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Pansy

The most popular and best loved. It will perform in your garden whether in a container or planted out into the borders etc. Totally Winter hardy. Flowers from end August - next August (if looked after!) Typically the pansies are termed as Winter pansies and will flower through the Winter providing there are plenty of sunny days. They require the sun to initiate flower bud and in the sometimes dreary, dull days that Winter offer they maybe shy to flower. The reward is usually around the end of February onwards the first Spring flush of vibrant colours lift the garden into joy. Unlike a lot of bedding plants, pansy & especially viola are easy to keep looking good providing a few basics are given. Watering is best done in morning, keep drier during the winter months - but at the same time don't let them dry out completely. Feed with a high potash feed such as vitax , once established. If you are time strapped we suggest adding slow release food in the compost at time of planting with Vitax Q4 or Gro-Sure. This should provide enough nutrient for 6 months, but frequency of watering may effect this. De-head regurlarly to keep the plant producing more flowers and for disease prevention. The smaller violas are self-cleaning, ie. de heading not neccessary. Pest & disease problems? If the plants are kept healthy with good watering and de heading & dead leaf removal the plants will be trouble free. Pests. Caterpillars are the main issue. If you are environmentally minded, pick off any you see. However, a spray with systemic insecticide will do the trick. Slugs can often eat the flower buds, leaves & stems so watch out for them. Disease. There can be leaf spot and downy mildew problems. This mainly happens if we get a dull wet Winter. Try to keep plants dry and remove any affected leaves straight away. Preventitive fungicides can work if applied correctly.

Astilbe japonica is a lovely variety blooming with plenty of  soft creamy white,white or pink flowers on top of strong stems. Does well along the edge of a pond and preferes moist soil. Japonica types bloom with more open flowerheads.

• Not eaten by animals
• Fragrant
• Blooms: June - August
• Flower colour: white
• Full grown: 2 Years
• Full grown height: 50 - 75 cm
• Full grown width: 25 - 50 cm
• Plant location: partial sunny location
• Plant depth: 15 cm
• Plant spacing: 30 cm
• Hardiness: -15 Celsius
• Preferred soil: Peaty Soil

Agapanthus Wolga, Deciduous green strap-like leaves. Pale violet-blue flowers, flowerhead 18-20cm in diameter. Grows up to 70cm tall. Requires full sun and moist well drained soil conditions. Give winter protection. Site: Sheltered Soil: Any light, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil Position: Full sun Season of interest: July to September Hardiness: Fairly hardy Height: 70cm  Spread: 40cm

Hebe (Evergreen Veronica) is an easy to grow flowering evergreen shrub native to New Zealand and South America. Hebe plants come in many sizes ranging from dwarf shrubs, suitable for planting in patio pots and rockeries, to large hebe plants that are perfect for planting in a large garden. Many varieties of Hebe flower throughout summer and autumn - some varieties of Hebe flower during the winter. Although mostly hardy, a cold English winter can kill some types of Hebe plants. Hebes especially need to be protected from strong winds. The variegated-leafed Hebes seem to be amongst those most affected by cold winds and wintery weather. Hebes are easy to propagate from cuttings.

FLOWERS ON A HEBE PLANT

The flowers on a Hebe shrub are small and grouped together in spikes. The colours of Hebe flowers range from white through pink, blue, lilac and purple to bright crimsons.

FOLIAGE

The leaves provide attractive year round foliage with different colours including silver and green, grey, violet, burgundy, bronze and red.

BUTTERFLIES

This delightful shrub has flowers which will attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

WHERE TO PLANT A HEBE SHRUB

A Hebe is a good all year round foliage plant. Its flowers can provide colour throughout all growing seasons. Grown in mixed plantings of summer annuals the flowers of a Hebe add to the floral display whilst the shape and form of the bush give a sense of stability. Hebe can be grown as an informal hedge - but if clipped back too hard it will not produce so many flowers. The smaller hebes make good ground cover plants or add interest to a rockery. A Hebe should be planted in a well drained soil and, if possible, in a position protected from wind.

HOW TO PLANT A HEBE

• Before planting a Hebe soak the roots in water
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the container that the Hebe is in.
• Add a spadeful of compost and some general purpose fertiliser to the soil taken from the hole that you have dug.
• Remove the plant from the pot - tap the sides and base of the container to release the Hebe.
• Place the hebe plant into the hole.
• Fill in the space around the plant with the soil and compost mixture and gently firm with your fingers or tread in.
• Water in with plenty of water.
• Mulch around the base of the plant to help to conserve moisture.