Moraea huttonii

Stupendous tall Iris with beautifully crafted yellow ‘flags’ on rigid upright stems well above the narrow strappy green leaves (easily hidden among other perennials).

For open sites on fertile moist soils ideally but very tough. Basically they’ll grow anywhere Agapanthus or Kniphofia succeed.
1L pots ~ £10

Ranunculus

Ranunculus calandrinioides


Ranunculus is an amazingly varied genus and I have a bit of a thing for them. This is one of the species found in the Western Mediterranean region with glaucous elliptical leaves (almost like a small Hosta) and gorgeous white flowers, slightly pink tinted. This species (from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco) is winter green and winter flowering, and although cold-hardy, is not generally recommended for outdoors. Perfectly easy in a pot in an unheated greenhouse, kept dry in summer but well watered and fed when in growth. 

£8

Ranunculus platanifolius

A very easy and adaptable, and frankly just very lovely white flowering buttercup. Fresh and easy, and did I say lovely? Suitable for any retentive soil in sun or semi shade. Not even slightly invasive.
£8

Helwingia

All these plants are in large pots now

Helwingia chinensis

A peculiar evergreen woodland shrub which makes its flowers on the upper surfaces of the leaves (the flower stem is fused to the midrib). This on its own makes it a botanical curio, but it is also a pleasant and intriguing species with dark glossy leaves, maroon tinged when young, and an attractive upright habit.

In good years, red berries will appear, also attached to the leaves. An excellent small to medium sized shrub, best in moist sheltered woodland. Hardy but better with shelter from too much sun and wind.

sold out

Helwingia himalaica

A slight variation on the above. 

Equally nice but with leaves a little bigger and if anything, the new foliage is even glossier.
Hardy but best in moist sheltered sites. Hates freezing winds.

Specimen size plants - £30 - collection only

Iris fulva

A legendary Iris (is that too strong a word?) from the deep south of the USA with flowers as close to red as any. This species is cold hardy but does have a reputation for needing more heat than we typically get in the UK. Nevertheless these seedlings have proved quick to flower here and very vigorous. For shallow water in full sun, so that it heats up quickly in spring. Thoroughly recommended.

lifted roots ~ £8

Dipelta ventricosa

A gorgeous and very choice member of the Abelia group. A tall upright deciduous shrub, as easily grown on chalk as on acid soil, in sun or part shade.

Beginning to flower in late winter, the main display is in mid to late spring. Attractive deciduous leaves and peeling papery bark. Fully hardy. rare, I think, only because it's slow to propagate.
£30

Specimen-sized plants – collection only.

Euonymus nanus turkestanicus

A creeping evergreen species, quite different to the others with small narrow dark green leaves along wide-spreading stems. The leaves turn rich red brown shades in winter.

The flowers, though small, are plentiful and well worth looking out for. Small red spindle berries may follow.

Excellent in dry shade but very adaptable.
£12

Calycanthus

Calycanthus floridus

To me – someone who really enjoys black flowers, this is a real gem. Some other forms seem to have more red in the flowers, but in this one the beautifully sculpted flowers are very close to real black. 

The foliage is a nice fresh green and aromatic too. All in all a very appealing small deciduous shrub. Easy in sun or part shade on any retentive soil.

£18

Calycanthus occidentalis

A lovely lush medium sized shrub from California with fresh green aromatic leaves and good sized rich pink flowers over a long period.

I have no real idea why, with the popularity of C.sinensis and its hybrids, this one isn't a lot better known

Easy and hardy in the garden.
Specimen size plants - £30 - collection only