Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) are such underrated plants. Both chive leaves and chive flowers are edible, they taste delicious and look great on our plates, as well as being beautiful garden plants! Chive leaves have a mild oniony flavour that enhances cold dishes, like rice salads, potato salads, or leafy salads, sandwiches, and dips; while chopped chives compliment an infinite number of cooked meals, including soups, risottos, quiche, stir-fries, BBQs, and more.
In the UK, Anthyllis vulneraria is a plant that’s probably most commonly known as Kidney Vetch, but goodness knows how many other common names this plant has, as Anthyllis vulneraria is a wildflower that can be found across Europe and Northern Africa, as well as in Great Britain. Anthyllis vulneraria is also called Woundwort, Sand Clover, Lady’s Fingers, Devil’s Claw, Lamb’s Toe, and Plucen Felen.
Scabiosa columbaria is a rather charming, sweet little perennial that forms low mounds of oval leaves that are hidden by taller, dissected foliage as the plant grows up and matures. The lilac coloured, pincushion-shaped flowers are held above and around the plant on slender stems, giving this plant a dainty and endearing character. Scabiosa columbaria flowers develop in late spring and early summer; this means that in the UK, Scabiosa columbaria flowers from June until September.
There are many different types and forms of mint available to gardeners. Different types of Mint have different leaves and deliver different aromas and flavours. I adore mint and over the years I have grown every type I’ve been able to find. I’m always searching for the best flavoured mints to grow in my garden.
Mint is a vigorous growing plant and that can quickly take over a bed I always recommend growing mint in containers to prevent Mint from taking over your garden.
Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (‘Gerwat’) (PBR) was selected as the winner of the RHS Plant of the Centenary, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show back in May 2013. What makes this plant so special? ‘Rozanne’ has a lot to offer. This hardy geranium produces large (5cm) intense, violet-blue coloured flowers that have white centres and this plant has a longer flowering period than many other geraniums.
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.
