We grow a range of these hardy border plants in small successive batches; this means that the range we have on sale is constantly changing as one variety sells out to be replaced by another. 

Unless priced otherwise, the Herbaceous plants in the following list £1.75 each.

Good drainage is essential for most herbaceous plants, the main danger being waterlogging during the winter and spring months (we do have some varieties which actually like moist soil).

If you think that there will be drainage problems sort them out before planting.

Because of the hilly nature of our district this should not be an insurmountable problem; most gardens are on sloping land so there is usually somewhere else in the garden you can divert the excess drainage water to. Rather than thinking that you are replacing one problem area with another, such areas should be seen as an opportunity to grow moisture-loving plants.

The creation of raised or mounded beds is another way of making sure that the upper roots and crowns of the plants are well drained.

Only the main varieties we grow are in the list (heights are dependent on variety).

ACHILLEA. 15cm (6 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

White, yellow, pale pink 

and cerise pink varieties, 

best in full sun June-September flowering.

AJUGA. 15cm (6 inches).

Groundcover plant. Blue flowers May-August. Full sun or partial shade. Colourful foliage varieties.

ALCHEMILLA (LADY'S MANTLE). 45cm (18 inches).

Yellow/green flowers, June-August. Full sun or partial shade.

ALYSSOIDES. 30cm (12 inches).

Bright-yellow flowers, April-June. Best in full sun.

ANAPHALIS. 30cm (12 inches).

Clusters of white flowers over silvery foliage in August-September. Full sun or partial shade.

ANCHUSA. 152cm (60 inches)

Intense-blue flowers in June-August. Full sun is essential.

ARNICA. 50cm (20 inches).

Rich-yellow flowers, June-August. Full sun is best.

ANTHEMIS. 60cm (24 inches).

Bright-yellow flowers, 

June-September. 

Full sun or partial shade 

(if planted in shade the soil must be very free draining).

ANTIRRHINUM (HARDY VARIETY). 45cm (18 inches).

Pale-yellow flowers produced throughout the summer months, only the frost stops them flowering in autumn. Full sun is best (they will flower in partial shade, but not over-winter so well).

AQUILEGIA. 30cm (12 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

A range of varieties, all May-June flowering. A plant for partial shade.

ASTER (MICHAELMAS DAISY). 23cm (9 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

White, pink, blue, lilac, purple, near-red. Several varieties, mainly dwarf types. September-October flowering, they thrive best in full sun.

ASTRANTIA. 30cm (12 inches) to 70cm (28 inches).

Moist soil and partial shade are essential. 

White or pink, papery flowers 

June-July.

BERGINIA. 30cm (12 inches) to 35cm (14 inches).

Clusters of pink flowers, March-April. Sun or light shade.

CAMASSIA LEIGHTLINI COERULEA (Quamash).

76cm (30 inches). They need a moist, but drained position in full sun or partial shade. Rich blue flowers during June. Dies down for winter. Price code X £3.18 each.

CAMPANULA. 30cm (12 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

Blue, white and purple varieties 

flower between June and August. 

They will grow in full sun or partial shade.

CARNATION. 60cm (24 inches).

Mixed colours, August-October flowering. They prefer full sun, but will grow in light shade (too much shade and you get fewer flowers). Carnations like lime.

CATANANCHE (CUPIDS DART). 60cm (24 inches).

We grow both the blue and the white types; they flower June-September. Full sun is essential.

CENTAUREA. 45cm (18 inches).

Pink or blue, June-July flowering. Full sun or light shade.

CHRYSANTHEMUM (LARGE WHITE DAISIES). 25cm (10 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

Several varieties, 

all like lime 

and flower June-August. 

They prefer full sun.

COREOPSIS. 35cm (14 inches) to 45cm (18 inches).

Several varieties, all shades of yellow, flowering June-September. Full sun or partial shade, but if your land is heavy clay, to be successful you must add plenty of organic matter. 

DELPHINIUM. 60cm (24 inches) to 152cm (60 inches).

Several varieties. Rich, fertile soil is best; they also need full sun and shelter from strong winds.

DIANTHUS (PINKS). 37½cm (15 inches).

Mixed colours. Most varieties flower June- July and again in autumn. Dianthus like lime and prefer to be in full sun, although they seem able to stand some shade provided the soil is free-draining enough.

DORONICUM. 45cm (18 inches) to 60cm (24 inches).

Bright-yellow daisies. 

April-May flowering. 

They do well in full sun or partial shade.

ECHINACEA. 102cm (40 inches).

Large, pink, daisy flowers with reflex petals (downwards facing). July-October flowering. They prefer full sun and are very greedy plants - feed several times through the summer.

ECHINOPS (GLOBE THISTLE). 90cm (36 inches).

Large, globular, blue flowers are produced July-September. Full sun is essential.

ERIGERON. 25cm (10 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

Lilac or orange, daisy flowers produced from June to August. They will grow happily in either full sun or partial shade.

ERYSIMUM. 20cm (8 inches).

Lilac, wallflower-like blooms from June until the frosts of autumn. They prefer a sunny position.

EUPHORBIA. 15cm (6 inches) to 45cm (18 inches).

Yellow bract varieties. April-May or May flowering. They do well in full sun or partial shade.

GAILLARDIA. 30cm (12 inches) to 76cm (30 inches).

Red or banded, yellow and scarlet varieties. 

June to September flowering. 

They must have a sunny position.

GERANIUM (CRANE'S-BILL). 40cm (16 inches) to 45cm (18 inches).

Several varieties. Flowering time depends on variety, but if you clip back after flowering you may well get another flush of flowers the same year. Full sun or light shade.

GEUM. 30cm (12 inches) to 60cm (24 inches).

Yellow, orange or red varieties. 

Can flower from May to September.

 They do well in full sun or light shade.

GYPSOPHILA. 90cm (36 inches) to 122cm (48 inches).

White or pink varieties flowering June-August. They like lime and will grow in full sun or light shade.

HEDYSARUM. 90cm (36 inches).

Red flowers, August-September. Whether in sun or light shade they must have free-drainage.

HELENIUM. 60cm (24 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

Mainly yellow or gold flowers during July-September.

HELIOPSIS. 122cm (48 inches).

Golden-yellow flowers, 

July-August. 

Full sun is essential 

as is shelter from strong winds.

HEUCHERA. 45cm (18 inches).

Sprays of small pink or red, bell-like flowers, June to August flowering. They do well in full sun or light shade.

HIERACIUM. 30cm (12 inches).

Orange flowers produced July onwards. Dry, sunny positions are ideal. WARNING - this variety is a rampant, ground-cover plant, do not plant in small gardens or where you do not want it to take over.

HOLLYHOCK. 152cm (60 inches).

Tall-growing plants (even the dwarf varieties are tall), mixed colours, June to September flowering. A sunny position is essential.

IBERIS (PERENNIAL CANDYTUFT). 23cm (9 inches).

White or lilac varieties (the white is hardier), spreading habit, May-June flowering, they prefer a sunny position.

INULA. 30cm (12 inches).

Golden-yellow flowers, August-September. They do well in sun or partial shade.

IRIS GERMANICA. 60cm (24 inches).

Mainly blue varieties, June flowering, they prefer full sun.

KNAUTIA. 76cm (30 inches).

Pink and red flowers. 

A well-drained sunny position is essential.

KNIPHOFIA (RED-HOT-POKER). 90 cm (36 inches).

Orange/red and yellow flowers, July-September flowering. They grow best in full sun. Price code U £2.25 each.

LATHYRUS (EVERLASTING SWEET PEA). Climbing plant.

They come in several colours, but all die down completely for winter. Flowering from June to September, they prefer a sunny position, but seem to tolerate light shade without too much loss of flower quality.

LIATRIS. 45cm (18 inches).

Pink or white varieties, August-September flowering. 

They will grow in sun or partial shade and like a moist, 

but well-drained soil (they must not waterlog in winter).

LINARIA. 76cm (30 inches).

Pink or purple varieties, both flower from June to September. A sunny position is best.

LINUM. 40cm (16 inches).

Delicate, blue flowers that dance on the wind from June to August. They do best in full sun.

LUPIN. 50cm (20 inches) to 90 cm (36 inches).

A range of mixed and separate colours of both tall and dwarf varieties. June-July flowering, they like acid soil (no lime), but will do well in either sun or partial shade.

LYCHNIS. 76cm (30 inches).

Magenta-purple flowers and silvery foliage make this a striking plant. Flowering June-August (deadhead to prolong flowering), they prefer full sun although they will flower in light shade provided that the soil is free draining.

LYSIMACHIA. 76cm (30 inches).

Golden-yellow flowers, they will grow in sun or shade, but must have moist soil. Flowering from June to August

MIMULUS. 20cm (8 inches).

Yellow trumpets spotted with red. Another plant for a moist, shady corner, 

but beware - although they flower all summer and must not be allowed to dry out, 

if they get waterlogged in winter you could lose them.

MONARDA. 60cm (24 inches) to 76cm (30 inches).

Pink, purple or red. They like moist soil and will flower in sun or shade during June-September.

NEPETA (CATMINT). 30cm (12 inches) to 60cm (24 inches).

Purple or white (the white is much taller) flowers from May to September. They must have a sunny, well-drained site. Cats love to roll in catmint (a delightful sight when they are your cats).

OSTEOSPERMUM. 30cm (12 inches).

Pink, daisy flowers produced throughout the summer months. We have only found one variety so far which can withstand our winters. These plants must be planted in very well drained soil, in full sun and sheltered from the worst winter winds.

PAPAVER (ORIENTAL POPPY). 45cm (18 inches) or 90 cm (36 inches).

Tall and dwarf varieties, mixed colours or scarlet orange. May-June flowering. They require full sun.

PARAHEBE. 30cm (12 inches).

White or lilac, flowering all summer (keep clipping off the dead flowers). Best in full sun.

PENSTEMON. 60cm (24 inches) to 76cm (30 inches).

Mixed colours, several varieties. June-September flowering. They need a sheltered position to over-winter successfully and must have full sun.

PHLOX. 90 cm (36 inches).

Several varieties, 

July-October flowering, 

they will grow in either sun or light shade, 

but must have moist soil.

PHYSALIS (CHINESE LANTERN). 60cm (24 inches).

They have small, insignificant, white flowers in summer, but these are followed in autumn by seedpods that have large, papery outer-covers of gold and orange. They grow in sun or partial shade.

PLATYCODON. 30cm (12 inches).

White, pink or blue varieties. June to September flowering, they thrive in sun or light shade (must be well drained).

POLEMONIUM (JACOB'S LADDER). 40cm (16 inches) to 60cm (24 inches).

Blue flowers, 

June-August. 

They do well in sun 

or partial shade.

POLYGONUM. 20cm (8 inches).

Pink flowers produced from June to October. Ground cover plants, they do well in full sun or partial shade.

POTENTILLA. 60cm (24 inches).

Red flowers from June to September. Plant in a sunny position.

PRUNELLA. 23cm (9 inches).

Ground cover plant. Purple flowers, June-July. They thrive in sun or light shade.

PYRETHRUM. 60cm (24 inches).

Mixed colours, 

all May-June flowering. 

A sunny, well-drained position is essential. 

Water in dry weather.

PYRETHRUM (FOLIAGE VARIETY). 30cm (12 inches).

A small, white, daisy flower in summer, but its main attraction is the mass of feathery, golden foliage it produces. A sunny, well-drained position is essential. Water in dry weather.

RUDBECKIA (CONEFLOWER). 60cm (24 inches).

Gold and orange flowers from July to September. They will grow in sun or light shade.

SCABIOSA. 60cm (24 inches).

Blue shades. 

These "pincushion" flowers appear 

between June and October. 

They do best in full sun and like lime.

SEDUM. 45cm (18 inches).

Tiny pink flowers arranged in large heads from August to October. Best in full sun.

SIDALCEA. 90cm (36 inches).

Pink varieties, flowering June-August. They do well in sun or partial shade.

SISYRINCHIUM. 20cm (8 inches)

Blue flowers produced throughout the summer months. Full sun is essential.

SOLIDAGO (GOLDEN ROD). 45cm (18 inches) to 90cm (36 inches).

Golden flowers, dwarf and tall varieties, July-September flowering, they will do well in full sun or light shade.

STACHYS. 45cm (18 inches).

Lilac or purple flowers; some forms are grown more for their foliage than their flowers which appear in July-August. Sun or light shade.

TANACETUM. 60cm (24 inches). 

Bush-like growth with spectacular numbers 

of yellow-eyed, white daisy flowers from July to September 

(heaviest flowering starts in their second year). 

They prefer a sunny, well-drained position.

THALICTRUM. 76cm (30 inches).

Small, off-white flowers produced June-September. Although hardy, the flowering tends not to be so good in the North of England. Sun or partial-shade.

TRADESCANTIA. 45cm (18 inches) to 50cm (20 inches).

Purple, blue or white flowers, June-September. Full sun or partial shade.

TROLLIUS (GLOBE FLOWER). 60cm (24 inches).

Yellow and gold varieties, May-June flowering. Sun or partial shade, a moist soil is essential.

TUNICA. 30cm (12 inches).

Wispy, pink flowers on a grass-like tussock. June to September flowering, an open, sunny position is essential.

VALERIAN (CENTRANTHUS). 76cm (30 inches).

Red flowers from June to October. 

They thrive best in full sun.

VERBASCUM. 122cm (48 inches).

White variety, June-August flowering. Full sun.

VERONICA. 15cm (6 inches) to 76cm (30 inches).

Blue, purple and pink varieties. The summer flowering-time depends on variety. They do well in full sun or light shade.

HERBACEOUS NOTE:

Always deadhead after flowering, being careful to remove seedpods along with the dying flowers. Replacement seedlings can be useful, but if you allow too many to be produced they may become "troublesome weeds". Producing too many seeds may also leave you with a weaker parent plant.