Perennials - B, buy online

Perennials - B

Position: partial shade. Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: slow-growing. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves, and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airness to a shady border. The leaves of this cultivar have delicate markings and are flushed with bronze in spring and autumn. In spring, it produces tiny, bright yellow flowers held on delicate, wiry stems. This evergreen epimedium looks especially good in garden borders or under deciduous trees, since the star-shaped flowers are held high above the foliage. A lovely, year-round, groundcover plant. Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn. This plant forms part of the Spring Border Collection. Click here to view the border

Barrenwort £5.45

Position: partial shade. Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: slow-growing. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The leaves of this variety are semi-evergreen and flushed with bronze in spring and autumn. In spring, it has masses of tiny, bell-shaped pure white flowers with long spurs, held on wiry, red-tinted stems. A perfect groundcover plant to lighten up shady areas or for planting en masse under deciduous trees. Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn

Bats-in-the-belfry £1.25

Position: partial shade. Soil: dry, neutral to alkaline soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July and August. Hardiness: fully hardy. Clusters of tubular, mid-blue, lilac or white flowers on appear on robust, red-tinged stems in July and August among nettle-like, bristly, mid-green leaves. In former days this nettle-leaved bellflower was widely used for treating throat infections. Thriving in partial shade it's an excellent, tall plant for the edges of a woodland or wildflower garden. Garden care: After flowering cut back the faded flower-stems down to the ground and compost

Beard Tongue £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This pretty, easy-to-grow perennial is named after plantsman Laurence Johnston's famous Arts and Crafts garden in Gloucestershire. It will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. The delicate pink flowers of this variety have white throats striped with pink, like seaside rock, which contrast particularly well with deep reds or with wispy grasses. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This easy-to-grow perennial will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. The magenta-blue flowers of this penstemon have a metallic sheen, reminiscent of black grapes, which contrasts particularly well with deep purples and blues. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Large, white, foxglove-like flowers emerge from pink-flushed buds from July to October and really sing among the lance-shaped, bright green leaves. If deadheaded regularly this wonderful white penstemon continues flowering until the first frosts. It's a handsome, easy-to- grow perennial that will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for lighting up the middle of a partly shady, well-drained border. Grown in sun, it looks particularly good with silver-leaved plants. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Vivid, almost luminous, lilac flowers are produced on tall stems among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. The flowers are tubular, rather like foxgloves, and if you deadhead regularly, they will persist until the first frosts. This pretty, easy-to-grow perennial will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This easy-to-grow perennial will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. The rich, deep purple flowers of this variety contrast particularly well with purples and acid greens. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This easy-to-grow perennial will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. This variety is particularly free flowering, and produces lilac flowers with a metallic sheen, often flushed with red. Each one has a white throat, striped with burgundy. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue (syn. Garnet) £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This vibrant, easy-to-grow perennial commemorates an 18th century German astronomer. It will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. The sumptuous, deep wine-red flowers contrast well with acid greens and silver leaved plants or with wispy grasses and spiky leaves. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Beard Tongue (syn. Vesuvius) £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October. Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) A large-flowered variety of penstemon, with velvety, deep purple, foxglove-like flowers, and even darker lobes that are highlighted by a white throat. Penstemons are perfect for adding late colour to the garden as they continue flowering until the first frosts if deadheaded regularly. The compact form of this variety makes it a great choice for pots and containers - or the front of a herbaceous border. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Bear's Breeches £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast growing Flowering period: May to July. Hardiness: fully hardy. A fantastic, architectural plant that's justifiably popular. It is deciduous, and produces enormous, jagged, deep green glossy leaves up to 90cm long in early spring. In mid-summer, spectacular spikes of white flowers with purple hoods shoot up from the foliage and last for several weeks. It thrives best in dappled shade and although. it will take full sun, the leaves may scorch. Plant it as a specimen plant in a mixed border, and give it plenty of room to spread itself out. Slugs and snails love this plant, so pick them off regularly. Garden care: To minimise the risk of powdery mildew taking hold ensure that the plant is watered well during hot, dry spells. To rejuvenate and minimise congestion lift and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Bear's Breeches £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: August. Hardiness: fully hardy. A fantastic, architectural plant that's justifiably popular. It is semi-evergreen, and produces enormous, jagged, deep green glossy leaves up to 90cm long. In mid-summer, spectacular spikes of white flowers with purple hoods shoot up from the foliage and last for several weeks. It thrives best in dappled shade and although. it will take full sun, the leaves may scorch. Plant it en masse under trees or as a specimen plant in a mixed border. And give it plenty of room to spread itself out. Garden care: To minimise the risk of powdery mildew taking hold ensure that the plant is watered well during hot, dry spells. To rejuvenate and minimise congestion lift and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Bellflower £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average to fast-growing. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. These clump-forming, low-growing Carpathian bellflowers are perfect for softening the edges of a sunny, raised bed or rockery. They produce a profusion of blue, bell-shaped flowers on branched stems over a long period from June to September and rosettes of heart-shaped, mid-green leaves. A useful little perennial for filling in gaps. Garden care: Protect the tender foliage from slug damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. During the growing season water freely and deadhead with scissors to prolong flowering.

Bellflower £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing. Flowering period: June to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. This low-growing, spreading campanula makes ideal groundcover, and looks wonderful scrambling between pavings or up a wall, or as an edging plant. It has masses of small, star-shaped, pure white flowers from June to September and rounded, mid-green, serrated leaves. An extremely vigorous variety, this is best planted away from smaller, less robust plants. Garden care: Protect the tender foliage from slug damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. During the growing season water freely. After flowering, pull out the flowered shoots by hand, and the plant may produce a second flush.

Bellflower £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. Masses of pretty, pure white, bell-shaped flowers appear on branched stems from June to September among heart-shaped, mid-green leaves. These elegant bellflowers look great cascading over the edges of a sunny rock garden outcrop or raised bed. Robust and long flowering, this is a useful little perennial for filling in gaps. Garden care: Protect the tender foliage from slug damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. During the growing season water freely and deadhead with scissors to prolong flowering.

Bergamot £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. A long flowering season, lemony, aromatic leaves and distinctive whorls of narrow-petalled, tufted flowers set above a ruff of purple bracts, all add to the appeal of bergamot. 'Beauty of Cobham' has pink flowers surrounded by striking, purple-pink bracts from July to September and pointed, purplish green leaves. It looks gorgeous planted en masse in the middle of a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border, where it will be smothered with butterflies and bees during the flowering period. It associates particularly well with ornamental grasses, and the flowers make a lovely winter silhouette as they die. One of the oldest and most popular varieties, it does best in a soil that retains moisture over summer. Garden care: Most monardas can be capricious, and do not like soil that is either too damp or too dry. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long-term damage, it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn, since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter.

Bergamot £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Flower colour: rose pink. Other features: fresh or dried leaves make a delicious tea. Hardiness: fully hardy. Whorls of rose pink flowers with pink tinged bracts from July to September and aromatic, mid-green leaves. This pretty, rose pink bergamot is an ideal, long flowering plant for the middle of the border. highly attractive to bees, it looks lovely planted in drifts, as a backdrop to a sea of hardy, semi-evergreen geraniums. Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in early April. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter. These plants are very susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long term damage it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant in spring and autumn.

Bergamot £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. A long flowering season, lemony, aromatic leaves and distinctive whorls of narrow-petalled, tufted flowers set above a ruff of purple bracts, all add to the appeal of bergamot. 'Cambridge Scarlet' is a popular, old variety that has bright red flowers surrounded by striking, brownish-red bracts from July to September and pointed, mid-green leaves. It looks gorgeous planted en masse in the middle of a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border, where it will be smothered with butterflies and bees during the flowering period. It associates particularly well with ornamental grasses, and the flowers make a lovely winter silhouette as they die. It does best in a soil that retains moisture over summer. Garden care: Most monardas can be capricious, and do not like soil that is either too damp or too dry. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long-term damage, it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn, since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter.

Bergamot £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. A long flowering season, lemony, aromatic leaves and distinctive whorls of narrow-petalled, tufted flowers set above a ruff of purple bracts, all add to the appeal of bergamot. 'Squaw' has bright, guardsman-red flowers surrounded by brownish-red bracts from July to September and pointed, mid-green leaves. It looks gorgeous planted en masse in the middle of a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border, where it will be smothered with butterflies and bees during the flowering period. It associates particularly well with ornamental grasses, and the flowers make a lovely winter silhouette as they die. It does best in a soil that retains moisture over summer. One of the newer varieties, this is less susceptible to powdery mildew than many other monardas. Garden care: Most monardas can be capricious, and do not like soil that is either too damp or too dry. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long-term damage, it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn, since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter.

Bergamot £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. A long flowering season, lemony, aromatic leaves and distinctive whorls of narrow-petalled, tufted flowers set above a ruff of purple bracts, all add to the appeal of bergamot. 'Ou Charm' has pretty pale pink flowers with deep purple bracts on purple stems from July to September and pointed, mid-green leaves. It looks gorgeous planted en masse in the middle of a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border, where it will be smothered with butterflies and bees during the flowering period. It associates particularly well with ornamental grasses, and the flowers make a lovely winter silhouette as they die. It does best in a soil that retains moisture over summer. Garden care: Most monardas can be capricious, and do not like soil that is either too damp or too dry. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long-term damage, it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn, since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter.

Bergamot (syn. Snow Maiden) £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: July to September. Hardiness: fully hardy. Whorls of wonderful, long-lasting, tufted, white flowers surrounded by a ruff of green bracts appear from July to September, above pointed, aromatic, mid-green leaves. This elegant bergamot associates well with other late-flowering perennials such as achillea and veronicastrum, or with ornamental grasses. It looks gorgeous planted en masse in the middle of a sunny, moisture-retentive herbaceous border, where it will be smothered with butterflies and bees during the flowering period. Garden care: Most monardas can be capricious, and do not like soil that is either too damp or too dry. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, and while this rarely causes long-term damage, it can look unsightly towards the end of the summer. You can help reduce this by applying a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant. Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn, since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter.

Big Blue Lily-turf £6.95

Position: partial to full shade, but will tolerate a sunnier spot if the soil is reliably moist. Soil: well-drained, neutral to acid soil. Rate of growth: average to fast. Flowering period: August to November. Hardiness: fully hardy An extremely useful plant, which will tolerate a range of conditions including dry shade and drought. Dark green, blade-like leaves provide year-round interest and in autumn, just as other flowers are beginning to fade, vibrant, long-lasting wands of deep violet flowers rise above the foliage. Lily-turf is perfect for edging small, shady spaces - the broad grass-like foliage contrasts beautifully with large leaved plants, or for planting in groups beneath deciduous shrubs. Garden care: To encourage new growth, cut off tired-looking leaves down to the ground in spring. This is also the time to lift and divide large clumps.

Bishop's Hat £5.45

Position: partial shade. Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: slow-growing. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves, and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The leaves of this cultivar are semi-evergreen and red-tinted in spring and autumn, and in spring, tiny flowers the colours of sunset are suspended on wiry stems. The colourful heart-shaped leaves provide spectacular all-year foliage interest for shady areas or under deciduous trees. A lovely groundcover plant. Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn.

Bishop's Hat £5.45

Position: partial shade. Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: slow-growing. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The young leaves of this variety are bronze-tinted and turn reddish-brown in autumn. In late spring a froth of tiny, crimson and pale yellow flowers appear, suspended on wiry stems. Slow to spread, it makes a good groundcover plant for shady areas or under deciduous trees. Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn.

Bistort £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: any moist soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to October. Hardiness: fully hardy. Dense spikes of soft pink flowers rise from midsummer to early autumn above semi-evergreen, deeply veined, mid-green leaves. This clump-forming, vigorous perennial has handsome foliage and quickly makes dense groundcover in sun or partial shade. Plant it in bold swatches to add vertical interest in the border right through. till mid autumn, and give it plenty of space. Persicaria does not like dry soil, so performs best in a bog garden or beside a pond. Bees and other insects love it too! Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in spring or autumn.

Black Lily. Turf £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June to August. Hardiness: fully hardy. This small, easy to grow, clump-forming evergreen perennial has strappy, inky purple, grass-like leaves. In summer, small spikes of bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers appear, followed by spherical, dark blue fruit. This unusual plant looks fantastic with other grasses, especially if grouped in tubs or planted into gravel, and it provides a brilliant contrast with silvery plants in sun, or bright green ferns in shade. Garden care: Top-dress plants in autumn with leafmould.

Black-eyed Susan £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: golden yellow. Other features: toothed, mid-green leaves; excellent, long lasting cut-flowers. Hardiness: fully hardy. Large, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers up to 12cm (5in) across with cone-shaped, blackish-brown centres from August to October. This award-winning black-eyed Susan looks great planted in bold drifts with other late summer-flowering perennials and ornamental grasses. Coping well in sun or partial shade, it's ideal for the middle of a border that doesn't dry out over summer. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring. Support with ring stakes or brushwood well before the flowers appear.

Black-eyed Susan £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: bright green. Other features: toothed, mid-green leaves. Hardiness: half hardy. An extraordinary, tall coneflower with bright green 'petals' and prominent, almost black centres. These striking perennials are perfect for the back of a sunny or partially shady border. Grower Chris Marchant, from Orchard Dene, says this plant provides 'useful punctuation' to massed plantings of daisies or umbel-type flowers. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring. Support with ring stakes or brushwood well before the flowers appear.

Bleeding Heart £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Arching sprays of dainty, rose-pink, heart-shaped flowers appear in late spring above fern-like, fresh green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America. In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands. This dicentra was first introduced in 1816, then disappeared fromcultivation but was reintroduced by plant collector Robert Fortune in1846. It soon became one of the most popular garden plantsGarden care: Dicentras are happy in any good garden soil that is fertile but not too heavy. Enrich the soil with plenty of leaf mould before planting and apply a mulch in autumn too. A light fertilising in March will help enormously.

Bleeding Heart £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. Arching sprays of dainty, pure white, heart-shaped flowers appear in late spring above fern-like, fresh green leaves. Easy to grow, this elegant dicentra is ideal for illuminating a woodland garden or as part of a cottage garden scheme. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America. In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands. This dicentra was first introduced in 1816, then disappeared from cultivation but was reintroduced by plant collector Robert Fortune in1846. It soon became one of the most popular garden plants. Garden care: Dicentras are happy in any good garden soil that's fertile but not tooheavy. Enrich the soil with plenty of leaf mould before planting andapply a mulch in autumn too. A light fertilising in March will help enormously.

Bleeding Heart £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, humus-rich rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. This vibrant, compact variety of bleeding heart produces a profusion of deep crimson, heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer above feathery, grey-green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border. As long as the ground is kept moist it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn when the leaves have died down, or in early spring before the new growth appears, taking care not to damage the fragile roots.

Bleeding Hearts £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, humus-rich rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: May to November. Hardiness: fully hardy. This vibrant, compact variety of bleeding heart produces a profusion of deep crimson, heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer above feathery, grey-green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America. In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands. Garden care: Dicentras are happy in any good garden soil that is fertile but not too heavy. Enrich the soil with plenty of leaf mould before planting and apply a mulch in autumn, too. A light fertilising in March will help enormously. Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn when the leaves have died down, or in early spring before the new growth appears, taking care not to damage the fragile roots.

Bog Sage £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moderately fertile, moist to well drained soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Flower colour: turquoise. Other features: aromatic foliage. Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection) Stunning clear blue flowers appear in spikes on top of tall stems from summer to autumn. This tall salvia is perfect for adding a splash of colour at the back of a herbaceous border. It copes well in sun or light dappled shade and the flowers are a magnet for butterflies and bees. Garden care: To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.

Bowman's Root £5.45

Position: partial shade. Soil: fertile, well-drained soil, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June. Hardiness: fully hardy. A charming perennial that bears masses of delicate, star-shaped white flowers in midsummer. In autumn, the pretty, three-leafed foliage turns fiery red and the winter seedheads are a bonus too. Lovely towards the front of a shady, woodland border, where the flowers can be appreciated. Garden care: Divide congested plants in spring or autumn. Protect young shoots from slug attack.

Bugbane (Cimicifuga) £5.95

Position: partial shade. Soil: moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: September and October Flower colour: creamy-white. Hardiness: fully hardy. A dramatic, stately perennial, this is particularly useful plant because it comes into its own late in the season, when many flowers have finished, and because it thrives in damp shade. The slender, bottlebrush-like flowers emerge in autumn from green buds and open creamy white. Try it at the back of a border, between evergreens, or to light up a shady part of the garden. Avoid removing the faded flowerheads, since they develop into pretty, lime-green seedheads. In a recent article in the The Daily Telegraph, Dr James Compton - the man responsible for their classification - thought this plant needed atmospheric moisture to thrive. Think of trillium country, he said. On the acid side of neutral, light and leaf-mouldy but able to retain moisture. Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or composted pine needles when planting. Support using ring stakes well before the flowers appear. Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.

Bugbane (syn. Cimicifuga) £8.95

Position: partial shade. Soil: moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: September and October Flower colour: pale pinkish-white. Hardiness: fully hardy. A dramatic, stately perennial, this produces slender, bottlebrush-like, pale pinkish-white flowers in September and October above clumps of three-lobed, brownish-purple leaves. Its a useful plant, both because it comes into its own late in the season, when many flowers have finished, and because it thrives in damp shade. Try it at the back of a border, between evergreens. Avoid removing the faded flowerheads since they provide an interesting silhouette in the winter garden. In a recent article in the The Daily Telegraph, Dr James Compton - the man responsible for their classification - thought this plant needed atmospheric moisture to thrive. Think of trillium country, he said. On the acid side of neutral, light and leaf-mouldy but able to retain moisture. Garden care: Support using ring stakes well before the flowers appear. Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.

Bugbane (syn. Cimicifuga) £8.95

Position: partial shade. Soil: moist, fertile, humus-rich soil. Rate of growth: average. Hardiness: fully hardy. A dramatic, stately perennial, this produces slender, bottlebrush-like, pale pinkish-white flowers in September and October above clumps of three-lobed, deep purple leaves. Its a useful plant, both because it comes into its own late in the season, when many flowers have finished, and because it thrives in damp shade. Try it at the back of a border, between evergreens. Avoid removing the faded flowerheads since they provide an interesting silhouette in the winter garden. In a recent article in the The Daily Telegraph, Dr James Compton - the man responsible for their classification - thought this plant needed atmospheric moisture to thrive. Think of trillium country, he said. On the acid side of neutral, light and leaf-mouldy but able to retain moisture. Garden care: Support using ring stakes well before the flowers appear. Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.

Bugle £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: any moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing. Flowering period: April to June. Hardiness: fully hardy. A useful plant for the edge of a shady border, ajuga also makes good groundcover as it soon knits together to form an evergreen carpet. This one has attractive, bronze-purple foliage, with densely packed, small, upright spires of deep blue flowers in spring. Tolerates sun or shade and poor soils, but does not like to dry out. Garden care: To rejuvenate and minimise congestion lift and divide clumps in late autumn or early spring every two years.

Bugle £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: any moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing. Flowering period: May. Hardiness: fully hardy. A useful plant for the edge of a shady border, ajuga also makes good groundcover as it soon knits together to form an evergreen carpet. This one has large, glossy, bronze-purple leaves with dense, upright spires of purple spring flowers. This variety is perfect for covering large areas since it has bigger leaves and is particularly vigorous. It also copes well with sun and poor soils, but does not like to dry out. Garden care: To rejuvenate and minimise congestion lift and divide clumps in late autumn or early spring every two years

Bugle £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: any moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing. Flowering period: April to May. Hardiness: fully hardy. A useful plant for the edge of a shady border, ajuga also makes good groundcover as it soon knits together to form an evergreen carpet. This one has multi-coloured, evergreen foliage with wine red splashes and cream margins and dense, upright spires of deep blue flowers in spring. Tolerates sun or shade and poor soils, but does not like to dry out. Garden care: To rejuvenate and minimise congestion lift and divide clumps in late autumn or early spring every two years.

Burnet £5.45

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: poor-to-average, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June to September. Flower colour: red. Other features: the cucumber-flavoured foliage is a welcome addition in the salad bowl. Hardiness: fully hardy. Spires of dark red blooms appear above crimped, blue-grey foliage from summer through. to autumn. A lovely, compact burnet, introduced from Japan, spreads slowly to form a 40cm wide mass. Though. the flowers are stunning, this plant is often grown just for its interesting and attractive foliage. Excellent when combined with other textural plants, such as Hakenokhloa macra, Helleborus corsicus, Iris siberica and Deschampsis cespitosa 'Goldtau'. An ideal plant for smaller gardens as it is more compact than other burnets and is happiest in a sunny spot where the soil stays moist. Garden care: Divide plants in spring or autumn.

Burnet £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: Poor-to-average, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June to September. Flower colour: white. Hardiness: fully hardy. Attractive, fluffy white flowers produced on short bottlebrush-like spikes from midsummer to early autumn. An attractive rhizomatous perennial with grey-green leaves that looks lovely planted in a herbaceous border. Burnets are great for naturalising in damp wildflower meadows or by water, as they are happiest in a sunny spot where the soil stays moist. Garden care: Divide plants in spring or autumn.

Burnet £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: Poor-to-average, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June to September. Flower colour: pink. Hardiness: fully hardy. Small, fluffy, rich pink flowers are produced on short, bottlebrush-like spikes from midsummer to early autumn. An attractive rhizomatous perennial with greyish green leaves that looks lovely planted in a herbaceous border. Burnets are great for naturalising in damp wildflower meadows or by water, as they are happiest in a sunny spot where the soil stays moist. Garden care: Divide plants in spring or autumn.

Burnet £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: Poor-to-average, moist, well-drained soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: May to July. Hardiness: fully hardy. Fluffy, vivid red, bottlebrush-like flowers are produced from late spring. The delicate, blue-grey, feathery foliage forms a neat clump and is a feature in its own right, as well as being is an excellent foil for the finger-length flowers. Earlier to flower than other Sanguisorbas, this looks particularly lovely planted with grasses and with Penstemon Raven and Achillea millefolium Paprika, and does not like dry soil. The seed-heads retain their colour, so do not cut it down until early spring. Garden care: Cut down spent flower heads in early spring. Divide congested plants in spring or autumn.

Butterfly Collection £2.99

Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, preferably poor soil. Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: blue, mauve, pink, yellow and white. Other features: attractive to butterflies; contains a packet of Centaurea cyanus (cornflower), Knautia arvensis (field scabious), Centaurea scabiosa (greater knapweed), Centaurea nigra (common knapweed), Malva moschata (musk mallow), Leucanthemum vulgare (oxeye daisy) and Achillea millefolium (yarrow) Hardiness: fully hardy. Landlife Wildflower Seed Range: By choosing Landlife Wildflower seeds you are directly helping to save wildflowers and the wildlife that depend on the for there survival. Landlife is a charity (reg 290510) who plough. the profits from their sales into their environmental activities in creative conservation - in other words developing new spaces for wildflowers to grow as well as safeguarding existing areas. A collection of seven predominantly blue and mauve summer-flowering wildflowers designed to provide a haven for native butterflies. Perfect for a sunny site with poor, well-drained soil, to encourage visiting butterflies to breed it's important to retain a small patch of stinging nettles close by in full sun to provide food for the young caterpillars. Garden care: When sowing seeds do not use a fertiliser since wildflowers prefer poor soils. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In autumn cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems. Goes well with: Briza media, Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue', Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue', Verbascum nigrum, Perovskia 'Blue Spire', Stachys byzantina

Clustered Bellflower £4.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Rate of growth: fast-growing. Flowering period: June to July. Hardiness: fully hardy. Dense heads of large, rich purple, bell-shaped flowers appear from June to August and on tall stems with rosettes of oval, mid-green leaves. This beautiful bellflower is perfect for a sunny, cottage-style or herbaceous border and is equally happy in partial shade. Garden care: Avoid planting out seedlings until all threat of frost has passed. During the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each month. Cut back after flowering both to prevent self-seeding and to encourage a second flush of flowers.

Peach-leaved Bellflower £5.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: June and July. Hardiness: fully hardy. A classic of the cottage garden, this tall bellflower produces large, white cup-shaped flowers on slender stems in June and July among toothed, bright green leaves, which it retains all year. It's an ideal plant for the back of a mixed or herbaceous border, especially in partial shade. It's earlier flowering than many other varieties, and provides excellent cut-flowers, too. Garden care: Protect the tender foliage from slugs and deadhead regularly. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant in spring. Stake with bamboo canes or brushwood in spring before the flowers appear. Deadhead to prolong flowering

Wild Bleeding Heart £6.95

Position: full sun or partial shade. Soil: moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Rate of growth: average. Flowering period: May to August. Hardiness: fully hardy. A fast-growing, dwarf perennial with arching stems of creamy white, heart-shaped flowers from late spring to late summer. The blue-green, fern-like foliage forms a soft mound, and is a lovely foil to other plants. Easy to grow, it looks great planted en masse as a groundcover at the front of a shady border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America. In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands. Garden care: Dicentras are happy in any good garden soil that is fertile but not too heavy. Enrich the soil with plenty of leaf mould before planting and apply a mulch in autumn, too. A light fertilising in March will help enormously.

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