Astilbe 'Fanal' (× arendsii)
false goatsbeard
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moist, humus-rich soil
- Rate of Growth:vigorous
- Flowering period: May to June
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Deep red, fluffy plumes appear above serrated, dark green leaves in early summer. The flowers of this astilbe are self-supporting and retain their colour for a few weeks. Ideal for a bog garden or moist border, it thrives in clay soil as long as it is not allowed to dry out during the summer months. Although it can grow in drier soils, it does need to be in a shady spot. - Garden care: Newly planted astilbes need to be kept well watered until they are established. Lift and divide large clumps every three or four years, discarding old, woody rhizomes. Mulch with well-rotted organic matter in spring.
Polystichum setiferum (Divisilobum Group) 'Herrenhausen'
soft shield fern
Evergreen fern with fine, filegree fronds.
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Sanguisorba officinalis 'Red Thunder'
burnet
Rich red bottle brush-like flowers
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'
alkanet
Intense blue flowers in early summer
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'
bistort
Showy spikes of pale pink flowers. This plant loves damp soil!
£8.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Rodgersia pinnata 'Superba'
rodgersia
Looks great planted near water
£11.99
3 litre pot
available to order from summer 2013
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Dark stems and equally dark toothed foliage support masses of airy deep-red flowers making this shorter astilbe a dramatic partner for variegated cream and white hostas
Val Bourne - Garden Writer