Plant Library

A compact milkweed producing vivid orange flowers through early to mid-summer. Unlike other members of the genus, Asclepias tuberosa demands full sun and sharply drained, lean soils to persist, particularly in coastal gardens. When sited correctly, it forms a tidy clump and provides strong seasonal colour without spreading.

A low-growing aster that belies its name once established. ‘Tiny Theo’ forms a dense, spreading carpet, flowering in late summer with small blue daisies that attract pollinators. Best suited to meadow edges and larger plantings where its outward movement can be accommodated without restraint.

An Italian aster selection with violet-blue flowers in late summer and fall. Forms compact clumps with good mildew resistance. The flowers appear in clusters creating strong colour impact. More heat and drought-tolerant than many asters.

The German name translates as violet queen. Thrives in well-drained soil with full sun. The compact habit suits front to middle border positions. Late-flowering provides valuable autumn interest. The mildew resistance makes it more reliable than many aster cultivars. Attracts late-season butterflies and pollinators.

An early-flowering aster with notably large, lilac-blue flowers held on upright stems from early summer into autumn. ‘Mönch’ begins flowering well ahead of many asters and continues steadily, provided it is grown in full sun with good drainage. Its clear colour and long season make it a reliable border plant rather than a late-season filler.

A richly coloured masterwort with dark purple stems and deep wine-red flowers held above clean foliage from early summer into autumn. ‘Abbey Road’ flowers freely and repeats well, maintaining presence through the season. Suited to fertile, moisture-retentive soils in full sun or part shade, and valued both in the border and as a cut flower.

A well-known masterwort with deep red flowers held above clean green foliage from early summer into autumn. ‘Hadspen Blood’ forms a steady, upright clump and responds well to fertile, moisture-retentive soils, where it flowers repeatedly through the season. A dependable choice for borders and cutting gardens without spreading aggressively.

A compact masterwort with deep red flowers held above tidy foliage from early summer into autumn. ‘Venice’ maintains a composed, upright habit and performs best in fertile, moisture-retentive soils, where it flowers steadily without becoming coarse. Well suited to borders and cutting gardens where restrained colour is preferred.

A clump-forming masterwort with large, silver-pink flowers flushed with green, flowering from early summer into autumn. ‘Buckland’ combines traits of Astrantia maxima and A. major, offering substance without spreading, and repeating reliably through the season. Valued for cutting and for its composed habit in fertile, moisture-retentive soils.