Family: Apiaceae Genus: Astrantia Species: major Common name: masterwort Height: 1m Spread: 1m Native to central and eastern Europe. Genus name is thought to refer to the star-like flowers. Species name ‘major’ means ‘big’ or ‘bigger’. In late summer, branching flowering stems rise from a mound of fresh green leaves, and bear pincushion flowers. Leaves are palmate and dentate, soft green and sometimes with a … Continue reading Astrantia major, masterwort
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is a deciduous herbaceous perennial, grown primarily for its large variegated leaves, but also having tall froths of forget-me-not-like flowers in spring…. Continue reading Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, bugloss ‘Jack Frost’
Tricyrtis formanosa is a rhizomatous perennial that forms a spreading clump of upright stems and bears exotic-looking flowers from late summer…. Continue reading Tricyrtis formanosa, toad lily
Allium shoenoprasum is a bulbous clump-forming perennial growing to around 0.5m tall, with grass-like hollow leaves and round heads of lilac flowers in late spring or early summer…. Continue reading Allium shoenoprasum, chives
Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’ is an exquisite, high-maintenance diva of a plant, forming a rosette of basal leaves before flowering stems bear sky-blue flowers…. Continue reading Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’, Himalayan blue poppy ‘Lingholm’
Verbascum olympicum is an evergreen monocarpic perennial which will self-seed in favourable conditions…. Continue reading Verbascum olympicum, Olympian mullein
Allium cristophii is a bulbous perennial grown for its large flowerheads in early summer, and the seedheads that follow…. Continue reading Allium cristophii, star of Persia
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ is a bulbous perennial with basal leaves and a spherical flowerhead on a slender but sturdy stem up to 1m tall…. Continue reading Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’, Dutch garlic ‘Purple Sensation’
Zaluzianskya ovata is a small tender evergreen alpine, forming a clump of aromatic foliage and tiny flowers that give out a powerful fragrance in the evening…. Continue reading Zaluzianskya ovata, night phlox
Verbena bonariensis is a popular and distinctive short-lived perennial, upright and branching in habit and grown for its heads of tiny flowers held on wiry but sturdy stems, creating a ‘see-through’ effect…. Continue reading Verbena bonariensis, Argentinian vervain
gherkin through the roses 