Plant Library

A hybrid between aster and solidago forming clumping plants with thin but sturdy stems clothed in narrow, lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are arranged in arching plumes that open soft yellow and change to sulphur-yellow as they age. The graceful habit and extended flowering make it valuable for late summer interest.

Thrives in sun with average soil. Excellent in fresh flower arrangements and loved by bees and butterflies. The arching plumes create an elegant effect in borders and combine well with grasses and other late summer perennials. RHS Award of Garden Merit.

A betony with soft pink flowers held in whorled spikes on upright stems. The basal foliage is attractive and the flower spikes provide vertical interest in early to midsummer. Plants form steady clumps that spread slowly and maintain good form through the season.

Thrives in sun or part shade with average soil. The soft pink colouration makes it valuable for pastel-themed borders and cottage gardens. Suitable for front to middle border positions and combines well with hardy geraniums, salvias, and other summer perennials. Native to Europe and Southwest Asia.

A betony with dense flower spikes in soft rose-pink tones held on sturdy stems. The foliage forms basal clumps and the upright flowering stems create vertical accents in the summer border. Plants maintain their flowering over several weeks and attract pollinators.

Thrives in sun or part shade with average, well-drained soil. Suitable for borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings. The soft rose colour combines well with other summer perennials and the reliable habit makes it a dependable choice for long-season interest.

A compact white-flowered betony, approximately half the size of standard forms. The flowers sometimes show the palest pink flush at their base. Plants form neat clumps with basal foliage and upright flower spikes that appear in early to midsummer.

Suspected to be of hybrid origin. Thrives in sun or part shade with average, well-drained soil. The compact size makes it valuable for smaller borders, rock gardens, and front-of-border positions. As reliable as other betonies but in a more diminutive package suitable for tighter spaces.

A betony with distinctive two-tone flowers featuring pale pink exteriors and hot pink interiors, creating a lively bicolour effect. Flower spikes are held on sturdy stems above basal foliage. Plants form reliable clumps and maintain their flowering over several weeks in summer.

Thrives in sun or part shade with average, well-drained soil. The unusual colour combination makes this a standout in borders and cottage gardens. As reliable and long-lasting as other betony selections. Suitable for cutting and combines well with roses, geraniums, and summer perennials.

A reliable betony with lilac-purple flower spikes held on sturdy stems above basal foliage. The flowers are a favourite nectar station for bumblebees and other pollinators, with the cultivar name referencing German bumblebees. Plants form tidy clumps and bloom over an extended period in summer.

Selected by Ernst Pagel. Thrives in sun or part shade with average soil. As reliable and long-lasting as other betonies but in a distinctive shade of lilac-purple. Suitable for borders, pollinator gardens, and naturalistic plantings. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year 2019.

A compact form with sturdy, multi-branched stems forming a short, dense plant with rounded outline. Lilac-blue button flowers smother the plant from midsummer until early autumn. The dwarf habit and profuse flowering make it excellent for front-of-border positions.

Thrives in sun with average, well-drained soil. The compact character and extended flowering period make it valuable for rock gardens, sunny borders, and bee gardens. Native to Europe, Caucasus, and Siberia. This dwarf form was originally received from Iceland and maintains its compact habit reliably.

A sturdy aster with an excellent upright habit and flowers that are white tinged with lilac-rose dusting, creating a wonderfully woolly appearance. Plants form substantial clumps with good branching and maintain their form without support through the autumn flowering season.

Selected by Piet Oudolf and named after his wife. Thrives in sun with average to moist soil. The flowers provide valuable late-season nectar for pollinators. Suitable for borders and naturalistic plantings where reliable autumn colour and sturdy habit are valued. Combines effectively with grasses and other autumn perennials.