camellia £14.99
Position: partial shade (but not east-facing)Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil (or ericaceous compost for container-grown specimens) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March to MayHardiness: fully hardyA lovely camellia with large, semi-double, blood-red flowers offset by deep green, glossy leaves and compact, upright growth. This is arguably the best red camellia, with masses of flowers for many weeks. It’s ideal for a mixed or spring border and the foliage provides an excellent foil for spring bulbs.Garden care: To prevent damage to the emerging buds and flowers protect from cold, dry winds and early morning sun. Water established plants in dry weather to prevent bud drop. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser in mid-spring and again in June. Top-dress annually with shredded bark or well-rotted leaf mould. After flowering lightly trim or prune any branches that spoil the appearance of the plant.

rough-leaved hydrangea £12.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: August to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyAt close range, the coarse, hairy, dark green leaves of this hydrangea belie its quiet beauty. In August, flattened heads of tightly packed, blue purple flowers are surrounded by mauve florets that seem to glow as the light fades. This deciduous shrub has a naturally rounded form and the flowers are long-lasting and attractive to bees and butterflies. It makes an elegant statement towards the back of a partly shady border, particularly when planted with other hydrangeas.Garden care: Hydrangeas do not like to dry out. In dry weather, soak the roots with a hose and the plant will usually recover. Remove faded flowerheads in spring after the danger of frosts, cutting back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds. Take out misplaced or diseased shoots. Mulch young plants with a well-rotted manure or compost in spring. Once established, remove a quarter to a third of the shoots to the base of the plant.

fritillary £9.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April and MayFlower colour: creamy green to whiteOther features: grey-green leavesHardiness: fully hardyBulb size: 20+ An unusual rarely seen cultivar that is incredibly beautiful. The flowers emerge from bud a creamy green, and fade to near ivory white as they age. One of the tallest fritallaries, it can be quite imposing, and can send up a flowerspike up to 1m tall, which will usually carry between 10 – 30 flowers. Plant it in bold swathes, or take advantage of its height and structure, and mix it in towards the back of your spring bulb display.Garden care: Plant 12cm (5in) deep in fertile, well-drained soil, and keep an eye out for slug and snail damage when the new foliage is emerging in spring. Keep reasonably dry while dormant.

hydrangea £9.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: August – October Flower colour: whiteOther features: the flower-heads make excellent dried flower arrangementsHardiness: fully hardyConical clusters of creamy-white flowers in late summer and toothed, mid- to dark green leaves. This delightful, deciduous hydrangea is an excellent specimen plant for a large, sheltered, shrub or mixed border. Later flowering than other varieties, it flourishes in sun or partial shade.Garden care:To enhance flowering prune hard in early spring, cutting back the previous season’s shoots to within a few buds of the permanent, woody framework of the plant.

species tulip £9.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: late AprilFlower colour: red and yellowOther features: excellent in meadow plantingHardiness: fully hardyThis is a very old variety which has come back into vogue recently and is causing quite a stir. It has curious elongated petals that are a mixture of red or yellow, normally with more yellow towards the base and red towards the tips. The strange, spidery blooms are great for providing interest to garden borders or wildflower meadows in mid-spring.Garden care: In September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq. After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.

lesser periwinkle (syn. ‘Bowles Variety’) £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any but very dry soilRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: April to September Flower colour: lavender-blueHardiness: fully hardyLovely, lavender-blue flowers over a long period from April to September and dark green leaves. The long, trailing stems of this prostrate, evergreen shrub are excellent for suppressing weeds in sun or partial shade. Allegedly the best blue-flowered variety and less invasive than Vinca major, it’s particularly suitable for smaller gardens.Garden care: To prevent the plant from becoming invasive cut back any unwanted shoots in spring.

fringed tulip £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: MayFlower colour: lilac-purple with a white edgeOther features: excellent cut-flowersHardiness: fully hardyBulb size: 12+A tall tulip, which is great for adding to bedding displays where you need a little height. The lavender purple, cup-shaped flowers have a white fringe to each petal, which means they combine well with all shades of puple, lilac-pink or white. The flowers are quite long lasting and are good for adding to cut arrangements.Garden care: In September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq. After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.

grape hyacinth £7.99
Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil (for container-grown bulbs use two parts John Innes No2 compost to one part sharp grit)Rate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: March and AprilFlower colour: yellowOther features: strap-like, mid-green leavesHardiness: fully hardyA delightful and unusual variant on the commonly seen blue forms, this yellow grape hyacinth is very free flowering and has a delicious scent. The buds first emerge from amongst the grey-green foliage a dusky purple, but take on yellow shades as the flowers open fully. Not as vigorous (some would say invasive) as the other grape hyacinths, but well worth finding a spot in the garden for, because of their long-lasting, uniquely coloured blooms, which smell like gardenias.Garden care: Plant 10cm (4in) deep in naturalistic groups in autumn. During summer when the bulbs are dormant cut right back on the watering and allow the compost to get quite dry. Lift and divide clumps that are becoming congested in autumn.