pearl bush £9.99
Position: sun or light shadeSoil: moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyWhen in flower, this deciduous shrub is just gorgeous. For about six weeks in April/May its arching branches are wreathed in open white flowers that almost smother the soft, green foliage. In autumn the leaves turn delicate shades of yellow and orange. This shrub has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society and although it will take some shade, it flourishes best in a sunny, open position. It can also be trained as a wall shrub. Garden care: Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.Goes well with: Alchemilla mollis, Brunnera macrophylla, Iris germanica, Helleborus argutifolius, Rosa banksiae var. banksiae, Chionodoxa luciliae 'Gigantea Group'.

paeony / peony £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drainedRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to JuneHardiness: fully hardyPrized for their blowsy, glamorous blooms and glossy, deeply cut foliage, peonies are held in deep affection by many gardeners, despite their short flowering season and vulnerability to peony wilt in damp weather. It's easy to see why. From the promise of early spring, when their red, mottled shoots push through bare earth and the handsome foliage unfurls, to early summer, when the huge flowers burst open from spherical red buds, peonies exert a fascination that few can resist. 'Buckeye Belle; has fragrant, deep red semi-double flowers from early to mid summer and dark green leaves. This lovely, early-flowering peony will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Fill the bare ground around the peony with spring bulbs to prolong the season of interest. Garden care: Deadhead after flowering. In early spring apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant and mulch well with well rotted garden compost or manure. If the plant shows signs of collapse or the leaves become spotty, this may be a symptom of peony botrytis. Remove affected leaves immediately. In autumn, cut off all foliage and dispose of it to prevent reinfection the following spring.

clematis (group 3) £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soil, neutral soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: blueOther features: free floweringHardiness: fully hardyLarge, lavender-blue, flowers with brown centres from July to September and mid-green leaves. This vigorous, late-flowering clematis associates particularly well with climbing roses in contrasting colours, such as the yellow 'Golden Showers'. It thrives in full sun or partial shade.Garden care: In early spring cut back the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds about 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground-level and apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the plant, avoiding the immediate crown.

pincushion flower £6.99
Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: lavender-blueOther Features: the flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and bees; valuable for fresh and dried flower arrangementsHardiness: fully hardyFantastic, lavender-blue, pincushion-like 8cm-wide flowers from July to September held on delicate stems above clumps of lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. This long-flowering blue scabious is ideal for a sunny, well-drained meadow, rock garden or container planting. Highly attractive to butterflies.Garden care: Protect young plants from slug-damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and cut back the faded flower stems in autumn. Lift and divide large clumps every three years in spring.

Vial's primrose £5.99
Position: partial shadeSoil: moist, humus rich, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to JulyHardiness: fully hardyDense crimson flower spikes open from the base into vivid lilac flowers, like a purple form of red hot poker. This summer-flowering primula will add a splash of colour at the front of a shady border. Although short lived, mass plantings of the erect flower spikes create a spectacular effect and are especially well suited to formal gardens and parterres. Garden care: Divide large clumps after the plant has flowered, preferably during a wet spell.

cranesbill £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drainedRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: June to AugustHardiness: fully hardyLarge deep blue, saucer-shaped flowers with distinctive white centres from June to September among deeply divided mid-green leaves. This lovely cranesbill is a comparatively recent introduction, valued for its intense blue blooms and long-flowering season. It's excellent for supressing weeds at the front of a mixed or herbaceous border or as part of a blue colour-themed scheme. Garden care: In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded, by removing old flowered stems and leaves. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.

mullein £5.99
Position: full sunSoil: poor, well-drained, alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to AugustHardiness: fully hardyTowering spires of saucer shaped, yellow summer flowers with purple centres above rosettes of grey green leaves. This cheerful yellow verbascum provides vertical interest in a sunny border or cottage garden. It prefers a poor, well-drained soil. On more favourable soil conditions the plant needs staking in spring.Garden care: Apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch around the base of the plant in autumn to protect from winter extremes, taking care not to cover the crown. Stake in spring with bamboo canes or twiggy prunings before the flowers appear. Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem, pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower spikes.It is worth keeping in mind that these plants are mainly biennial, so although they usually self-seed freely, the plant will only live for two years.

greater periwinkle £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any but very dry soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: April to September Flower colour: blue-violet or dark-violetHardiness: fully hardyLarge, blue-violet or dark violet flowers on arching shoots from April to September and dark green leaves. This prostrate, evergreen shrub is perfect for suppressing weeds on sloping banks or the bare ground under trees. Extremely fast-growing, it's only really suitable for large gardens – for small sites chose Vinca minor.Garden care: To prevent the plant from becoming invasive cut back any unwanted shoots in spring.Goes well with: Choisya ternata, Kerria japonica, Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata', Ajuga reptans atropurpurea, Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Galanthus nivalis