Erigeron annuus is a charming plant which is sometimes called Tall Fleabane. In the UK, Erigeron annuus plants produce tall sprays of small white-petalled, yellow-centred daisies from June to the end of October (early summer to early autumn). These plants display a relaxed and floaty air, which is always welcome in my garden. Erigeron annuus has that gorgeous meadowy vibe! Plants have a naturally open habit, which allows us many opportunities to see what other plants are growing amongst them.
Primula veris is also known as the Cowslip. Primula veris is very pretty perennial that holds a special place in many people’s hearts, reminding us of country walks and the beauty of nature. Primula veris is a commonly seen wildflower throughout Europe – being known and loved by so many – I am certain this lovely plant has many more common names.
Hylotelephium spectabile are hardy herbaceous perennials that bloom in late summer and early autumn; their flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects. Many gardeners know this plant by its common name – Sedum – but Hylotelephium spectabile is this plant’s up-to-date, botanical name.
These plants will positively thrive in sandy, silty and naturally well-drained soils; Hylotelephium spectabile love to grow in bright and sunny areas.
In early autumn, these Asters produce masses of small, lilac-blue coloured daisies with yellow centres. My friends Terry and Nicky gave me this Aster, it’s a division from their garden. Neither of us know the name of this variety, so Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is as much of the name as I can give you, but if I can identify this plant more fully in future, I’ll be sure to update this page.
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Pötschke’ is a hardy, herbaceous perennial. In early autumn, these plants produce masses of small, but loud and vibrant, glowing-pink coloured flowers with yellow centres; the central disc florets fade and become browner in colour, as the blooms age. My Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Andenken an Alma Pötschke’ is in bloom at the moment – my plant began flowering in mid September and it’s in full flower now, in the first week of October 2021.
I absolutely adore Clematis ‘Kaiu’; this plant’s pretty bell-shaped flowers look as if they were created for a flower fairy! These gorgeous blooms are white in colour, they’re enhanced by a dusting of mauve from above, which only serves to heighten this plant’s beauty. This is such a pretty climber with so much going for it, as Clematis ‘Kaiu’ is blessed with a long flowering season.
Ranunculus flammula is an aquatic plant with beautiful shining-yellow, bowl-shaped flowers. This plant’s common name is Lesser Spearwort, but it’s very much like a lovely buttercup to grow in a pond! Ranunculus flammula can be grown in streams, ponds, lakes, or continually wet bog gardens; if you don’t have a pond, you could grow Ranunculus flammula in a container filled with rainwater.
Inula hookeri is a clump forming, herbaceous perennial from China. I love daisies and I adore these sunny yellow flowers and I’m very fond of Inula hookeri’s super soft leaves. Next time you see this plant, reach out and stroke a leaf, it’s soft and furry. I appreciate this plant because its flowers attract bees and butterflies to my garden.
Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea’ is an absolutely stunning foxglove! Plants produce tall spires of fantastically beautiful, tan coloured flowers; each individual bloom is enhanced by a gorgeous rusty coloured veining. The whole effect of a Digitalis ferruginea ‘Gigantea’ plant in bloom is truly breathtaking. I remember the first time I saw these foxgloves in flower during a garden visit, I instantly knew that I simply had to grow these plants in my own garden and promptly ordered some seeds!
Digitalis ‘Candy Mountain’ is a short-lived perennial foxglove, famed for its horizontal flowers. Every single bloom is tilted upwards. This floral adaptation allows us to admire each individual flower’s markings; it provides us with the perfect opportunity to observe bees buzzing in and out of each tubular bloom, as they pollinate Digitalis ‘Candy Mountain’ flowers.
Digitalis purpurea – our wildflower has downward facing blooms which tend to be held on one side of its main stem.
Primula vulgaris are low growing, perennials that form basal rosette shaped plants, made up of beautifully textured, wrinkled, obovate leaves. These small plants are generally known as primroses. Primula vulgaris are popular wild flowers; they’re often found growing in gardens, the countryside, and in urban areas across Europe. Primroses are hardy; plants will happily survive temperatures down as low as -20C (-4F), and probably lower.
Skirret (also known by the botanical name Sium sisarum) is a perennial root vegetable, which enjoyed great popularity in the medieval and Tudor periods, but sadly is rarely grown nowadays. I expect Skirret’s fall from favour is due to this vegetable producing thinner roots than carrots and parsnips and therefore being far more fiddly and difficult to clean and prepare than these more popular root vegetables.
Centaurea nigra has many common names, including Hardheads, Common Knapweed, and Lesser Knapweed. This hardy perennial can be found growing as a wildflower across Europe. Plants don’t need any special care, making these herbaceous perennials great plants to grow in containers, or as part of low-maintenance gardens, wildflower gardens, meadows or pastures.
This is a great plant for wildlife. In the UK, Centaurea nigra flowers from June until September.
Achillea millefolium is a herbaceous perennial that produces lovely ferny, scented foliage and large flat flower heads; each flower is made up of numerous individual florets. This is a wildflower of the UK, as well as many countries in Europe and Asia. Plants have spread further afield to colonise other countries and continents, after Achillea millefolium was used as an arable feed and escaped from gardens.
Origanum onites is one of my favourite plants; its a pretty little thing with a long flowering period; plants bloom over the summer months. This is a superb plant for a wildlife garden. Origanum onites plants produce an abundance of these sweet, dainty flowers that are adored by bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths. Commonly known as marjoram, Origanum onites is a culinary and medicinal herb with aromatic leaves that will enhance a wide variety of culinary dishes.
Tanacetum parthenium is a useful herbaceous perennial. This is a really easy to grow, undemanding plant that flowers during the summer months. I cut my plants back heavily after their flowers fade. I usually cut my plants right back to the ground – don’t worry – this doesn’t harm the plants – they soon grow up and flower again! Plants bloom in cycles, from June until September.
Knautia macedonica is a superb garden plant, with a long flowering season. This herbaceous perennial is hardy and reliable, producing an abundance of stunning deep wine-red coloured flowers. The blooms are circular; they resemble mini rosettes and are absolutely adored by bees and butterflies! Knautia macedonica plants hold the majority of their leaves within the lower half of the plant; their tall and slender flowering stems have a branching habit, giving the plant an open appearance that allows you to easily view the plants growing behind and around it (in a similar manner as Verbena bonariensis).
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is a super duper perennial; it’s the ideal plant choice, if you’re looking for a floriferous perennial or a plant to encourage bees and butterflies. Plants produce neat maroon buds that open to reveal mauve flowers that fade to lilac, which are complimented by Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’s silvery glaucous foliage. Once it has started flowering, Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ keeps going, pumping out flower after flower, throughout the spring, summer, and autumn months.
I’m such a fan of Rhubarb; this is such a great plant to grow in your garden, or at your allotment! Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that dies back over winter but plants grow new stems and leaves every springtime. This is a hardy plant that thrives in areas that are blessed with cold but drier winters and enjoy wetter weather, during the spring and summertime.
Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ = ‘Macane001’ (PBR) was the winner of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2011 Competition. This hybrid Anemone was raised in Scotland, by plant specialist Elizabeth MacGregor.
Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ is a cross between earlier and later flowering forms of Anemone. This cross breeding has created an Anemone with inherited characteristics from its relations, giving Anemone ‘Wild Swan’ an exceptionally long flowering season – plants bloom (intermittently) from May until November.
