose of thiS lavishly illustrated
all-colour book.
The introductory pages explain the nature of light and colour and
how diNerent colours are measured and defined, according to their
hue, value and intensity There IS also useful information on Ihe
inftuence of shiny or matt sui1aces, why some colours are dominant
and the elfeets of bright sunlight and the shadows of evening
Planning colour with the aid of a coIour-c/rcJe is fully covered, and
the concept of comptementary and harmOniZing colours IS
discussed in detail.
The main section of this Creative Gardener's Guide consiSTS of
five chapters, detailing blue and purple plants in a wide range of
garden settings: filling annual and herbaceous borders, adorning
rock and naturalized gardens, bringing colour to window-boxes
hangmg baskets, troughs and other containers on pallas and
terraces, clothing bare walls, cllmbmg trellises or serving as a
harmonious framework to knit together the variOUS elements of
your garden design, Each plant IS IllusTrated In full colour and clearly
deSCribed, including ItS botanical and common names, height and
spread (in metric and Imperial units) , cultivation and propagation.
Within each chapter the plants are arranged alphabetically
according to their botanical names. At the base of each page there
are valuable tiPS on uSing combmations of plants to create
colour-contrasts, subtle harmonies, focal points and InteresTIng
shapes and patterns. Flowers suitable for home decoration are
also mentioned.
At the end of the book there are two comprehensive indexes. The
first lists all common names, indicating if they are used in the British
Isles or the United States. The second index is of botanical
names, Including synonyms (alternaTIve names). The Inclusion 01
the latter helps you identify plants boTanists have recently
re-cIaSSllied and given new names, whICh are freQuently sold under
their old, better-known names.
This book forms part of the successful series of Creative
Gardeners Guides and is designed to help bring further colour and
interest TO al l gardens, whatever their size and wherever They are.
Other books in this ali-COlour series detail the uses of Reds and
Pmks, Golds and Yellows, and Whites and Silvers, while further
gardening dimenSions are revealed in I h ~ Seemed Garden and
vanegated Garden. Each book forms a comprehensive and
conCise guide to a partICular range of colours or garden theme, but
when formed IntO a colour library can beneht garden planning In a
manner few other books have ever achieved,
Above Cercis siliquaslrum
Th/s hardy deciduous tree IS
commonly known as the Judas
Tree. Dunng early summer, /1 bears
lovely nch rose-pmk flowers.
Above Camassia Quamash
ThIS dramatIC purple or blue
flowered bulbous fJ/ant from
North Amenca bnngs colour to
a border dunng mid-summer
Key:
1 Cupressus glatJrs PyramKiahS
2 Euonymus Iortunet merakj Gold
3 Chamaecyoans obIusa Cnp(JS1I
4 Agap,mthus
5 Thymus 'E 8, Anderson'
6 \.t!ronJca prosttara and oeturuas
7 1pomooa VII)!acea (I rut:Jro..caerulro)
8 Hydrnngea milCfOl)hyla
9 and geramums
10 ClemahS montana ruoens
"
Introduction
"
THE SCIENCE OF COLOUR
EVALUATION
What are light and colour?
The vast range of colours we see in our gardens and homes, with
their near infinite sUbtleties of quality, shades of light as well as
Intensity, can beaccurately measured. But what exactly are lighl and
colour? To state coldly and scientifically that they are forms of
electromagnetic radiation clearly disregards the beauty of colour,
but, technically speaking. that;s its nature.
Electromagnetic radiation comes from the sun. and its range is
wide, from gamma rays to low-frequency radio waves. But only a
very small part of this extensive spectrum is in the form of visible
light. from wavelengths at around O'0004mm when the colour is
deep violet, through blue, green, yellow, orange and red to deep
red, when the waves are O'0007mm. The wavelengths of purple
and blue light range from 0,000492 to 0'000455mm
See Diagram I , below
DIAG 1
ULTR .... VIOlET
INFR .... REO
Defining colour
Colours can be conceived as having three dimensions- these have
been given Ihe names hue, value and intensity.
Hue
This first dimension is the qual ity by which colours are basical ly
distinguished one from another, such as yellow from red, green,
blue or purple. For convenience, the colours SO defined are those
that are easily recognized, such as red, yellow, green, blue and
viole\. However, the Munsell System in North America defines the
principal hues as red, yel low, green, blue and purple, with
intermediate ones as yellow-red, green-yellow, blue-green,
purple-blue and red-purple In reality these names do no more than
define points in a continuous range of hues that form a
transi tional and continuous band of colour. They are best conceived
as a ci rcle of pure colour, containing no white, grey or black
If a strip of paper with ten equal divisions is marked and coloured
wi th the live principal and five intermediate hues of the Munsel l
System and held in a circle the continuous range of hues and their
relati onship one to another can be seen.
RED-PURPLE
See Diagram 2, lop right. DIAG 4
REO-YEllOW
BLUE-GREEN
or
-
GREEN-YEllOW
Value
ThiS second dimension defines the Quality by which a hght colour IS
distinguished from a dark one This is most eaSily depICted on a
scale using black and white as the extremes. When defining the
lightness or darkness within a colour, those with dark colours are
called shades, while those that are light are tints
See DIagram 3, centre left.
Intensity
This third dimension is also known as saturaflon or punty, and in
Nonh America as chroma It defines the strength or weakness of a
colour- Its brightness or greyness For instance, purple can be
highly saturated With colour, or the pigments slowly decreased to a
point when It becomes dark grey. Other colours will produce similar
results. butlighl hues such as yellow will become light grey, whereas
red will become grey
See DIagram 4. bottom /eft
Colour absorption
When sunhght falls upon coloured surfaces. a few of the colours
present in the white light- which contains a mixture of al l
wavelengths of the Visible spectrum-may be absorbed by the
colour and not reflected This is known as colour absorplion and it
tends to make primary hues. such as red, blue and yellow, more
dominant
When white light falls on a white surface, most of the rays are
reflected and the subject appears white. This, however, does not
apply to all surfaces Blue surfaces absorb red, orange and yellow
rays, and scaner blue, together With green, indigo and violet. Yellow
surlaces absorb the blues, indigos and violets In white light,
reflecting mainly yellow as well as some green, orange and red,
while red, the most colour saturated of all hues, absorbs green and
blue light but reflects red
ThiS IntenSIfication of blues, reds and yellows tends to make them
dommant Fully saturated hues reflect no more than two of the
primary colours, whereas pink, whICh IS a desaturated red (a pastel
shade) reflecls all three of the primary colours but a greater amount
of red than of the other two colours.
See Diagram 5, below.
DIAG !5
9
Introduction
-
USING COLOUR IN THE GARDEN
Colour wheels
Colour wheels are frequently used to aid colour planning In the
garden. When the great English SCientist Sir Isaac Newton
investigated light in the late 16005, he made a wheel formed of
seven colours (red. orange, yellow, green, blue, Indigo and violet),
DUring the late 1800s the American scientist A.H. Munsell
researched colour assessment based on eQual changes in the
visual spectrum. He created a colour wheel formed of five principal
coioursCred, yellow, green, blue and purple, with intermediate ones
between them). Other wheels have been created USing four colours
(red, yellow, green and blue).
However, the easiest colour ci rcle to use is formed of three basic
hues (red, yellow and blue) with three secondary ones (orange,
green and violet). The secondary colours are created by
overlapping the basic hues.
These colour circles indicate complementary colours (those
diametrically oPPOSIte) and those that harmonize with each other
(those in adjacent segments) Complementary hues are those With
no common pigments, while harmonizing ones share the same
pigments. Therefore, It can be seen that yellow and violet, blue and
orange, red and green are complementary colours, while yellow
harmonizes With green and orange, blue With green and violet. and
red with orange and violet.
ThiS colour-Clrcle IS formed by mixing coloured paints, by the
process known as subtractIVe colour mixing. The other methoo of
creating colour is by projecting three separate coloured lights (red,
green and blue) onto a white surface ThiS process is known as
addJlive colour mlxmg and creates colours With a different bias
See Diagram 6, of a subtractive colour Circle, below.
DIAG6
ORANGE
,
YELLOW
"'
Below Aubrieta
The Vibrant colour of thIS wall
plant creates a dramatJe effec1
atxwe a plan/Jng of orange flowers.
Above Clematis macropetala
This superb climber IS Ideal for
a large contalfJer, where ;/s mauve
flowers. harmonizing With the green
foliage. are seen to perfectJOn
.
Shiny and matt surfaces
The surface texture of a leaf. flower or stem influences the reflected
light and Its effect on the eye. A smooth surface reflects hght at the
same angle at which the light hits it. This makes the light purer in
colour than the same light reflected from a matt surface. There, the
irregularities of the surlace scatter the reflected light and creale an
impression of dullness. Another effect of different surface texture is
that smooth surlaces appear darker and matt ones lighter. In
Nature, however, few plant surfaces are as smooth as glass, and the
scattering of reflected light occurs from most of them.
See Diagram 7, below
OlAG7
The evening factor
The well-known delight of shepherds to have red sky at night,
indicating a fine tomorrow, resul ts from a clear sky as the sun's rays
penetrate atmospheric partiCleS and the air mOlecules themselves
Even though the sky appears blue, the rays become redder,
because blue hght is not created but scattered out of white light ThiS
change to the violet end of the spectrum makes dark colours even
darker. Blues and especially purples are made darker, while whites
and yellows are not so dramatically affected. Conversely, bright
sunshine glaring down at midday highlights light colours more than
dark ones, such as blues and purples.
"
"
Introduction

L-____ __ __________________________
HARMONIES AND CONTRASTS IN BLUE
Ranging from delicate pure pale blues to deep purples, bright and
beautiful is the key to the treasure-house of plants in this
book. As a group It IS rhododendrons that create much of the spnng
and summer blue shrub colour The range of these shrubs is wide,
from the dwarf Rhododendron impedltum, 15-45cm (6In-l }2ft)
high and with pale mauve to purple-blue flowers, through the
9Ocm-l 5m (3-5ft) high Blue Diamond', with lavender-blue flowers,
to Rhododendron auguslmii, 1'8-3m (G-IOft) high and wi th
mauve to dark blue flowers during late spring
There are several groups of plants whose mere mention
immediately conjures up Images of massed blue These include
both shrubs and herbaceous perenmals The evergreen or
deciduous ceanothus shrubs from North America (chiefly
California) always bong a strong burst of blue for borders or walls,
And like many other plants they are often best seen in combinations
For example, CeanOlhus x Cascade', with arching branChes
bearing small rich blue early summer flowers rises to 3m (10ft)
on a wall and can be co-habited with the Mountain Clematis
Clematis montana Use the form WilsoM with large while flowers
II the rounded evergreen Mexican Orange Blossom shrub
Choisya terna/a, wilh orange-scented fOliage and flowers, is set in
front of them they form a superb trio of seent and colour
Delphiniums and asters are among the best known blue
herbaceous plants The tall, stalely delphiniums are not easily
merged into a border and are so dislinctive that they are best treated
as tall Islands 01 blue spires amid other herbaceous plants. The
asters, however, have such a varied height range, from ASler
a/pinus at I 5cm (6In) high, With purple-blue daisy-like flowers, to the
90cm (3ft) semi-double Michaelmas DaiSY Aster novi-belgli
"Eventide, with violet-blue flowers in late summer Between them are
several other asters, Including Aster amellusGoelhe' a145-6Ocm
( 1.\2- 2ft) , wi th pale mauve-blue flowers.
Blue Berries and Fruits
Here IS a seleclJon of superb blue-berried plants
CalHearpa bodinleri giraldil
Hetghl I 5-1 8m (5-6ft)
A beaullful deciduous shrub Wllh hlac<OlQured flowers dunng late summer,
followed by pale violet purple Of dark Iliac berfl&S
Clerodendron tricholomum
3-35m (1O-12ft)
--
A bushy. though sometimes open. deciduous shrub With turQuOlSe-biue
berries In autumn; for lighter blue bernes try the form C t fargeSl;
Decalsnea largesii
Height 21-3m (7-1010
A deciduous shrub wah large 60-9Ocm (2-3ft) long 1ea\leS formed of Ihineen
10 twenty-five leaflets; the mid-summer yellow-green lIowers are 10l1Owed
by metallic-blue broad-bean-l ike fruits, 75-1Ocm (34In) long and I ' Bem
(loin) wide

Viburnum davidii
HeIght. 75cm-lm (2)2-3Y.! ft)
A dlSllnctJve evergreen Shrub With 5-7 Scm (2-3In) wide flallleads ot white
flowers In mid-summer. tollowed by turqUOIse-blue bernes; both male and
female plants must be present tor the proouctlOn 01 berries
A/xJve Perovskia atriplicilolia
The VIOlet-blue flower SPIkes
of thIS hardy perennial dominate
the centre of/hIS predominantty
biue herbaceous border
Above: Aster thompsonii nanus
This lovely 20cm (8in) high rock
garden plant produces masses of
slarlike lavender blue flowers
set off by grey.green leaves
Key;
1 f'Icea pungens Thomsen'
2 Pinus sy/vestns Aurea
3 f'Icea pungensGlobosa'
4 Hydrangea macrophy/Ia
5 Salo( x chrysocoma
6 COMuS coggygnaNolCun's Vanety
7 Robima pseudoacaaaFnsia
8 Chamaecypan's lawsomana
'Columnans'
9 Cedrus derxiara Golden Horizon
10 Jumperus chinensis 'Pyramidalis'
"
CHAPTER ONE
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TUt:
fLOWt:R
HORDt:R
B
lue-flowered plants are not renowned for their winter and spring
blooms, and it is usually the start of summer before their
impact becomes apparent. Of course, as with every generalization,
there are exceptions, like the rosy-purple Rhododendron praecox
and other related species that show their colours in lale winter
and early spring, But for the main burst of blue, mauve and
purple/lowers, we have to wait for early summer, though there is then
the reward of enjoying these colours right through to late autumn.
Asters are especially famed for late summer and autumn flower
colour. Indeed, Aster novae angliae and Aster novi OO/g,i are
popularly known as Michaelmas Daisies because they flower on
Michaelmas Day, the 29th of September. The flowers are usual ly still
In bloom on Old Mlchaelmas Day, the 10th of October. Introduced
into England during the early 1700s, these asters had particular
Significance in the calendar 01 many agricultural workers during
recent centuries, because their flowering time coincided with the
statute sessions, when wage rates were fixed,
The number of blue, mauve or purple hardy herbaceous
perennials IS large, ranging from the popular, upright Purple Cone
Flower, Echinacea purpurea, to the reliable dahlias of autumn,
treasured as much for CuI flowers as for garden colour. Dahlias
vary enormously in size and shape, and their classification is given in
detail in thiS chapter, on pages 24-26. Such is the fascination of
dahlias that each year we are blessed with new variet ies, some to
last generations and to become part of a flower enthusiasts vocabu-
lary, while others soon pass into obSCUrity.
Single theme blue borders have immediate impact, thanks to
their original ity and eye-catching qualities, but they can often be
enhanced further with patches of demure while or del icate pale
lemon-yellow (but not of blinding bright yellow, which commands
too much attention in full sunlight and suppresses the beauty of
pastel blue tints),
Colours, though, are a personal and often intimate choice, If blue,
mauve or violet are your treasured colours, then the plants
in thiS and the following tour chapters are bound to appeal 10 you,
l eft Delphinium Thunderstorm', with its startling blue spires,
creates a dominant display In both herbaceous and mixed borders
Its tall stems should be tied to strong stakes,
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
Aconitum wilsonii
Monkshood Wolfs Bane Helmet
Flower (UK)
Aconite Monkshood (USA)
This erect hardy herbaceous plant
has deepty divKled dark green
leaves and Scm (2In) high amethyst-
blue hooded flowers during late
summer and Into earty autumn
Several varielles are available,
including ' Kelmscott Variety'
(lavender-bjue)and 'Barker's Variety'
(deep blue).
Height: 1 2-18m (4-6ft)
Spread: 45-6Ocm
Cultivation: DeeP. fert ile, mOisture-
retentive soil in slight shade suits It
best Do not allow the soil to dry out.
Above: Aconitum wilsonii
A stalely and erect herbaceous
perennial, displaylnr;; amethyst-blue
hooded flowers dunng late summer
and into autumn It gels one of Its
common names, Wolf's Bane, from
lIS poisonous roots
and cut the pjants down 10 soil-level
dUring aulumn.
Propagation: It IS easily Increased
by lifting and dividing established
clumps in spring or autumn, Seeds
can be sown in boxes of loam-based
compost in spring and placed in a
cold frame, but this method takes a
couple of years to produce flowenng-
SiZed plants that will create a
worthwhi le, dominant display
=Q,
Above Agapanthus praecox
This half-hardy evergreen creates
dense 5-7 Scm (2-3in) wide heads
of pale blue flowers dunng mid ro
lalesummer
Agapanthus X
'Headbourne Hybrids'
Afn'can Lily (UK)
This popular hybrid is hardier than
most other species Like Its relauves,
it has long, strap-like mid-green
with stunningly attractive
deep VIOlet-blue to pale blue flowers
held in large heads like upturned
umbrellas during mid 10 late summer,
Height 60-75cm
Spread: 45-6Ocm
Cultivation: Fertile, well-drained soi l
and a sheltered position are needed
The foliage dies down in autumn,
With fresh leaves appearing in
spring. Ensure thall he soi l is not
waterlogged during winter
Propagation: The easiest way to
increase it is by lifting and dividing
established clumps in late spring,
just as the new growth makes an
appearance
Right Agapanthus x ' Headbourne
Hybrids'
A beautiful hardy herbaceous plant,
but it does not like water-saturated
soil dunnfj winter The flowers,
borne In mverted umbrella-like
arrangemenrs, appear on stout
stems dunng mid to late summer
Aconit um napellus IS another Monkshood, With
deep-blue flowers dUring mid-summer. It blends well
wilh a backcloth 01 the Venetian Sumach or Smoke
Tree, COlmus coggygrl8 'FolliS Purpureis'
Agapanlhus blends well wllh yellow-flowered and
Silver-fol iaged plants For Silver foliage choose Stachys
lanata, while Achillea fillpendula Coronation Gold' with
lIS tlaillower heads provkles an ample splash of yellow
2
Ageratum
houstonianum
(Ageratum mexicanum)
1
A half-hardy annual with mid-green,
hairy, heart-shaped leaves and
7 5-I Ocm (3- 4i n) wide clusters of
DOW{!ery blUish-mauve Iklwers from
early to tale summer Severalsuperb
forms are grown, including Blue
CaP' and Blue Danube
Heighl: 13-3Ocm (5-12In)
Spread: 20-3Ocm (6-121n)
Cultivation: MOisture-retenbYe sod
IS besl. and a poSItIOn In fu!! sun or
parMI shade Do nolsel the plants In
heavy shade Rem<Ning the dead
Hower heads helps to extend the
floweflng season, and thiS IS especi-
ally Important where the plants are
being grown In containers on a patIO
Propagation: During late winter and
early SPflng, SOW seeds thinly 3mm
(lIln) deep In pots of loam-based
seed compost kept at 10
0
e (SOF)
When the seedlings are large
enough to handle, pnck them off
Into boxes and harden them off In a
cold frame Plan! them out when an
fiSk 01 Irost has passed
Below Ageratum houstonianum
'Adriatic Blue'
A well-known half-hardy annual for
summer-bedding schemes It IS
esoeCially eye-catching as a border
edgrng and looks good alongSIde
gravel paths
Ageratum houstonianum can be used In many
bedding combinations. Try an edging of ageratum With
a carpellng of orange or salmon anllrrhlnums and dOl
~ a n t s 01 Abu/lIOn stratum (A rhompsonll)
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
"
Above. Anchusa azurea
The beautiful blue flowers appear
during midsummer, creating a
strong colour impact The plants
need support from tWiggy slicks
Iflserted 81 an early stage so that they
can grow UP through them
"
Anchusa azurea
Alkanet Italian Bugloss (UK and
USA)
A brig htly coloured hardy herba-
ceous perennial with lance-shaped
mld-green leaves, rough and hairy
stems, and large bnght blue flowers
similar to forget-me-nots displayed
In large heads dunng mid-summer
There are several superb varielles,
including Morning Glory' (bnght
blue), 'Opal' (soft blue), 'Royal Blue'
(nch royal blue) and 'Loddon
Royalist (gentian-bl ue)
Height: 9Ocm-l '5m C3-SIt )
Spread: 4S-6Ocm (l}2-2ft)
Cul tivation: Deep, fertile, well-
drained soil in a sunny posItion is
best. Anchusas need SUPp:lrt from
twiggy sticks, in autumn cut down
the stems to solHevel
Propagation: It is easily increased
from root-cullings. These are best
taken in winter, culling the roots into
5cm (2in) fang pieces. AI the stem
end of each cutti ng make a flat cut at
right-angles to the stem, while al the
root end form a slanting cut. This
helps to sort oUllhe cultlngs they
become up. Insert them ffat
end upwards in pots or boxes of
loam-based compost , and put them
in a cold frame
Aster ameli us
Italian Starwort (UK)
Italian ASler (USA)
ThiS well -known herbaceous
perennial from Italy displays rough-
suriaced grey-green !eaves and
5-6'5cm wide daisy-like
fiowers with golden-yellow centres
during L3te summer and Into autumn.
Several superb forms are avai lable.
Including King George' (solt blue-
violet), ' Nocturne' (lavender-pink),
' Sonia' (large and pink) and 'Violet
Queen' (compact and dwarf).
Height: 45-6Ocm (1 )2-2ft)
Spread: 38-45cm (15-18in)
Cultivation: Well-dralned but
mOisture-retentive soH and a sunny
position SUit it besl It dislikes
excessive water dunng autumn and
wimer In late autumn, cuI down Ihe
stems to
Propagation: Dividing established
clumps In spring is the easiest
method of increasing this plant.
Alternallvely, take basal cuntngs
Below. Aster ameltus ' King George'
A large-flov.ered aster. Ihls vanety
has remained popular since it was
first bred in 1914. It displays soft
blue-VIOlet flowers with dramatically
contrasting golden-yellow centres
Anchusa azurea looks when grown
against a backclolh of yel low foliage, such as that of
Ihe Golden Privet (Ligustrum ovallfdium :Aureum').
Lady's Mant le (Alchemila mollis) is small enough to be
set around the front of the anchusa.
Asters are among the bnghtest /lowering plants in our
gardens. and suit Ixlid plantings in a herbaceous or
mixed oorder. A few asters are small enough 10 be
planted In a rock garden setting, such as Aster alplnus
which is only 15cm (6in) tal l.
Above Aster amellus 'Nocturne'
ThIS IS an espeoally good brm chat
has a compacJ and bushy habit wrrh
semH;ioubie lavendeN1Ink flowers
Free-drammg SCi IS essertlCll for rhIS
late summer and 8utumn-llowenng
planlla f)(Oduce a good display
Unfortunately In areas Of high rain-
fal/ me flowers lend /0 become
sodden with water and to be
weighed down This can be
prevenred by covering the fIower-
heads With 8 tent Of plastIC sheenng

Aster x frikartii
This bnghtly-coloured hybnd aster
between A ame/lus and A thofJ1S()(l/l
reveals Scm (2inJ wide blue daiSY-
like flowers WIIh orange cenlres
dunng late summer and wellmto
autumn The vanety Manch
produces masses 01 clear lavender-
blue Howers With yellow rayed
centres
Height: 75cm (2}..f\J
Spread: 38 45cm ( IS-18m)

Above Aster)( frikartii 'Monch'
A su{)efb hybnd aster beanng
Iavender-bJueflowers dunng /are
summer and InIO autumn, It IS useful
for f)fOVJdlng colour earlier than
Aster amelJus vanerles
Culti vation: Fertile, well--dramed SOIl
and a sunny posItIOn sufi thiS Hower
Dry sod in late summer spells doom,
but althe same time exces5jYe
wetness from III-<:l ramed soils IS also
delrlmental Despite Its height It
does not need Slaking In autumn,
cut the flowered stems down to
sod-leveL ASler)l tn"kartil blends well
With late flowenng plants some
combinatIOns are gillen at the base
of the page For a really stunning
arrangement. use a mIXture 01
Anemone)l hybrldaSeptember
Charm' With clear pmk I\ov.'ers, Aster
)l tnkartll Monch' and the pmk
Nenne bowdemi 'FenWlCk's Vanety"
Set these m front 01 the Chinese
shrub Hydrafl(}ea Villose, which
bears loose heads 01 pale purple
flowers In late summer and early
autumn Even a Single combination
Of Aster)( fnkartuM6nch and the
white Anemone x hybOOaHononne
Jobert lOoks lovely
Dividing eslabished
clumps In spnng IS the eaSIeSt
methCx:l of mcreasing thiS plant_
lake basal cunlngs m
SPling and put them m a frame
Aster x frikarlii IS useful In herbaceous or mixed
borders. and can be grown with many other plants,
such as Anemone x hybnda. Nenne bowdeflil
'Fenwlck'S VarlElty Acanthus moillS and Sedum
mS)Clmum Atroptlrpureum
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
Left. Boraga officinalis
ThIS anracwe hardy annual herb
bnngs blue flowers /0 rhe garden
over a tong penod The fresh yOUng
/eaves and flowers can be used In
summer salads and frurt cups
FlOwers can also be dned for use If)
potpourris in rile house
Baraga officinalis
Borage {UK}
TalfMon CooUankard (USA)
This IS a hardy annual, weJl.-known
as a culinary herb, WIth leaves used
when young and fresh to flavour
salads and frUi t cups They have a
flavour reminiscent of cucumber,
and are large, oval, green and
covered with hai rs. The/iva-petal led,
blue, 1825mm in) wKje flowers
appear in pendulous clusters from
mid-summer onwards While and
forms are also available
Height: 45-9Ocm (lh-3ft)
Spread: 3Q-38cm (12-15In)
Cultivation: Although thiS plant WI.
grow In most soils, rt does better In
well-dralned ground en a sunny
position. II is well Sl 'ed to a sunny
bank or tor a warm mixed border
Propagation: During spnng. sow
seeds In shallow drills where lhe
plan!s are to lIower. When they are
large enough to thin the
seedlings to 25-3OCm (10'12In)
apart lor strong. healthy growth
Campanula lactiflora
Mtfky Bellflower (UK)
ThiS beauntul hardy herbaceous
perenmal has stems smothered In
small hght green leaves. The
miniature belHike light lavender-blue
flowers appear during mid-summer
There IS a wide range 01 vanetles,
including 'PrIChard's Vanety' at
90cm (31t) wllh lavender-blue
flowers. Leddon Anna at I-12m
(3Jl-4ft) With llesh-pink flowers. and
PouHe at 2Scm (lOin) With hghl
lavender-blue flowers
Cultivation: Fertiledeep/y-culwated
and well--dramed soil 10 full sun or
slight Shade SUits It But ensure that
the soil does not dry out dunng
summer The tall-growlng vanetl9S
Borago oltlclnalls, li ke many other seed-raised
culmary arxl medICinal herbs, can be used in mixed
borders or in odd corners, especial ly when a separate
herb garden cannot be glV8n to them
Below Campanula lactillora 'Poutle'
A beautiful dwarf and hummock-
forming campanula with light
lavender-blue flowers during mid-
summer Other forms of this
campanula rise 10 9O:::m-l Sm (3-5f1).
need SUPiXlrl In exiXlsed areas
Propagation: The easiest way to
Increase it is by diviSion of large
clumps dunng spnng or aulumn
Alternatively, take 4-Scm (1y'!-2in)
long cuttings in spnng, Insenlng
them in iXlts of equal pans peat and
sharp sand and placing these in a
cold Ira me. When the planlsare well
grown, sel them Into l heir permanent
poSitions In the garden. Alternatively.
grow on the ptants In a nursery
bed before flnat plant ing
Campanula medium
Canterbury Bell (UK and USA)
Most gardeners know thiS
old hardy biennial, With an
upright star.ce and 25-4cm (1-1}SinJ
long bellshaped blue. pink, white or
purple flowers from lale spring 10
mK:J-summer The best known form
IS the so-called Cup-and-Saucer
variety, 'Calycanlhema 'Bells of
Holland', 38cm (15in) high and With
a conk;al growth habit. has a mixture
of single flowers in shades of bJue.
mauve, rose and white. Anot her
form. 38-SOcm (tS-20in) high, IS
Dwarf MUSK;aJ Bel ls' with mulli-
coloured bell-like flowers smolhering
Ihe ptents in blue, while and pink.
Height: 4S-9Ocm
Above. Campanula medium
This reliable old fal'Ourlle hardy
biennial should find a place in
any garden. IllS Ideal for (1111119
bare areas in mixed borders, or as a
h'9h edging to paths
Spread: 38-4Scm (IS-18In)
Cultivation: Moderately rich, well
drained soil in a sunny position SUits
this lovely plant
Propagation: From spring to early
summer. sow seeds 6mm (l'in)
deep m a prepared seedbed. Alter
germination and when large enough
to handle, thin the seedhngs to
23cm (9m) aparl Dunng autumn.
plant them into their flowering
poSitions when the SalliS in a
workable condition.
White or yellow-flowered plants loo!I superb With thiS
blue herbaceous The tal l-growing forms
bJend weH With Lllium regale and the Madonna Lily,
Lilium candidum. They can also jam shape-contrastlng
but simllarly-coioured pjants to create blue textures
Campanula medium IS Ideal grown as bold clumps In a
mixed border. where it will bring colour while
permanent plants are developi ng. perhaps
With ot her ephemeral plants such as Love-in-a-mist
N/ge//a damascena and Candytult. /bens umbellala
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
Above Cenl aurea moschala
'Dobies GianI'
An easily-grown hardy annual
bringing large fragrant flowers ill
paste/tints to the garden (rom early
summer to autumn
Centaurea moschata
(Centaurea Imperlais)
Sweet Sullan (UK and USA)
This beautiful p ~ n l , nat ive to the
Eastern Mediterranean, IS grown
as a hardy annual. From early
summer to autumn II displays
sweetly-scented cor nflower-like
flowers In shades 01 purple, pink,
white or yellow. The flowers, up to
75cm (3in) wide, are borne above
the ,narrow grey-green leaves that
display toothed edges Another,
more commonly grown relative
IS the Cornflower or Bluebonle,
a native of Europe, with bright
blue Howers
Height 456Ocm (1)\> -211)
Spread: 2S-3Ocm (10-12In)
Cultivation: Fertile well-drained
garden SOil and full sun suit It
Removing dead flower heads helps
to prolong the lIVes of the plants In
exposed areas they ~ 1 need support
trom twiggy sticks.
Propagation: During spring, sow
seeds where they are to flower Set
them In shallow dril ls, thinning the
seedlings to 23cm (gi n) apart when
they are large enough to handle
Ceratostigma
plumbaginoides
ThiS hardy sub-shrubby perennial
from Western China has wide
lance-shaped mKl-groon leaves that
become tinged with red dUring
autumn, The terminal clusters of
bjue flowers appear from late
summer onwards, and It IS a useful
plant tor bringing late colour to rock
gardens and mixed oorders,
Height: 25-3Ocm (10-12in)
Spread: 30-38cm (12-15tn)
Cultivation: Light SOil and an open
but slightly sheltered poSition suit
this attractive plant
Propagation: It is easi ly increased
by lilting and dIVidi ng clumps in
spring, just before shoots appear
Above Centaurea cyanus
'Tafl Double Mixed'
ThiS hardy annual is vet}' reliable and
seldom falls to create a domrnant
display With its Sinking flowers rn
shades of blue, maroon, red: rose
and white from early summer to
autumn 1/ rises /0 about9Ocm (3ft)
htgh If Ihe soil is kepI moiSI, slightly
less Ihan thiS rn dry condillOns,
In England it is known as the
Cornflower and in North America
as Ihe Bluebottle
Below Ceratostigma
plumbaginoides
A pretty, hardy sub-shrub, ideal for
late blue colour rn a rock garden. Its
folrage IS a deltght rn autumn, when
I/nged With red, and It looks superb
positroned allhe base of a wall
Cenl aurea moschata IS a delight in an annuarborder
where ItS flowers can be used alongside many other
hardy annuals wi thout any fear of Itscoiourdomlnatlng
its neighbours It is gOOd for cut flowers, so plant It
Within arm's length of scissors
Ceratostigma willmoltianum is a half-hardy deciduous
shrub With diamond-shaped stalkless leaves. It bears
terminal clusters of small rich blue flowers durin!;!
mid-summer, and IS ideal In a mixed border or even In a
herbaceous mixture
Left Chelone oblique
An attractIVe herbaceOus perenntal
with snapdragon./lke flowers dunng
late summer This North Amencan
plant can often be Invasive when
established. slYfNJdlng rapidly
Chelone obliqua
(UK)
Tun/ehead Snakehead (USA)
This interesti ng, rather cunous-
lOoking hardy herbaceous perennial
has 2'5cm (lin) long deep rose
snapdragon-like flOwers dunng late
summer These are borne on stiff,
erect stems,from /OIntsalso beanng
dark green lance-shaped !eaves
with serrated edges ChelOne /yOml
another Nonh Amencan native, IS a
hardy herbaceous perenmal with
terminal clusters of 25cm (lin) long
pink flowers from mid summer to
early autumn The plant eventually
nses to about 759Ocm (21)-3ft) high
Height: 6O-75cm (2-2lfzn)
Spread: 3Q-38cm (12-15In)
Cultivation: FertHe.llght . ....eN<lrained
soil IS needed, together with a
position in full sun or hg ht shade, In
wind-protected gardens It may not
require SUPPOrt from twiggy SlICks,
but In cold and exposed areas this
becomes essential In autumn cut
down the stems to SOII--IeveI
Propagation: 11 is eaSily Increased
bydlvlSion of the rOOIS dunng spring
or autumn, replanting only the
young paris from around the
outside of the clump AlternaTIvely
seeds can be sown under glass in
lS
o
C (59F) In earty spnng USing
thIS method lakes two years 10
produce flowering-SiZed plants
Len Ceralosligma willmollianum
ThiS hardy deciduous shrub IS QUile
simlar to Ceratostigma plumbagl-
nodes (far left) However. C will-
monlanum has lance-shaped!ea';$
The smal, rdl bIue!'k>wers are borne
In terminal Clusters from mid-
summer to autumn_ and the /eaves
tum red In autumn. It grows best
In the shelter of a warm wall. In
S/XIng. cut out old. dead or damaged
shoots to soi/level You can trim the
enllre plant to m8ke thiS job easier
Chelone obl iQua IS best planted In a mixed or
herbaceous border. alongside coIour-cotltrastrng and
vtgOfOUS herbaceous plants such as the Shasla DaiSY
Chrysanthemum maximum
THE FLOWER BORDER
Above Dahlia 'Gypsy Dance'
A bedding deal for the front
of a border or In bedding schemes
dunng summer The small hrghly-
coloured flowers are aViJllabie In
single and double forms.
Dahlias
These fast-growir.g garden favountes
can be divided mto two main
groups Ihose grown as half-hardy
annuals for use In bedding schemes;
and those that are best in mixed
borders, mingled with herbaceous
plants,
BEDDING DAHLIAS
These from
MexICo are grown as half-hardy
annuals, displaying S-7'Scm (2-3in)
wide single, double or semi-double
flowers f rom mid-summer \0
autumn. There are many varietfes in
a wide colour range, In mixed or
self-colours
Height: 3O-SOcm ( 12-20In)
Spread: 38-4Scm (15-24i n)
Cultivation: Well-cuitivaled, fertile,
compost or manure-enrlChed soli
and a sunny position SUit bedding
dahlias. Soil 100 rich, however, will
create excessjve foliage at the
expense of flowers, There is no need
to stake them, unlike the larger
oorder types The removal of dead
lIowers assists in the development of
furt her blooms Water the plants
dunng dry perioos,
Propagation: DUring the late winter
and early summer sow seeds 6mm
deep In a loam-based seed
compost at 16C (61F), When they
are large enough to pnck off
the seedlings into boxes or small
jX)ts of loam-based compost and
slowly harden them off in a cold
frame. Set the plants out in the
garden as soon asall nskoffrOSI has
po-
Above Dahlia ' Kay Helen'
A ball type with very neal and
compact blooms that look equally
good in the garden or cuI and
displayed in a vase indoors, Dahlias
thn'"ve in rich 5011 and need a sunny
poSition The globular flowers are
produced on stiff stems that With thiS
variety carry the flowers above the
foliage To encourage rapid growth
the soil must be carefully ennched
before pfanting with the addition of
bulky wei/-roiled compost or manure,
worked In well With a fork
Ball -type dahli aS in England can be traced back to a
nursery In Hammersmith, London In abou11818, The
nursery, owned by Mr T Lee, received tubers from
France and incl uded early forms of ball types,
1
Leh Dahlia 'Earl Marc'
A dlsfme/Jlle serm-cactus, n<:J as
QUIlled or tubular as the cae/us
types The flowers have "arter petals.
BORDE A DAHLIAS
These halt-hardy tuberous plants,
though eaSIly damaged by frost, are
unsurpassed tor bringing colour 10
a garden QUICkly. There are several
claSSIfications and many vanetleS
Indeed. each hundreds at new
varietIeS are Introduced by dahlia
SPeCaabsls, while others are 00
longer marketed When the dahlia
was first grown as an exhibitIOn
tlOwef In the early 1800s It conSISted
solely 01 ball types. To indICate
value, some new var;eues were sold
lor as much as a gUinea. At first no
claSSIfication was recognized forlha
ball types, or tor vanous other types
01 dahlaa that were procluced
However, catalogues were soon
ISSUEId by traders in dahliaS and
these contallled a rough claSSIfi-
catIOn In 19041he Bnhsh NatIOnal
Dahlia SoCIety in conjunctIOn with the
JOint Dahll3 Committee published
a clasSlfI6d list called the ClaSSIfi-
catIOn and Description of Dahlias
Anemone-flowered (6Demlm/
These have double flowers
With lIat outer petals and shon,
tubular Inner ones. Flowenng is
from mid summer 10 the Irosls 01
aUlumn
Ball-type (9Ocm/3ft): As implied,
these have baJ..shaped flowers with
tubular petals dISplaYing blunl ends
There are SmaN Baillypes With
blooms lQ..l5cm {461n} wide. and
Miniature BaHlorms With flowers up
to tDem (4In) Wide
Cactus and Semi-cadus (9Dem.
t5m/35f1): These are divided Into
l ive groupings-Miniature (blooms
up to lOcm/4ln wide); Small (blooms
10-15cm/46in wide): Medium
(blooms 152Ocm/6-8in wide);
Large (blooms 20-25cm/8101n
WIde); and G.ant(bIooms 25cm/l OIn
or more WIde} Cactus Iypes have
pelaJs rOIled back Of QUilled lor
more than half their length Semi-
cactus typeS have Similar petals, bul
QUilled or rOiled back for less than
half of their 101allength
Dwar! dahlias arelhought to have been developed from
low-grOWlng forms found In 1750 on Ihe lower sJopesof
the Sl6rra del AJusca mountains in Mexico. The plants
were said to be about 3845cm (1518in) high
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
CoIlarette (7Scm-l
have bjooms with a single outer ri ng
of flat ray florets and a ring of small
florets in the centre, forming a disc
Decorative: These have double
flowers without central discs. They
are formed of broad, Hat ray florets
This grouping is subdivided Into'
Miniature (9Ocm-12m/3-4ftJ these
have flowers up to lOcm (4inJ wide
Small (1 -1 2m/3}4-4ftJ: flowers 10-
15cm (4-6InJ wide
Medium ( 1-1 '2mJ3-4ItJ: flowers
15-2Ocm (6-Sin) wide
Large Cl -1 'Sm/3}2-Sf\J: flowers
20-2Scm (8-1OIn) wide
Giant (12-15m/4-5ft): flowers
2Scm (l Oin) or more wide.
Paeonv-tlowered (up to 9Ocm/3f1J
flowers formed of two or more rings
of flat ray florets, with a central disc.
Pompon (9Ocm-12rn/3-4f1J f10wers
closely resemble those of Bal/types,
but are more globular and do not
exceed 5cm (21n) wide. The fforets
curfs inwards for thei r entire fength.
Single-flowered
flowers upto IDem (4In) wide.
with a single row of petals arranged
round a cent ral diSC
Cultivation: Welldralned SOIL with
plenty of moisture- retentive compost
or well-decomposed manure added,
is requ ired. Add a sprinkling of
bonemeal before seiling the tubers
IDem (4In) deep in the soil dUring
mk:l to late spring. If you are pjanllng
sprouted tubers, take care Ihat you
do not plant Ihem 100 early. as frost
will damage them. The plants will
need staking. Nip out the growing
tiPS of all shoots to encourage
sk:leshoots to develop If you want
large flowers, remove Sideshoots and
buds from around the developing
flowers. RemOVing dead Howers
helps In the development of fur1her
blooms. In autumn genlly dig up the
tubers about a week after the foliage
has been blackened by frost
Remove soil from the lubers and
store them upsk:le down for a few
left: Dahlia ' Scaur Princess'
A beawlfully-cdoured decorallve
rype whICh brings dis/mellon to any
garden
Dahlias are superb for fi lling large blank areas In
mixed borders, where theyereate spectacularcolourl ul
dlsplaysdunng late summer and into early autumn until
frosts damage them. They are soon blackened by frost
Left. Dahlia 'Vicky Jackson'
A decoratIVe cactus, producmg
masses of flowers from mid-summer
onwards unlll the frosts of lale
autumn
RlQht Dahl ia ' Willo's Violer
A beautiful pompon type. With
deep VIOJeI flowers and a hefQhl
of about 1m (3'r2ft] IllS excellent
as an exhlbillon dah/IEI
weeks to dry them QUI. Then place
them In boxes of peat In a dry, frost-
proof pQSItJOn until the ioIIOMng year
Propagation: The eaSIeSt way for
the home gardener to do this IS to
diVIde the tubers In spring
Dahli as In floral art : As well
as creating colour In the garden
the flowers of dahlias are Ideal
for the home The an
of presenung dahlias for room
decorallOn IS not difficult, and
part 01 the skillin using them
relies on the choice of colours
Blue flowers, whatever thelf tone,
need to be carefully used as
the colOur lends to fade in ar\l!lCI8.l
light Purples and mauves, hOwever
can be used subtly. especially
where they echo the same tones
In the room. However, when used
with white-llowered dahlias. whICh
both hghten and dramaTIze the
arrangement, the effect can be
QUite different. In contrast, other
colours such as yellow and orange
are much warmer and radiate
a strong leellng 01 cheerfulness
Those flowers rich In scarlel
however. can create the effect of
warmth In rooms laCIng east and
north and not subtected to strong
summer sunshine. Rooms laCing
north or east generally benefit
from warm colours, such as
orange. scarlet, yellow and amber.
whereas cool colours such as pale
mauve. lac-pmk. purple shades
and lavender are bener In south
and west-laCing rooms II strong-
coloured blooms are used they
can be given even greater Impact
by them wrth pastel-coloured
tlowers
Col larette type dahlias Originated In the munICipal
gardens 01 the Parc de Ia Tete d Or at Lyons. France.
durrng the last years 01 the last century Specimens
of these planls arrrved In Bntain in 1901
" j
"
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
Left: Echinacea purpurea
Tils stalely herbaceous perennral is
justifiably famous for ;/s richly
coloured flowers, from midsummer
to autumn The cone-like orange
centres to the flowers are a particu-
larly attrac/lve feature
Echinacea purpurea
Purple Cone Flower (UK and USA)
A well-known hardy herbaceous
perenmal, formerly called Rudbec*ia
purpurea Its stems bear
daisy-like flowers,
lOcm (4m) wide, at thelf tops from
mid to late summer The lance-
shaped, dark green leaves are
toothed and rough to the
louch. Several superb varielles are
Echinacea purpurea IS a dominant Hower, with the
erect stems often holding the flowers high above
neighbouring plants, like islands of colour Surroundi ng
plants should have subdued colours
avai lable, II1cludlng Rober1 Bloom
(carmine-purple), 'The King'
(cnmson-purple) and White Lust re
(while petal led with deep orange
centres]
Height: 9Ocm-12m (3-4ft)
Spread: 60-75cm
Cultivation: Well--drained fertile soil
and a sunny poSition are essential
lor success, Set the plants in
position in spring, and in autumn cut
their stems down to SOil-level
Propagation: Although it can be
increased from seeds sown In
spring at 13e (55F), diVision of
established clumps dunng spring or
aut umn IS a much easier method
Use only the young parts from
around the outside of the clump for
replanting In the border,
Above: Echi nops ritro
This hardy herbaceous {J{>:enmal is
hgh/ychenshed by flower arrarrgers,
The globular flower heads appear
during mid-summer and lasl a long
/lme after culting
Lelt: Echium planlagineum
'Monarch Dwarf Hybrids'
A hardy dwarf mixture, up to 30cm
(lit) high, these hybrids produce
flowers m many pastel ImIS. When
grown m sunny position, they
seldom fall 10 attraCI bees
Echinops ritro
Globe Thistle (UK)
Small Globe This/Ie (USA)
This hardy herbaceous perennial
has deep green, thistle-like leaves
and round, 4-5cm wide,
steel-blue flowers held on stiff stems
during mid-summer Bees fi nd the
flowers especially attractive
Height: 9Ocm- t ' 2m (3-4ft)
Spread: 60-75cm (2-2Y,. ftJ
Cultivalion: Most SOils are suitable,
bullhey should be well--drained and
111 full sun, ThiS IS a plant that is
selt-supportlng and therefore ideal
for island beds. During autumn, cut
the plant down to soil,level
Propagation: It can be ,;'Icreased
from rool-cuttlngs taken in late
autumn, Inserted in sandy compost
and placed in a cold Irame before
planting out in the garden, But the
division 01 established clumps in
spnng or autumn is a much easier
and quicker method
Echium plantagineum
[Echlum IycopsjsJ
Viper 's Bugloss (UK and USA)
ThiS disti nctive hardy annual from
Europe has mid-green leaves and
upturned blue or pale purple bell-
shaped flowers from mid-summer
onwards, Although it grows
up to 90cm (3ft), several lower-
growing forms at 30cm (1ft) are
avai lable, Incl uding 'Blue Bedder'
and 'Monarch Dwarf Hybrids' with
blue, pink, lavender and white
fl owers Several other species of
echlum can begrown In the garden,
incl uding the bushy, hardy biennial
Ech,um rubrum. From early to mKl-
summer it displays 12mm ( Y,.ln) long
bright red tubular flowers with eye-
catching yellow stamens. Another
specieS, Echlum vulgare, the
Common Viper's Bugloss isa hardy
blenmal, but is invanably grown asan
annual It is relaTIvely short (6Ocm/
2ft high) bushy and compact and
bears tubular, 12mm long,
purple-budded, violet flowers from
mid to late summer Echium vulgare
and Echium pianlagineum are both
natives of the Bntish Isjes E vulgare
IS found In grassy places on IlQht
SOils near the coast, while E
planlagineum grows in sandy areas
near the sea, in the South- west
Height 75-9Ocm
Spread: 45cm (1 lSft]
Cultivation: Light, dry soil and a
sunny position are needed, although
partial shade also suits it
Propagation: DUring spring, sow
seeds 6mm deep in their
flowering positions, thinni ng the
seedlings to t5cm (6in) apart,
Seeds can also be sown in autumn,
but wait until spnng before thinning
them, For earlier flowers, sow seeds
In loam-based seed compost in late
wimer or early spring at 13C
(55F). Prick out the seedlings Into
boxes when they are large enough
to handle, and harden them off
before plant ing them out
Echinops rilro is best planted In large clumps, where liS
dominant nower heads blend with a background
grouping of Campanu/a /act/flora with smal l bell-shaped
light lavender-blue flowers
Echium plantagineum In one of ItS dwarf forms IS 01
greater use In a garden than taller types II is ideally
suited lor annual borders, and also tor bringing height
and shape contrast to small ornamental grasses
THE FLOWER BORDER
Eryngium bourgatii
Sea Holly (UK)
Eryngo (USA)
This hardy herbaceous perennial
has sl il!, upright and branching
bluish stems beanng spiny, holly-like
leaves and silver-blue, thistle-shaped
flower heads during mid to lale
summer.
Height: 38-45cm (1S-18m)
Spread: 30-38cm (12-15in)
Cultivation: It grows best in fertile
well-drained soil in a sunny locati on.
Only in exposed areas will it need
support from twiggy stICks. In
autumn, cut down the planllo
soH-level .
Propagation: It can be increased by
taking root cuttings In autumn and
inserting them in pols 01 equal parts
peat and sharp sand. Place them In
a cold frame during winter and set
the plants out into their permanent
sites in the garden when they are
well-9rown.
RlQht: Eryngium bourgali i
This hardy herbaceous perenmal
displays strikingly attractive foflage
and flower heads, much cherished
by flower arrangers for home
decoratiOn.
Below righT Eupatorium purlXJreum
'Atropurpureum'
This exciting hardy and reliable
herbaceous perenmal with purplish
folrage and rosy-lilac flowers is
admirable for mixed or herbaceous
tx>rders, as well as wild gardens
EupatOrium purpureum
Joe Pye Weed (UK)
Joe-pye Weed Sweet Joe-pye
Weed Green-stemmed Joe-pye
Weed (U5A)
This handsome upright hardy
herbaceous perennlat from North
America has purplish stems bearing
sterxler and POinted mid--green
leaves. Fluffy, branching, lQ-13cm
(4-5In) wide heads of rose-purple
Howers are borne trom mid to late
summer. The lorm Atropurpureum
bears rosy-lilac lIowers and purplish
leaves
There are several other superb Sea Hollies, inCluding
EryngllJm alpmum, With trilled collars around the bases
of its lIower heads, and E. x ollveflanum
is graced with deep blue heads
Eupatorium purpureum IS a dominant plant, often
standing above its neighbours. In a mixed border. Its
height and colour create a pleaSing combination With
the blue Hydrangea macrophylla
Height 1-2-1 8m (4-6f!J
Spread: 75-9Ocm (2y'! -3ftJ
Cultivation: Any goo::l relatively
mOlsture-retenllve and fertile soil
suits it, in full sun or lighl shade.
During autumn cut down the stems
to soil-level. 11 benefits from a
mulch with well-rorted manure or
garden compost every spring Before
applYing It. however, hoe the surface
to remove all weeds.
Propagation: It IS easily Increased
by lifti ng and diViding established
clumps in aul umn or spring
Fesl uca glauca IS superb tor a colour contrast wllh
yellow-flowered plants. such as Golden Garhc Allium
moly, which is also known as Yellow Onion Posilton
the grass in front of the al lium
Left Festuca glauca
This densely-lUffed perenmal grass
IS Ideal for the front of a border To
create an impressive clump, use
threeortlve plants, each 20cm (8in)
apart.
Festuca glauca
Sheep's Fescue Blue Fescue (UK
and USA)
This hardy perennial grass forms a
striking clump of bristle-like blue-
grey leaves. It is ideal lor planting al
the edge of a border, where it can be
used to soft harsh edges, and
blends well with gravel paths Dunng
summer il is adorned with oval,
purple spikelets of flowers.
Height 20-25cm (a-lOin)
Spread: 15-2Ocm (6-8in)
Cultivation: Well-drained Hght soil
and a sunny position are best
Propagation: Seeds can be sown In
a sheltered border, planti ng the
seedlings oul into a nursery bed
when they are large enough to
haOOIe It is generally eaSIer, however,
to lift and divide large clumps In
spring or autumn.
Filipendula purpurea
(Spiraea palmata)
A handsome though dominating
hardy herbaceous perennial With
large lobed leaves held on crimson
stems aOO surmounted by large flat
heads of smal l carmine-rose flowers
during mid-summer
Height: 75cm-t2m (2.'7;-4ft)
Spread: 75-9Ocm (2y'!-31t) and
more
Cultivation: An ideal plant for rich,
fertile, mOisture-retentive soil In
p a r t ~ f shade, perhaps In a wild
garden or at the Side of an Informal
garden pond
Propagation: II is easlty increased
by lifting and dividing large clumps
in autumn or spri ng
Left Filipenduta purpurea
An ImpreSSIVe herbaceous perennial
for a ferTile, mOIst. cool posillon in
slight shade Its carmine-rose flower
heads form a dominant display
dunng mid-summer
Filipendula rubra IS another attractive fi lipenduia With
large pinkish flower heads up to 28cm (tlin) across
It IS widely grown in the form 'Venusta' wilh deep pink
flowers. It loves moist SOil and slight shade
THE FLOWER BORDER
Gladiolus byzantinus
Sword Lily (UK)
This hardy and relaablegladiolus has
2S-38cm (1 0-15in) long flower SPikes
loosely packed with up to twenty
pl um-coloured 65in) wide blooms
dUring mid-summer The narrow,
sword-like and upnght ribbed leaves
with pointed tops rise \0 60cm (211J
Height: 60Cm (2ft)
Spread: 1318cm (5-7inJ
Cultivation: RICh. fertde.
but mOlsture-relenllve sod and full
sun suit I! best. The corms can be left
in the soi l lrom year 10 year al1d In
light sOils II is best to planl them
15cm (6In) deep-1Ocm (4In) In
heavy SOil -so thal1hey are sell
supporting and do nOI become
blown over. in heavy soil , ptace a
handful of sharp sand under each
corm when planting it. Remove
dead flower stems alter flowenng
and cut down the yellowed foliage to
soil-level in autumn- but not too
earty or it will not have transferred lIS
food content to the corms, which
act as slorage organs 10 help the
survive winter
Propagation: Every four or fi ve
years Ilfl lhe plants in autumn and
remove Ihe little corm leis attached
to the corm. Dry them and replant
Ihem In spring in sand-lined dnl ls In
a nursery bed
Above Gladiolus byzanlinus
Tills small-flowered gladIOlus flowers
much earlier rhan Irs large-flowered
relatives Well-dramed sOil and a
position In lull sun assure success
Hosta recti/olia
Tall Boy'
Plantain Lily (UK)
Plantam Lily Day Lily (USA)
These hardy perenntalswlth beautiful
leaves, variegated In some varieties,
were once known as Funkias. This
Species displays broad. lance-
shaped mid lodark green leaves and
tall , uDfightlkJwer Siems beanng Scm
(2in) long vio let-mauve flowers in
slender spikes during mid-summer
Several ol her hostas, including H
cnS{:).Jia, have purple Howers DUring
mid to late summer this plant reveals
li lac-purpje fl owers aoove Its dark
green. whlteedged leaves, the
feature for which It IS mainly grown
Height: l-l'3m
Spread: 75-9Ocm
Cultivation: Well-<lralned but
mOisture-retentive soH enriched with
leafmould and In a lighlly shaded
posttlOn suits it. During dry summers,
It will be necessary to water the SOil
Propagation; In SPring, lift and
divide large clumps ThiS variety can
be raised from seed. but vanegated
hostas do noT come true from seed
Hostas are among the most attracllve of oorder fl owers
tor naturalized or woodland settings, or even large
rock gardens. The variegated types, such as Hosla
fortunel AlbopfCta are especl3l1y attracllve
Left Hosla reel ilolia lall Boy'
ThiS beautiful VIOJeImauve-flowered
pJant IS Ideal for a wild garden.
where the SOil does not become dry
dunng summer Even when not In
flower the Iolrage forms a dominant
dlspia'l especially In early summer
R,ghl Hoste 'Halcyon'
ThiS 8rtractrvelyfbwered hosta
creates a dominant dlSf)lay In a
shght/yralsed border. where the
leaves can sprrMd safely WIthout
bemg trodden upon or spJashed
WIth 5011 dunng heavy ralnfafl Here
IllS planted agamstthe grass
Hak"onechlOa macra AltJo..aurea.
WIth narrow bronze-Onteel, variegated
green and buff leaves ThiS grass
has a cascading fjfOWlh habit and
lOOkS good pos!lioned at a corner
lberis umbellata
Candy/ull (UK)
Globe CandytUII (USA)
ThiS weIIknown hlghlyfragrant
hardy annual from Southern Europe
has mld-green. pomled. narrow
leaves The5cm(2In)widecluslered
heads 01 purple. wtHle and rose-red
fiowers appear Irom early summer
10 autumn Irom SUCCessive SOWH)QS
II is an annuallhat is well k"nown
to ch'ldren and often Ihe first plant
they sow )t soon germinates and
forms'Sn edgmg for the side of a
path AUernatr.-ely. set It In bold
dnfts towards The fronl of a border
Height: t538cm{6-15m)
Spread: 23cm (9.n)
Cultivation: INetl-dramed, even poor
soil In full sun SUits II. Remove dead
flower heads toexlerd the flowering
season
Propagallon: From late spring to
early summer, sow seeds in shallow
dnlls where the planls are 10 flower
The seeds tak"e ten to founeen days
to germinate When the seedl ings
are large enough to handle, thin
them to 2o-23cm (8g,n) apar!
Right lberls umbellata
ThIS aaSl/y-grown and hiQh/y fragrant
hardy annual flowers over a long
{JefJOd from SUCCes51V8 SOWingS It IS
superb for {JIanling In {XJOf SOIls
lberis umbellata IS a very amenable plan! and
associates With many others. such as Canterbury
Bells (Cam{Januls medium). Clark"1a (ClarkJa elegans)
and Vrrglnaan StOCk {MaJcolml8 manllma)
"
THE FLOWER BORDER
Incarvillea mairei
(lncarvlliea grandlflora bre<.npe$
I. br6'llpes)
Trumpet Flower (UK)
This herbaceous perennial has
attracbve. deep green, pj nnate leaves
and bears rich pjnkish-purple
flowers with lOng tubular yellow
throats dunng early to mldsummer
Height 30cm (1ft)
Spread: 2O-25cm (8-10m)
Cutti'lstion: Fertile welJ..dramed light
sod In lull sun assures success
Dunng spnng Dlant the fleshy roots
75cm (3m) deep. and in cold areas
prOtect the young and newly-
emerging ShOOtS and leaves with a
doc!leor layer of straw In particularty
!':Ok! places they may require
protection throughout wi nter Otten
Ihe new shoots are $low to emerge
from the soil,n spring, so take care
not to damage them with early
spnng cultIVaTIons
Propagation: Although Ihe crowns
can be btted and dIVIded in SPring
they are sometimes tough and
d,Hcult to spht Instead. oow seeds In
a prepared seedbed In Sprlng
them Ihe foilOWlng
spnng to permanent
Righi InC8ryiliea mairei
This IS a beautiful herbaceous
perennial for the front of a border. or
even for a rock garden where extra
height IS desired The ye/Iowthroated
pnkJsh-f)Urpie flowers appear
dunng early to mid-summer:
RlQhl Ir is douglasians
This beau/!ful Californian inS needs
limy (alkalme) sOlI and forms a
large dump of colour in early
summer The plants are often short-
Irved, but can be easily raised from
seeds. The flOwers are superb for
home decoration.
Iris douglasiana
This beardless hardy ins lrom
Calilorma has slender, coarse. deep
green leaves thaI are normally
evergreen and spread 00110 a Widlh
oI6Ocm (2ft). The 7 Scm (3m) wide
Howers are borne In fours or fives on
branched stems Theyareln shades
Incarvillea delavayi IS another well-knOwn sPecieS,
riSing to 60cm (2ft) and displaYing 5-7 5cm
(2-3In) kmg rose-pink tklwers dUring early summer
ThiS specle5 IS taller than Incarvil/ea malrei
Iris douglasiana is ideal tor setllng aroul1d
rhooodel1drons, where 1\ helps to produce ground
cover and to create when some 01 the
rhodcx:lel1drons have linlshed flowenng
01 bj ue-purple and lavender, with
disti nctive veining on the talis' (the
three outer petals), and appearfrom
early to mid-summer
Height: 30-4Scm (l -l!;ft)
Spread: 6Q-7Scm
Cultivation: This iris tolerates a little
lime in the soil, and needs full sun or
partial shade. However, Italsogrows
well in neutral or slightly acid soil.
Propagation: It tends to be short-
lived, but fortunately It IS easily
increased from seed sown during
autumn In ooxes of loam-based
compost kepI at woe ( SOF).
Alternatively lift and dIVIde the
rhizomes In autumn, but take care
thaI they do not dry out before
becoming established.
Iris sibirica
Sibenan Iris (UK and USA)
This versati le ins IS suitable for a
herbaceous oorder as well as the
margins of an Informal pond The
slender, sword-like, mid"9reen leaves
die down In winter The flowers are
about 65cm wide and are
borne dunng mid-summer. In the
anginal species, they are in vanous
shades of blue, with white veining on
the fal ls' (the three outer petals).
Because the original specieS
hybridizes freely, usually only hybrids
are availabje Good ones are
'Heavenly Blue' (rich azure bl ue),
'Cambridge' (pale blue), 'Ottawa'
(clear light blue), 'Tropic Nighf
(velvety violet) and 'Perry's Blue'
(deep blue).
Height: 7Scm-lm
Spread: 45-6Ocm (1}2-2ft)
Cultivation: It grows best in moist
soil . but will also perform well In a
herbaceous oorder, where it does
not usually grow so high. Plant the
rhizomes 25cm (lin) deep In the
soil dunng autu mn or spring.
Propagation: It is easily Increased
by lifting and dividing congested
clumps In tate autumn or spring.
Aeplantthe dlvided rhlzomes2'Scm
(lin) deep Large clumps tend to
become hollow and bare al thei r
centres. and are therefore besllifted
and divided atleasl every four or live
years 10 keep them healthy
Above: Iris sibirica 'Heavenly BIlle' Tfus IS a hardy ms for a border or
the mOist margm of a pond 1/5 neh blue flowers are borne two or three
to a stem above rhe grassy swoj./ike leaves
Iris si birica, planted In a mOist area mixes well With
yellow-fl owered plants such as the fragrant Himalayan
COWSliP, Pnmu/a SJkkrmenSls, and P heelodoxa. It also
looks good In a border against an old wall
THE FLOWER BORDER
I
w
Liatris spicala
Blazing Star Gayfearher Spike
Gay/eather (UK)
Blazing Star Button Snakeroot
Gay-feather (USA)
This hardy, tuberous-rooted.
herbaceous perennial has small.
strap-like, narrow, mKl-green leaves
11 bears dense, 15-3Ocm (6-1210)
long, palntbrushli ke spikes 01
pinkish-purple flowers dunng late
summer and earl y autumn on stiff.
leafy stems A similar planl, Llalns
OJllllepis, has bright carmine flower
heads. The form ' Kobold' is even
more attract ive, with frothy bnght
carmine flower spikes, often up to
30cm (1ft) long It grows well
even on IXlOr soil, When planted
in a small grouping. it creates a
superb splash at mid-summer
colour ThiS attractive variety has
the advantage of growing to only
60cm (2ft) high, whereas the
onglnal Species, Limns callilePls,
rises 10 90cm (311J and requires
much more room, being better
>X)sltloned In a flower border than
In a rock garden. Another species,
Llalris graminita/ia, IS not so widely
grown. During late summer and
Into earty autumn It prcx:luces purple
flower spikes, surrounded by
rather sparse leaves attractively
covered with white spots. This
species has the advantage of
growing well In poc>r and dry Sal ls
Height 6G-9()::m (2-311]
Spread: 38-45cm OS-18i nJ
Cultivation: Ordinary garden 5011-
not too heavy-and a position In lull
sun suit the BlaZing Star.
Propagation: During spri ng lift and
diVKJe established clumps. To ensure
the clumps are readi ly identilied,
mark them in autumn Alternativel y
walt untillale spnng before dividing
them, when the young shoots Will be
apparent
Left Liatris callilepis ' Kobold'
The tr(){hy flowers of (hIS tuberous-
rooted herbaceous perennial are a
dellghl dunng mid-summer to early
autumn The flower5 are useful for
flome decoration
LialriS spicala IS ideal lor the front 01 a mixed or
herbaceous border. Sultable companions Include Red
Hot Pokers (KniphofiaJ. 8ergema Sllberhcht' and
the Oregon Grape Maflonia aqulfolium
Unum narbonense
Flax (UK and USA)
This well-known hardy perennial
has narrow, lance-shaped, grey-
green leaves and graceful, arching
stems that usually die back in winter
In colder climates but may persjsl
throughout winter in milder regions
The 25-3cm (1-1 )4inJ Wide neh blue
flowers, borne at the lops of the
stems, appear throughout the
summer months. Lmum perenne IS
another hardy and perenniai llax,
rising 10 30-4Scm It has
narrow lance-shaped 9 reyish.green
!eaves and 2 Scm (lin) wide sky-blue
flowers during mid to late summer
like Linum narbonense IllS also
shorHived, but can be easily raised
from seed Unum uSIIaflSslmum,
the Common Flax or Linseed IS a
pale-blue flowered hardy annual It
nses to about 60cm (2ft), with slender
stems bearing 12mm wide
saucer shaped !IOWNS during mid-
Above: Unum narbonense
Allhough lall, Ihis Flax is sUi/able!Of"
a rock garden. Theflowers, borneal
the ends of long stems, appear
lilrouglloul summer
summer. Lmum austnacum is
another soft-blue flowered plan!. but
IS a hardy perennial and has 2 Scm
(1m) wrde heads In mid-summer
Height: 3O-6Ocm (l-2ftJ
Spread: 30-38cm (12-1Sln)
Cultivation: Ordmary well-drained
garden soil and a sunny poSition SUit
Flax best. It will tolerate both slightly
acrd and limy soil.
Propagation: During eany summer
row seeds 6mm ()4inJ deep in a
prepared seed bed. When the
seedl ings are large enough 10
handle, thm them 10 20-23cm
(8-9in) apart In autumn, transfer
them to their flowering positions.
The plants are qUite Short-lived, so II
IS basI to buy fresh plants every three
or four years and replace old ones
Above Liriope muscari
ThIS hardy perenmal drspiays deep
qreen, archmg grass-like leaves
throughoullile year Tile lilac-mauve
flowers appear from fate summer
IhrouglllO lale autumn They bear
some resemblance to those of
Grape Hyacmths As an added
bonus, Ihe leaves remam attractive
throughout the year
Liriope muscari
Turf Lily (UK and USA)
ThiS hardy, compacl and clump.-
forming evergreen perennial has
darK green grass-liKe leaves and
upright stems, whICh bear 7'S-I3cm
(3-5in) long of bell-shaped,
lilac-mauve flowers from late
summer through to autumn. The
speCies Lino{E spcata is qUite
Similar, bul With more ereet aro
narrower leaves From late summer
and mto autumn it disptays S-7 Scm
(2-31n) long spiKes of bnght mauve,
bell-shaped flowers It is shghUy
shorter than Lmope muscari. nSlng
to a height of 38cm (ISIn)
Height: 30-38cm (12-1Sln)
Spread: 38-4Scm (IS-18in)
Cultivation: light and
ferti le SOi l in full sun or slighl shade
suits it well. Remove the flower
heads when they fade
Propagation: During spring, 11ft and
diVIde congested clumps.
Unum narbonense With Its cottage-garden appeal, IS
al home by the srde of an old-lOOKing fl ight of steps,
against a wealhered wal l or as a perteet fOil for
grey-leaved plants
Uriope muscari IS Ideal for the edge of a border or
alongside a path It harmonizes wel l With the Autumn
Crocus (ColchICum aulumnale), Nenne bowdenu or
Sedum x 'Autumn Joy
"
THE FlOWER BORDER
Lupinus polyphyllus
'Russell Hybrids'
Lupm Lupine (UK)
Lupine (USA)
These hardy herbaceous
are familiar to most gardeners.
Their slender, upright spires of blue
or red mklsummer flowers are
borne above mid-green leaves
formed of a circle 01 ten to
seventeen leaflets Many superb
biue forms are available, such as
BlueJacket , 'Freedom', Jane Eyre'
and Josephine'.
Heigh!: 9Ocm-"5m
Spread: 60-9Ocm (2-311)
Cultivation: WeIkIralned moderately-
tertlle salls are best, In full sun or light
shade. Set the plants In posillon in
autumn or spnng. and cut them
down to soil-level in autumn.
Propagation: Increase mimed torms
from 7'S-1 Ocm C3-4inJ long basal
cuttings in spring, inserted in polS 01
sandy soil and placed In a cold
frame. When the cuttings are
rooted. pot them up into small pots
of compost Plant them
Into permanent poSit ions In autumn
or spring. when the soli is workable
Right: Lupinus polyphyllus
Russell Hybrids
These hardy herbaceous perenmals
are popular and reliable plants lor
any garden. providrng a mass of
colour. They grow equally well in
slightly acid or neutral soils. and in
full sun or Ilghl shade
Lupinus polyphyllus Russell Hybrds With a
wide range of herbaceous plants Highlight the flowers
by planti ng It against a dark green hedge, or use Its
own fohage as a backcloth for lower-growing plants
4= Q
Left Nemophila menziesii
This hardy annual has a rather
spreading growth habit and bears
sky-blue buttercup-like flowers from
early summer onwards. IllS ideal for
edgrng an annual border or even a
mixed border
Nemophila menziesii
(Nemophila insignisJ
Baby Blue Eyes (UK and USA)
This bright-eyed hardy annual from
California has light green deeply-cut
feathery and 3cm (1 ),1i n)
wide. skyblue flowers With white
centres from early to late summer
Nemophila menziesii has flowers thai are not colour
dominant. so II can be mixed with plants such as
the Poached Egg Plant (Limnanthesdouglasir). wit h
lIs yellow-centred white flowers
-
Height: 18-23cm (7-9mJ
Spread: 15-2Ocm (6-8In)
Cultivation: Although this annual
grows In ordinary garden soil , It
does even better in fertile, mOlsture-
retenllve soil in lul l sun or sl ight
shade Sandy soils enriched with
plenty 01 compost are also sUitable
Propagation: DUri ng spring and
early summer, sow seeds 6mm
(}iin) deep in thelf flowering
positions. When the seedl ings are
large enough to handle, thin them to
15cm (6in) apart. As well as being
sUitable lor sowing In the garden,
thiS annual can also be grown
tor flowering In pots In a cold
greenhouse. To grow such plants,
sow seeds thinly in 13cm (5in)
wide pots of loam-based compost
In a cold frame dUring lale spring
or early summer When they are
large enough 10 handle. thin the
seedl ings to three In each pol
Make sure the greenhouse IS not
kept tOO hot
Rlgnt Nicandra physalOides
ThiS la" . Vigorous. branching hardy
annual needs space in whICh to
develop property The pale-blue,
bell-shaped flowers are borne over
many weeks, from mid to lale
summer
Nicandra physaloides
Shoo-fly Plant Apple of Peru (UK
and USA)
This hardy annual from Peru is
vigorous and strong growmg, Its
spreading shoots bearing oval ,
with finely-toothed
wavy edges. The pale-blue, bell
shaped, 4cm (1 wide flowers
have white throats, and appear from
mid to late summer. These are
followed by non--edible apple-shaped
green frUits that can be dried for
home decoration. It IS said 10 gam
the name physaloK1es f rom the
resemblance of the frUits to those of
PhysaliS alkekengl. commonty called
Chinese Lantern or Bladder Cherry
Height: 75-9Ocm
Spread: 38-45cm (15-18in)
Cult ivation: Rich. moist soH and a
sunny are the keys to
success When preparing the
floweri ng poSition, fork In plenty of
wel l-rotted compost.
Propagation: DUring late winter or
early spnng, sow seeds 3mm ["in)
deep in trays of loam-based seed
compost kept at ' OoC (50F)
When the seedlings are large
enough to handle.prfck them oil into
seedboxes and put them in a cold
frame to harden them off. Set the
plants in the garden dunng late
spring. Alternatively, sow seeds in
late spring where the plants are to
flower. 6mm deep Subse-
Quently, thin the seedlings to
25-3Ocm [10-12inJ apart
Nicandra physal Oides gams one of Its common
names. Shoo-fly Plant. from Its ability to repel tiles. It
makes a lovely chOice lor the back 01 a border.
with Its attractive bell-shaped flowers
THE FLOWER BORDER
Physoslegia virgini ana
(Dracoc8phalurn virginianum)
Obedient Plant (UK)
Obedience' False Dragonhead
Lions-head (USA)
This distinctive hardy herbaceous
perennial bears long spires 01
mid-summer tubular pink-mauve
flowers aoove large, glossy, dark
green, coarsely-toothed leaves. The
plant gets lis common name from
lis flowers, whICh have hinged stalks
and can be moved from side to side,
remaining as posdloned Several
forms are available, including 'Rose
BouQue( (pink-mauve). Summer
Spire' (deep lilac-purple) and Vivid'
(deep pmk)
Height: 45cm-lm (1)\.-3)2ft)
Spread: 4560cm (1)2-211)
Cultivation: ThiS plant needs
Above' Physostegia virginiana
'Rose Bouquet'
A natlYe of North AmenC8, this
popular hardy herbaceous perennial
bears spires of mauve-pink, tubular
flowers which resemble small
snapdragons,
ordinary ferti le garden soil that does
not dry out during summer DUring
autumn, cut it down to soil-level
Propagation: Il lS easily increased
by trtli ng and diVIding plants in
autumn or spring. Alternatively,
during spring, take S-7'Scm (2-3in)
long cuttings, Insert them In pots of
sandy compost and place these In a
COld frame, When the cuttings are
rooled, pot them up and plant them
out into their flowering poSitions In
autumn In cold areas with wet
soH, planl them dunng spnng
Poiemonium
foiiosissimum
Jacob's Ladder (UK)
Jacob's Ladder Greek Valerian
(USA)
A hardy herbaceous perennial from
North America, Jacob's Ladder has
stiff, upnght siems bearing leaves
formed of narrow, dark green
leaflets, From early to late summer, It
bears t 2mm ()fin) wde mauve-blue
flowers in clustered heads, The
handsome flowers are highlighted
by orange-yellow stamens An early
form is 'Sapphire', with light blue
saucer-shaped flowers
Height: 7S-9Ocm (2)f-3ft)
Spread: 4S-6Ocm (I !6-2ft)
Cultivation: RiCh, deep, loamy soi l
in full sun assures success, These
plants soon exhaust the SOil , which
Will need annual mulching or
feeding with ferti lizer
Propagal ion: The easiest way to
Increase thiS plant IS by lifting and
dividing estabHshed clumps in
autumn or spring
Below Polemonium foliosissimum
This herbaceous perenmal is ideal
for any border and flowers over a
long penod of time It needs rich SOil,
because the roots qUICkly exhaust
the supply of nutnents
PhysoslegiCl virginiana IS a reliable plant lor a mixed or
herbaceous border, The deep lilac-purple variety
Summer Spire' needs non-conflictlng colours set
around It at a lower level
Polemoniums come mostly from North America, but
PolemOlllum caervieum onglnated In Europe and
ASia as well It gained its first name from King Poternon
01 Pomus an anCfenl country In North-east ASia Minor
Above Salyia J. superba
ThiS hardyeye-calchmg herbaceous
perenmal forms a dommant splash
of cOlour in any border
Salvia x superba
(SaMa Vlrgala nemorsaJ
Long-branched $age (UK)
A dominant planting of this superb
hardy herbaceous perenmal will
Immediately attract anenllon, Its
erect stems bear abundant. nch
VIOlet-purple flower sPIres at their
tops all summer through. so sellt at
the edge 01 a border Dwarl forms
rise 10 less than hailihe height 01 the
type plant . and Include 'lubeca
(VIOlet-blue 75cm/2Io:2ft high) and
'East Fneslarl(f (VIOlet-purple
45cm/t)2ft high).
Height: 45-9Ocm (1 )2-3ft)
Spread: 45-6Ocm
Cultiyation: Rich, well-drained but
mosture-relenllW SOIl In lull sun
assures success Dry SOIls are nol
SUitable Staking Wlth IWIggy pea-
Above Salyia vi ridis IS a beautdul hardy annual wilfl pfJe pfik or purple
flOwers whICh fealure especially s/nkmg coloured bracts allhe laps o( lhe
stems It IS raised as a half-hardy or a hardy annual, and il delights m a sunny
and I'te/l-dramed position m Ihe garden
stICks IS necessary for tali-grOWlng
torms In exPOS9cl areas Cui down
old stems 10sod-levelln late autumn
Propagation: It IS easily increased
by lifting and dividing cOllgested
plants dunng autumn or spnng
Salvia viridis
(SalVIa hormlnum)
ThiS hardy annual from Southern
Europe bears 12mm (Jl..in) long
pale pmk or purple flowers lrom mid
10 lale summer It IS better known.
however, for Its 4cm (1 1-2ln) long
bnghtly coloured termillal bracts
(modified leaves), whICh can be
dned with Ihe stems for home
decoralJOn. There are several fine
forms, With a range of coloured
bracts, such asB/ue Bouquet (rdl
purple-blue bracts) and Rose
BouQuet (rose-carmll""18 bracts).
Height: 38-4Scm (tS-18In)
Spread: 23-3Qcm (9-12In)
Cultivation: Ordinary well drained
soi l in full sun SUits II. To encourage
well-branched plants, PInch out the
growll19 tiPS when the plants are
only a few IncheS high
Propagation: Dunng Iale spong Of
early summer, SOW seeds 6mm
( }.l in) deep where the plants are to
When the seedhngs are large
enough to handle, thm them out to
23cm (9In) apart You can false
earlier-fIowenng plants by SOWIng
seeds Ihlnly In trays ot lOam-based
compost at 18C (64FJdunng late
wtnter or early spnng. When the
seedlings are large enough to
handle, prick lhem oN Into pots of
loam-based compost and place
them In a cold trame to harden ott
SalYia x super ba demal1ds space 10 beat liS best. Plant
it althe Irani of the border, With taillight blue
delphmlums at the back and a sandWICh of yellow
achdlea between them
Salyia viridis. beller known as Salva hormlnum, IS besl
used to create dominant cOlour at the tOPs of ItS
stems. It IS more often grown for Its coloured bracts
than lor its flowers
..
.,
THE FLOWER BORDER
Above Trachymene caerulea
The dellcare heads of srnaN lavender-
blue flowers appear from mId-
summer /0 autumn. This IS a useful
plant for bnngmg delICate blue
shades to flOVv'ef arrangements
Trachymene caerulea
(Didlscus caeruleus)
Blue Lace Rower Queen Annes
Lace (UK)
Blue Lace Flower (USA)
This IS one altha mOSt delICate and
pretty 01 all annualS. II
formsa bushy with light green,
deeply-divKled fol iage The smal"
dainty, !lowers are
displayed In heads 2 5-5cm (1-2inJ
WIde and appear from mid-summer
\0 autumn They are SUitable for
cutllng for home decoraTIOn, but the
leaves and Siems are stICky to touch
Height: 45cm
Spread: 2S-3Ocm (10-12,n)
Cultivation: Ordinary well-culhvated
garden SOIl and a sunny, sheltered
poSition SUit It
Propagation: Dunng lale winter and
earty SPring. SOW seeds 3mm (}8ln)
deep In trays 01 loam-based seed
compost a116e (61F), When the
$dhngs are la rge 800ugh to
pnck them out Into smal l
pots or boxes of seed compos!.
Plant the young plants out Into the
garden as soon as al1 risk of frost
has passed
Above Tradescanlia virginlana 'Isis'
ThIS well-known Spderworr has
striking purple-blue flowers dunng
most of summer We/I.cfamed but
mOisture-retentive sOIl ensures
success with thiS reliable plam
Tradescantia virginiana
Sf)lderworr Tnmty Rower {UK}
Common Sptdef'NOrf W.dows
Tears (USA)
ThiS hardy herbaceous perennial.
With smooth. glossy strap-bke, dull-
green leaves and long lasting.
2 5-4cm (1-1 .rln) wide. three-petalled
flowers. is a dehght throughout
summer and Into autumn. II IS the
hybnds from T Vlrglnlana or T x
andersonJana that are mainly grown
Some botanical authorities suggest
these hybrids are derwed from the
former species. while other botanists
name the tatter as a parenT
Whatever their ongln, the resulling
plants are superb and Include
'Carmine Glow' (carffilne),lsis'
-Ins Pritchard (white,
stained azure blue) and Purewell
GlSnt (carmine-purple)
Height 45-6Ocm (1.\<i-2fl)
Spread: 45cm (ly'!ft)
Culti vation: Ordinary garden soil,
well-dralned but also fTlOIsture-
retentive. is best. In tate autumn, cut
the plants down 10 sod-leYeI
Propagation: Lift and divide
congested clumps In SPring
RlQht Tulip 'Lilac Time"
ThiS beaunfullullp from OivlSlOfl 7
IS dlStlndive. WIth I/S mal.N'e, Illy-
like flowers Rowers in thiS dlVlSK)n
are usually /S-2Ocm {6-8m} WIde
and appear m mld-spn'ng
Tulips
The range of form and colour 01
these well-known hardy bulbs IS as
wide as their possible uses In the
garden. They can be used In
bedding schemes dunng SPrIng, In
mixed borders or rock gardens, and
In tubs ortroughS lor bnghtenlng up
a patiO in SPring There IS a wide
range 01 Specl8S, and in additIOn
botanISts have ClaSSIfied ltlose that
have been created by bulb eJ(pens
Into fifteen dMSlons, encompassing
the wide range oillower Sizes,
shapes and heights. These are
DiviSion l-Single Early (15-38cml
6-15In) The Single flowers appear in
spnng when grown OtJ!-OI-dOOfS, or
during winter indoors, Each flower
is 75-13cm (3-5in) wide and
sometimes opens flat when In direct
and lull sun_ Many purple vanetleS
are avaaable, as well as ones With
white, pmk, red. orange and yellow
flowers.
DiviSion 2-Dooble Early (30-
38cm/12-t 51n): The double flowers
appear In spnng when grown
out-of-doors In beddmg schemes.
or earlrer when lorced indoors
Trachymene caerulea from Austra!18 soon attracts
attenhon when grown In a dom_nant dnft among hardy
annuals Of In a ml_ed border. II can also be grown In
pots In an unhealed greenhouse lor summer colour
Tradescantia virginiana and T. x andersooiana are
ideal to, a milled or herbaceous border Many planlS
combine well With them, Including border geraniums
and Campanu/a lactlflora Pritchard's Blue'
Each fiower IS I Ocm (41n) wide and
ralher like a double paeony The
COlour range IS wide. including
gOOd purple varietIeS, as well as red,
\IiOIet pink and yellow ones
Division 3-Mendel (38-5Ocm/
1520in): These flower later than the
pr9VIQus types With rounded
10-t3cm (4-5In) wide blooms on
somewhat slender stems Colours
Include white and red. as well as
yellow They look like a cross
between Single early types and
DarwlOs
Division 4- Triumph (up 10 5Ocm/
20in): In mld-spnng, these bear
angular-looking 10-13cm (4-5In)
wide tIowerson strong stems There
are lovely lilac-Mowered var!9\1es, as
well as red and pink ones
Division 5- Darwin Hybrids
(60-7Scm/2-2''2h): TheSe some
01 the largest and most brilliant
Rowers. upto 18cm (7In) wide. they
appear dUring mid-spring There
are multl-coloured forms, as well as
red, orange and yellow
vanetles
Division 6- Darwln (60-75cm/
2212ftl These are extenSIVely used
In bedding schemes, prodUCing
rounded flowers up to Bcm (Sin)
wide In late spnng There are some
excellent purple vanelles. alSO yeIow
white pmk and red ones
Division 7 - Lily-llowered {4 5-
6Ocm/t)l-2ftJ Thesearecharacler
IZed by the narrow walstsot their
flowers, also by the POinted petals
that curl outwards as much as 20cm
(8m) dunng mldsprmg They look
espeaallyanracllWwhen massed In
bedding schemes Colours Include
while, orange, red, yellow and
multl-colours
Division a- Collage (up to 9Ocm/
3ft) ThiS ok:! grouping has oval or
rounded flowers to-l3cm (4-5In)
wide In mld-spnng The petals
sometimes have a hint of fnnglng
and are looser than those of other
varieties. As welf as li lac, flower
colours include green, while plOk.
red and yellOw
Division 9- Aembrandt (7Scm/
2)<.,ft) These tulips all have broken
colours The rounded 13cm (Sin)
wide flowers vivid
of colour on the petals dunng
mid-spring Base colours Include
VIOlet. as well as brown. white
orange red. yellow and pmk
Division 10-Parrot (45-6Ocm/
1)2-2/tJ: These bear flowers up to
20cm (&n) wide m mid-spong, easdy
recogmzable by their fealher-hke,
heaVlIy-fnnged petals The colour
range Includes brilhant white, pink,
orange and yellow, as well as some
lovely P\Jrples.
Divi sion ll - Double Late (45-
6Qcm/I.lT2ft): These havevery large
and shoYly double flowers, Similar to
paeomes and up to 20cm (8In)
wide. They remain in flower for a
long panod dunng mid-spring
There are some stunning VIOlet
vanelies, as well as white. orange
pink, red and yellow ones There are
also multJ-coIoured forms WIth
stripes and edgings.
Division 12- Kaufmanniana
varieties (10-25cm/4-10In) These
have been developed from Tuhpa
kaufmanf1l8fl8, and have fine-p:lIflied
flowers that open nearly flat, gIVIng
the appearance of water11l1eS They
appear In spnng on sturdy stems
and are kleal for Ironts of borders,
rock gardens and containers. Most
have two-coiouroo 1I0wers
DiviSion 13- Fosteriana variet ies
(45cm/l j!zln) These are denved
from Tullpa foslenana and dISplay
large blunt-ended Howers In reds
and yellows In mid-spring
Division 14- Greigii variet ies
(25cm/l0In): These are maInly
denved Irom Tu//pa grfNglI, and
produce brlfllant roo. yellON and
near-while lOng-lasting flowers
during mid spring
Cultivation: When growing tulips In
the garden, select well-drained SOil.
preferably laCing soutll and In a
sIlettered poSJ1IOO, Plant the bulbs
t Scm (6In) deep dunng earty WInter,
Spacing them to-t5cm (4-61n)
apart, Remove dead Nowersand dlQ
up the bulbs when the leaves turn
yellow However, If the bed IS needed
earl!er, drg up the bulbs as soon as
flowering IS over and heel them IntO
a trench unlilthefoliage has yeIowed
and dE'd down
Propagation: The easiest way IS 10
remove the bulb Offsets clustered at
the bases 01 the bulbs Plant these In
a nursery bed and leave them to
develop Into fIowenngSlzed bulbs
For a blue and gold display try the dark blue Darwin
tulip (DiVISion 6) 'La Tullpe NOire With the orange
Sibenan WaliMower Chf!lranthus x aillOnl!
Goklen Bedder For extra shades 01 blue, add a lew
Forgetme-nots (Myosolts)
For a mi xture of creamy-white and blue, try planting a
bed wilh the Parrot tulip (DiviSIOn 10)
Blue Parrot dark purple Darwin tulip (DIVISIOn 6)
Queen 01 Night and the Wa!lflower Ivory White'
'3
..
THE FLOWER BORDER
RighI Veronica proslrala
ThIS beaul!ful ground-rovenng
IlefQmca produces masses 01 small
deep blue flowers from early to
mid-summer There are several
superb forms, If/cJuding a very
low-groWlng rype
Veronica prostrata
(VeronICa rupestrls V leucnum
prostrata)
A hardy mat-!ormmg alpme verOOlCa
ItlIS IS a distant torm 01 the
Hunganan. Of Saw-Iea\I8d, Speedwel
trom Southern Europe and NOfthem
Asia. It IS useful as a ground cover
plant, dlsplaymg toothed mld-green
leaves and 5-7 Scm (2-3In) long
SPIKeS of deep blue flowers from
earty to mid-summer. Several
torms are available, including
'Spade Blue' (clear pale blue),
'Rosea (deep pmk), :Alba' (while)
and a dwarf form Pygmaea' (Scml
21n high. With deep IIowers).
Height: l Q-2Ocm (4-6In)
SPf'ead: 38-45cm (15-18In)
Cultivation: Any wel-dramoo garden
soli and a sunny po$IbOn 50/111.
Propagation: During mid-summer,
take Scm (2In) long cuttings and
Insert them In pots of equal pans
peat and sharp sand Place the pots
In a cold frame and when the
cuttmgs are rooted, pot them up
SIngly into klam-based compost
Dunng the follOwing spring plant
them out fnto the garden
Veronica spicata
Spked Speedl'l!(!/l (UK)
An upnght slim-flowered hardy
herbaceous perennlal,lhls veroolCa
IS well-SUited to the front of a oorder
It dlspjays long, toothed, lance-
shaped, midiJreen leaves, The
narrow, 7 5-tScm (3-6in) lOng sPires
of small blue flowers are borne
throughOt.Jt mid-summer Several
superb forms are wonh growing,
Including Blue Fox (ultramanne
blue) and Barcarofle' (rose-pmk).
long/folia IS another
purpie-blue-llowered oorder plant.
It nses up to 12m (4ft) and bears
t5cm (6In) lOng terminal Spires of
flowers from early to late summer
To create a dominant clump, set the
Individual plants about 4Scm (t J,h)
apan \ot>ronlCa VlrgmlCa IS another
goOO border speaes. With pale
blue SPires of flowers
Height: 3O-45cm (1 -1 );.ft)
Spread; 30-38cm (12-15In)
Cultlvatlon: WeIl-draH1OO but
moisture-retentive fnable soli In full
sun or Slight shade assures success
In late autumn, cut the siems down
to soil-level
Propagation: Dunng spnng, lilt and
divide COngesTed clumps-you can
usoalty do thIS f'Nery three or 10Uf
years. This ensures healthy plants
Top fight Veronica spicata
ThIS IS a reJl8b1e haroy herbaceous
perennial for the fronl of a border.
where II can dISplay I/S spires of
small blue flowers /0 advantage
dunng mid-summer There are
several excellent varieties from
whICh 10 choose
Right Catananche caerulea
ThIS beautiful short-lIVed perennliJl
bnngs a wealth of colour loa border
IllS also excellent as a cut-flOwer.
and can be dned for WInter decora-
tIOn In the home The flowers appear
dunng summer For detaJis see
under Further plants to consid"r
on lhe OPf)OSlte page
Veronica prostrata blends well In a rock garden With
yellow-flowered plants such as Unum fl8vum, With
2 Scm (lin) wKle flowers, and the
ever reliable Hypencum oIymPICum, With
golden-yellow flowers
, 4.
Further plants to consider
AJuga replans
Bugle (UK) Carpet Bugleweed (USA)
Height 1 G-2Scm (4-' Oin) Spread 30-SOcm (12-20,n)
A well-known, soil-smothering, hardy herbaceous perennial, with
whorls or blue flowers borne on uprlghl stems dunng mid-summer
The form Alropurpurea is dlSnnctrve, with purpte leaves
Campanula persicifolia ielham Be .... ty'
PeaclHeaved Campanula (UK)' Peach-bells Willow BeIIfIower{USA}
Hetght 6G-9Ocm {2-3ftJ Spread 3O-38cm (12-tSln)
A delightful perennial,wlth an evergreen basal rosette The lich blue
2 Scm (lin) WIde. saucer-shaped fIowersappeardunng mid-summer
Pride 01 EJo:mouth' disptays nch lavender-blue Iklwers
Calananche caerutea
Cu()ld's Dart (UK and USA)
HelQht 4S-7Scm (1}2-2}2f1J Spread 4S-6Ocm (IMo-2ft)
A shan-lived herbaceous perennl(ll with narrow, lance-shaped leaves
and lavender-blue flowers dunng summer The form Major' bears
nchef' blue flowers
DeJphinium elalum
Height. 9Ocm-l Sm (3-Sft) Spread 4S-6Ocm (1Mo,2ft)
The actual speclBS is seldom grown, but It IS the well-known
Belladonna and fla/urn (also known as 'iarge-tlowered') types that
are widely grown. The range of blue-llowered forms is wide, including
Blue T,r (indigo-blue), Blue Jade' (sky-blue), 'Page Boy' (brilliant
mid-blue), 'Bl ue Bees' (bright pale blue), '80Ma' (gentian-blue),
Wendy' (gentian-blue flecked purple),Cre5$rda' (pale blue with a
white eye) and Mullion' (cobalt-blue with a dark eye),
Geranium x magnificum
(Geranium lbencum Geranium p1atypetalum)
HeIght 4S-6Ocm (1J1J-2ft) Spread 4S-SOcm (l8-20m)
An eye-catching hybnd geranrum. Wlth VIOlet-blue 25cm (lin) WIde
Howers durrng mid 10 late summer
Geranium pralense 'Johnson's Blue'
Height 3Scm (1510) Spread 38-45cm (IS-1Sin)
A well-Known light-bl ue mid-summer flowering hardy herbaceous
perennial The fklwers are borne amongst mrd-green five or
seven-lobed leaves
L.lmonium lalifolium
Sea Lavender Staoce (UK)
Helghl 60cm (2ft) Spread 4S-6Ocm (IJ2-2ft)
A dlSllOChve hardyperenmal formertydassrfied asSfat/Ce. From mid
to late summer, IldlSpiays lavender-blue IIowers In large loose heads
Two gooo forms are VIOletta (VIOlet) and Blue CIotXI (lavender-blue)
Veronica splcata IS a Brrtlsh native plant that gams Its
second name from the spike-l ike arrangement of
lIS fl owers. The related V beccabunga acquired ItS
unusual name from the old word beck, 'a rill or ditch ,
and bung, ' a purse',
.,
CHAPTER TWO
ROCK AND
NATURALIZt:D
GARDt:NS
T
here is a wealth of blue, mauve and violet-coloured plants lor
the rock garden or naturalized site. Many are of a bulbous
nature, and produce corms, rhizomes or true bulbs. These include
Autumn Crocus, Colchicum autumna/e, which, together with
Colchicum speclosum, brings splashes of colour in autumn,
Crocus tomasimanus and Glory of the Snow, Ghionodoxa {ueiliae,
flower in late winter and early spring. Then there is a wide range of
irises Varieties such as Japanese Iris. In's kaempfen', the crested Iris
gracilipes and the diminutive Ins relicu/ata are a JOy on their own.
Grape Hyacinth Muscan" armeniacum, Scilla lubergeniana and
Scilla sibirica are further candidates, whi le the Spanish Bluebell,
Endymion hispanicus, a dominant and widely-grown bulbous plant
that at one time seemed to change its name every time a botanist
sneezed, is wonderful for creating blanket colour in moist, fertile and
sl ightly shaded areas.
Garden pools and their edges can support a wide range of
blue-flowered plants. Those for planting in water include Pickerel
Plant, Pontederia cordata, Floating Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia
crassipes, wi th spikes of lavender-blue flowers, and Water Forget-
me-not, Myosotis palustris, wi th pale blue yellow-eyed flowers from
spring to mid-summer. The Water Forget-me-not IS suitable for
water up to 75cm (3inJ deep, while the Floating Water Hyacinth
survives deeper water but displays its flowers above the surface.
Pnmulas, Iris kaempferi, Iris sibirica and meconopsis prefer the
moist conditions around a pool, but not a swamp.
Ltthodora drffusa, better known as Lithospermum diffusum, is
one of the best blue-flowered perennials for a rock garden. with its
charming funnel -shaped flowers. 'Grace Ward', with intense blue
flowers, is one of the most familiar forms. Edralanrhus pumilia is
another plant with funnel -shaped flowers that makes a good choice
for a rock garden.
Left: Grape Hyacinths (Muscari armeniacumj , with their tightfy-
clusrered azure-blue flower heads, create a strong colour contrast
with a mixed assot1ment of yellow. pink and red polyanthus.
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
Anemone blanda
Blue Windflower (UK)
Windflower (USA)
This wek:ome and reliable spring-
flowering plant has rather lern-like
deeply-cu! dark green leaves and
2S-4cm wide daisy-like
flowers in pale blue, Dink, lavender
or white.
Height: 13-15cm (56in)
Spread: lD-l3cm (4-5in)
Cultiyat ion: Well-dramed fertile soli,
neutral or slighty acid, in light
dappled shade. suits it best The
corms are best planted in autumn,
Scm (2In) deep and 13-1 5cm
(5-6inJ apart.
Propagation: Lilt and dll/Kle
congested clumps in late summer
Alternatively, sow seeds when ripe in
pots or boxes of loam-based
compost, placing them in a cold
frame Prick of! the seedlings into
boxes when they are large enough
to handle
Right: Anemone blanda 'Blue
Pearl'
Anemones are a/ways welcome In
spring, with thelf neat, daisy-like
flowers with bright centres There is
a range of colours, includmg this
slnkmg blue variety They can be
naturalized beneath trees or set m
neat clumps in a rock garden
Aubrieta delloidea
This IS one 01 the besH.nown rock
garden plants, well suited for covering
Jarge areas and for trai ling overwalls
It is also useful as an edging to paths
and for combmlng with herbaceous
pjants. There are many forms,
originated from selected seedlings
oithls hardy, spreading and low-
growing evergreen perennial These
include 'Barker's Double' (rose-
purpJe), 'Dr. Mules' (violet-purple),
Henslow Purple' ( bright purple),
' Triumphanf (blue) and Tauncola
(deep purple-blue).
Height: 75-1Ocm (3-4In)
Spread: 456Ocm
Cultivation: Welklrained, slightly
limy garden soil and a sunny p:)Sltion
SUIt It best. Keep the plants neat by
tnmming them after flowenng
Propagation: The plants can be
easily Increased by lifting and
divfdmg them dunng early autumn,
Far nght Aubrieta deltoidea
' Sallawtey Amethyst'
This handsome, spreading and
[railing evergreen perennial IS Ideal
for cascading over walls, as an
edging to paths and even for
growing With herbaceous plants
There are many lorms to choose
from, with colours ranging from
pink through 10 blue and violet-blue,
RlQht: Anemone coronaris
ThiS IS the wellknown flonsts
anemone. popular in both borders
and in rock gardens, as well as being
extenSively grown for cut-flowers,
Anemone blanda 15 stnkmg when naturalized among
the dappled IIghlllltermg through Sllverbarked
trees. Also, try a mixture of anemones, polyanthus,
Grape Hyacinths and Drumstick Pnmulas
Aubrielia del loides harmonizes Wit h many others,
Including the hardy pink or white Arabis
caucaSI(;8, the yellow-flowered bulb Tuilpa tarda, and
the hardy perennial yellow Alyssum saxal/Ie,
Above Campanula cochleariilolla
This hardy dwarf perennial with lIS
noddlflfl thimbJe-hke flowers IS a
delighlln 8 rock garden. It IS one of
the most amenable and rewarding
of all campanulas
Campanula
cochleariifolia
(Campanula puS/lla)
Falfles Thimbles (UK)
A dainty, undemanding easily-grown
hardy dwart perennial, this IS Ideal
lor a rock garden. It displays
mid-green, shallow-toothed leaves
and 12mm ()loIn) long, nQddmg,
bell-shaped, sky-blue fIowersdunng
mid to late summer A white torm IS
also avaIlable
Height: 10-1Scm (4-6In)
Spread: 3O-3Scm (12-15In)
Cultivation: SOIl and
lull sun SUllll Sellne plants In
poSItIOn In autumn or SPring
Propagation: It is eaSIly Increased by
lilting and dlvdlng large clumps in
autumn or spring. Alternatively, take
soft cuMings Scm (2in) long In
spring, inserl them In pots of eQual
pariS peat and sharp sand and place
these In a cold frame. When the
cultlngsare rooted, pot them UP IntO
small pots untillhey are large
enough to be planted In the garden
When gTVE!n lhoroughlydralned SOIl ,
11 soon spreads to lorm large
mats of Howers and lollage
Campanula cochleariitolia IS ideal lor trailing and
cascading over rocks It also delights In growing
between natural stone paving slabs, and IS superb
lor planting 81 the sides 01 paths in large rock gardens
..
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
AtxNe: Chiooodoxa luciliae giganlea
The dominant coJour of these
delicate flowers will bnghlen any
garden in Jare IllS not a fussy
piant, and grows wei/In any
well-drained soil in full sun All
chionodoxas are superb for bnnging
colour dunng lale winter:
Chionodoxa luciliae
Glory of the Snow (UK and USA)
This bright hardy bulb trom Asia
Minor produces bnllaant skyblue,
25cm (lin) wide flowers during lale
winter and early spring. Each fl ower
has a white centre. The form
Chionodoxa luciliae Qlgantea, ohen
called C. gigantea, is larger, and has
pale 4cm wide
flowers with smal l while centres
Chionoooxas are deal /or rock
gardens. tor naturalizing In short,
line grass. and lor placing at the front
01 borders.
Height: 182Ocm (78in)
Spread: 7' S-IDem (34in)
Cultivation: Ordmary well-drained
garden soil and full sun assure
success. Plant the bulbs 6'Scm
deep.
Propagation: Lift and divide large
clumps as soon as the leaves have
died down. Replant the bulbs
Immediately
Colchicum autumnale
Autumn Crocus (UK)
Autumn Crocus Fall Crocus'
Meadow Saffron Mrsterla Wonder
Bulb (USA)
This hardycorm-beanng plant bears
large mid to dark green leaves up to
2Scm (lOin) k>ng In spnng and early
summer, which later die back. In
autumn, it produces IScm (6In)
high. goblet-shaped, rosy-lilac
fiowers, often with a chequered
partern. There are also some lovely
purplish forms. as welt as white
varieties and Roseum-plenum' , with
double rose-PInk flowers
Height: 2S-30em (1O-12in)
Spread: 2025cm (8-10in)
Cultivation: It delights In weH-dramed
soil in full sun or light shade. Plant
the corms during autumn, 7 Scm
(3in) deep in small groups.
Propagation: II can be raised from
seed, bullhe productIOn alflowering-
corms lakes uPIO seven years
Aoove: Colchicum speciosum
ThiS unusual corm-beanng plant
flowers m autumn after its foliage
has dl8d down. It thnves in sun or
partial shade and IS superb for
bringing colour to the garden
It IS easier to lift congested clumps
when the leaves have died down
and remove Ihe offsets. Plant them
out in a nursery bed lor a couple of
years until ready for their Imal
positions. and replant the parent
corms, too.
Colchicum speciosum
Autumn Crocus (UK)
ThiS distinctive hardy corm-bearing
plant from ASia Minor displays
30cm (1ft) long, lOem (4In) wide
leaves in spring and early summer
In autumn. when the leaves have
died back. ItS 15cm (6in) high stems
bear fk)wers in a wide range of
colours, from white 10 prnklsh-Illac
Chionodoxa luci liae IS superb for planting under the
golden-yellow flowers 01 the Chinese Witch Hazel
(Hamamelis mol/is). It also blends perfoctly with
Narcissus 'February Gold'
Colchicum autumnale. the Autumn Crocus or Meadow
Saffron, has nothing to do with crocuses or with
saffron, which comes from Crocus satlvus. Howe>.er,
Its dried corms are a valuable ingredient 01 medICines
AlQhl Colchicum aulumnale
Another corm-bearing p/an( II
produces 1ea\oS In Spring and early
summer that die baCk afterwards (n
autumn, It bears crocus-llke flowers
thaI provide welcome colour
and reddish-purple II has been
crossed with other specJeS to create
many superb hybnds
Height: 3O-38cm (12-15In)
Spread: 2S-3Ocm (10-12In)
Cultivation: We!1-dralned SOil in full
sun or light shade SUits II. DUring
aut umn, plant the corms 7S-1Ocm
(3-4In) deep In small clumps
Propagation: It can be raised trom
seed, but the proclucbon of I\owenng-
SiZed corms takes up 10 seven vears
It IS eaSIer to hft congested clumps
when the leaves have died down
and remove the offsets planllllg
them out In a nursery bed for a
coupk3 01 years un111 ready for their
final positions Replant the large,
parent corms. too
Colchicum speciosom IS useful for planllng under
shrubs and trees. where lIS spnng and earty
summer leaves cannot swamp nearby plants It IS
superb for planting under SpecIeS roses
"
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
Convolvulus sabalius
(ConYDlvulus mauntamcus)
This hal'ldsome North AmeriCan
1railing and mat-tormlng perennial IS
I)()t fully hardy, so 11 is Ideal for warm,
sunny rock gardens or even In
hanging baskets. The 2 5-4cm
(1-1hln) kmg. almost round, mid
green are surmounted by
2 Scm (lin) WIde. purple-blue,
trumpet-shaped lowers WIth smail
whole throats borne from mid
10 !ale summer
Height: 5-7 SCm (2-3m)
Spread: 45-6Ocm (Hi!-2ft)
Cultivation: light, well-{1ralned,
sandy soH In a warm area and a
shel1ered IXlSltIOn suit 11 best. It 1$ onty
really successful in warmer areas
Propagation: During mid-summer.
take Scm (2in) klng cunlngs,
Insertn19 them In pots 01 equal parts
peal and sharp sand. placing these
In a cold frame. When the cunmgs
are rooted. pot them up SIngly In10
small pots of loam-based compost
and oYer-wmter them Ina frost-prool
greenhouse. Wall untllla1e spnng
before planting them ou11n10 the
garden or In conlamers
Below: Convolvulus sabatlus
This dehghtful member of the
bindweed family IS often bener
known as Convolvulus rnauntamcus
IllS not fully hardy but well wonh
groWing for Its beautiful blue flowers
from mid-summer onwards
Convolvulus sabatius can be used In a rOCK garden to
cover large, bare areas or to trail owr rocKs where
It helps to fuse the vaflOUS elements of the rocK
garden together
Above Crocus lomasinianus
ThiS IS one of the earliestcf'tXuses to
flower In late Winter It needs
protecllon from cold WindS but.
once established, II WlH ff1five in
most gardens
Crocus tomasinianus
An anract!Ve late-Winter
bulb, thiS crocus diSplays narrow
dark green iea'.'es With pronounced
white mldnbs. The lowers range In
colour from pale tawnder to
reddISh-purple and are borne dunng
late winter and Into earty spflng
Good vanetles Include Barr's Purple
and Whltewell Purple, both purple
Crocus lomaslnlanus mixes well With many other
late-winter flowenng plants, such as Cyclamen coum
aM the Winter Aconrte (Eran/hls hyemal,s) or With
earty-flowenng shrubs liKe Mahoma jafXJnIC8
Height 7 S-IOcm (34In)
Spread: S-S-Scm (2-2!-2,n)
CulUvalion: OrdHlary well-drained
soil and a sunny. sheltered place free
Irom COld winds are SUItable, II IS
often recommended for naturahzmg
In shan grass. but It does not always
do well In such a position and IS best
planted In the bare soil 01 rock
gardens or under deciduous !tass
andshrubs SetthecormsS5-7'5cm
(2l'z-3In) deep.
Propagation: It will seed and
naturallZeilSel1 (june readily. espaoally
In bare SOI l Alternatrvely, remove
cormle!s from around the corms
When these take two or
three years to produce good plantS
Crocus vernus
(Crocus neapolitanus)
Dutch Crocus (UK and USA)
The species IS the parent 01 the
many vanetlElS 01 Dutch Crocus
Wlth large goblet-shaped lowers In a
range of colours Il"ICludll"IQ hlac,
purple and white. often With striking
WIning Flowenng IS dunng early
spnng, There are many vaneties to
choose Irom and blue or purple
ones include 'Oueen 01 the Blues'
(Iavender-b!ue),Stnped Beauty
(dark purple-blue stnpes on a
Silver-White background and Wlth a
viOlet-purple base 10 the petalS)
andPurpureus Grandlftorus
(purple-blue)
Height: 75-t3cm (3-51n)
Spread: 4-Scm (I
Cultivation: We!I-drall19d soil and a
sheltered and sunny posIlionsult 11. 11
can be grown In rock gardens or
naturalIZed In the shon. fine grass of
an alpine meadow
Propagation: lilt and divide the
corms when the fohage has died
down after ftower ing Remove the
small corm lets and repiantthem.
Below Crocus vernus ' Striped
Beauty'
ThIS Dutch crocus has de/lcale
V9Jmng on Its large_ goblet-shaped
flowers The bulbs Increase naturally
unllliarge dnfts are formed If gwen
free-draming soil and a pas/ton
where it gets plenty of sun.
Crocus vernus IS a parleet match for NarcJSSus
C}CIamlf"leus February Golef With bnght yelleM' spnng
flowers. and Crocus aureus Dutch GOld whICh
has deep yellow blooms
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
Cyclamen hederifolium
(Cydamen neapolilanum)
Baby Cyclamen (USA)
An easlly-grown, long-lived, free-
ftowering and extremely hardy
corm-bearing plant, thiS cyclamen
has deep green leaves, red beneath
and with silvery markings above.
The variable, mauve to pink., 25cm
(tin) lOng ftowers appear from lale
summerlo early winter. There isalso
a white form.
Height: IDem (4m)
Spread: 10-15cm (4-6in)
Cultivation: Humus-rich, well-
drained soil in light, dappled shade
suits II best. Plant the corms In late
summer, where they can be lelt
undisturbed lor many years. It IS
a long-lived plant and even old
corms produce flowers,
Propagation: The corms do not
produce offsets, so they must be
increased by sowing seeds in late
summer, thinly and in pots of
loam-based compost. Place the
pots in a cold frame or against a wall.
When the seedlings are large
enough to handle, prick them off
into individual of a loam-based
Do this as soon as their
second leaves appear. When they
are strong and weU-grown, plant
them into their finat positions
LeI!: Cyclamen hederifolium
This IS one 01 the hardiest and most
free-flowering of all cyclamens for
creating colour in the garden. The
flowers appear from lale summer
to early winter. growing best under
frees where the ptant gams shelter
and shade.
Edraianlhus pumilio
Grassy Bells (USA)
ThiS hardy herbaceous perennial
from YugosJall'la is an excellent rock
garden It procluces clumps of
narrow grey-green teaves, and
clusters of upturned lavender-blue
funnel-shaped nowers during early
summer. It is ideal for planting
In troughs and stone sinks.
Height: 5-7-5cm (2-31n)
Spread: 15-2Scm (6-IOIn)
Cultivation: Well-drained deep SOil
and a sunny position SUit it best.
Propagation: During late winter, S(yN
seeds in SMail pots of klam-based
seed compost and place them in a
cold frame. Prk;k out the seedlings
into bigger pots when they are large
enough to handle. Alternatively. in
late summer, take Scm (2In) long
cuni ngs and insert them In pots of
equal parts peat and sharp sand,
them in a cold frame. When
they are rooted, pot up the cutt ings.
Plant them In the garden In spring
Below: Edraianthus pumilio
This is an excellent chOIce for a
well--drained scree bed in a rock
garden, or for a trough or slone
Sink. The lavender-blue, funnel-
shaped flowers appear In early
summer.
Cyclamen is ideal for naturalizing in bare
soil beneath trees, planting on banks, or in a rock
garden. II left undisturbed, the plants eventually create
large drifts 01 colour
Edraianthus pumilio is ideal for a scree bed, where Its
foliage blends with small stone chippings. Even
when grown in a stone sink, it can be given a
similar background
Endymion hispanicus
ScIa t1sp:Inca)
S(J8ntsh 8/uebel (UK)
S()8msh Bluebell Spamsh Jacinth
Bel/-flowered SquiD (USA)
A dominating plant. this bluebell has
broad strap-like leaws and blue,
pmk or white bell-shaped Icfflers,
suspended lrom upoght Siems,
which appear from Spnng 10 mid-
summer Severa! vanetleS are
avai lable, including 'ExcelSior' (deep
blue) and 'Myosotls (clear blue),
Height 30cm (1ft)
Spre&d: 15-3Ocm (6-810)
Cultivation: Fertile, mOISt but not
boggy SOIl and an open or slightly
shaded poSItion are best. II IS most
suited to a moist wild garden.
Propagation: Self-sown seedlings
appear d the seeds are allowed 10 fall
J f

on surrounding soli. Alternatively,
lift and divide clumps annuallv.
replanting them Immediately as the
bulbs do not h<M! outer SiMS and
soon become dry and damaged
The bulbs do not store well,
shrivelling If kept too dry
RlQhl: Erythronlum dens-canis
ThIS IS a beaullful corm-beanng
plant for a moot nalurallzed
garden or the side of an mformal
pool It needs shade and a north-
facing slope. whiCh help to orevent
/he soil drying out during summer
Below: Endymion hispanicus
ThiS sinking bluebeH forms large
dumps In moist soil under light
shade. When sel in lighl woodland
in a wild garden, il creales a carpel
oIC01our from spnng 10 mid-summer
Erythronium
dens-canis
Dog's-tooth Violet (UK and USA)
This hardy corm-bearing plant lOr
wikl gardens has broad lance-
shaped leaves blOtched With brown
or grey Dunng spring, II dISplays
Pink-purple nodding Six-petalled
5-75cm (2-310) WIde towers WIIh
reftexed petals, resembling those of
the Turk's Cap Lily, Ulium managon
SeverallOrms are avaitable, including
'Litac Wonder' (pale purple) and
Purple King' (nch purple) While
and pmk IOfms are also avaIlable
Height 15cm (6In)
Spread: 10-1Scm (4-610)
Cultivation: Moisture-retentive but
not totally saturated SOil is needed,
Semi-shade and a north-lacing
sJopeare destrable. Set thecormslO
PQSItlOn In lale summer, where they
can be left UndistUrbed lor several
years to produce a IoYeIy diSplay.
Propagation: The Quickest way to
increase this plant is by removing
otfsets in late summer, when the
leaves have died down. Place them
In a nursery bed lor three or four
years 10 dE!llelop into plants large
enough 10 be set in the garden,
GrowlOg from seed lakes live or
more years to produce sizeable
plants Dunng thIS penod, keep
the nursery bed free from weeds
and well watered
Endymion hispanlcus can be planted With a wide range
of plants, such as DOiyanthus, or underneath Magnolia
x soufangrana with Its white chalice-shaped flowers
In spong ttalso IOcJj(s good with other bulbous flowers
Erythronlums are a delight In a moist, naturalized
area, Other useful for creating cotour contrast
are the Amencan Trout Lily (E revoIutum), With pink
flowers, and E tuo/umnense, With bnghtyellow IIowers
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
[
.
Gentiana acaulis
(Gentaana kochli3na G alpma
G CIUSli)
Trumpet Gennan (UK)
Stemless Gemlan (USA)
Thisisa beautiful hardy perenmal lor
a rock garden, creating early
summer colour The brilhant biue.
5-7 Scm (2-3m) long trumpet-
shaped ftowers are near stemless
and borne amid mats of cj.ossy.
mld-green leaves
Height: 75cm (3In)
Spread: 38-45cm (15-18In)
Cultivation: Heavy. gntty, mOlslUf"&-
retent.ve but weli-dralned loam and
a sunny position SUi t It Set the plants
in position during spnng
Propagation: It is easi ly Increased by
diVISIOn 01 the plants in late spnng or
early summer. Alternatively, take
Scm (2in) long Cutllngs from basal
shoots In mid 10 late spring Inse,.,
them In pots of ooual parts peat and
sharp sand and place these Ina cold
frame Pot up the cunlflgs. when
rooted. InlO smaU pells of loam-based
compost and replace In the cold
frame Plant Oulrnto the garden
dUfIJ'lg spring of the following year
RlQht Genllana acaulis
A be8ulifui but often variable plant
for a rock garden, thiS gentian
d!sf)Jays Its brilliant blue trumpets In
early summer II often spreads to
form a large clump only a few
Inches h!f}h
Gentiana septemfida
Crested Gen/lan (USA)
ThiS hardy, reliable and undemand-
Ing gentian Irom Iran and ASI8 Minor
has lal1Ce-shapecj, mid-green leaws
ar.d a prolUSion 01 terminal, deep
blue ftowers from mid to lale
summer Each ftower is about 4cm
(1)2ln) long ar.d resembles an
uDlumed trumpet
Height 20-3Ocm (B-12in)
Spread: 25-3Ocm (10-12In)
Cultivation: Any good, nch,
rTlOISfUte-retenllYe garden soil SUIIS
It Grow It In Mher lull sun or light
shade Fortunately, It IS one 01 the
easteSt genMns to grow
Propagation: Good lorms are best
raISed from Scm (2in) long cultJngs
18k-en In spring and Inserted in pots
of equal parts peat and sharp sand
placed In a cold frame When Ihe
cunlngs are rooted, pot them up
Into smal l pots and replace in the
cold frame until spong of the folloWing
year 11 can also be increased by
sowing seeds In autumn ar.d
placing them In a cold frame
RlQht Gentiana septemlida
Th!s !S one of the eaSIest gentians to
grow WIth an abundance 01 deep
blue upturned trumpel-like Rowers
from mid to /ale summer IllS Ideal
for nestling In a rock garden
Gentlana aeaulls blends with several other rock garden
plants, including saxifragas, Violas cornuta, the
Pasque Flower [Pu/saWs vulgans). Aster a/pIOus
Thymus drucer and Geranium dalmallCum
Gentiana septem/ida IS superb on Its own In a
rock-garden pocket but also combines well With alpme
SpecIeS 01 gypsophlla, such as Gypsoptllia cerastlOides
and G repens both WIth white or pmk flowers
,

Right Gentians sino-ornala

ThIS beaulifuland wel'-knoWf)
Chmese and Tibetan gentian IS 8 true
delllJhlln autumn, and when seen In
a large dnh IS highly memorable. It
needS a SOil ncIlln leafmou/d The
narrow mld.green leaves provide a
perfect foil for the dominantly.
COloured. brill,in/ blue. trumpet-
shaped flowers
This IS an outstanding autumn-
Dowenng gentian with Scm (2In)
long. bollianl blue. trumpet-Shaped
lowers These are SI(lped WIth a
deeper blue. as well as greemsh-
yellow The leaves are narrow,
mldlIreen and rather
prodiJClng a pJeasant backcblh for
the flowers. ThiS beautiful gentian
wasdlSC<>Vered by theworid-famous
plant hunter George Forrest (1873
1932) In 1910-11 In South-west
China On the same exped,!JO(l
Forrest collected seeds of the beau-
hful shrub f>lens formosa forresty.
whICh was named in hiS hOnour
Height: 15cm (6m)
Spread: 30-34cm (12-18,n)
Cultivation: Fenlle deep. peaty aCid
sod and a shaded positIOn SUIt it
best Take care that the sod does not
dry out dunng hot summers Set
the plants out In the garden dunng
spnng when the SOIl IS warm
Propagation: The eases! way to
Increase thiS plant IS by lilting and
dividing large clumps In spnng
Ipheion uniflorum
(Brocliaea unllora Milia ullllora
Tnte/eaa unllora)
Spring SlarflOwer (UK and USA)
ThiS beautiful and bulbous
plant forms a hummock of grass-like
leaves and Scm (2in) wide,
petal led, star--st1aped, seemed Bowers
dunng spnng They range tram
white to deep lavender blue In
COlour There are several good
vanetJeS, Including Gaeruleum
bfueJ,lMsIey Blue (VIOlet-blue) and
VlOIaceum' (v;oIeO
Height: 15-2Ocm (6-8tn)
Spread: 75-1Ocm (3-4In), but
grow together to form a large clump
Cultivation: Ordinary weli-<Jralned
garden SOIl In full sun SUits It A
sheltered posrtIOn IS also needed
Plant the bulbs Scm (2In) deep In
autumn
Propagation: Dunng autumn, hft
and divide large clumps
the bulbs Immediately so that they
do nOI dry out Youcanalsodo
thiS Imme<lIately alter flowering
Below: tphelon uniJlorum
'Vi otaceum'
ThIS beau/JIu/lorm of (he Spring
Starflower bears /aMy SIx-petalled
flowers dunng spnng It IS natwe to
Peru and Argentina It IS Ideal for
creatlflg low hummocks of coJour
akmgside paths, and lOoks eSf)eClal/y
arrractlWJ a/the SIdes of crazy-
f)8Vlng and gravel paths
Genliana sino-omata IS often dllflCult to combine
W1th other plants, and IS therefore beSt soon on Its
own, as a large, bold splash of colour agatnst
a wall or 10118ge plants
Iphelon uniliorum makes a welcOme early splash of
CQk)ur In rock gardens or as an edging 10 paths. In
borders n can be combtrled With deciduous azaleas
and Rhododendron lu/eum
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
_.
Iris cristata
Dwarf Crested Ins Crested Ins
Crested Owarllns (USA)
This IS a beautiful Nanh AmeriCan
dwarf crested ins for a rock garden.
Dunng late spnng, It bears 5-6-Scm
wide, lilac-purpe nowers,
whOse white crests are ti pped with
orange
Height 15cm (6in)
Spread: lS-2Ocm (&-8in)
Cultivatk>n: Slightly moist. fertile SOlI
ennched with lealmould IS needed,
either shghlly acid or neutral, A
sheltered posIlion In light shade IS
desirable
Propagation: After !lowering, 11ft and
divide the plants, replanting the
rhizomes Immediately_
BeJow Iris crlstata
ThIS dwarf crested Ins from the
Sou/hern States of North AmeriCa
needs Slightly acid or neutral SOd In
light Shade II IS well SUited to
planting In a peal bed
Iris gracilipes
ThiS crested iriS belongs 10 Ihe
groopollflse5 whICh haveorchldhke
l!owers with cock's-comb cresls
instead of beards This species
hardy, with slender, dark green
leaves. and 25-5cm (1 -2in) wide,
\a\lElnder-pnk 1\ovJefs, whICh appear
dunng mid and lale spnng
Height 20-25cm (8lOm)
Spread: 2O-25cm (8tOm)
Cultivation: Fertile, moish.Jre-retentrve
hme-free SOIl IS essenMl, In a
sheltered and sllghlly shaded
poslTlon. To ensure that the SOIl IS
nch In humus, top-dress II with
'M3I-decomJX)Sed In spnng,
Plant the rhizomes in the soil dUfing
late spnng, Just below the surface
Propagation: It Iseasity Increased by
hltlng and dividing the rhizomes in
late spnng Other crested Inses
are best lifted, dMded and replanted
Immediately after the IIowers have
faded, but thIS beautdul speoes IS
the exceptIOn to the rule
Below' Iris gr&cilipes
ThIS small cresJed Ins diSplays pretty
flowers In S{)fIng. It IS !deal for
IJ/anflng in mOIst. acid SOIl, In a
sheltered, slightly shaded position
Iris kaempferi
Japanese Ins (USA)
ThiS beardless IflS belongs to a
group that delights In moist soli It
displays deeply fibbed, deciduous,
deep green leaves, and 102Ocm
(48In) wide Howers in earty summer
Many vanetleS and strains 01 thiS IfIS
have been developed, wll h colours
mcludlng btue, reddish-purple, pmk
and while Some are completely
one colour, while others have a
mIXture and a few r&."ea.1 a nenrng of
whlte or coloured vems.
Height 60-9Ocm (2-3ft)
Spread: 4S--6Ocm
Cultivation: Moist soil at Ihe edge of
an informal pool IS best, but Ihe rOOlS
IriS gracilis is a dwarf ins that is ideal for a Sheltered
pockel In a rock garden. Alternatively, plant it
among small acidloving shrubs that otler shade and
protectIOn for the delICate flowers
Iris kaempferl forms a bold display at the side of a
p:)OI , Ideal as a backcloth for the pool itself and
for bnnglng heighl to the poot surrounds. The large,
bright flowers are best grown on their own
,
-
'\7

should 1'lO\ be set in the water RK:h
soil and an annual mulch of
well-roned comlX)SI are aids to
success Plan! the rhiZomes Just
below the surface dUring the sprmQ
or autumn
Propagation; IllseaSiIy Increased by
hftu'lQ and diVIding the rhizomes
Immediately flowenng is over
Allhls lime the plants can be eaSily
lilted. even from very boggy SOil
They must be replanted Immediately
Below Iris kaempleri
ThIS handsome beardless inS for
mOist soi/af the edges 01 a nond has
been bred In Japan /0 produce a
wKie range Of flower forms and
coJours dunng early summer
Above: tris rellculata 'Jeanine'
ThiS IS a reliable bulbous ms for a
rock garden or front 01 a border.
fIOwenng In lale WInter and early
S/XIng "is suI/able for Chalky soil.
Iris reliculata
ThiS well-known, small, bulbous Iris
IS deal tor a rock garden orthefront
Of a border. It is now available In a
range of colours, but the true
speaes is blue and VIOlet, With Of
Without orange blazes on the falls
(the lower, drOOPIng petalS). Flowers
appear during late winter and early
summer. Good forms to look lor
Include 'Canlab' ~ h t I:)ue), 'Clal rette'
(sky-I:)ue), Royal Blue' (deep blue)
and 'Jeanine' (VIOlet I:)us)
Cultivation: Light, well-dralned
chalky soil In lull sun or IlQht shade
surts II. Plant fresh bulbs In autumn,
CCNering them With a 5-7 Scm
(2-31n) layer of rol ThiS attractJVe
bulbcan also begrown IndOOrs, but
the plants should not be taken Inside
until the flower buds show cok>ur.
They are better grown in a cold
greenhouse or conservatory
Propagation: It lSeasily Increased by
lifting and dIVIding large Clumps In
late summerorearty autumn. large
bulbS can be replanted, While
smaller ones should be planted In a
nursery bed and grown on lor a tew
years until large enough to set out in
ther tinal, flowering posItions.
Iris reticulata blends With many early spnnglowenng
plants, such as the Sl'IOYIdrop (Galanthus n.vahs),
the yellow-Dowered shrub MahOma }apomca and the
CofSlCan Hellebore (Hel/eborus /Mdus COfSICUS).
"
'"
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
I
Above Llthodorit diffusa 'Grace
Ward'
This is a beauMul prostrate plan/lor
8 rock garden, cascading over
rocks to form 8 large mat of colour
ThIS form produces intense blue
Rowers from mid-summer /0 early
autumn
Lithodora diffusa
(llthospermum dlffusum)
This superb hardy, spreading, mat-
terming a rock garden,
IS ollen better known by Its prevIOus
botamcal name, even though this
has been superseded. ThecreePlng
stems are covered With small , oval,
dark green 1ea\l9S, and the Iive--Iobed,
12mm ()<lIn) wide, deep blue flowers
appear from mid summer to early
autumn Two vanebeS are widely
avaIlable Heavenly 81ue' (deep
blue) and Grace Ward (a
Intense blue)
Height: 75-1Ocm (3-4In)
Spread: 45-6Ocm (1 h-2ftJ
Cultivation: Ughl. weil-drained,
shghtly acid soil nch In leafmoukl or
peat suits 1\ best, and a po5Ibon in full
sun will ensure success
Propagation; It IS !XII easy to
Increase. the exact lime tor lalong
the cutlingS belllg CrillCal. Take
long heel curungs
after the first week In mid-summer
Inser1lhem In boxes 01 equal parts
peat and Sharp sand and place In
a COld Irame Ensure that the
compost does not become dry
""
R;ght Muscari armeniacum
This stunmngly attractive blue
bulbous plant for spnng colour deal
for naturalizing under deciduous
Shrubs or as a path edging IS a
native of Turkey and the Caucasus
Below Ponlederia cordata
This North Amencan
water plant bnngs height and colour
lall3ln summer EventuaHy tt forms a
large dump W!lfJ pur,je-tiue IJOv.ers
1I1hodora diifusa can be used With other
prostrate plants. such asHelianlhemum nurnmu/anum
Beech Park Scarret and the blue-purple
Campanu/a {)Oftensch/aglana
Muscarl armenlacum IS a superb companton tor
Primroses and polyanthus Anemone blanda can be
added to thiS trio, al1d they can all be set like a
multl<Oloured rull around a spring-flowenng tree
Muscari armeniacum
Grape Hyacinth (UK and USA)
In spnng, this well-known hardy
bulb has the heads of its stems
ifghtly clustered wllh bell-hke, azure-
to deep flowers,
whICh have wMlsh nms to thejr
mouths The narrow dark green
leaves tend to spread and separate
as the flowers appear Several forms
are such as Cantab' (pale
sky Blue (bright
and Blue SPike (double and
It IS ideal for planting In
Large dnfts under shrubs or In line
grass. When planted In a rock
garden. It needs careful watching as
it can soon spread and dominate
choICe pjants
Height: 1823cm (79m)
Spread: lD-l3cm (45m)
Cultivation; Any wel-dralned garden
soli In full sun SUitS it During late
summer Ofearty autumn, plant r'tf!1W
bulbs 7 Scm (3m) deep
Propagation; It otten spreacls QUite
easily by self-sown seedlings
Alternatrvely. large clumps can be
hlted and dMded when the leaves are
yellOWing Replanllhem Immediately
Pontederia cordata
PICkerel Weed (UK and USA)
ThiS IS a hardy and vigorous
herbaceous perennial tor the edge
of a garden pool, In water up to
23cm (9In) deep The glossy, deep
green heart-shaped leavesare borne
on stili, long. upnght stems, W1th
5-tOcm (2-4In) long heads of
flowers during late
summer arid InlO early autumn.
Height: 457Scm (1)i;,-2J021t)
Spread: 30-45cm (1-1 )tit)
Cultivation: RICh, fibrous loam and
a sunny poSjtlon are needed,
w,1t1 the rh,zomes covered by several
inches of water Planting IS best
done dUring Late spring or early
summer
Propagation: It IS best Increased by
lifting and dlVldll"lQ the rhizomes In
Late spnng Take care that they do
not dry out Also, make sure that the
roots are submerged deeply unlJl
the plants are established
Pontederia cordata IS Ideal torthe side of a formal pool.
where ItS foliage spills out over the edges, soltenlng
and blending the structured elements with the pool
and creating a brrght splash 01 colour
"
"
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
Primula denliculata
Drumstick Primula Drumstick
Primrose (UK)
This popular hardy pnmula
producesadramatlcgardendlsplay.
The pa!e-green lance-shaped leaves
form a compact rosette at its base,
while during spring and Into early
summer the siems bear S-7' Scm
(23In) wide globular flower heads in
colours ranging from deep purple
to deep lilac and carmine. A white
form 'Alba' is also availabje. while
'Ruby' IS rose-purpje.
Height: 23-3Ocm (9-12In)
Spread: 20-25cm (8-lOin)
Cutlivation: Moisture-relentlve loam,
Above Primula denliculala
ThIS IS the well-known DrumstICk
Pn'mula, with globular heads of
flowers dun'ng spnng and Into early
summer. It is an excellenl and
reliable plant for beginners to
gardening and seldom fails to attract
attention.
enrk:hed with leafmoukJ, and a
lighny shaded site are ideal.
Propagation; Sow seeds In mid-
summer In pots of loam-based
compost and place them in a cold
frame, When they are large enough
to handJe, prick out the seedlll1gs
into boxes of compost and plant
them out Into the garden In autumn
;; 3 Ii
Primula vialii
A distinctive outdoor primula, thiS
species has a rosette of large pale
green narrow leaves
and 75-13cm (3-5in) Iong, !Xlker-like,
dense of slightly scented,
lavender-blue flowers dUring
mid-summer.
Height 20-3Ocm (8-12in)
Spread: 23-3Ocm (9-12in)
CUltivation: MOisture-retentive fertile
soil and light shade suit it. The soil
must not dry out during summer,
but at the same time should never
be waterlogged
Propagation: Established plants can
be diVIded and replanted directly
after the flowers havefaded, However,
it is often better to sow seeds in
summer in loam-based compost
and place them in a cold frame.
Shade the boxes and subsequent
seedlings from strong sunlight.
When they are large enough to
handle, prick oN the seedlings Into
boxes and replace them In the cold
frame Plant them out into the
garden in spring.
Righi Primula vialii
ThiS beautiful Chinese primula bears
ooker-/lke spikes of sJif;htly-scented
lavender-blue flowers m mid-
summer When planted in a large
dnll, perhaps at the side of an
mformal garden pool, It is a stunmng
sight in
Puschkinia scilloides
(Puschki nia libanolica P. sicula .
Adamsla scilloides)
Striped Sauill (UK)
ThiS exceptionally attractive small
hardy bulb suits many Sites in the
garden. from naturalizing in low. fine
grass to planting in rock gardens or
alongside narrow borders al the
bases of walls The mld-green,
strap-like leaves are surmounted by
arching Siems, bearing up to SIX,
Si lvery-blue, 12mm
long flowers during spring',
Height: t3-2Ocm (5-8i n)
Spread: 7 5-1Ocm (3-41n)
Cultivation: Any light garden soi l
and a position in sun or partial shade
Primula denticulata IS an amenable plant that mingles
happily With many other spring-flowering types, such
as Anemone blanda. the Grape Hyacinth (Muscan'
armeniacum) . Daffooils and Primroses
Primula vialii needs careful positioning in a garden, as
Its distlncllve flowers are best not forced to compete
With other low-growing plants. It is best given a bed or
corner to itself,
assure success. Plant the bulbs in
autumn, 5cm (2in) deep. and leave
them where they are lor many years.
Propagation: Alter flowenng and
when the foliage has died down. lift
and divide congested clumps.
Removeanddry the 00100, reDianting
them in autumn.
Right Puschkinia scilloides
This attractIVe bulbous plant
proouces silvery-blue flowers in
spring on arching stems. It tolerates
sun or partial shade, and. once
planted, can be left undisturbed lor
many years
Puschkinia scilloides displays such soft-coloured
flowers that they can be blended With many other rock
garden plants. The Vivid mauve flowers of Vk)/a
/abradonca are by puschklnia's lIowers.
Above Ramonda myconi
A distinctIVe a/pine plant that prefers
not to have moisture covering its
leaves, Ramonda is therefore often
happier planted at a slight angle on a
slope or between rocks. where It will
freely produce liS blue flowers
Ramonda myconi
(Ramonda pyrenalca)
A hardy, dainty-flowered. rosette-
forming rock-garden plant with
evergreen, deep green, crrnkled and
rusty-haired leaves. The 2'5-4cm
(1-1 )o2i n) wide, lavender-blue flowers
with golden stamens are borne in
late spring. several to a stem.
Height: tG-l5cm (4-6in)
Spread: 20-25cm (8-10In)
Cultivation: Wel l-drarned leafmould-
ennched garden soil and a cool
poSItion on the north SIde of a slope
suit It best. Do not allow the soil to
dry out. It IS also good for plantmg in
rock crevices or between peat blocks.
Propagation: DUring autumn or
early spring, sow seeds in a tray 01 a
loam-based compost and place II in
a cold frame. When they are large
enough to handle, prick out the
seedlings into small pots and
replace them In the frame Pfant
them out Into the garden when they
are wel l establ ished. Alternatively,
take leaf-cuttlngs In mid-summer.
They take about SIX weeks to
produce roots. Pot up immediately
Ramonda myconi. with its wrtnkled rusty-coloured
leaves and blue fiowers, IS so distinctive that il is best
given plenty of space to reveal itself. A background 01
washed shingle helps to show tl all even better
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
r=
Above: Rhododendron 'Blue Tif
This dwarf dome-shaped evergreen
shrub has funnel-shaped lavender-
blue flowers thaI darken WIth age. It
IS ideal for a rock garden, creallng
helghl and dramatIC colour In lale
spring and early summer
Rhododendron
'Blue Tif
A hardy and reliable smalHeaved
evergreen dwari rhododendron tor
a rock garden, peat bank or heather
garden. It forms a dense, fOunded
shrub with smailiunnel-shaped
lavender-blue flowers at the "PS of
the branches during late spring and
Into early summer As the flowers
age, they become dark blue
Height: 90cm (3h)
Spread: 9Ocm-12m (3-4ft)
Cultivation: Moisture-retentive acid
soil in lighl shade under trees IS best
To keep the soil mOist, mulch the
surface with well-decomlX)sed
compost In spring
Propagation: Alter flowering, take
cutti ngs 01 young shoots With heels
and insert them In pots 01 peaty
compost . Place them In a cold
frame and grow on until ready for
planting out in the garden.
Scilla sibirica
Sibenan Squill (UK and USA)
This popular, hardy, spnng-lIowering
bulbous plant has wide, dark. green,
strap-shaped leaves, which appear
in spri ng These are followed by
Above Scilla sibirica
' Spring Beauty'
These vIvid-blue fJowers appear m
spring, dell9hllng in moist but
well-dram soil in a wild garden or
boggy area around a POnd They
can grow beneath shrubs
several stems, each bearing two to
five bri ll iant blue, nodding, bell-
shaped ftowers The blue is so
dominant that If often appears to
overwhelm other plants It is the
tormSpring Beauty' (often known
as Atrocaerulea'), With deep blue
fiowers, that ismost freQuent1yseen.
Height 13-15cm (5-6m)
Spread: 7 5-1Ocm (3-4m)
Cultivation: Well-dralned but moist
soil in full sun or slight shade suits 11.
Set the bulbs 5-75cm (2-3In) deep
m late summer.
Propagation: Established clumps
can be lifted and diVKled in aut umn,
otherwise they are best lett alone
Right Rhododendron "Slue Star'
This dommanrly coloured dwarf
rhododendron creates a bold
display Several other vanetles are
noted for thel( flowers, too. including
Blue Diamond' with Clusters of
rich lavender-purple flowers in
spnng. It IS slowgrowing and only
1m (3v.It) high
-
Right Scilla tubergeniana
Although Its c%Uf/ng IS notso
stnkmg as Scilla sibinca, It does form
a soil-covering mass of COlour and
is ideal tor plantmg in rock gardens
or under deciduous shrubs, where It
bnngs early colour
Many other blue-flowered rhododendrons can be
used m small gardens, such as 'Slue Diamond
(lavender-bl ue), Blue Chip (bnlliant blue) Praecox
(rose-purple) and 'Samt Merryn' ( intense blue)
Scilla sibi rica IS superb for planttng under Oaphne
mezereum Alba' or among the lilac-fiowered
carpet provided by a mass planting of the diminutive
Violet Cress (/onopsrdum acaule),
Scilla lubergeniana
This anractJVe hardy bulbQus plant
trom North-west Iran displays lIS
pale blue or white llowers in earty
spring AI first, the flowers are
belllike. bUllater they fianen amKl
wide s!rap-like glossy bright green
leaves In addition to thiS
SpecIeS and Sctlla SJblrica. the
23<3Ocm (9-12m) high Cuban Lily
(SC/lla pertMana) IS well worth
growing In the border. DUring
early summer. thIS SCIlla bears
crowded heads of attractive, star
shaped blue flowers
Height: 75-1Ocm (3 4in)
Spread: 75-1Ocm (34In)
Cultivation: MOist but YJeIl-dralned
soli in full sun or light shade SUIIS It
best Plant The bulbs 75cm (3In)
deep In late summer
Propagation: Congested clumps
can be lifted and dMded in autumn.
Alternatively, II can be raised from
seed but l hls takesuptoflveyearsto
produce tIowering-Slzed plants
Above Sisyrlnchium bennudianum
ThIS IS a beaU/ltul {)Ian/lOT a rod;
garden. where 1/ readily Increases
Ilse1f by seIfsown seedlings which
grow in the gaps between paving
Stones, as welles other inhOspItable
places in (he garden
Sisyrinchium
bermudianum
B/ue-eyed Grass (UK and USA)
A hardy member of the lOS family.
With Sbll and erect narrowgr8Yilreen
leaves and brarx:hed stems At their
tiPS, the stems bear 12mm min)
wide. star-shaped, satin-blue, yellow-
centred !lowers from early summer
until late autumn. It IS best grown in a
rock garden.
Height: 2D-2Scm (8-lOm)
Spread: 15-23cm (6-9in)
Cultivation: Well-dralned, humus-
ennched garden SOIl and a sunny
poSItIOn ensure success. In autumn,
cut all dead IeaYeS and flowered
stems
Propagation: It tends to readily
Increase IIse/I by seed. and these
seeds can be gathered and potted
up for plantmg out at a later stage
when bener developed Bong them
on in a cok:l l rame and set them
oul In the garden when they are
growing strongly.
Scilla tubergiana has sUbtly cOloured 3owers, and can
be mIXed With other small bulbs. like the 'Nintar Aconite
(Eramhls hyemaJis) and Snowdrop (Galamhus nrvallS),
withOut bemg dominated by or overwhelming them
Sisyrinchlum bntchypus is another delrghtful specres,
With 18mm (loin) Wide, star-shaped yellOw !lowers.
borne from early summer onwards on relatJvely
low plants. only 1Scm (6In) high
"
ROCK AND NATURALIZED GARDENS
I
Tecophilaea
cyanocrocus
Chilean Crocus (UK and USA)
This beautiful, crocus-like, South
American bulbous plant is not fully
hardy in temperate regions, but is
well wort h growing lor its gorgeous
4cm (I)2ln) long flowers, with deep
blue to pUrple petals and while
throats. whiCh appear In spnng
Height lo-13cm (4- 5m)
Spread: 13-I5cm (S-6mJ
Cultivation: In ItS natIVe Chlle. II
grows on stony. well-dr3lned slopes
In the garden, therefore. rt needs
well-dramed sandy soil , and a warm
andsunnyposmon 'tgrcmsoutdoors
only In mild areas, free from severe
frost In weI climates it needs
protectoo wah cloches during WInter,
Plant the corms in mid-autumn.
Propagation: It is not easily Increased
and usually the plants produce few
cormiets, When grown in a cool
greenhouse, the plants can be
removed from the pots In autumn
and the carmlets paned up
Veronica teucrium
This hardy alpme veronICa forms a
clump of upright stems bearing mid
todark green, loothed lance-shaped
leaves, with 5-7'5cm (2-3in) lOng
SPl k.es 01 sky blue flowers during
mOSl 01 summer Several cultivated
vanetleS are available, which are
loWer grOWIng than the onglnal
specIeS these mclude Trehane
(gOlden-yellow leaves and pale blue
!Iowers),Shlr\ey Blue' (deep blue
!lowers) and 'Rosea' (rose-pmk.
!lowers and only 15cm (6In) high),
Height 23-38cm (9-15In)
Spread: 45-6Ocm
Cultivation: Ordinary well-dralned
garden SOil and a sunny poSltk>n are
essenMI lor conlinued success
Propagation: Dunng spnng, lift and
dIVIde large clumps, Alternatwely,
tak.e cunlngs from mid to late
summer and Inserllhem m pots of
equal pans peat and sharp sand
When they are rooted, pot up the
curungs and overwinter them In a
COld Irame before planting them out
)n the garden
Above Tecophila&a eyanocrocus
A IOwgrowlng rock garden plant
lhallhrives in a wefl-drained,
sheltered and warm poSJlion,
Excesswe mOisture in Winter will
harm 1/ The nchIy-coIoured crocus-
like flOwers appear in $piing

Below Veronica leuerlum 'Trehane'
ThIS beaullful rock garden plant has
gok:Jen-yeliow leaves, and bears
spres o( pale blue flOwers dunng
most of summer. fts foIl89El blends
well With rocks, harmontzmg With
the colour of the stone
Tecophilaea cyanocrocus IS a warmth-loving bulb that
does wel l in Sltuallons Similar to those needed by the
lender South Afncan nennes and the beaullful Algerian
Veronica teucrium IS deal for planting at the Iront of
borders as well as rock gardens, especially mIXed With
yellow and while flOwers. In a rock garden It blends well
With the lemon-yellow Hypencum oIym{JICum 'Crtnnum Iris (Ins ungUlculans), also k.nown as Ins sty/osa
Above; Viola cornu!a
This beautiful hardy vIOla IS Id&JI for
weII-<1ramed but mOtst and fertile
SOIls m sun or Shflht shade. ft is
perfecl for bringing colour to paTh
edges or In rock gardens. There is
also a white-flowered form
Viola comuta
Homed Violet (UK and USA)
A reliable, lusty and robust violet
from the Pyrenees, the Horned
Violet bears lavender or violet-
coloured !lowers thai provide early
or mid-summer colour. The 2 Scm
(lin) wide, spurred IIOwers are
borne above the mld-green. oval
leaves, whICh have rounded teeth,
SeYeral forms are available, Including
Minor' (lavender blue), Jersey
Gem' (blue-OUr'PeJ and :Alba' (wtute)
Height: 10030cm (4-12in)
Spread: 30-38cm (12-1SIn)
CultIvation: Fertile, well-<lrained but
moist soil In full sun or shght shade
suits it best. PICk off dead flowers to
encourage the development of
further blooms
Propagation: DUring spring or
summer, sow seeds 6mm (}{in)
deep In a prepared seedbed
outdoors When they are large
enough to handle, ttlln the seedlings
to 2S-3Ocm (10-12,n) apart In
autumn, transfer them to their
flowering DOSItiOns.
Further plants to consider
Meconopsis betooicifolia
balleyi)
Himalayan Blue Poppy (UK)' Blue PoPW (USA)
HelghI 9Ocml-Sm [3-SII) Spread 45cm
A distinctive hardy herbaceous perennial for a moist, shaded area,
prOOUClng 6 5-7 Scm wide. sky flowers durrng
mid-summer
Meconopsis grandis
Hetght: 45-6Ocm (IMo-2ft) Spread 45cm (l n ft)
A hardy herbaceous perennial/or a mOISt and lightly-shaded area
beanng 10013cm (4-SlnlWlde, nch to purplellowersdunng early
summer
Meconopsis quintuplinervia
Harebell Poppy (UK and USA)
Height 23-3Ocm (9-121n) Spread 3Q-38cm (i 2-1Sin)
A spreading dwari perennial, with mld-{lreen leaves and Scm (2in)
wide, nodding, lavender-blue or purple "owers during early summer
Mertensla vlrglnlca
Virginian CowsliP (UK)
Bluebells Virginia Bluebell Virglnl8 CoWSliP Roanoke-bells (USA)
Hetght 3O-6Ocm (I-2ft) Spread 4Scm (!Mt)
A hardy herbaceous perennial Wl\h lance-shaped leaves
and pendulous clusters 0/ purple-blue flOwers In early summer
Omphalodes verna
Blue-eyed Mary (UK) CreePing Forge/me-not (USA)
H61ght. 13-15cm ( S-6in) Spread 3O-38cm (12-1S,nJ
A spreading herbaceous perenmal for a rock garden or woodland
From eariy spnng to early summer, lI bears white-throated, bng ht
flowers, 12mm wide
Primula jutiae
Height 7 5-1Ocm (3-4in) Spread 25-3Oc:m (10-102in)
A dellQhtlul mat-forming pnmula With yeUow-eyed. 18mm (}lin) WIde
reddISh-purple IIowers In spnng and early summer
Primula marginata
Hetght 10-13cm (4-5In) Spread 20-25cm (8-1OIn)
A beauliful alpme primula with grey-green, Sllver-edged leaves and
numerous heads of !8-2Smm wide, fragrant, lavender-blue
flowers in spring The lorm Linda Pope has deep lavender-blue
lIowers.
Pulsatilla yulgaris
(Anemone pulsatilla)
PaSQue Flower (UK and USA)
Hetght 253Ocm (10-121n) Spread 30-38cm (12-15in)
A beautiful and highly memorable hardy herbaceous perennial With
mld-green, fern-llke leaves and 5-7 Scm ( 2-3m) WIde, cup-shaped.
purple flowers WIth bright centres dunng spnng and early summer
Viola cornuta IS robust enough to be set al the front 01 a
border With a backing of white "owers Alternatively,
DOSItlQn It in a rock garden, where It can trail over the
rocks and merge With other plants
"
CHAPTER THREE
-
.-
-"
CONTAINt:R
GARDt:NING
O
nce the spnng-flowering bulbs burst Into bloom it is possible to
believe that spring has really begun and that Nature is not
going to play any perverse tricks Although a slight frost is s\11I
possible In late spring, bulbs appear to withstand a few degrees of
below-freezing temperatures without coming to any harm
Bulbs for spnng diSplays are often sok:! in ready-to-plant mixtures
that Includedominant blues as well as colour contrasts in yellow and
white SelectIOns for window-boxes and troughs Include blue Grape
Hyacinths, yellow Crocus chrysamhus, red dwarf Species tulips and
pink hyaCinths. For urns and tubs, where extra height is
acceptable, you might choose blue hyaCinths, yellow NarciSSUS
cyclamineus 'February Gold', the Darwin Hybrid tul ip 'Apeldoorn'
(about 60cm (2ft) high with rich red flowers), blue Grape HyaCinths
and blue crocuses
In large tubs a relatively flat spnng display looks best, so try
polyanthus with the bright blue Grape HyaCinth. Set the polyanthus
m a clfcle towards the outside of the tub, with the centre reserved for
a random mixture of Grape HyaCinths and polyanthus. This
combinatIOn looks stunning poSItioned against a
wall in full sun. For extra height plant blue Forget-ma.nots
Interspersed with white narciSSI. You could also buy a large herb or
strawberry-growlng POt. which has cup-like holes around the
outside, and plant a living picture of crocuses at the sides with a
hyacinth and several crocuses althe top.
In window-boxes and troughs a montage of small whi te species
tul ips, blue Grape Hyacinths and a small -leaved variegated IVY is
appealing Another attractive combination is blue stocks, white
Marguerites and the silver-leaved Senecio ocalor
Containers can look superb filled With single plants of one hue.
rather than a mixture of colours and flowers Examples Include a
white urn planted With Grape HyaCinths, agapanthus in a wooden
barrel, and violas In large-topped weathered contamers When
planting only one species It is essentralto give thought to the style of
the container, as both will be competing for attention and they must
be In harmony
Left Petunias are Ideal In contamers, smot/Jeflrt} the surface
With flower heads. Remove dead flower heads regularly to ensure
a continuing display throughout summer
"
CONTAINER GARDENING
Above Agapanlhu5 campanulalus
This is a beaU/lful plant for the
garden as well as in large containers,
where II Quickly forms a strongly-
coloured focal pOm!
Agapanthus
campanulatus
Afncan Lily (UK)
ThIS fleshv-rOOled nearly hardy
herbaceous plant trom Natal has
mld-green, sword-like leaves that
anse from liS base DUring lale
summar, II reveals pale flowers
In crowded, rounded heads, bOrne
81 the tops of long, stiff stems atx;lYe
the foliage Severa! varietIeS e)(tend
the colour range from white 10
amethyst. ISIS has large heads of
lavender-blue Howers. Although not
lully hardy, illS Ideal for a large tub
Ofl a warm and sheltered patIO.
preferably lacing south or west.
Height: 6O-75cm (2-2}<ift)
Spread: 38-45cm (15-18In)

CulUvation: Welf.dramed, fertile SOIl
and a sheltered sunny posltlOn SUit
11 Spnng is the besl llme to set the
plants out In the open SOil YOU
Should cover the crowns with Scm
(2in) 01 soil. In containers, use a
Iree-dralning, loam-based composl
Alter fl owering, cut the stems down
to SOIl-level and cover the base 01 the
plant with straw, bracken or peaty
compost Plants In containers are
best placed In a cold, frost-Iree
greenhouse dunng Winter boTh to
prOTecT The crowns from Irost and 10
preventthecompostfrom becoming
100 wet.
PrQP8gation: The eaSjest method IS
to lilt and divide congested clumps
In mid to rate spring Take care not
to damage the roots
Convolvulus tricolor
(Convolvulus minor)
This hardy bushy annual
Irom Southern Europe has dark
green wide lance-shaped leaves
and I'ICh blue trumpet-shaped 4cm
wide flowers With yellOw or
while throats lrom mid to late
summer Several superb vanetles
are ava'iable, including 'Blue Flash'
at23cm (9in) high with brrlliant blue
fl owers With star-like white and
yellow centres, and ' Royal EnSlgn
With a trailing habit and deep blue
flowers displaying yellow and white
centres The shortervanelleS Include
RainboYl Flash' at 1Scm (6In) hrgh_
ThIS IS a new dwart hybnd In a WIde
range 01 colours Including blue,
purple, pmk and rose
Height; 3O-38cm (12-t5In)
Spread: 2-25cm (8-tOln)
Cultivation; Ordinary well-dralneci
ferti le garden soil and a sunny
Wits them. Select a
position, and the taller-growlng
types may require suppon Irom
IwrggystK:ks Trese delightful plants
are deal lor window-boxes and
troughs, or at the Iroms 01 borders
And of course they can also be
grown In annual borders
Propagation: When grown"iQ lor
window-boxes or the fronts 01
borders sowseedSlneartyspnngIn
polS 01 loam-based compost at
Agapant hus campanulalus needs a large container al l
to itself-do not try mixing it with bulbous plants.
These are best planted In separate containers and stood
around the agapanthus
Convolvulus tricolor brtngs a dist inctive bnghtness
to borders, happrly blending with many annuals
such as French and African Marigokjs ( Tageles
erecta and T (Ja/ula)
"
15C (59F) When they are large
enough to handle, pr;ck out the
seedlings into boxes of loam-based
compost and harden them 011 In a
cok:l frame Plant them out when atl
nsk Of frost has passed A/!ernauvety
oow seeds In late SPring where the
plants are to flower, 12mm (hln)
deep When large enough to handle,
thin lhe seedlings 10 23cm (9In)
apan For larger plants, oow seeds
under cloches during late summer
Right Convolvulus tricolor
'Rainbow Flash'
ThIS dwarf hybrid produces bright
new flowers each morning, and IS
Ideal for WindOw-boxes. tubs and
/roughs Other lIarielJes are a good
choice for annual and mixed borders
Felicia bergeriana
Kingfisher DaiSY (UK and USA)
ThiS stunntngly anracnve half-hardy
annual has a mat-lormlflQ habit and
grey, hairy, lance-shaped Jeaves
The 18mm ( ~ I n ) wlCle, steel-blue
flowers with gold cent res appear
from mid to late summer It is ideal
for growtng in containers, such as
tubs, troughs and window-boxes, as
wei as for POStltOf1.Ing as an edg.ng
to paths or tn a rock garden
Height: t5cm (6in)
Spread: 15-2Ocm (6-8In)
Cultivation: Well-drained garden
SOil and a sheltered ~ l I o n In
ful l sun SUits It. When grown In
containers use a well-dralned
loam-based compost.
Propagation: From early to mlCl-
spnng sow seeds thinly In POlS 01
loam-based seed compost att5C
(59F). Pnck out the seedlings Into
boxes of loam-based compost and
harden them 011 In a cold frame. Set
the plants out In the garden or In
cOf'1tainers dUfll19 late spring, after
all fISk of frost has passed
Righi Felicia bergeriana
Thl$l$ an eye-catchlTlfJ half-hardy
annual Kieal for gfOWlng m con-
lamers. as a path edging or m a rock
gan:Jen It is a South Afncan f)lant
Ihal reqUires a sheltered and warm
positIOn
Fel icia bergeriana IS neal and dwar1, makmg II surtable
for IOOUSIOn In a poloourn 01 bright annuals In
containers. These plants look besl when viewed from
above, 00 do nol plant them In high Window-boxes
"
CONTAINER GARDENING
C
Hyacinthus oriental is
Common Hyacmrh Garden
Hyacintn (UK)
Hyacinth Dutch Hyacinth
Common Hyacinth (USA)
These beautifully-scented bulbs are
at home whether in spnng
bedding schemes or In raised bedS.
tubs. troughs and window-boxes
The True SpeclBS IS no longer
generalty grown and therefore II IS
the larger-Ilowered Dutch Hyacinths
that are commonly seen, These
have elegant, scented, 10-15cm
(4-6m) high spires of wax-like
flowers In a wide range of colours,
Including blue
Height: 15-23cm (6-9inJ
Spread; 10-15cm (4-6mJ
Cultivation: Light. weJl-drained but
rn04sture-retentIVe soi1 SUits ii, and
when grown In a garden the bulbs
can be selin position, 13-1Scm
(5-6m) deep in autumn ThiS IS
usuallydone after summer-fk:r.Nenng
plants have been removed Irom the
border or contall'le( The bulbs afe
leflln IX)Smon until after they flower
then Imad and fe-planted In an
out-of-the-way poSihon where they
can be lett ur'ldlsturbed to Hower
dunng the follOWing and SUccessive
years When grown In containers,
use a loam-based compost, sett ing
the bulbs t315cm (5-6InJ deep and
the same distance apart. Ptant the
bulbs dunng autumn. When grown
In small-area containers WlndOW-
txlxes and troughs-lake care to
ensure that the compost does not
become totally saturated With water
and then freeze for long perIOds
dUring winter. large rubs usually
need less care and attenoon. After
flowenng, the bulbs can be lifted and
planted among shrubs
Propagation: Although hyacinths
can be raised from seeds, they take
up to $I_ years 10 produce flowenng-
51Zed bulbs by IhiS melh<xJ and even
then IargefIowered types do nol
always come true IllS therefore
much eaSIer to buy IIowenng-saed
bulbs each year Make sure you
buy your bulbs from a reputable
suppler who can guarantee
lhelf Quality
Above Hyacinthus orienlalis
The fragrance and cokJurs of these
Dowers can be bener appreciated
when they are grown m contamers
or raised beds Such beds are easily
mSlntamed by gardeners who are m
wheelchairs or have mfirmilles Ihal
prevent them from bending. SuI
lake care not to make the beds too
WIde or the wrong hetght
left Hyacinlhus orienlal is
Oslars'
ThIS IS a deep purple-blue hyacmth
that produces a dense sea of colour
In borders or It also
gives off a wonderful scent
Hyacinlhus orienta'is can be mixed With many other
bulbs, such as Grape HyaCinths, species tulIPS and
yellow crocuses Another combination IS blue crocuses,
Grape HyaCinths. specieS tuhps and Narcissus
C)<:/ammeusFebruary Gold'
-
Lobelia erinus
Edging LobeJ/8 (USA)
This well-known rehable border
edging and contall)9r plant IS a
hall-hardy perennlallnvanably grown
as a hall-hardy annual. 1\ has light
green leaves. With masses of 6mm
{4In} wide pale blue or while flowers
from earty summer to the frosts 01
aUlumn. There are oolh traihng and
compact border edging vaneties, In
a range 01 colours The border-
edging compact types Include
Cambrdge Blue (pale blue), Crystal
Palace-(darkblue)and MrsClibran
(bolhant blue) Tralllllg types Include
Blue Cascade' (cambridge blue)
and Sapphire (brilliant blue), Some
vaneues, such as Colour Cascade
Mixed reveal flowers in shades 01
blue, mauve, red and rose
Height: 10-23cm {4-9m}
Spread: 10-1Scm (4-6in)
Cultivation: Fenlle, mOIst garden
SOIl In a sheltered and sunny
posrtJOn tn light Shade SUIIS It In
containers use well-dralned Ioam-
based compost
Propagation: Dunng late wmter and
early SPring, sow seeds thinly and
shallowfy In pots of loam-based
compost at 15C (59F), As soon
as the seedlings can be handled

-
Above Lobelia erinus
These are mdispensabJe haff-hardy
annuals lor both contamefS and If Ie
garden When groWIng them m
cOn/8Iners, take care that the
composl does not dry out dunng
summfJf, especially when in shallow
ums that hOld relaltve/y small
amounts of compost
pnck them out Into ooxes of
loam-based compost and harden
them off In a cold frame Move the
pjants to the garden when all nsk
01 frost is over. To create an Instant
display 01 colour, plantlobellas
In pots In a greenhouse
lobelia erinus blends With a wealth 01 other plants A
happy combination lor containers IS the pink-flowered
fibrous-rooted 8egoflla semperflorens 'Pink A..elanche
and Lobeil8 ennusCambndge Blue
Lobelia erinu$ IS a good bed-Ienow for gerariums In
both containers and borders. Try pink pelargonlums
With dark bfue Iobelta, or light or dark bfue Iobelta
with French Marigolds (Tagetes pa/ula) that dISPlay
slrong rich colours
"
Above Myosotis alpestris
' Ultramarine'

The deep blue flowers of this
Forger-me-nor form a dense, low
carpet it IS ideal for bnngmg colour
to a rock garden or 'or planling In
combmalion WIth S()fIng-ffovvenng
yellow or orange bulbs.
Myosolis alpeslris
(Myosotls ruplCola/Myosolls
sylvallCa alpestns)
Forge/-rne-not (UK)
Forge/-rne-not Scorf)lOO Grass
(USA)
ThiS well-known hardy perennial,
best treated as a hardy bf8nmal, IS
Ideal for planting In a container, a
rock garden or a bed with SPrlng-
IIowenng bulbs where II forms a
dense blanket of fragrant azure-blue
flowers from late spnng to mid-
summer. Several exclling forms are
available, including 'Ultramarine'
(deep blue) and Blue Ball' (riCh
Inchgo-blue).
Height: 1D-2Ocm (4-BIn)
Spread: 15-23cm (6-9m)
Cul tivation: Moderately fertile well-
drained but mOisture-retentive SOil
In light shade IS best
Propagation: DUring mid-summer,
sew seeds 6mm ()::in) deep In a
well-prepared seedbed When they
are large enough to handle, plant
out the seedlings 15cm (61n) apart
In nursery rows. If Originally sown
thinly they can Just be thinned to
1Scm (61n) apart, Keep the rows
weeded and In autumn plant out
Into their fIowenng POSItIOns
, - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
Right: M}"MOtJI.1peIb1I
ThiS half-hardy annual is Just as
good In contamers as In a border.
perha{)lS. an edging. Even on its
own tr Cffi8tes a dense splash 01
COlour early In the year:
Myosotis alpestri s can form an ideal low edging to
beds, with a centre pjanting 01 the hlgher-growing
{3Ocm/lftJ Myosolls SyfYa/1Ca 'Blue Bird' and yellow or
hght orange tuhps
-

Further plants to consider
Campan .... la lsophylla
IlslJsn Belli/ower Slar of Italy (UK)
Italian Bellflower Failing Stars Star of Bethlehem (USA)
Height 1Scm (6in) Spread 45-6Ocm
A tfailing dwart perennial , often used Indoors as a house plant but
hardy outside In hanging baskets In sunny gardens The
heart-shaped mldijreen leaves are borne amid a mass of tangled
trailing stems. With 2 Scm (lin) wide star-shaped blue flowers
appearing In late summer and Into autumn
Crocus chrysanthus
He.ghl" 7 Scm (3In) Spread 6 Scm (2)2ln)
ThIS dellQhlful spring-flowenng bulb bnngs colour to containers as
well as 10 rock gardens. The SpecIeS type IS golden-yeHow, but there
are several blue or mauve forms. such as 'Blue Pearl' (pale blue on
the outside, white Within), 'Lady Kil ler' (purple-blue, edged while) and
Princess Beatri)(' (cloor blue With a yellow base),
Crocus lIomus
(Crocus neapohtanus)
DulCh Crocus (USA)
HEtlQht 10013cm (4-Sln) Spreaj 7 Scm (3In)
ThIS spnng-flowenng bulb IS the parent of the large Dutch crocuses
wldety seen In gardens and containers Blue, mauve and purple
forms IncludeOueen of the BlueS (lavender-blue), Negro Boy
(deep reddish-purple) and Purpureus GrancflflOrus (purphsh-blue)
Exacum aHine
Persl8n Violet (UK) German Violet/Persian Violet (USA)
Height 23,3Ocm (9-12inJ Spread' 20-2Scm (8-1011"0)
Allhough usually grown as a for the home, in mikler areas It
can be used In containers on warm paliOS and terraces, From mid to
late summer II displays fragrant. saucer-shaped 12-18mm
wide purple flowers WIth yellow stamens
Fuchsia magellanica 'PumHa'
HelQht 15-2Ocm (6-8In) Spread 2S-3Ocm (10-12In)
ThiS dwarf but spreading form 01 the hardy fuchSIa IS dainty and small
enough for tubs, where It reveals red and purple IIowers from mid 10
late summer and often InlO autumn
Petunia It hybrlda
Common Garden Petuma (USA)
Height 2S-38cm (1O-ISm) Spread 30-38cm (12-1Sln)
A half-hardy perennial besl grown asa half-hardy annual, and used in
contalflers as well as for bedding schemes In the garden The large
trumpet-shaped flowers from mid to late summer and often into
autumn are available In a wide colour range. Iflcludmg mauve and
blue Among these are RestSto Blue (mid-blue), Polaris' (deep blue
With a white star), Blue Frost (deep VIOlet-blue wllh a pure white
edge) and Blue 8eddef (blue) There are also many vanelles WIth
milled colours, Including blue, VIOlet and mauve
Myosotl s alpeslri s also looks splendid when
planted in a spring-flowering bedding display With
creamy-yellow tulips and an occasional edging tuft
01 the Iemon-gOld Alyssum sa)(atlleCilrinum ,
"
CHAPTER FOUR
; a:: s
WALL
AND TRt:LLIS
fILLt:KS
I
f sparkling linset highlights Christmas trees, then the garden
equivalent for a trellis or pergola must be clematis, an extensive
and vaned group of climbers with flowers in many colours,
including blue, mauve and purple It is usually the large-flowered
forms that are grown and one althe best is Clematis x jackmanl/,
with violet-purple flowers from mid-summer 10 autumn. This is
especially anracllve when grown with Rosa 'Mermaid , which has a
rambling growth habit and large. smgle. sulphur-yellow flowers with
deep amber stamens. Alternatively, this clematis looks splendid
trained on a SQulMacing wall with a deep pink hydrangea al its base
to create extra colour and provide a cool area of soil beneath for
the rools of the clematis.
Clema/ls macropetaJa is one of the best of all clemalls, with
pendulous, double, light and dark blue flowers. II looks superb on a
trellis, or scrambling out 01 a large and ornale container where It can
merge with soft yellow llowers at the sides. Avoid strongly-coloured
yellow plants as neighbours, since they may take on a dominant role
Instead 01 a supporting one
When grown on a trellis, Clematis macropersls harmonizes with
Common White Jasmine, Jssmlnum officinale_ which produces a
tangled mass of heavily-scented pnmrose-shaped white flowers
from mid to lale summer and often Into autumn
Laythyrus odorarus, the annual Sweet Pea chen shed by flower
arrangers, is a delight from mid to late summer, with Its fragrant ,
hlghly-coloured flowers. It can be grown against a wall or up a tripod
of canes and potes in a mixed border, where it provides a colourtul
focal point at eye level over a long period of time, Varieties worth
considering include 'Larkspur' (pale blue), 'Noel Sutton' (deep rich
mid-blue), Blue Danube' (deep mid-blue), -Evensong' (soft blue).
Blue Mantle (deep VlOlet-blue).The Doctor (mauve), Eclipse
(deep mauve). Milestone (bnght velvety purple) and Royalisf (a
beautiful rich purple)_
Heights and spreads given for the plants in thiS chapter should
only be taken as gUides. If more space is available in one direction,
the plant Will adapt its growth accordingly
Left_ The evergreen Ceanothus impressus grows besl against a
warm wall, where It creates a dominant display of deep blue
flowers In spnng
n
"
WALL AND TRELLIS FILLERS
Above: Abuilion vlliiolium
This nearly-hardy shrub is a deJlQhl
when set against a warm wall,
where It will produce pale /0 deep
mauve flowers in early and mid-
summer It likes the shade and
protOCIJOn afkxrJed by nearby plants.
Abulilon vilifolium
Flowenng Maple ParlOr Maple
/ndlBn Maple (USA)
This beautIful dOClduous shrub
needs the protectIOn of a warm wall ,
and grows beslln milderclimales. 1t
develops downy, grey. three or
five-lobed, palm-like leaves, and
SCm (2In) wide, to deep mauve
flowers that open flat during
early and mid-summer. The form
'VeronICa Tennant Pfoduces large
Howe"
Height: 2-4-Sm (8-15ft)
Spread; I-S-21m (5-7ft)
Cultivation: Well-dralned ordinary
garden soil surlS It, choose a
position in slight shade and against
a warm south or west-lacing wall
No regular pruning is needed.
Propagation: It IS besl raised Irom
seeds sown In mid-spnng In Ioam-
based compost a116C (GtF).
When they are large enough to
handle, pock out the seedlingS Into
POlS of loam-based compost and
place them in a COld frame Once
the young plants are established,
plant them oul into a nursery bed for
a couple 01 years
Ceanolhus impressus
Callfomsan Ulac (UK)
Santa Barbara Ceanolhus (USA)
ThiS Impressive 6Y8rgreen shrub
wrth a bushy IS best grown
against a warm wall. In the open It IS
not fully hardy. During spnng, it
reveals clusters 01 deep blue flowers
amid small deep green leaves With
deeply impressed vems
Helght 24-3m (8-1Oft)
Spread: 1 8-2 4m (6-8ft)
Cultivation: Ught, fertile SOIl and a
south or west-laCing wall surt II best
It tolerates limein the sad. No regular
prunmg IS needed, other than
initially shaPIng it when young.
Propagation: Dunng late summer
take half-npe cutungs 6 5-7 Scm
Iong,lnsenll"lg them In pots
01 equal pans peat and sharp sand
Place them In a propagatIOn frame
at 16C (61F) When the cuttings
are rooted , pot them up InlO smaJi
pots of loam-based compost, setting
them out in l he garden wilen they
are well grown_
Above Ceanolhus impressus
ThIS beautiful evergreen Califorman
Ulac WIth small deep blue ffowers m
spnng IS not fulty hardy and reqUires
lhe pro/ecoon of a south or west-
faCing waN. Ceanothus plants are
natIVe 10 Norrh Amenca, and come
mostly from califOrnia
Ceanolhus rigidus
GalifomlBn U/ac (UK)
Monlerey Ceanothus (USA)
ThiS beauhful half-Ilardy evergreen
wall shrub has dlSlmctNe wedge-
shaped dark green leaves and
18-25mm Cit-tin) long clusters 01
purple-blue flowers during spring It
has a stili, upnght, compact growth
Ilabit, Ideal for narrow or restncted
areas
Height: 18-3m (6-1Oft)
Spread: 12-1 5m ( 4-5ft)
Cultivation: Light, fertile soil and a
warm wall faCing south or west
ensuresuocess. No regular pruning
is needed, other than shaping
durir.g formative years.
Abolilon vilifofium IS superb with yeUow-fiowered
shrubs and trees, such as the glonous bnght yellow
dalsy-like flowers of Senecio -Sunshine' and the
sweetty-scented yellow broom GemSl8 Cinerea
Ceanolhus Impressus IS superb when positlOlled
under a high WindOW or al the SIde 01 a lower one
Because of lIS neat. tJghl growth small late-winter and
spnng-fiowenng bulbs can be set at liS base
-
; :...:
=
Ceanolhus rigidus is an excel lent panner for low
growing yellow-flowered shrtJbs thai Will continue the
display into summer Potentillas with their long
flowering period are KJeal for this purpose
Propagation: DUring late summer,
take half-npe cuttings 65-75cm
(2M--3in) long. insenlng them in pots
of equal parts peat and sharp sand
Place them in a propagation frame
at 16C (61F). When the cutti ngs
are rotted, pot them up into smal l
potS at loam-based compost,
planti ng them oulln the garden
when they are well grown.
Left Ceanolhus rlgidus
This halfhardy evergreen shrub IS
ideal for a narrow. resm'cted area
against a wall. IllS a native of North
Amenca. and was first introduced
mto England In 1847.
Ceanolhus Ihrysiflorus
repens
CAliforman Lilac (UK)
Creeping Bluebiossom (USA)
This hardy, vigorous, mound-
formmg evergreen shrub is ideal tor
planting against a wall , where II
creates a dense screen at smal l
shiny green leaves and IlQht ~ u e
flowers in 75cm {3inJ long clusters
dUring early summer This versatile
shrub isalso sUitable for a large rock
garden.
Height: 1 2-15m (4-5ftJ
Spread: 15-1 8m (5-6ftJ
Cultivation: Light, ferti le soil and a
south or wesHaci ng position are
best. No regular pruning IS needed.
other than an mitlal pruning dunng
its formati ve years.
Propagation: Duri ng late summer.
take half-ripe cuttings 65-75cm
(2}2-3In) long, msert ing them in pots
01 equal parts peat and sharp sand
Place them in a propagation frame
at 16C (61F) When they are
rooted, pot upthecuttlngs intosmall
IXl!S of loam-based compost. and
plant them in the garden when they
are wel l grown. Ensure the young
plants are well established.
Left. Ceanothus Ihrysiflorus
repens
This hardy evergreen shrub IS Ideal
for covenng walls. especldlly under
Windows. It IS lower growlnr; than
Ceanothus thryslflorus, whICh often
reaches 3m (lOft) or more.
Ceanolhus Ihrysillorus repens creates a display of
flowers at an earlier stage in ItS life than most
ceanothus spedes-often when only two years ok:l-
so it is useful in new gardens or re-planned ones.
WALL AND TRELLIS FILLERS
[
Clemaiis- Large-
flowered Types
These are some of the most
spectacular and well-known of all
climbers, producing a stunning
display of large flowers during
summer They are derived from
severallarms, such as Ronda,
Jackman!i, lanugmosa, patens,
lexensis and vl/ice/la. They are
superb for training over pergolas,
trell ises or along wires tensioned
against a wall. Most are Single
forms, but a few have double
flowers. They Include a wide range
of colours, among which blue,
mauve and purple can be found In
the follOWing types: AHce Fisk'
(mauve). 'Barbara Oibley' (pansy-
viole!, with a carmine Slripe),BeIIe
of Waking' (pale mauve, and
double), Gipsy Queen {rich velvety
violet-purple), Jackmani i Superba'
{nch violet-purple), Marcel Moser'
(mauve. With a deep carmi ne bar).
Mrs Cholmondely' [pale bl ue},
Percy Picton (Intense mauve, With
a pink eye), President also called
The PresKlent -(deep purpje blue),
Vy-iyan Pennell' (deep violet-blue)
and Kennel (lavender-blue)
Height: 1 2-3m (4-1011]
Spread: 75cm-18m
Cultivation: Slightly alkal ine lemle
well-dralned soil and an open and
sunny IXlsinon suit it, but the roots
must be shaded from strong sunlight
and you must not allow the SOil to
become dry during summer
LOloll-9rowing plants, as well as
shrubs, can be IXlSltioned to keep
the roots shaded and cool
Propagation: They root readi ly from
lo-13cm (4-5in) long slem cu\1lngs
taken In mid-summer and inserted
in !Xlts 01 equal parts peat and sharp
sand, kepi at 16C (6tOF) When the
cuttings are rooled, pot them up
singly into 7 5cm (3in) !XltS of
loam-based com!Xlst and place
them In a cold frame during winter
Transfer the cumngs to larger pots In
spring or summer and pjant them out
mlo the garden m autumn, Alter-
nalively, new plants can be obtained
by layering low shoots In spring;
they Will root wllhin a year or so
Clematis are eaSi ly trained up supports, as they
hang by Ihelf leaves Each leaf is formed of several
leaflets held on long stal ks, and it IS these that secure
the shoots In posmon
"
..
-
Above Clemati s 'Alice Fisk'
This eye-catching clema/fs, which
produces an abundance of large
blooms, is a delight in a flower
border when given a rustle pole for
SUPfXJrt It does well in combinallon
with otherpiants, WhiCh glvslls roots
welcome shade
Left Clemati s ' Percy Picton'
ThiS IS a relatively weak-growmg
type, but IS ideal when planted in a
small area, II is especially attracllve
when planted against a well-
weathered wall
Rig ht Cobaea scandens
This vgorous climber IS grown as a
half-hardy annual, and needs a
sheltered and sunny pOSillon The
large bell-shaped purpie flowers
have dlslinc/lve green calyces (their
protective parts)
Clematis are eXCiting when planted in aSSQCk1t ion
With roses, perhaps e;ther side of an entrance, Blue
clemans are eye-catching with yel low creamy-white
or pink roses, and low growing plants at the base
to keep thelf roots cool
It
Cobea scandens
Cathedral Bells Cup and Saucer
\I'!'ne (UK)
MexiCan Ivy Monastery Be/Js Cup
and Saucer Vine (USA)
ThiS spectaCular Me)(K'".an hall-hardy
perennial climber IS best grown asa
half-hardy annual Fast-growmg, It IS
ideal for trelliswork aM pergolas,
mid to dark green leaves
formed of three pairs of leaflets_ and
65-7 Scm (Z}!. -3In) long. bell-
shaped, purple flowers wllh green,
protectIVe
parts) from early to late summer In
a greenhouse rI soon reaches 6m
(ZOO). buIll does not grow so tall
outdoors
Height: 3-45m (10-1511)
Spread: 1 8m (611)
Cultivation: Ordinary well-dratned
garden soil aM a sunny, sheltered
OOSlllon are needed. H the $Oil 1$100
noh, e)(C8SSIVe growth 1$ produced
althee)(penseoff1owers Nlpoutthe
tips of young plants to encourage
the development of stdeshoots
Wiresupports or wOClden trell iswork
are needed for support
Propagation: During late winter and
earty spnng, sow seeds Singly
tZmm (Moin) deep in 7 Scm (3in)
pots conlalntng loam-based
compost and kept at 16C (61F).
When young are established
move them 10 a cold frame 10
harden ott Planl l hem out inlO the
garden afler all risk of frosl has
passed
Further plants to consider
Ctematis alpine
(Alragene alPlna)
-
Hetght I 5-1 8m) (5-611) Spread 9Ocm-12m (3-411)
An arlractlVe. but weak-grOWlng decidUOUS With 25-3cm
(I-I\2ln) wide, cup-shaped VIOlet-blue_late spnng and earty summer
flowers that hang With their faces downwards The form Frances
Rlvls' IS Iree-flowenng, wllh larger Howers
Clematis macropelala
HetghI24-36m(8-1211) Spread lZ-15m(4-5ft)
A hardy bushy deciduous climber, related and qUite Similar 10 C
a/pna 11 produces 5-7 SCm (Z-3In) wide. pendulouS,ltghl and dark
blue !lowers In earty to mid-summer The form Maidwell Hall' has
deep blue llowers
Clematis viticella
Hetght Z4-35m(8-1Zft) Spread 15-I'Bm{5-61t)
A slender though bushy deciduous climber, With bell-shaped
5-6 Scm (Z-Z"'ln) wide blue, VIOlet or reddish-purple flowers during
mldtolatesummerandlntoeartyaulumn. The form Abundance has
soft purple llowers and Royal Velours has deep vetvaty-purple ones
PaSSiflora caerutea
Common PaSSIon Rower Blue PaSSIOn Flower (UK) Blue PassIOn
Flower (USA)
Height 6-75m (20-25ft ) Spread: 45-6m (15-20ft)
A vtgorous evergreen climber, not tully hardy In cold, e)(posed areas
Ounng summer, 11 has 7 Scm (3In) wide white-petalled flowers With
blue-purple centres
Solanum crlspum
Chilean Potato Tree (UK)
Hetghl4 5-6m (15-ZOft) Spread 5m (l2-15It)
A hardy semi-evergreen bushy and scrambling climber, prodUCing
star-shaped purple-blue flowers With yellow anthers from
summer Into autumn The form Glasnevin' (syn Autumnale) IS
hardier than the ongtnal type specteS
Solanum jasminoides
Jasmine Nightshade (UK) Porata VlfJe (USA)
Hetght 3-45m (10-15ft) SPfead 1 8-Z 4m (6-8h)
A raptd-growlng. twining, evergreen climber, whICh has star-shaped
pale blue !lowers, With golden anlhers In their centres, from mid
summer 10 autumn,
Wisteria floribunda ' Macrobotrys'
Japanese W,srena (UK and USA)
Hetght 75-9m (Z53Oft) Spread 6-7 5m (20-2511)
A spectacular hardy deciduouschmber. displaYIng fragranllllac-blue
and purple flOwers In drOOPIng clusters up to 90cm (3ft) long In early
10 mid-summer Arguably, IllS the last word In climbers. and IS certain
to catch the eye
Annual cUmbers have the advantage of qUICkly
clothing trefllSWOrk or pergolas and 01 proouclng
vanety each year-Important In smaR gardens where
change IS needed to create continUing Interest
"
CHAPTER FIVE
-
TImt:S
AND
SHRUBS
"I
F
ew shrubs or trees have received such acclaim as lilac. Synnga
vulgaris, an East European native, commonly known as lilac
and formerly as the Pipe Tree, has received the attentions 01
botanists and nurserymen for hundreds of years. A native of North
Persia, It was introduced into Great Britam and North America via
Vienna, around 1600. There are superb varietIeS to choose Irom,
Including double and single forms, some with French names, and
some such as 'Maud Notcutf suggesting the plant breeding
endeavours of an important English nursery, Notcutt and Sons.
Among these varieties are many blue and mauve forms, including
'Slue Hyacinth' (fragrant, mauve and opening to lavender-blue),
'Massena' (fragrant. with deep purple flowers), 'Firmamenf (fragrant,
single and lilac-blue) and 'Kathenne Havemeyer' (fragrant, double
lavender-blue, fading to soft lilac-pink).
Other shrubs that are strong contenders for summer and
autumn colour include Hebe 'Midsummer Beauty', with long
tassle-like heads of lavender-purple flowers throughout summer, and
Hebe 'Autumn Glory', a low growing shrub with violet-blue flowers
from mid-summer to autumn.
Blue-flowered shrubs are particularly In evtdence in autumn, and
include Caryoptens x clandonense, hydrangeas, hibiscus, Cera-
tosttgma willmonianum and vincas. For autumn berries, try
Callicarpa bodmien' giraldii (violet-blue berries), Clerodendron
tnchotomum (beautiful China blue bernes with cnmson calyces)
and Viburnum davidii (bright turquOise beffles on female plants).
Blue-foliaged conifers are useful for introducing year-through
colour, and in addition to those deSCribed In this chapter there are
Chamaecypans lawsoniana 'Pembury Blue' (Slivery-blue), Juniperus
honzonra/ls 'Blue Chip' (bright blue) and JUniperus squamata 'Blue
Star (silvery-blue).
The heights and spreads given for plants in thiS chapter are those
to be expected after twenty years In good soil.
Left The nch purple-leaved Berberi s x otlawensis 'Purpurea'
creates a contrast to the latesprmg white-flowered Spiraea x cinerea
'Grefshelm' m this anractive shrub border.
..
TREES AND SHRUBS
Abies concolor 'Glauca
Compacta'
This beautiful dwarf and compact
conifer (often sold asAbis concoJor
'Compacta ) has an Irregular shape
and greyJsh blue foliage II is so
SIow-growmg thai even after twenty-
live years often reaches no more
lhan 75cm ( 2)?It) high. WIth a 1m
(3hft) spread II is ideal lor a rock
garden. or even In a large container
Cultivation: Deep, we!k:lrained,
shghdy acid soil SUtts ilbes! It prefers
"
Above Abies concolar 'Glauca
Compacts'
ThIs IS one of the best s/ow-growmg
dwarf conifers for a rock garden or
container lIS greyish-blue foliage is
.-ery attractIVe and looks all/S best
when the tree is planted on I/S own
or In a ccJour-.contrastmg grout>
a warm. dry oosrnon It IS essential
to aVOId chalky soils.
Propagation: IllS raised by grafting.
a technIQue beslleft to nursery
experts
Ceanothus 'Gloire de
Versailles'
(Ceanolhus l( delinianus 'Glolfe de
Versai IJes')
This hardy deciduous rather open
shrub IS one of the best known
ceanolhus plants for a border The
soft. fragrant, J,X)wder-blue flowers
are borne In heads upto 20cm (8In)
long from mid-summer early
aUlumn IllS best planTed In a mixed
border. where Its long stems can
splay out over pianls
Height I 82 4m (6-8ft)
Spread: IS-21m (5-7ft)
Cultivation: Welf-dramed fertile soli
in good light SUits II. Because the
flowers are borne on the new wood,
the bush must be pruned hard in
SPring Cut back the prevIous
seasons shoots almosl to their
poinTS of ongm. Follow thiS With an
application of fertilizer 10 encourage
the rapid growth of new shoots
Propagation: Dunng summer take
7 5-IOcm (34inJ long
cunrngs of the current season-s
growth. Inserting them In POlS of
eQual parts peat and sharp sand
Place !hem In a propagallOn frame
al a temperature of 16C (61F)
When they are rooted. pot up the
CUttingS into 7 5cm (3in) pots of
loam-based compos! and overwinter
them In a cold frame Plant them out
In the garden in spnng
Cercis siliquastrum
Judas Tree (UK)
Judas Tree Love Tree ( USA)
A hardy. rounded. wide-spreading.
deciduous tfee from the OnenT and
Southern Europe, the Judas Tree IS
said to be the tree from whICh Judas
Iscariot hanged himself after the
bet rayal of Jesus Christ Whether or
not thiS is true, there is no doubt Ihal
the tree IS eye-catching and dlstlnc-
lIVe II bears clusters of rICh rose-
purple flowers on bare branches in
eartysummer. ANer lhefiowers have
faded ndeYelopsrounded. glauoous-
green leaves W1th hean-shaped
bases Subsequently. It produces
attraC\Ne Hal. green. pea-like p(X!s
tinted red when fully npe
Abies concolor Violacea Prostrata IS another blue
conifer deal for a small garden IllS semi or
totally prostrate. with strongly-coloured Silver-blue
iOlrage Another prosl rate bl ue form IS Abjes procera
'Glauca Prostrata
Ceanothus 'Gioi rede Versai lles' orrgmated In France. In
1830 a breeding programme was initiated to raise
new hybrids, and this shrub was one of the results Most
ceanothus shrubs With French-sounding names
ong,nated al Ihal lime
r
Above Ceanolhu5 'Gloire de
Versailles'
This stni<:mgly Impressive deciduous
shrub produces large heads of
f)OW(iery-blue flowers on open stems
from mid to /are summer IllS best
grown In a mf)(ed borrier
Height: 4 56m (15-2011)
Spread: 35-4Sm (to-15ft)
Cultivation: Any good garden soi l
and a sunny position away trom late
spnng frosts SUIt it No regular
prumng IS needed
Propagation: Dunng spnng. sow
seeds In POlS 01 loam-based compost
keplal130C (55F). When they are
large enough 10 handle, POt up the
seedlings SIngly in loam-based
compost and plunge the pots up to
their oms In a sheltered corner
Once establiShed, the plants can be
sel out miD the garden.
RlQhl Cercis slliQuaslrum
ThlS/$ (he VI!"eIl-knCMn Judas Tree.
whICh produces a wealth of COlour
along I/S bare branches m early
summer In colder areas 1/ may
reaUire the protection of a south or
westfaCing wall.
:
Cercis siliquastrum IS Ideal for blendll"lg with late spnng
and early summer bulbs Often, Ihe tree becomes
bare o! Jaw branches, and bnghl bulbs can create vital
colour and Interest around large and mature trees
TREES AND SHRUBS
Corylus maxima " Purpurea' produces its main burst of
foliage colour at eye height, and is useful for bringing
local points to a shrub or mixed border Its hfgh stance
allows illo be underplanted with spring-flowering
bulbs- but not too close to its base.

C5
Righi Colinus coggygria
'Notcun's Variety'
-
This superb hardy shrub with an
Im/X)smg stature bears beautiful
deep pur{)le /eaves. II produces I/S
besl colour when planted In poor SOIl.
Corylus maxima
'Purpurea'
Purple-leaved Filbert (UK)
This IS a nch-purple-leaved torm 01
The Filbert. a nallVB of Western AsIa
and Southern Europe IllS a
deciduous shrub whICh has large
heart-shaped leaves. The whole
shrub has an open, spreading
growth habit often becoming bare
alli S base. The parent torm, Cory/us
maXima, was Introduced mto the
Brlltsh Isles In 1759 and soon
became very popular tor providing
nuts II also soon spread to North
America and In 1833severaldistlnct
varieties were known to be in culli-
vallOO At one time it was WIdely
grown In Europe. espeoa[)y lla/yand
Spam, Early in the 1 BOOs a plantatlon
near Recus. Sp8m. yKllded nuts thaI
were shipped VI8. Barcelona They
became known as Barcelona nuts
Height: 2 4-3Sm (a-12ft)
Spread; 28-3m (8-10ft)
Cultivation: Any good well-.drained
garden soi l and a sunny position,
preferably sheltered from cold north
and east WindS. IS SUitable. During
Its early years. cut It back in late
Winter and early spnng to encourage
the deveIopmenl of shoots from
around Its base Prune back by hall
the growth made the previous year
As the shrub develoPS. do not cut II
back SO severely Throughout this
penod, cut out congested shoots
from the centre of the shrub.
Propagation: Purple-leaved forms
seldom come true from seeds and
are therefore best increased by
layering low growing shoots in
autumn
Lett: Corylus maxima ' Purpurea'
ThIS IS a useful shrub for bnnglnf}
c%ur<XJf/lrastmg kil8f}e to a gan:Jen
throughout summer It IS a reliable
piant. but IS best given shefter from
cOld eastan<i norTh winds
Cotinus coggygria
'Notcutfs Variety'
ThiS hardy deciduous shrub has
eye-catching deep purple leaves
that never lose freshness and
are semHranslucenl. It
also bears feathery purple flowers
dunng mid-summer
Height: 3 5-4 5m (12-15ft)
Spread: 3-3 5m (10-12ft)
Cultivation: Any good we!l-dramed
garden SOIl and a poSItion in full sun
SUit 1\ AVOId nch soils, as II produces
the besl colour when In poor
corn;lllions No regular pruning IS
needed, other than Initially shaPing
the plant when young
Propagation: During late summer,
take 10-13cm (4-5rn) long heel
cuttlngs, inserting them In pots of
equal pans peal and sharp sand
Place the pots In a cold frame and
dunng spnng set out the young
plants Into a nursery bed unnl they
are large enough to be planted Oul
In the garden. Keep the nursery
bed tree trom weeds
Collnus coggygria 'Nolcuns Vanety' Will produce a
large specimen shrub on a lawn or as a backcloth tor
plants For small gardens, C c
'Royal Purple' is bener, grOWing to 3m (10ft) In helQht
and the same width.
"
..
TREES AND SHRUBS
I : --- - - ----- ,_
Hydrangea
macrophylla
Common Hydrangea (UK)
FrenchHydrangea Hor/ensJa[USA]
ThiS well-known deciduous and
rounded shrub from Japan and
China has oval. slightly JX)Inted
coarsely1001hed light green leaves
The f!owerheads appear from mid
10 late summer There are two
forms HortenSJa types and the
Lacecaps The Honensra forms
have large globose heads, while the
Lacecaps display flat flower heads
formed almost enllrety of stenle
flowers with a flat disc-like corymb
In the centre there IS an area of lIny
ferule flowers and thiS has a
marginal ring of ray florets whICh are
stenle The form Blue Wave IS a
good e ~ m p l e of thIS type
Height: 1 S-18m (5-611)
Spread; 151 8m ( 5-6f1)
Cultivation: SllQhtly acid, light well-
drained but mOisture-retentive soi l IS
best. Ackl soil is essential to ensure
thaI blue varieties remain blue Pink
vartetJes also produce blue colours
when gIVen an acid soil and an
aluminium suiphate dr9SSlrlg
Propagation: From late spong to
mid-summer. take cuthngs 7 Scm
(3In) long Remove the lower leaves
and cut the bases just below lea!
jOints. !nsen them in pots ot eQual
Hydrangea macrophylJa IS Ideal lor tormlng a
backcloth toa large lawn. where II prOVides colour over
a long penod In such a position, a HortenSia
type IS best. The Lacecaps perform betler In a
naturalized garden sewng
:::
pans peat and sharp sand and place
them In a cold frame. When the
CUttings are rooled. pot them up into
an acid compost and plunge the
001$ 10 their rims in a nursery bed
until !hey are ready to plant out Into
the garden.
lett Hydrangea macrophylla
HortenSIa hydrangeas are reliable
garden favountes. creating a
dominant display of mOfrllke heads
from mid /0 late summer
R.ghl Hydrangea macrophylla
' BlueWS'I8'
ThIS VIgorous Lacer;aO hydrangea
provK1es flowers in shades of blue
and pink throughout/he summer
months Itgrowswellmsllghtshade
Lavandula stoechas
French Lavender (UK)
French Lavender SpanISh
Lavender (USA)
ThIS hardy evergreen shrublS nalM!
to the Meclo1erranean region 11 has
narrow, grey-green leaves and
distinctive. deep tubular
flowers borne on 2 55cm (I-2m)
long four-angled spikes dUring early
to md-summer. It IS charactenzed
by tufted purple bracts (moct.iled
leaves) borne altha laps altha
flower sPikes
Height: 30-45cm (I-Illft)
Spread: 45-6Ocm (Ill-2ft)
Cultivation: ltght, well-drained soils
and an open and sunny positIOn suit
It It IS not as hardy as the EnglIsh
and dunng severe WInters
can be sellOUsIy damaged In
8xlX)$8d areas
Propagation: Dunng late summer
take 7 Scm (3in) long cumngs and
insert them in pots of equal parts
peal and sharp sand. Place them In
a cold frame. Pol them up when
they are rooted and plant them out
Into the garden In spnng
RlQht Lavanduta sloecnas
ThiS pretty lavender has dlSllnctwe
deep purple flowers topf)ed by
purple bracts (mOOlfled /eaves) Ihal
perslsllOng after the actual nowers
have faded
Lavandufa sloechas brings height and colour toa rock
garden_ after the flowers laded the
grey-green leaves prOVIde an anracllve feature. Cover
the sod With stone chlPPII')gs to add extra Interest
and SlOP SOIl splashing on Ihe leaves

"
TREES AND SHRUBS
I
Picea pungens ' Koster'
KOSIer's Blue Spruce (UK)
ThIS dlSnnctlV6 lorm ollhe Colorado
Spruce has Intensely blue tohage
and a neat growth habit, forming an
upnght and pyramidal shape up to
2'lm (71t) high and 1m (3}1ltt) wide
after ten years Dunng spring, IllS
lunher enhanced by pale blue tuftS
01 new 9 rowlh
Height: 9m (30ft)
Spread: 3m (10ft)
Cultivation: DeeP. most soil-acid
or neutral-Is needed A pasHlon in
full sun or shght shade SUits rt best
Propagation: It IS grafted onto
stocks 01 Plcea pungens to proouce
a distinctive upnght form. The
cost to nurserymen 01 thIS bm&
consuming technIQue accounts for
Ihe hlQh pnce they Will ask for young
plants 01 this lOvely vanety
Picea pungens
'Pendula'
ThiS diStmc\JVe blue comfer -often
known as Plcea pungensGlauca
PenduJa - somehmes has an errabC
shape but can be recognized by
rlS down-swept branches and
glaucous-blue leaves, Dunng spnng.
the young grOWlhs are tufted and
blue II often produces twO
leading shoots one needs to be
tramed upright, while the other trails
downwards
Height: 3-5 4m (lo-18ft)
Spread: 3-5 4m (to-18ft)
Cultivat ion: MOISt, deep SOil-acid
or neutral -IS best, and a posiUon in
slight shade or lull sun
Pl'Q9&gation: It needs to be gral1ed
ontO a stock of Pcea pungens, so
the plants are often expensive to
buy, as With P pungensKoster'
=:
Above Picea pungens 'Pendula'
With carefultralmng and prumng
this often unpredICtable comfer can
be oersuaded to develop a suoerb
weepmg shaoe and to create an
excmng focal pomt in any garden
Left Plcea pungens 'Koster'
ThIS IS one of the best blue spruces.
WIth a neat pyramidal habit It lOoks
especially allrac/lve tn spnng when
the young and fresh growths
appear on the branches
Picea pungens
'Thomsen'
This eye-catchmg blue spruce has
an UPright, cone-like growth habit
and branches packed with
blue fohage DUring spring, it
develOps a fresh growth 01 very pale
Silver-blue that contrasts WIth the
ok:ler and darker foliage It forms a
smalto mediulTl-SlZOO tree, reaching
only 21m (7ft) high and 1 m (3}211)
wide al1er ten years
Height 9m (30ft)
Spread: 3m (tOft)
Cultivation: MOist deep SOil-acid
or neutral-is best. and a poSItion In
slight shade or full sun.
Propagation: It is a gral1ed form and
therefore plants tend to be expenSive
RaiSing new plants IS best left to
nurserymen.
RlQht Picea pungens "Thomsen
ThIS IS a beautlfu/ blue spruce Wltha
cone-shaped out/me The fo//age IS
thICk and the needles 10"9 It grows
steadily tnto It strong, upnght shape
Plcaa pungens Koster' brings height to a small
planting 01 heathers or the edge of a small rock garden.
Eventually it forms a large plant, but up to the age of
1520 years rt IS QUite sUltable lor a small area
Picea pungens Pendula must be given space and an
open Situation where other plants do not compete
for attention. For colour contrast, set It in a sea of
Heather (Galluna vulgans). selecting forms With
gold-tinted lotiage
-
Further plants to consider
Hebe 'Autumn Glory'
Height 60-9Ocm (2-3ft) Spread 75cm-lm
A well-known ewrgreen hybnd shrub. WIth purple stems displaYing
dark green leaves. From mid-summer to autumn, 11 bears
VIOlet-purple flowers In s!)kes 4cm (I )'211'1) long
Hebe x andersonnii ' Variegate'
Height 90cm (3ft) Spread 6Q-9Ocm (2-3f1J
A beautiful doubje-value somewhat tender evergreen shrub with
mld-green and cream leaves The soft mauve flowers borne In
dense spikes 7 5-13cm (3-5In) long appear from mid-summer to
autumn It IS Ideal for setlJng In a mllted border where II creates
al1enhon throughout the year
Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'
Shrubby Mallow (UK) Althaea Rose of Sharon (USA)
Helghl 18-2 4m [6-811) Spread 12-18m (46ft)
A hardy deciduous shrub, with riCh green leaves and mldblue.
7 Scm (3In) wide flowers from mid to late summer and often Into
autumn The form Coelesle has deep blue Howers. and Mauve
Queen' has mauve flowers that reo.oeal maroon centres
Paulownia lomenlosa
Pnncess Tree Karri Tree (USA)
Height 6-75m (20-25ft) Spread 35-4 5m 02-15ft)
A hardy deciduous tree. WITh mld-green heart-shaped !eaves and
lavender-blue flowers In early summer
Teucrl um fruticans
Shrubby Germander (UK)
Height 12-1 5m (4-5ft) Spread 9Ocm-1-2m (3-4ft)
A somewhat tender evergreen shrub. only really sUitable for warm
areas The greytsh-green Jeaves are fragrant, with twQ-lipped,
lavender-blue flowers appearing from mid to late summer
Vinca major
Greater Penwinkle (UK)
Greater Penwlnkle Blue Burtons Band Plant (USA)
Helght.15-3Ocm(6-12InJ Spread 9Ocm-12m(3-4ft)
A well-known trailing and mat-forming evergreen sub-shrub, W1Ih
glossy mld-green Jeaves. DUring SPring and early summer. and often
repeatedly Into autumn. it produces 25-3cm (1-1 WIde,
purple-blue flowers
Vinca minor
Lesser Penwlnkle (UK)
Lesser Penwlnkle Common Penwmk/e MynJe Running MynJe
(USA)
Height 5-1Ocm (2-4ln) Spread 9Ocm-l 2m (3-4ft)
A spreading mat-forming evergreen sub-shrub, With 18-25mm
(;;-lln) wide, blue flowers dunng spnng and mid-summer, and olten
Into autumn
Picea pungens Thomsen IS superb when posilloned
several metres in front 01 yellow-fOliaged conrlers or
Inan openSituallOn WIIhClear sky behind Takecare not
10 cramp It W1\h OTher selloo close as thiS
Wilt spoil Its shape
"
INDf:X
COMMON NAMES
Names In IUIIIC type are moss us!!d In Nonh Amenca
A C DelP"llnium 12. 41 GoIOcn Garlic 31
Dragonhead. False 40 Golden Privet 18
Achlllea 41 Cablorroan Uac, 78, 79 Dog s-tooth VIOlet 55 GrapeHyacmlh 047, 61 , 82, 89
Aconite 18 Campanula, PeactHeaved 45 DrumsbCk Pnmula 82 Grape. Oregon 36
AconJte. Wltlmr 52 Candytu11 21 , 33 Orums!JCk Pnmrose 82 GlaSSY BeIs 54
Atncan Uy 16, 70 Candyrufl GIoOe 33 Dwarf Ins. Cresled 58 Greatel PerlWlnk\e 91
Agapanlhus 7, 89 Cantert:lury Bel 21 , 33 Owart Crested Ins 58 Greek Wi.ffi8n 40
Algenan Ins 66 Carpel Bug/ewood 4S
HaJrbeIl PoPIJV 67
"""""
Cathedra' Bells 81
HeIletxxe Corsican 59
17 CeaOOlflus Monterey 78
E
Helme! Flower 16
App4e 04 P9nJ 39 Santa Barbara 78 Hibiscus 83
Aster 18 Ch4ean Crocus 66
Egg Plant Poached 38
HImalayan Blue Popoy 67
Autumn Crocus 16, 31, 47, 50 Chilean Potato Tree 81
Himalayan CowslIp 35
Clarkia 33
Horned Videl 67
Commoo Flax 37 HonenSiiJ 88
Common Garden Petunia 75
F
Hol PoI<:ers, Red 36
B CorSICan Hellebore 59 Hyacinth 72
Common Hyacinth 72
FalrJl,!s Thmlbles 79
Hyacinth, Common 72
Baby C).cIamen S4 Common Hydrangea 88
Fal Crocus 50
Hyacinth. DutCh 72
Band Plant 91 Common PaSSIOO Flower 8\
Fdng Stars 75
HyacInth. Garden 72
Bane Wolfs 18 Cotnmon While Jasmllll:l n
False Dr8gonhead 40
Hyacinth. Grape 61 , 62
BeI1Iower l\allan 75 Cone Flower PurPle 15
filbert. 87
Hyaonlh Water .7
8e/1fIower. WIIow .5 CooI-tankard 20
",", 37
Hydrangea 7, 77, 83
8ef.IIowered ScUll 55
Com""", ,,
Flax. Common 37
Hydrangea Common 88
B81s, Gt<fssr
H1malayan 35
Fotgel-me-not Creeamg 67
H)'drangea Fronch 68
BeIs. Monastety 81 CowsIrp Virgm<an 67
Forget-mEH''IOt Water .7
Bethlehem, Starof 75 Creepng 8/ueoIossom 79
French Hydrangea 88
BlaZing Star 36 Creeptng FOff}8I-me-not 67
French lavender 89
Blue Bl.mons 91 Crested Dwarf Ins 58
Funkla 32
PaSSIOn Flower 81 Crested GenMn 58
Ins, Algerian 66
Blue Poppy 67 Cres/ad Ins, D.varf 58
Ins, Japanese 47, 58
Blue PoPP't' Hmalayan 67 Crocus, Autumn 37, 47, SO
G
Iris, Sibenan 35
Blue Spruce, Koster's 90 Crocus, Ctmean 66
Italian Bellflower 75
Blue WHld/lowef, 48 Crocus, Fill/ SO
Ny MexlC8n 81
Bluebell. SpanISh 47, 55 Cyciamen, Baby 54
Garden Petu.-.a Common 75
BIuebeI, V<rYlftlan 67 Cul)lCls Dart .5
Garlic. Golden 31
I.,.,. vanegaled 69
- "
Cup-and-saucer Vme 81
"""'"-,.
BIu8CIossom Greepmg 79 Gay-fa:lrher 38

- "
GentJan, Crested 56
EIue-eyed Mary 67 German ViOle' 75
",,,.,. 20 D Germander. Shrubby 91 .../aQnIh, Sparw;h 55
Bugle .5
Stemless 56 Jacob s ladder 40
Bug/eweed. Carpel 45
DaiSY KlngliS/1ef 71 Gen\lan. Trumpel 56 Jaooroese Ins 47, 58
Bugloss, Viper's 29
DaISy, MICl'Iaeimas 12, 15 Gk:l1le Car.dytull 33 Jaoonese W,stena 81
Bulb WDnder SO
DaISY, SI'IaSla 23 Globe ThIStle 29 Jasmine Nightshade 81
Burton Snal(erool 38
Dart, CuOid s 45 Globe Thistle, Small 29 Jasmlf1e, Common White 77
Burtons, Blue 91 Day LIly 32 Glory of !he Snow, 47. SO Judas Tree 84
"
K
Mynle 91 Purple Cone Flower 15 Sweet Pea 77
Myrtle, Running 91 Purple-leaved F,lbert 87 Sweet Sultan 22
KamTree 91 Mystrl<l SO Sword Lily 32
KII19!isher Daisy 71
R
Krllphofia 36
N
T
Koster's Blue Spruce 9Q
Red Hot Poker 36
Nightshade JasmIF'le 81
Roanoke-bells 67 Taieaon 20
L Rose 01 Sharon 91 Thimbles. FairIeS 49
Runmng Mynle 91 ThIStle, Globe 29
ladder, Jacob s 40
0
ThIStle, Small Globe 29
Lady's Mantle 18
5
Trumpet Genbarl 56
layender, Froch 89 ObedlfJnC8 40
Tulips 69
Lavender Sea 45 Obedioot Plant 40
Saffron, Meadow SO
Turt Lily 37
Lavender. Spanish 89 Onion, Yellow 31
Sage, Lorig-branched 41
Turtle-head 23
lJlac 83 Oregon Grape 36
Santa Barbara CeanOlhus 78
lilac, CalifOfm<ln 78, 79
Sea LaWnder 45 V
lily. Alncan 16
P Sharon. Rose of 91
vly, Day 32
Shasta DaISY 23 I4llenan, GreeI< 40
LiI:y, Madonna 21
Pasque Flower 67 Shoo-fly Plant 39 VenetJan Sumach 16
Lily. Plantain 32
Passion Flower, Blue 81 Shrubby Germander 91 Vine, Potato 81
Lily Sword 32
PaSSKln Flower Common 81 Shrubby Mallow 91 Vinca 83
lily. Tur1 37
Peach-bells 45 Siberian Iris 35 VIOlet, Dog s-tooth 35
unseed 37
Lion's-head 40
PeadHeaved Campunula 45 Small Globe Thlstfe 29 Violet, German 75
Periwmkle, Common 91 Smoke Tree 16 VIOlet, Horned 67
Love Tree 85
Periwinkle, Greater 91 Snakehead 23 PerSjan 75
Love-in-a-mlSl 21
Penwlnkle, Lesser 91 Snakeroot, BUf/on 36 Viper's Bl.Igklss 29
Lupin 38
Persian VI01e1 95 Snow Glory 011he 50 Virgml<in Bluebel/ 67
LUpine 38
Peru, Apple of 39 Spanish Bluebell 47, 55 Virginian Cowslip 67
Petunaa 69 Soomsh Jacmth 55 Virginian 33
Petunia, Common Garden 75 Spaflfsh Lavender 89
Weed 61 Spke Gayfeather 36
W
Madonna ldy 21 Pipe Tree 83 Spring Starflower 57
Mantle, Lady's 18 Plantain Lily 32
Spruce, Koster's Blue 90
Water Forget-me-not 47
Mallow, Shrubby 91 Poached Egg Plant 38 $QUlq, Bell-flowered 55
Marguerites 69 Pokers, Red Hot 36 SQUtll , Sinped 62
Water Hyacinth 47
WlNow Bellflower 45
Marigold, Alrican 70 Polyanthus 47, 61 , 69 Smr of Bethlehem 75
Windflower 48
Mangold, French 70 PoPlY'! Blue 67 Star olltaty 75
WindHower, Blue 48
Mary. Blue-eyed 67
Pappy, Hareool 67 Slar, Blwng 36
Winter Acooite 52
Meadow Saffron 50
Poppy, Himalayan Blue 67 Starflower, Spnng 57
Wisteria, Japanese 81
MeconoP5's 47 Potmo Vine 61 Stars, Falling 75
Orange BJossom 12 POIenbna 79 StatlGe 45
Wolf's Bane 16
M&lCan Ivy 81 Potato Troo, Chilean 61 Stemless Gen/lan 56
WOnder Bulb 50
Michaelmas DaiSIeS 12, 15 Pnmrose, OrumSliCk 62 Steck 69
Monastery BeiJs 81 Pnmula 47, 61 Stock, Virginaan 33 Y
Monkshood 16 Pnmula, DrumsbCk 62 Striped SQuiB 62
Monterey Ceanothus 78 Pnncess Tree 91 Sumach, venetian 16 Yelklw Oruon 31
,.
INDf:X
LATIN NAMES
A
Aboes concolof Compacta 84
Aboes concolor 'Gtauca
Compacta' 84
Ables concoIor 'V1OIac:ea
Prostrata 84
Abubion stnalum 11
Al:JuI*)n !hom psor'III 11
Abublon 'o'nrfolium 78
Acanthus moIIis 19
fiHpenduta
Coronaoon Gold 16
Aconotum 16
Aconitum 16
Barker"s Vanety' 16
Kelmscon Vanety 16
AdaffiSla SCIIIoides 62
Agapanlhus campanulatus 70
Agaoanthus HeadbOurne
Hybnjs 16
Ageni!um houstonJanurn 17
Adnatlc 17
Blue CaP' 17
Ageratum mexocanum 17
replans 45
mollis 18
Allum moly 31
Alyssum saxa\lle 48
Otnnum 7S
Anchusa aruma 18
LodOOrI Royalist 18
Mormng Glory' 18
Opal 111
Royal Blue' 18
AnemOfM:! blanda 48, 81 , 62
Blue Peart' 48
Anemone coronarta 48
Anemone x hybnda 19
$eplemb&r Charm 19
Hononne Jobert' 19
Anemone vulgans 66
Arabscaucasca 48
Aster alpmus 1 2, 18
Aster ameRus 18
KII'\g George' 18
Nocturne' 18. 19
""" "
Violet QUOOf'I 18
Aster x fnkartll 19
M6nch 19
Aster IS
Aster r'KM-belgu 15
Evenllde 12
Atragena aloma 81
Aubnela deI100dea 48
BaIIawIey Amethyst 48
B
Barker's Double 48
Or Mules' 48
Henslow Purple' 48
Tauncola' 48
6egorua semperflofens
PInk AvaiaflCt1e 73
8efbens x Otlawen51S
Purpurea 83
6efgen<a Sdberk:hf 38
Brod.aea un.flora 57
Borago officlnalts 20
c
Ca"!lCarpa bod,noer, ""ala, 12,
83
Campanula COChlearofoka 49
Camoanuta lSOPhyUa 75
Campanuta 1actJ!lora 20
'Loddon Anna 20
Poufle 20
Pnchard's 'Ianety' 20
Campanula medium 21
Bells 0/ Helland 21
Ca::anthema 21
Cop-and-Saucer Iofm 21
Dwar! Musca! Bells 21
Campanula perSOC>foka
Beauty '15
Campanuta portenscnlaQlat'la
eo
Campanula ousdia '19
Caryopl&flS
83
Catananche C3eru!ea 44, '15
Ceanolhus _ Cascade 12
Ceanolhus delinlanusGbre
de \lersaoles' 8'1
Ceal10lhus Gbre de
""""' ''
Ceaoothus Impr&s5US 71, 78
CeaI'lOltlUS ngodus 78
CeaOOltius Ihrystllorus reoons
"
Cedrus deodara GOOen
HorizOI1 13
Cootaureacyanus 'Tall Doubje
M,.ed 22
Cer1taurea Imperl1lils 22
Cootaurea moschala 22
DobIes Gillnt' 22
CeralO6bgma oIUmbaglfllOdes
22
CeratosllQma WIllmoruanum
23, 83
CerClS s,l>Quaslrum 85
ChamaecyO<lrlS Iawsonl1lna
Co/umnartS' 13
Pembury Blue 83

CheIone oblIQue 23
ChIonocIoI(8Iuci1ae 47, 50
CtuonodoI(8
..
Chotsya ternata 12
Chrysanthemum mal<Jmum 23
Clarkia elegans 33
typeS
eo
AlIce FISk 85
Barbara DIbIey' 85
BeIe 01 WOkmg 85
GIpsy Queen 85
Jackman. Suoerba 85
Marcel Moser' 85
Mrs Cholmondelv' 85
Percy PTcIOl1' 85
PrOSldenl 85
Vyvyan PenneR 85
W,lIIam Kennel 85
Clemalls alpina 81
Clemavs _ iackmanii 71
ClemaUS macroootala 11 , 77,
"
ClemaltS ffiOI1lana rubens 7
Clemans VItIC8Ila 81
Clerodeodton lrichotomum
13, 83
Cobaea scandens 80, 81
ColchICum autumnale 37, '17,
..
ColchICum SpeclOSUS 47, 50
Conldvvlvus maunlamcU$ 52
ConllOlvulus minor 70
ConYOlvulus sabaliuS 52
Convolvulus Incoior 70
RainbOw Flash' 71
Cof)tus ITI8Xlma Purpurea 86
87
Cot,rl\JS ooggygna FoolS
Puroureos' 18
CoMuS OO{Xjygna Notcutrs
vanet{ 13, 87
CoMuS Royal
Purple' 87
Crocus aureus Dutch Gold
53
Crocus chrysanthus 69
Blue Pearl' 75
Lady KII&r' 75
Pnncess Beatnx 75
Crocus neaoolltanus 75
Crocus 50
Crocus lomaSlnlanus '17, 52
'Barrs Purple' 52
Whilewel Purple' 52
Crocus W!!nus 52, 75
Negro SOy' 75
Purpureus GrandillOrUS' 53,
75
Q..-.. 01 the Blues 53, 75
Sinped Beauty 53
Cupressus glabra
Pyramidahs' 8
Cyclamef1 coom 52
Cyclamen hedenfollum 54
Echlflops r itro 29 Geraruum pratT15e Johnsons Ins kaempfen 47, 58
Cyclamen neapolltanum 54 Echium rubrum 29 Blue' 45 Ins reticulata 47, 59
Echlum vulgare 29 GladiOlus byzant,nus 32 'Cantab' 59
Edraianthus pumilio 47, 54 'Cta'rette' 59
D
ElChhorma 47 Jearune' 59
Endym06n hlspanlCus 47, 55 H RoYaf Blue' 59
Dahlia 25 EranthlS hyemalis 52
Iris sibrica 35
Anemone-flowered 25 Eryngium alplnum 30 Hebe x andersonii 'Yanegata' 'Cambridge' 35
Balltype 24, 25 Eryngium bourgaw 30 19 Blue' 35
Border 24, 25 Erynglum x oIwerianum 30
Hebe Autumn Glory" 83, 91 Ottawa' 35
Cactus 25 Erythronlum dens-canlS 55
Hebe Midsummer Beauty' 83 Perry S Blue' 35
Cdlarene 26. 27 Lilac Wonder' 55 Hehanthemum nummutarium Tropic NighT 35
Decorallve 26
Purple King' 55 Beech Park Scarier 60 Ins sty10sa 66
Dwarf 25 Erythronium revoiutum 55
Helieborus IMdus corSICus 59 Ins UngUICUlariS 66
Marc 25 ErythrOnlum tuolumnense
HibiSCUS SYMCUS 'Bjue Bird' 91
'Gypsy Dance' 25 55
Hosta crispula 32
Kay Helen' 24 Euonymus fortune, 'Emerald Hosta fortune< Albopicta' 32
Paeony-flowered 26
'N Gold 7 Hosta Hatycon 33
Pompon 26
Eupatorium purpureum 30 Hosla roctifol<l Tall Boy' 32 Jasmlr'lum olTlClnaie 77
ScaUf Pnncess' 26
'AlrOPUrPIJreum 30 Hyaonlhus onentalLs 72 Jumperus
$em,-caclus 25 Exacum affine 75 'Ostara 72 Chip' 83
'VICky Jackson' 27
Hydrangea macrophy11a 13, JUniperus obtusa 'CnppSii' 7
Decaisnea fargeSll 12
F
30, 88 Juruperus squamata Blue Star'
Delphinium e\atum 45
Blue Wave' 88 83
Blue Bees' 45 HortenSl(! Types 88 lathyrus oooratus 77
Blue Jade' 45 Fe1lC1a bergenana 71 lacecap Types 88 Blue Oar'lube' 71
Blue Til' 45 Festuca glauca 31 Hydrangea villosa 19 Blue Mantle' 17
'Bonlta 45 Filipendula PlJrpurea 31 HyperICum oIymPIGum Echl)Se' 71
Cressida' 45 Filipendula rubra 31 Cltnnum' 66 Evensong' 17
Mullion' 45 VenusuI 31 LarksPIJr' 77
Page Boy' 45 Fuchsia mageflanlCa Pumlla Noel Sulton' 17
Wendy 45 75 Royalist' 77
Delpruruum Thunderstorm' 15
'The Doctor' 77
Dracocephalum lberisumbellata 21, 33 Lavandula sloec:has 89
Vlrglmanum 40 G Incarvillea brevlpes 34 Liatns cal lilepstS 89
Incarvillea de\avayi 34 Kobold' 37
Galanthus mvalis 59 Incarvdlea grandlflora liatns spicata 36
E
Gentiana acauHs 56 brevipes 34 Ugustrum Q\lallfolum 'Aureum'
GenMna alpina 56 Incarvillea malfel 34
"
Ecninacea PlJrPIJrea 15, 28 Gemiana ciUSIi 56 Ipheioo ufllfkxum 57 candldum 21
Robert Bloom' 29 GenMna kochlana 56 Caeruleum' 57 regale 21
'The King 29 Genllana seplemfoda 56 "Violaceum' 57 umnanltlos 38
'While lustre' 29 Gent<lna Slf1Q-Ornata 57 Wisley Blue' 57 umonlum latlfolium 45
Echium IycopSlS 29 Genista cinerea 78 Ipomoea rubro-caeruiea 7 uf)um austnacum 37
Echlum plantaglneum 29 GeranIum iberlCum 45 Ins cristata 58 unum narbonense 37
'Blue Bedder' 29 GeranIum x magnilicum 45 Iris douglaSlilna 34 Unum perenna 37
Monarch Dwarf HybrKJs' 29 GeranIum platypetalum 45 Ins grac,lipes 47, 58 unum uSitatisslmum 37
"
unope muscan 37 FenwICk s Vanety 19
LJ nope SPlWta 37 Nteandra physalOtdes 39
Ultlooora dltfusa 47, 60 Nlgeila dilmasceM 21
'Grace Ward' 47, 60
'Heavenly Blue' 60
0 lupmus
'Russell Hybrids' 38
lobelia erinus 73 Omphai<.:>OOs vema 67
'Blue Cascade' 73
Cambridge Blue' 73
p
Colour Cascade 73
Crystal Palace 73
Mrs Chbran' 73 PasSiflora caerulea 81
Sapphire' 73 Paulowma tomentosa 91
Petunia x hybrlda 75
Blue Bedder' 75
M
Blue Frost' 75
'PolarIS' 75
Mahonla aqUifollum 36
'Resjsto Blue' 75
Pt1ysallS alkekengl 39
Mahonica j<lponica 52, 59
Physostegla Ylfglnlana 40
Magnolia x soulanglana 55
Rose Bouquet' 40
Malcolmla maritima 33
Summer SPire 40
Mecooopsis baileyi 67
Vivid 40
M0CQI10PSlS 67
Picea pungens Glauca' 90
MOCQI1opslsqulntuplil1erva 67
Plcea pungens Globosa' 13
Mertensoa w gi ntCa 67
Picea DUngens Koster 90
MIRa uniHora 57
Picea pungens Pendula' 90
Myosotis alpestris 74
Picea DUngel1s Thomsen' 13,
BIIJ(l6811' 74
90
Ultramarine' 74
Picea sylvestns 'Aurea' 13
MyoSOM palustns 47
PoIemomum caeruleum 40
Blue6<rd' 74
PoIemomumfolioslSSlmum 40
Muscan armenlacum 47, 61 ,
" Sapphire 40
62
POl1tooerla cordata 47, 60
Pnmula denticulata 62
N
Pnmula helodol<a 35
Pnmula jLJhae 67
Pnmula marglnata 67
NarCISSUS cyclamlneus
Pnmula Slkk,mensis 35
February Gold SO, 53, 69, Pri mula \/\alii 62
72 Pulsatilla Vl.JJgaris 67
Nemophlia inSIQnlS 38 Puschki nla IibanotlCa 62
Nemophlla menziesn 38 Puschkmla 62
Nenne tx:>wdenii 37 Puschkirua sicula 62
CRfDITS
Photographers
The majOrity of the photographs in thIS book have been taken
Oy En:: CrIChton C Salamander Books Ltd
Copyright Il1the following photographs belongs to the wop/lers
Pat Bnndley 51
ErK: CrlChtol1 18.21 (Top rig ht), 35. 38/39. 41 (Top left), 55
(Bottom), 59 (Top), 60/61 (Top), 71 (Bottom), 72 (Bottom),
74,78 (Top fight), 85 (Top left), 89 (Top)
Peter McHoy' 27, 43
HarrySmlth PhotographicColiectlOn 32 (Top ten). 59 (Bottom)
Oallld $Qwe From Cover, 6, 7, 10/ 11 11, 12, 13, 14/15, 16
(Top oghtl, 22(Top right), 23 (Bottom), 33 (Top), 44/ 45, 46/ 47
48 (Bottom), 49 (Bottom), 60/61 (Bottom), 64/ 65 68/ 69 72

, "
- --
R T
Ramonda m)'COni 63 1ageles erecta 70
Ramonda oyrenatea 63 1agetes patula 70, 73
Rhododendron Blue Teoophllaea cyanocrocus 66
Dlamond' 12 Teucrium /rutlcans 91
Rhodooendron Blue Star' 64 Thymus E B Anderson 7
Rhodooendron 'Blue nl' 64 Tmeleia unltlora 57
Rhododendron Impe(jltum 12 Tulip Apeldoorn' 69
Rhododendron 15 Tulipa tarda 48
Robinia pseudoacaclil 'Fr;s;a
13
Rosa 'Mermaid' 77 V
veronica beccabunga 45
5
veronICa Iongltalia 44
verontCa prostrata 7, 44
'Rosw' 44
SaiL'< alba Trost 's 13 Spade Blue' 44
Salixx chrysocoma 13 verOnica rupestris 44
Salvia hormlnum 41 Veronica SPIWta 44, 45
SaJvia x superba 41 Barcarolle' 44
SalVIa wgata nemorosa 41 Blue Fox' 44
Salvia VlndlS 41 veronica teucnum Rosea' 66
SCifta campanulata 55 'Shirley Blue' 66
ScIDa hlspal1tCa SS 'Trehal1e' 66
Slblnca 47 WIronICa teucnum pmstrata 44
Scilla tubergeniana 47 veronICa virgintea 44
Sedum Autumn Joy' 37 Viburnum davldti 12, 83
Sedum maximum Vinca majOr 91
:Atropurpureum 19 Vinca mInor 91
Senoc:K) blCoIor 69 VIOla cornuta 67
Senecoo Sunshine' 78 Viola labrodonica 63
Solanum crispum 81
Solanum jasminoldes 81
SPiraea x cinerea 'Grelsheim' W
83
SPiraea palmata 31 Wisteria fIonbunda
Stachys lanata 16 Macrobotrys' 81
Synnga vulgans 83
BILJfI HyaCInth' 83
Firmament 83
Katherine Havemeyer' 83
Massena 83
Maud Notcutl' 83
(Top), 73 74175 76/77. 78( Toplefl) 79 ( Top), 79 (Bottom) 80
(rop), 80 (Bottom), 82/83, 86. 88, Back Cover
MK:hael Warren 87
Artists
Copyright of the artwork iUustratl()!'lS 011 lhe pages the
artists names IS the property 01 Salamander Books ltd
NickI KembaU: 617, 12/ 13
Steve linds (linden ArtISts) 8, 8/9, 9 10 11
Cl,ve Spang (linden ArtIsts): Front and BaCk Covers
Editorial ASSistance
Proofreading Oy Joanna Chapman mdexlng by David SqutJe
Detailed advice on growing over 100
of the best blue and purple flowers,
shrubs and trees to create a
beautiful colour scheme
in your garden
96 pages 34,000 words
2 illustrations of planting schemes,
7 diagrams and over 100 photographs,
all in full colour
ISBN 0-86101-218-6
9