Juniper is also known by its botanical name, Juniperus communis. Juniperus communis is an evergreen conifer with spiky needles. Plants are very hardy and they flourish in exposed and sheltered locations. These plants need a bright and sunny position; Juniperus communis is happy growing in almost any moist but well-drained soil, including stony ground and chalk. When choosing where to plant Juniperus communis, avoid shaded areas and soils that are prone to water-logging.
The Silver Birch (Betula pendula) is one of our most recognisable UK native trees with its glorious silvery-white bark and dainty green leaves. We’re not the only ones to have an affinity with Betula pendula, this stunning tree is a native plant of many countries in Europe and Northern Asia. Betula pendula is a deciduous tree, its leaves turn from green to a buttery yellow before falling in autumn.
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.
Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ is the white flowered form of Rosa rugosa.
I adore roses. I grow Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ in my own garden. My garden is very small, which limits the number of plants I can grow; accordingly, every plant in my garden really does have to earn their place and is constantly under review! I’ve included Rosa rugosa ‘Alba in my personal little oasis because this is a tough and resilient, naturally healthy rose that produces gorgeous flowers with pollen that’s accessible to bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other insects.
Phalaenopsis japonica is small sized orchid species that produces very attractive, lemon scented inflorescences, during spring and summertime. The greenish-white flowers are handsomely decorated with pink markings that cover the flower’s lip and these compliment the somewhat variable maroon markings that highlight the blooms’ sepals and petals.
This orchid species’ specific epithet (the second part of the orchid species’ name) – japonica means that this orchid species is from Japan.
Anthriscus sylvestris is a biennial or short lived herbaceous perennial plant, which is more commonly known as cow parsley – in the UK, at least anyway – where Anthriscus sylvestris grows as a wildflower, along roadsides, hedgerows, in grasslands and meadows.
Flowering in late spring, in May, Anthriscus sylvestris is a popular plant with bees, hoverflies, and other pollinating insects
Easily grown from seed, sown in autumn or springtime, Anthriscus sylvestris flourishes in any well-drained soil.
Raspberries (also known by their botanical name, Rubus idaeus) are easy-to-grow, shrubby plants that produce delicious tasting berries in varying shades of red, pink, purple, a dark inky shade of purple that almost looks black, yellow, orange, peach, and very occasionally, white. The raspberries pictured in the photograph (taken at my allotment) that accompanies this plant page are still developing, they have yet to colour or ripen.
Hostas are a genus of very hardy, herbaceous perennials, which flourish when planted in moisture retentive soil, in light shade, to quite shaded conditions.
Hostas are flowering plants. Depending on the cultivar, Hostas flower from spring to late summertime, producing spikes of flowers, many of which are fragrant. Hosta flowers may be white, pink, lilac, or purple coloured.
Hostas are particularly valued for their foliage, which can be green, or glaucous tones of blue or grey, or tones of greenish yellow.
Dendrobium moniliforme is a miniature epiphytic and lithophytic orchid species, which originates from a number of regions, including: Assam, China, the Himalayas, Korea, Nepal, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Dendrobium moniliforme plants produce beautiful, white flowers, which are fragrant.
Neofinetia falcata is a miniature to small sized, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from China, Japan, and Korea. During the springtime, Neofinetia falcata produces beautiful, white flowers, which release their delicious fragrance during the evening. This is a very attractive orchid species, the plants look absolutely magnificent, even when they’re not in bloom, Neofinetia falcata plants have a wonderful form and grace, this orchid will enhance any planting scheme.
Ilex crenata is a holly, but it’s so different to the more widely known holly tree which has much larger leaves, like other hollies, Ilex crenata is a slow growing evergreen shrub. Ilex crenata has tiny leaves, the shrub creates a naturally dense form, which is suited to dwarf hedging – this plant’s common name is the Box leaf holly, as Ilex crenata is one of many plants that can be used as a replacement for box hedging.
Drosera rotundifolia is a small, low growing, perennial carnivorous plant that forms a rosette shape as it grows. Drosera rotundifolia is also known by its common name of round leaved sundew, this plant naturally grows in acidic peaty, boggy, marshy soils, across heathlands, lowlands, moors, and other areas, where you’ll find Drosera rotundifolia growing in acidic soil. Drosera rotundifolia flowers from mid to late summer.
