Helleborus x nigercors ‘Emma’ (PBR) (Christmas rose in ceramic pot) £29.99
Position: partial shade Soil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: December to March Flower colour: white Other features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy As this plant is potted up into a glazed terracotta pot (measuring 20cm tall x 22cm wide), it is ready to take out of the box and place straight on the patio, where you can admire its beautiful creamy white flowers from midwinter to early spring. A stunning hellebore hybrid, it combines the best qualities of three different parents – one of which being Helleborus niger, the Christmas rose, which the flowers closely resemble. Like all hellebores, it is tolerant of shade and in time it can be planted out in dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Garden care: Keep well watered during dry spells and provide shelter from icy winds. When planting out, add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.

Schizophragma hydrangeoides (Japanese hydrangea vine) £29.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: initially slow-to-establish Flowering period: July Flower colour: creamy-white Other features: toothed, dark green leaves on long stalks Hardiness: fully hardy An attractive deciduous climber producing slightly fragrant, creamy- white flower-heads up to 25cm across, that resemble lacecap hydrangeas, in mid-summer. Japanese hydrangea vine is ideal for covering a large wall or fence or for training through a robust tree. Initially it is slow-to-establish, but it copes well with most conditions except extremely alkaline soil. As it grows it will attach itself to its support by aerial roots. Garden care: Plant at least 60cm (24in) away from a host plant, fence or wall. Tie in to a support and train until established. After flowering cut back the flowered shoots to within 2-4 of the permanent framework of the plant.

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ (kohehu in ceramic patio pot) £29.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May and June Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas) This compact, evergreen shrub has a small, wavy, dark purple leaves and striking, dark grey or black young stems. With its distinctive rounded shape, and pretty leaves, it will give all-year foliage interest in a pot or sunny, well-drained mixed border. This one has been potted up into a glazed terracotta pot, so it is ready to place on the patio. If planting in the garden, try it as a punctuation point in a gravel garden, or with strappy Phormiums for formal contrast. While it sometimes produces honey-scented, dark purple flowers in late spring and early summer, it’s not a reliable flowerer. Protect from cold, drying winds. Garden care: Requires minimal pruning. To thin or reduce growth prune mid-spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’ (Fuji cherry in ceramic patio pot) £29.99
Position: full sun Soil: moist, well-drained fertile soil Rate of growth: slow growing Flowering period: March to April Hardiness: fully hardy This pretty shrub has been potted into a glazed terracotta pot, so it makes an instant (and very attractive) addition to the patio. It is a delicate-looking, deciduous plant with wiry twigs that burst into life in late winter and early spring when the crimson buds open to display pale pink flowers. The young leaves are long and pale green, growing darker with age, and turning glorious shades of red and orange in autumn. It has compact, rounded shape and a gently spreading habit, which makes it an excellent shrub for small gardens, or for a Japanese-style planting scheme. The pot it comes in measures 20cm tall x 22cm wide. Garden care: Lightly prune in summer to retain the shape and cut back any dead, diseased or branches. When planting in the border, incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly.

Phormium ‘Maori Sunrise’ (New Zealand flax (syn. Rainbow Sunrise) in ceramic patio pot) £29.99
Position: full sun/partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection) This New Zealand flax has been potted up into a decorative red glazed terracotta pot, so it makes a great ready-to-give gift, or will give an instant boost to the patio. With their arching, strappy, sword-shaped leaves, Phormiums make a dramatic statement in the garden. Originating from New Zealand, where their fibre has traditionally been used in the same way as hemp or sisal, they are versatile evergreen plants that tolerate a range of conditions and look at home in a variety of different planting schemes. They have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more colourful varieties being introduced. As its name suggests, this one looks particularly exotic, with slender, apricot, gold, pink and bronze striped leaves. It is compact too, so try it as a specimen in a large container on the patio, or to provide structure among ornamental grasses. In hot summers, a spike of tubular, yellow-green flowers will shoot up from the centre, followed by sturdy seed-heads. Garden care: In late spring, remove any dead or damaged leaves and apply a mulch of well-rotted organic matter to stimulate vigorous, new growth.

Astrantia major ‘Claret’ (masterwort) £14.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moist, preferably humus-rich soil Rate of Growth: average to fast Flowering period:June to August Hardiness: fully hardy This is one of the darkest-flowered astrantias, with deep, ruby red pincushion-like flowers with a ruff of longer bracts than many other varieties. The leaves are pretty, too; deeply lobed and dark green. Although it is an old cottage-garden favourite, this astrantia works equally well in contemporary-style plantings. Use towards the front of a sunny, yet moist border, where the flower colour can be fully appreciated. Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names, such as melancholy gentleman, Hattie’s pincushion and the more well-known masterwort. Garden care: Astrantias do not like to dry out. Incorporate plenty of organic matter when planting and water well in dry weather especially newly established plants. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don’t like having their roots disturbed.

Clematis ‘Kinju Atarashi’ (clematis (group 2)) £14.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil, neutral soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Flower colour: mauve-blue Hardiness: fully hardy Showy mauve-blue flowers, with a pinkish bar running from the base of each tepal, form in late spring, usually with a second flush in late summer or early autumn. It will mix easily with stronger pinks and purples. Garden care: Remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins in early spring, cutting all remaining stems back to where strong buds are visible. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.

Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca ‘Citrina’ (scorpion vetch) £12.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April, often with another flush in late summer Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection) A member of the pea family, this bushy evergreen shrub produces scented, pale lemon flowers for a prolonged period throughout the year. The initial burst begins in late winter and carries on, often well into spring, while there is usually a second flush in later summer followed by slender seed pods. A native of Southern Europe and Northern Africa, it is not quite fully hardy so will benefit from the protection of a sunny, south-facing wall. Garden care After flowering remove misplaced, diseased or crossing branches and apply a generous mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.