Plants (16)
A few familiar names from our gardens.
Each plant earns its place, and changes it a little.
Typical mature sizes and flowering periods in southern England. Site and season make a difference.
Grasses
Hakonechloa macra
Japanese forest grass
A soft edge for paths and the feet of trees.
Height
30–60 cm
Spread
~60 cm
Flowering
Aug–Sep
Light
Partial shade
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Transparent’
Purple moor grass
An airy screen that catches the low light.
Height
150–200 cm
Spread
~100 cm
Flowering
Jul–Sep
Light
Sun / partial shade
Sesleria autumnalis
Autumn moor grass
A calm, repeatable ground layer.
Height
30–60 cm
Spread
~50 cm
Flowering
Aug–Oct
Light
Sun / partial shade
Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Feather reed grass
An upright rhythm that lasts through winter.
Height
150–180 cm
Spread
~60 cm
Flowering
Jun–Aug
Light
Sun
Perennials
Sanguisorba officinalis
Great burnet
Dark punctuation among fine grasses.
Height
60–120 cm
Spread
~60 cm
Flowering
Jun–Sep
Light
Sun
Euphorbia characias
Mediterranean spurge
A strong evergreen structure for free-draining soil.
Height
100–150 cm
Spread
~120 cm
Flowering
Mar–May
Light
Sun
Persicaria amplexicaulis
Red bistort
Long-flowering colour in moisture-retentive ground.
Height
90–120 cm
Spread
~100 cm
Flowering
Jul–Oct
Light
Sun / partial shade
Salvia nemorosa
Woodland sage
Vertical flower spikes for the front of a sunny bed.
Height
40–80 cm
Spread
~50 cm
Flowering
Jun–Sep
Light
Sun
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower
Flowers for insects; seedheads for the winter garden.
Height
80–120 cm
Spread
~50 cm
Flowering
Jul–Sep
Light
Sun
Symphyotrichum ‘Little Carlow’
Michaelmas daisy
A cloud of small late-season flowers.
Height
90–120 cm
Spread
~60 cm
Flowering
Sep–Oct
Light
Sun / partial shade
Trees
Amelanchier lamarckii
Juneberry
Spring blossom and autumn colour in a small canopy.
Height
4–8 m
Spread
~6 m
Flowering
Apr
Light
Sun / partial shade
Betula pendula
Silver birch
Light canopies for a garden with room to grow.
Height
15–25 m
Spread
~8 m
Flowering
Apr–May
Light
Sun
Shrubs
Viburnum davidii
David viburnum
Low evergreen structure for a sheltered edge.
Height
60–100 cm
Spread
~150 cm
Flowering
Apr–May
Light
Partial shade
Hydrangea arborescens
Smooth hydrangea
Pale summer flowerheads that hold into autumn.
Height
100–150 cm
Spread
~150 cm
Flowering
Jul–Sep
Light
Partial shade
Bulbs
Allium ‘Globemaster’
Ornamental onion
A short, generous moment above spring foliage.
Height
80–100 cm
Spread
~30 cm
Flowering
May–Jun
Light
Sun
Narcissus ‘Thalia’
Daffodil
Small white flowers beneath deciduous trees.
Height
30–40 cm
Spread
~15 cm
Flowering
Mar–Apr
Light
Sun / partial shade