Ceanothus 'Puget Blue'

Californian lilac

2 litre pot £12.99 Buy
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  • Position: full sun
  • Soil: fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
  • Rate of growth: vigorous
  • Flowering period: April to June
  • Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas)

    In mid-spring, this spreading, evergreen shrub is an arresting sight, smothered in dense clusters of dark blue flowers. It makes a superb specimen plant for a south or west-facing border among spring-flowering bulbs, and when has finished flowering, provides an excellent foil for later-flowering deciduous shrubs and perennials. It needs a protected site, as the deeply veined, dark green leaves are easily scorched by cold, drying winds.

  • Garden care: Each year after the plant has flowered reduce the shoots by one third and apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant.

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port'

granny's bonnet

Stunning, double, ruby-red flowers

£5.99 Buy

Centranthus ruber

red valerian

Clusters of pink, star-shaped flowers

£7.99 Buy

Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'

purple sage

Attractive red-purple young leaves

£5.99 Buy

Akebia quinata

chocolate vine

A pretty climber with fragrant flowers

£14.99 Buy
 

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