Coreopsis Uptick
Coreopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Common names include calliopsis and tickseed, It is a herbaceous perennial native to North America. Easy to grow, in summer and autumn it bears a mass of flowers that stand out against fine, fern-like foliage. It a magnet for bees and other pollinators. Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Can be grown in the garden or in pots, does best in well drained soil.
Height 30 – 40 cm (12″ – 15″)
Top Tip
When the flowers have faded cut back, this will promote a second flush of flower. Does not like saturated soil.
Ersimum Apricot Twist
Erysimum, or wallflower, is a genus of flowering plants which are in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae.
Apricot Twist’ is an evergreen perennial which grows up to 45cm tall, with narrow grey-green leaves and sweetly scented, orange flowers borne over a long period from early spring to early summer.
Will do best in full sun but will tolerate some shade.
Top tip
Remove spent flower stems to encourage repeat flowering. Cut back by 50% to maintain compact shape after first flush of flowers. Feed well ( this is a greedy plant ).
Digitalis
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials commonly called foxgloves. Can be used as biennial or short lived perennial Warning : All parts of the plant are poisonous .
Digitalis are a woodland plant so therefore are reasonably shade tolerant but do not, do well in a very dry soil i.e. directly under a tree.
Digitalis Dalmatian Peach : Height 50cm ( 20″ ) well branched compact plant. first year flowering.
Digitalis Foxlight Plumb Gold: Digitalis Foxlight Rose Ivory: Height 50 – 60cm (20 – 24″) Unusual variety which make an excellent focal point in gardens and containers. Have outward facing flowers with a speckled throat.
Dianthus Dash
Height 40 -50cm
From the dianthus babtus family closely related to the old cottage garden favorite the sweet william. Semi compact plants produce clusters of showy fragrant blooms which make excellent cut flowers . Can be used in pots or in the garden .
Top tip
Remove spent flowers to encourage new buds, When flowering has finished cut back hard to avoid plant losing its shape.
Gaura Summer Emotionsl
Gaura is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, native to North America. It may also be known as the beeblossom or butterfly bush. An upright bushy perennial growing up to 35cm tall which produces a multitude of small dainty bi-coloured flowers from late spring to early autumn. Great in pots as well as in the border. Do not over water until well established.
Top Tip
To make a bushier plant cut back by about 1/3 on planting . Remove spent blooms regularly then once flowering has finished cut back by about 1/3 again, this will encourage new growth and repeat flowering.
Delphinium Aurora
A superb series of delphinium which produce sturdy stems with tightly packed flowers alongside hybrid vigor.
Flowers June – July.
Height 95 – 150 cm prefers full sun.
Delphinium Magic fountains
A series of compact perennials with dense flower spikes. Being a more dwarf variety makes it more suitable for exposed sites.
Height 50 – 100 cm.
Top Tip
Remove faded flower spikes to encourage repeat flowering. Beware of slug damage to new growth in early spring.