Photinia glomerata

This looks a lot like what Hilliers manual describes as ‘Formosan form’, and for a while I was offering it as P.prionophylla, but I am assured that this is the correct identification. It’s a very gorgeous shrub nevertheless - more rounded and compact than P.serratifolia, with broad rounded leaves (to about 3ins across) opening a rich mahogany in early spring, with a soft downy white covering. 

The flowers are the normal type. Easy and adaptable and tolerant of heavy and wet soils.
£18

Euonymus clivicola rongchuensis HIRD 103

A very slender graceful evergreen Asian species related to cornutus with delicate brownish flowers giving way to strange narrow lobed fruits holding the usual orange seeds. 

Adaptable but especially suitable for dry woodlands. Very choice.

£18

Buddleja curviflora

 
A very attractive and non-suckering relative of B.lindleyana with similar curved violet flowers but more attractive grey fawn felted foliage.

Hardy and adaptable.
£16

Asclepias speciosa

A stunning perennial with soft silky white foliage and showy heads of intricate rosy flowers. This has a long history of cultivation in the UK and is fully hardy, so its rarity here is a mystery. 

In the wild it is found on both dry poor soils and moist marginal conditions so should be highly adaptable. It does however need plenty of sun. It's only disadvantage perhaps is that it runs about pretty freely underground, so best with other vigorous hardy perennials and low shrubs. 

At the nursery it is competing with another vigorous spreader - Euphorbia sikkimensis. 

£16

Allium insubricum

A gorgeous little garlic with quite large nodding pink bell flowers – almost like a tiny Dierama. Suitable for a sunny well-drained spot, without too much competition.
£8

Phlomis lychnitis

A lovely low-growing Spanish species. Soft yellow flower heads are produced on trailing silver/grey stems in summer. 

Not as easy-going as their taller relatives – needing full sun and very well drained conditions, and not too much cold and wet. Great in clay pots.
£12

Berberis triacanthophora Cally Rose

A distinctive species with dark reddish flowers on a low bushy shrub with narrow prickly leaves. 

Hardy evergreen, slow growing and compact. Very likeable.

£18