Dianthus caryophyllus
Height FAIRLY LOW

Powerfully scented Gillyflowers were the precursor of boring modern, scent-free carnations. These make delicious additions to salads, exquisite pot-pourris, and more charming table decorations!

Clove-Pink, Gillyflower

Digitalis ferruginea
Height TALL

Stick-thin spires of rusty brown flowers and strap-like leaves give this unusual favourite of mine the anorexic model look. Bees and hoverflies like it.

Rusty Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea Foxy
Height MEDIUM

Dwarf form of the native foxglove, whose poisonous constituent, digitalin, has long been a recognised and successful treatment for certain heart conditions, under strict medical supervision of course.

Dwarf Foxglove

Apricot Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea Excelsior Hybrids

In shades of purple, mauve and white, this popular selection will draw all the bumblebees in the neightbourhood.

Foxgloves

Dipsacus fullonum Height
PRETTY TALL

Beloved of bumble bees and flower arrangers, the prickly heads can be dried and coloured for winter decoration. Once used in clothmaking to raise a nap on velvets.

Teasel

Dipsacus sativus Height
PRETTY TALL

The true Fuller's Teasel, grown commercially until recently. Very stiff spiny flower heads can be used to card wool in hand-spinning.

Fuller's Teasel

Echinacea purpurea
Height MEDIUM

This delightful prairie flower has many medicinal uses, including boosting the immune system. We also have some of the variety 'White Swan' from last year.

Purple Cone Flower

Echinops ritro

Blue Globe Thistle

Echium vulgare Height
Fairly TALL

The stately spires of pink and blue flowers that are massed on the tall, bristly stems of this glorious native plant are very attractive to pollinating insects, and the omega-3 rich oil from its seeds makes it a valuable aid to skin care and treatment.

Viper's Bugloss

Echinops sphaerocephalum Arctic Glow
Height PRETTY TALL

This globe thistle is not so tall, and carries many white flowers from midsummer onwards. Just as attractive to bees.

Eryngium gigantium Ghost
Dramatically tall

Miss Ellen Wilmott was a redoubtable horticulturist fond of distributing the seeds of this striking biennial sea holly, with its silvery-blue, architectural flowerheads and spiny foliage. I once lived near Miss Wilmott's old home at Warley Place in Essex, when it was still a mysterious amalgam of neglected garden and nature reserve. We used to sneak around at dusk, and it was full of ghosts.

Sea Holly Miss Willmott's Ghost

Eryngium maritimum
Height MEDIUM

The true wild Sea Holly, with fabulous steely grey-blue foliage and flowers, whose roots may be candied and are aprhodisiac. They are also used medicinally in urinary tract disorders, and may be made into a conserve. Hard to propagate and in short supply - check before ordering

Sea Holly

Eryngium bourgattii
Height MEDIUM

One of the most dramatic Sea Hollies, with intensely metallic, spiny flowers and silver-veined foliage. It is a low-growing, bushy perennial, and, like all sea hollies, it attracts bees and makes superb dried flower decoration.

Variegated Sea Holly

Eryngium yuccifolium
Height TALL

Sturdy sea holly, attractive to bees, with sculptural, sword-like leaves and creamy white flowers suitable for drying once established

Yucca-leaved Sea Holly

Eucalyptus citriodora

This tender gum tree needs protection from cold weather and is suitable for a cool conservatory. Foliage smells fabulously of lemon, due to high citronella content, and may be used in pot-pourri, as an inhalation, or to repel insects.

Lemon Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus gunnii

Oil of eucalyptus in hot water makes a superb inhalation for head colds and sinus problems, while the beautiful foliage of this hardy tree not only makes interesting floral decoration, but can be used with tea for a refreshing hot drink-the "billy tea" of the bush.

Cider Gum

Eupatorium cannabinum
Height PRETTY TALL

An excellent bee plant, this tall native perennial with its showy heads of pink flowers has many medicinal properties, and may have anti-cancer potential.

Hemp Agrimony

Eupatorium purpureum
Dramatically tall

Towering relative of Hemp Agrimony with pink flowers attractive to bees, used to treat for genito-urinary tract ailments.

Jo-Pye Weed

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'
Fairly TALL

This late-flowering member of the family has chocolate-purple foliage, an upright habit, and long-lasting white flowers which provide late nectar for bees. It is poisonous if ingested. I am not sure if it is called Snakeroot because it can cure snakebite or if the roots are snake-like!

White Snakeroot

Euphorbia lathyrus
Height MEDIUM

This interesting biennial is said to be all you need to deter moles, but it's not certain whether the name comes from this or an old documented use as a cosmetic to lighten freckles! Personally, I welcome moles.

Mole Plant or Caper Spurge

Filipendula ulmaria Height PRETTY TALL

Useful for poorly drained sites, this sweet smelling herb was once used to strew on mediaeval floors. Itd is one of the original sources of Aspirin, and makes a lovely herbal tea in combination with sage and sweet cicely.

Meadowsweet

Foeniculum vulgare
Dramatically tall

Widely used as safe medicine for gastric complaints; component of toothpastes and various cosmetics and of "gripe water" colic remedy for infants; this variety with graceful feathery bronze-purple foliage makes an attractive addition to salads and fish dishes and looks superb at the back of the border.

Bronze Fennel

Fragaria vesca
Height FAIRLY LOW

Slugs usually beat me to the cultivated strawberries, but I get my fair share and more of these delicious, sweet fruits. Leaves make a splendid addition to tea, and the whole plant has surprising medicinal uses too.

Wild Strawberry

Fritillaria meleagris
Height MEDIUM POISONOUS

With its nodding, chequered pink and purple or occasionally white flowers, this rare native of water meadows is much-loved. I can find no excuse for including it as a "plant with purpose", but it has so many many associations with human traditions and May-time events - and so many names! - and has aroused so much passion over the centuries, I suspect evryone should have them in their lawn. Give it time to spread, and don't walk on the grass until you can spot the leaves! (good excuse not to cut the lawn as well)

Snake's Head fritillary, Frawcups, Crowcups, Leper's Bells

Galega officinalis
Height PRETTY TALL

Known for its ability to increase milk flow in humans and livestock, Goat's Rue, with its lovely mauve or white pea-flowers and attractive pinnate foliage, was once used also to treat the plague!

Goat's Rue

Galium odoratum
Height FAIRLY LOW

With its delicious new-mown hay smell, its not surprising this woodland ground covering herb was a popular strewing herb and laundry aid. Steeped in a decent German wine, it is transformed into the May Day punch known as "Maibowle". Lovely little plant.

Sweet Woodruff

Geranium pratense
Height MEDIUM

Large, luminous blue flowers are a magnet to bees on this native perennial. So much more subtle and appealing than the overbred horticultural forms.

Meadow Cranesbill

Geum rivale
Height MEDIUM

Lovely native for damp areas, with nodding, terracotta-coloured flowers and astringent properties. The roots smell of chocolate and can be used to make a chocolate-substitute drink.. Nah, I don't believe it either.

Chocolate Root, Water Avens

Geum urbanum
Height MEDIUM

This wild flower of hedgerows has medicinal properties, reducing inflammation and aiding digestion; and has roots that smell and taste of cloves! Small yellow foliage and attractive foliage. A self-seeder - you have been warned.

Herb Bennet, Wood Avens

Glycyrrhiza glabra
Height MEDIUM

From the roots comes the basis for the popular sweets, also used in cough medicines, laxatives and flavourings. Pretty pea-like flowers.

Liquorice

Helichrysum italicum
Height MEDIUM

Well, you either love or hate its curry smell, but the silvery foliage of this aromatic plant is very attractive in the garden anyway. Grow it next to purple sage and golden marjoram.

Curry Plant

Helichrysum italicum nanum
Height FAIRLY LOW

Choice dwarf form of curry plant, with compact habit and the same culinary uses.

Dwarf Curry Plant

Herniara glabra
Very small or creeping

Sweet, creeping foliage plant, remarkably hardy, once used (you've guessed it) to treat hernias! Good ground cover

Rupture-wort

Humulus lupulus Aureus

Golden-leaved form of the attractive climber most widely used to flavour beer. Hop tea and hop pillows are also used to induce a good night's sleep. If you find they don't work, just drink the beer - a decent real ale of course, because life's too short for hangovers.

Golden Hop

Hypericum perforatum
Height PRETTY TALL

This pretty yellow flowered native is now widely recognised as effective in the treatment of depressive conditions, under qualified guidance. However, it is contra-indicated with certain conventional chemical treatments. Unsurprisingly, it is likely to be St. John's Wort, not the chemicals, which get banned! Flowering heads make a pleasant drink, and they were used in pagan rites to represent the sun at Midsummer festivals.

St. John's Wort

Hyssopus aristatus
FAIRLY SHORT

A more compact hyssop, but with all the flavour.

Rock Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis BLUE, PINK OR WHITE
Height MEDIUM

I love the intense blue spikes of hyssop flowers, and the pungency of the foliage as a flavouring. Bees adore it too. It is used in cough remedies and a range of other medicines, and is traditionally used to flavour Chartreuse liqueur. We also have pink and white hyssops usually in stock, they are all good wildlife flowers. Name your colour, we'll do our best.

Hyssop

Inula helenium
Dramatically tall

Tall, statuesque..reputedly rivals buddleia for attracting butterflies. Big sunflower-like flowers, which are used medicinally for coughs, cataarh and related complaints; roots used to flavour deserts and confectionary. Lovely plant!

Elecampane

Isatis tinctoria
Height PRETTY TALL

Presented as a challenge for the hand-dyer, Woad is an attractive biennial with showy yellow flowers and a long history. A talking point for any garden.

Woad

Lavandula angustifolia
Height MEDIUM

Popular remedy in aromatherapy and herbal medicine for nervous headaches, insomnia and exhaustion; oil used in perfumery and cosmetics; dried for pot-pourri. Culinary uses include ice cream, bread, cakes.use your imagination!

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia rosea
Height FAIRLY LOW

Soft pink flowers and grey leaves, and a very compact habit. Ideal for containers.

Pink Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia alba
Height MEDIUM

White-flowered form of the above with compact habit and tall flowers; looks great in containers.

White Lavender

Lavandula 'Lodden Pink'
Height MEDIUM

Free-flowering lavender with prominent, soft pink flowers and a lovely smell of course!

Lavender Lodden Pink

Lavandula 'Hidcote Blue'
Height MEDIUM

Classic long-stemmed blue lavender, suitable for informal hedges. Deliciously aromatic.

Hidcote Lavender

Lavandula 'Edelweiss'
Height MEDIUM

Compact and charming, bearing tight, showy white flowers. A nice one for containers.

Lavender Edelweiss

Lavandula 'Silver Mist'
Height FAIRLY LOW

Very compact, with intensely silvery foliage. Excellent in containers.

Lavender Silver Mist

Lavandula stoechas 'Kew Red'
Height MEDIUM

Deservedly popular French Lavender, with showy red bracts.

French Lavender

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grappenhall'
Height PRETTY TALL

Prized for the production of essential oils, lavandin is an important commercial crop for perfumery in France. Grappenhall is a tall variety with broad foliage.

Grappenhall Lavandin

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'
Height PRETTY TALL

Famed as one of the premier lavandins used in perfumery, this is a vigorous, bushy cultivar, yielding plenty of flowers for cutting or drying.

Grosso Lavandin

Lavandula dentata
Height PRETTY TALL

My stock of this lavender is from Australia, yet has proved vigorous and hardy. Lovely foliage, very aromatic flowers, it can grow to 1.5m (in Melbourne!).

Fringed Lavender

Lavandula latifolia
Height MEDIUM

I like the camphorous aroma of this rarely-grown lavender. Produces spike lavender oil, important in cleaning and household products. Good foliage, too.

Spike Lavender

Lavandula stoechas pedunculata
Height MEDIUM

Strongly aromatic with bright green foliage and a lax, bushy habit. Showy flowers, an unusual flavouring for drinks and baking.

Lemon Lavender, Spanish Lavender

Laurus nobilis

Essential culinary herb, forming (eventually) a stately evergreen tree that can be trimmed to a range of forms. Protect from heavy frost when young.

Bay Laurel

Leonurus cardiacus
Height MEDIUM

Important medicinal herb, to be used only with professional advice; bears attractive lipped flowers which are attractive to beneficial insects, and pretty foliage when young

Levisticum officinale
Dramatically tall

Very tall perennial whose attractive leaves make a savoury addition to soups, stews and even make an interesting wine.

Lovage

Ligusticum scoticum
Height MEDIUM

Less tall, with lovely glossy aromatic leaves and stems for use in flavouring; also used for indigestion and rheumatism.

Scots Lovage

Lysimachia punctata
Height PRETTY TALL

Cheerful and easily grown, showy native for borders, whose roots and bright yellow flowers make an astringent decoction for external use.

Yellow Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria
Height PRETTY TALL

Another astringent, antibiotic native herb, which is a good bee plant, and was formerly a treatment for cholera!

Purple Loosestrife