{"title":"Blue Flowering Plants","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue is the rarest colour in the garden, which is exactly why a genuine blue flower stops you in your tracks. These are the plants that bring it.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"strobilanthes-auriculata-var-dyeriana","title":"Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eStrobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003ePersian shield\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most dazzling foliage exotics you can grow. Its large, lance-shaped leaves shimmer with an iridescent purple-and-silver sheen, veined and edged in green, and the colour seems to shift with every change of light. Grown purely for those spectacular leaves, it brings a jolt of the jungle to a summer patio, a container display or a sheltered \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender plant, rated around RHS H2, so in Britain it is best treated as a summer foliage exotic rather than a permanent garden resident. Stand it outdoors once the nights are reliably above about 10C, enjoy it right through the warmer months, then bring it back under cover before the first frosts. Kept frost-free over winter, or grown on as a houseplant, it stays richly coloured all year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright light or dappled part shade, warm and sheltered from cold winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or a good peat-free compost in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy 60 to 90 cm in a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender, around RHS H2; protect from frost and overwinter at a minimum of around 10C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep it evenly moist through spring and summer, mist in dry heat and feed monthly to hold the leaf colour. Pinch out the growing tips for a fuller, bushier plant and remove any flower spikes so its energy goes into the foliage. It is a natural partner for ferns and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e, layering beautifully into a lush planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor an even hardier sibling with the same shimmering look, see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/strobilanthes-brunetthy\"\u003eStrobilanthes 'Brunetthy'\u003c\/a\u003e, and browse the full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e to build your own jungle. Every plant is nursery grown and selected for strong, well-coloured foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"12cm \/ 1L","offer_id":56452806934911,"sku":"STROAURIVARDYER12","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":41654579789868,"sku":"STROAURIVARDYER13","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/strobilanthes-1.jpg?v=1744306937"},{"product_id":"plectranthus-coleus-grp-main-street-ruby-road","title":"Plectranthus (Coleus Grp) 'Main Street Ruby Road'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePlectranthus (Coleus Grp) 'Main Street Ruby Road'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a knockout foliage exotic grown for its rich, ruby-red leaves. Part of the compact, weather-tough 'Main Street' series of coleus (botanically \u003cem\u003eColeus scutellarioides\u003c\/em\u003e, and often sold under Plectranthus or Solenostemon), it delivers painterly, saturated colour all season without needing a single flower. Bushy and fast-growing, it makes an instant impact in a summer container, a bedding scheme or the front of an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender plant, so in Britain it is grown as a foliage exotic for the warmer months rather than a permanent hardy perennial. Plant it out once the frosts have passed and enjoy its glowing ruby foliage right through summer and into autumn, then lift it and keep it frost-free over winter, or take quick and easy cuttings. Treated this way it rewards you year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright light to part shade; a little shade keeps the red rich and stops the leaves scorching.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or a good peat-free compost in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy 30 to 45 cm in a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender, around RHS H1c to H2; protect from frost and overwinter at around 10 to 12C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the compost evenly moist through the growing season and feed monthly for lush growth. Pinch out the tips regularly for a denser, bushier plant and remove any flower spikes so the energy stays in those bold ruby leaves. Its tolerance of shade makes it a brilliant partner for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e, lighting up a dim corner where flowers struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExplore the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range to build a lush, layered display. Every plant is nursery grown and selected for strong, richly coloured foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57682762957183,"sku":"PLECRUBYROAD13","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/coleus.jpg?v=1780670718"},{"product_id":"brunnera-macrophylla-jack-of-diamonds","title":"Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most striking silver-leaved selections of Siberian bugloss, prized for its enormous, frosted, heart-shaped leaves. Each leaf is washed in shimmering pewter, traced with fine green veins and edged by a narrow green margin, so a single established clump lights up the darkest, most awkward corners of a shady garden. In mid to late spring, dainty sprays of clear blue, forget-me-not flowers float above the foliage, which is why it is often sold as a false forget-me-not.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome of the largest, most luminous leaves of any brunnera, reaching the size of a side plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAiry clouds of true-blue spring flowers loved by early bees, a quiet favourite for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent, low-maintenance ground cover for dry \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshade\u003c\/a\u003e once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a clump-forming hardy perennial, 'Jack of Diamonds' is the perfect partner for ferns, hostas, hellebores and woodland bulbs, and one of the boldest brunneras you can grow among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Mature plants reach around 40 to 50 cm tall and spread slowly to 50 to 60 cm, making a generous yet well-behaved mound rather than a runaway spreader, ideal for the front of a shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eborder\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow it in partial or full shade in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. It is happy on chalk, clay, loam or sand at almost any pH, though it resents both waterlogging and prolonged drought. A spot with morning light and afternoon shade keeps the silvering at its brightest, while too much hot sun can scorch the leaf edges. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn to lock in moisture and feed the crown. Fully hardy across the UK (RHS H5), this Siberian bugloss dies back in winter and reappears dependably each spring, needing no protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send out is nursery-grown, well-rooted and carefully selected for strong foliage and healthy crowns, ready to establish quickly and reward you with that unmistakable silver glow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57837726073215,"sku":"BRUNJACK19","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/jackfrost.jpg?v=1782487883"},{"product_id":"passiflora-caerulea","title":"Passiflora caerulea","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003epassion flower\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePassiflora caerulea\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most exotic-looking climbers you can grow outdoors in Britain, yet it is surprisingly tough. Often sold simply as the blue passion flower, this \u003cstrong\u003epassiflora caerulea\u003c\/strong\u003e earns its RHS Award of Garden Merit for the sheer drama of its blooms: flat, white-petalled stars topped with an intricate corona of blue, white and deep purple filaments, each one looking almost too elaborate to be real. They appear in a long succession from midsummer well into autumn, and in warm seasons are followed by egg-shaped orange fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuinely hardy, the toughest passion flower for UK gardens (RHS H4)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong flowering from July to October, often dozens of blooms at once\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVigorous, self-clinging by tendrils, perfect for covering walls and fences fast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA magnet for bees and listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a \u003cstrong\u003epassion flower plant\u003c\/strong\u003e it is a fast, twining climber that scrambles up to 4 to 8 metres using its curling tendrils, so it is ideal for clothing a sunny wall, trellis, pergola or fence in a single season. Its semi-evergreen, deeply lobed leaves give a lush, almost tropical backdrop to the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the best results, plant in full sun in a warm, sheltered position, ideally against a south or west-facing support. It thrives on most free-draining soils, including chalk, and copes with acid, neutral or alkaline ground, asking only for sharp drainage and protection from cold, drying winds. Water well through the first summer to establish, then it becomes pleasingly drought tolerant. A spring prune keeps it tidy and within bounds, and a winter mulch over the roots safeguards it in colder gardens, where top growth may die back before reshooting from the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are looking for \u003cstrong\u003epassion flower for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e to cover an awkward fence or want a true talking-point climber, this is a rewarding, long-flowering choice. Every \u003cstrong\u003epassiflora caerulea uk\u003c\/strong\u003e plant we send out is nursery-grown, well-rooted and carefully selected to establish quickly and reward you for years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":57810282807679,"sku":"PASSCAER15","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/passifloracaerula.jpg?v=1784636564"},{"product_id":"brunnera-macrophylla-silver-heart","title":"Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most luminous shade perennials you can grow, prized for its broad, heart-shaped leaves washed almost entirely in pewter silver and traced with fine green veins. In mid to late spring, airy sprays of clear blue, forget-me-not flowers float above the foliage, giving this \u003cstrong\u003eSiberian bugloss\u003c\/strong\u003e its other common name, the false forget-me-not. It is the kind of quietly glamorous plant that lifts a dark, difficult corner and keeps on giving long after the blooms have faded.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Silver Heart' is a robust, garden-raised selection with notably thick, weather-resilient leaves that hold their metallic sheen right through to autumn. Compact and well-behaved, it earns its place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e as dependable, year-after-year structure for shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e dappled or full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshade\u003c\/a\u003e. A cool, sheltered, north or east-facing spot beneath trees or shrubs keeps the silvering at its brightest, as hot sun can scorch the leaf edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e moist but well-drained and humus-rich. Happy on chalk, clay, loam or sand at almost any pH, though it resents both waterlogging and prolonged drought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tidy, clump-forming mound around 30 to 40 cm tall and 40 to 45 cm across, reached over two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy across the UK (RHS H6). Deciduous, it dies back in winter and returns dependably each spring, needing no protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to settle it in, then mulch with leaf mould in autumn to lock in moisture and feed the crown. The blue spring flowers are loved by early bees, making it a quietly valuable plant for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. Use it as ground cover, at the front of a shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eborder\u003c\/a\u003e, or to brighten woodland plantings alongside ferns, hostas and hellebores. It carries no reported toxicity to people or pets, so it suits family gardens too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eBrunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'\u003c\/strong\u003e we send out is a strong, well-rooted, nursery-grown plant, carefully selected and ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57810283135359,"sku":"BRUNSILVHEART17","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/brunnera1.jpg?v=1784635495"},{"product_id":"wisteria-sinensis-prolific","title":"Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eWisteria sinensis 'Prolific'\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as \u003cstrong\u003eChinese wisteria 'Prolific'\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the free-flowering blue wisteria that earns its name. Where many wisterias make you wait years for a first flush, this vigorous, AGM-winning selection blooms young and blooms heavily, draping a curtain of scented, soft lilac-blue racemes 25 to 30cm long over walls, pergolas and archways in late spring. The flowers open just before the pinnate leaves unfurl, so the whole plant becomes a waterfall of colour before the fresh green foliage fills in behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets \u003cstrong\u003eWisteria 'Prolific'\u003c\/strong\u003e apart from the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-climbers\"\u003ehardy climbers\u003c\/a\u003e range is that dependable, early flowering habit paired with genuine toughness. Rated RHS H6, it is fully hardy throughout the UK and shrugs off temperatures to around -15C once established, needing no winter protection. It is deciduous, so it rests bare through winter and returns each spring, twining anticlockwise up any strong support you give it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun ripens the wood and gives the best flowering, though it tolerates light partial shade. A warm, sheltered south or west-facing wall or pergola is ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any fertile, moist but well-drained soil, from chalk and clay to loam and sand, across the full pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e vigorous, climbing to around 8 to 9m over many years, so give it room and a robust framework.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e reliably hardy across the UK with no fleece needed once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWisteria is a heavy, long-lived climber that needs strong support, so fix sturdy horizontal wires or a solid frame before planting and tie in the young stems as they grow. Water well through the first few summers, then prune twice a year, in mid-summer and again in winter, to build flowering spurs and keep the growth in check. Its bold, cascading habit makes it a showpiece for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/screening-plants\"\u003escreening and privacy\u003c\/a\u003e, a magnet for spring bees among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e, and a dramatic anchor for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e. For a scented Japanese partner with longer trails, pair it with the pink \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wisteria-floribunda-rosea\"\u003eWisteria floribunda 'Rosea'\u003c\/a\u003e, and browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e collection to build the scheme. As with all outdoor plants, our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide explains how a garden-hardy climber looks and behaves through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected for healthy stems and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition ready to train.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57907283394943,"sku":"WISTSINPROL17","price":30.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/prolific2.jpg?v=1784356578"},{"product_id":"coleus-scutellarioides-main-street-spacecake","title":"Coleus scutellarioides 'Main Street Spacecake'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eColeus scutellarioides 'Main Street Spacecake'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a riotously colourful foliage coleus, grown not for flowers but for leaves that read like stained glass: serrated blades splashed with pink, burgundy, lime and cream, veined and patched in bold contrast. Coleus is the ultimate summer colour plant, and this cultivar is one of the most graphic of the lot, earning its place at the front of a pot display or a shady border where it lights up all season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHonesty first on hardiness: coleus is a \u003cstrong\u003etender\u003c\/strong\u003e foliage plant, rated RHS H1C, and it will not survive frost. Treat 'Main Street Spacecake' as summer bedding and patio colour. Plant it out or stand pots outside only once nights are reliably above 10C, usually from late May or early June, then lift it or take cuttings before the first autumn frost to overwinter on a warm, bright windowsill. Grown as a summer plant it is fast, generous and endlessly easy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA quick note on names: coleus has moved between genera over the years, so you will see this plant sold as \u003cstrong\u003eColeus scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePlectranthus scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e or the older \u003cstrong\u003eSolenostemon scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are all the same species; Coleus scutellarioides is the currently accepted botanical name, and 'Spacecake' is the cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun or partial shade. A little direct sun deepens the colours, while light shade stops the broad leaves scorching in the hottest spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, or a good peat-free multipurpose compost in pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy mound to around 45cm tall and wide in a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender (RHS H1C). Frost-free only; grow as summer colour and overwinter under cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the compost evenly moist, as the broad, thin leaves wilt fast if the roots dry out, and pinch the tips regularly for a full, branching plant, snipping off any flower spikes to keep the energy in the foliage. It is a superb \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplant for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e and one of the best tender foliage choices for a shady display, sitting happily among our other bold \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e. Pair it with the vivid \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plectranthus-coleus-grp-main-street-ruby-road\"\u003eMain Street Ruby Road\u003c\/a\u003e coleus for a painterly container, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range for summer-into-autumn colour. As with all our plants, our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide sets out how a tender foliage plant behaves through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Coleus 'Main Street Spacecake' we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected for strong, well-coloured growth, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition ready to pot up for summer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57907286901119,"sku":"PLECSPACE13","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/spacecake.jpg?v=1784356655"},{"product_id":"coleus-scutellarioides-main-street-bourbon-street","title":"Coleus scutellarioides 'Main Street Bourbon Street'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eColeus scutellarioides 'Main Street Bourbon Street'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rich, moody foliage coleus from the well-loved Main Street series, grown for deeply scalloped leaves in dark burgundy and wine-red edged with a fine line of contrasting lime green. It has a compact, well-branched habit and holds its colour beautifully all summer, making it one of the most elegant coleus for pots, borders and shady corners that need a hit of drama.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHonesty first on hardiness: coleus is a \u003cstrong\u003etender\u003c\/strong\u003e foliage plant, rated RHS H1C, and it will not survive frost. Treat 'Main Street Bourbon Street' as summer bedding and patio colour. Plant it out or move pots outside only once nights stay above 10C, usually from late May or early June, then bring it in or take cuttings before the first autumn frost to overwinter on a warm, bright windowsill. As a summer plant it is quick, generous and very easy to please.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA quick note on names: coleus has shifted between genera over the years, so this plant appears as \u003cstrong\u003eColeus scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePlectranthus scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e or the older \u003cstrong\u003eSolenostemon scutellarioides\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are all the same species; Coleus scutellarioides is the currently accepted botanical name, and 'Main Street Bourbon Street' is the cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun or partial shade. A little direct sun richens the burgundy tones, while dappled shade protects the foliage in the hottest, driest spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, or a good peat-free multipurpose compost in pots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a neat, bushy mound to around 45cm tall and wide in a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender (RHS H1C). Frost-free only; grow as summer colour and overwinter under cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly to keep the compost evenly moist, since coleus wilts quickly when dry, and pinch out the tips often to build a dense, branching plant, removing any flower spikes so the display stays in the leaves. It is a first-rate \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplant for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e and one of the best tender foliage plants for a shaded scheme, at home among our other striking \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e. Combine it with the brighter \u003ca href=\"\/products\/plectranthus-coleus-grp-main-street-ruby-road\"\u003eMain Street Ruby Road\u003c\/a\u003e or the graphic \u003ca href=\"\/products\/coleus-scutellarioides-main-street-spacecake\"\u003eMain Street Spacecake\u003c\/a\u003e for a layered container, or browse the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range for more summer colour. As with all our plants, our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide explains how a tender foliage plant behaves through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Coleus 'Main Street Bourbon Street' we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected for strong, well-coloured growth, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition ready to pot up for summer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"13cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57907287654783,"sku":"PLECBOUR13","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/bourbonstreet.jpg?v=1784356704"},{"product_id":"strobilanthes-brunetthy","title":"Strobilanthes 'Brunetthy'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrobilanthes 'Brunetthy'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a wonderful foliage exotic in the \u003cstrong\u003ePersian shield\u003c\/strong\u003e family, grown for leaves that shimmer with iridescent purple and silver over a deep green base. In the right light the foliage almost glows, giving a real tropical richness to a shady border or a container display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is a tender exotic, so it is best treated as a summer foliage plant outdoors and given frost-free protection over winter, or grown on as a striking houseplant. Either way, bright, indirect light brings out the strongest colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright light to partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, moist but well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e around 60 to 90 cm in a season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender, protect from frost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep evenly moist through the growing season and mist in dry heat to hold the leaf colour. Every plant is nursery grown and selected for strong, well-coloured foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57945289916799,"sku":"STROBBRUN9","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/strobilanthes_6d900b65-efad-4f39-8653-e89d4fbc626f.jpg?v=1784357571"},{"product_id":"eryngium-bourgatii","title":"Eryngium bourgatii","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEryngium bourgatii\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eMediterranean sea holly\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking hardy perennials you can grow for a hot, sunny border. Rosettes of deeply cut, dark green leaves are marbled with bold silvery-white veins, and from these rise branching, steel-blue stems topped with cone-shaped flower heads ringed by spiny, silver-blue bracts. It brings a jewel-like, architectural sparkle to gravel gardens and dry borders right through high summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative from the Pyrenees to Morocco, this is a tough, sun-loving plant built for lean conditions. It is fully hardy in the UK (RHS H5) and dies back below ground each winter before reshooting in spring, so it needs no protection beyond good drainage. Once settled it is impressively drought-tolerant, and its nectar-rich summer flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The seed heads dry beautifully, holding their shape for cutting or left to stand for winter structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in an open spot; happy in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e and exposed, coastal sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e sharply drained chalk, loam or sand across the full pH range, poor to moderately fertile. Avoid heavy, wet ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e clump-forming to around 0.45 m tall and 0.3 m across, reaching full size in two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy (RHS H5); simply leave the crown to overwinter and cut back old growth in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant it in bold drifts near the front of a sunny border, where the silver foliage and blue flowers weave beautifully through grasses and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border plants\u003c\/a\u003e. It is a natural partner for our wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, adds real presence to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e schemes, and earns its place in any planting designed for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. For a sense of how it changes with the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a strong crown and healthy root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57972910653823,"sku":"ERYNBOUR17","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1987804360.jpg?v=1784328202"},{"product_id":"eryngium-variifolium","title":"Eryngium variifolium","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEryngium variifolium\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eMoroccan Sea Holly\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a compact evergreen perennial that earns its place through year-round structure. Where most sea hollies vanish below ground in winter, this Atlas Mountains native holds a tidy rosette of rounded, dark-green leaves veined and marbled in silvery white, giving architectural interest in every season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn summer it sends up branched, stiffly upright stems topped with small, cone-shaped flowerheads in a metallic silver-blue, each cradled by a ruff of narrow, spiny bracts. The effect is jewel-like and thistle-sharp, and the nectar-rich blooms are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Rated RHS H4 and hardy to around -10C, it is fully hardy across most of the UK and genuinely drought tolerant once settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, ideally a south or west facing spot for the best flower colour and the most compact growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e poor to moderately fertile and sharply drained, on chalk, loam or sand across the full pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a neat 30 to 40cm tall and 25 to 30cm wide, reaching its modest final size in two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy to about -10C; the only real enemy is cold, wet soil in winter, so drainage is everything.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to build a strong root system, after which it needs almost no attention and no feeding. Its love of lean, free-draining ground makes it a natural choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought tolerant\u003c\/a\u003e and gravel schemes, while the silver-blue flowers and evergreen rosettes lift the front of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e. The compact habit also suits \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003egrowing in pots\u003c\/a\u003e, and the summer blooms make it one of our favourite \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of our wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e collection, every Eryngium variifolium we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy crown and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition. For a sense of how hardy exotics behave through the year, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57973037465983,"sku":"ERYNVARI17","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2194084525.jpg?v=1784328262"},{"product_id":"myosotidium-hortensia","title":"Myosotidium hortensia","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMyosotidium hortensia\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eChatham Island forget-me-not\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most coveted foliage-and-flower perennials for a cool, sheltered British garden. Endemic to the wind-scoured beaches of the Chatham Islands off New Zealand, it forms a bold rosette of large, glossy, deeply ribbed rounded leaves, then lifts domes of intense forget-me-not blue flowers, each paling to a white-edged rim, in late spring and early summer. It is a true collector's plant that rewards the right position with a display few other perennials can match.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong\u003ehalf-hardy\u003c\/strong\u003e plant, happiest in mild and coastal gardens where winters are gentle. It dislikes hard frost, cold drying winds and wet winter soil, so it is best given a sheltered spot and protected over winter in colder or inland areas. Evergreen in mild conditions, its architectural leaves hold structure through much of the year, with die-back likely after frost. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas and other shade-loving foliage in an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e cool, light dappled to partial shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds, ideal for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshaded planting\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e humus-rich, gritty, moist but well-drained loam or sand on the acid to neutral side, kept a little drier over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a neat, clump-forming habit reaching around 45 to 60 cm tall and up to a metre across, perfect for the front to middle of a border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e half-hardy, superb in mild and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e, but give it a sheltered spot and winter protection in colder or inland areas, or grow it in a pot to move under cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater steadily through the growing season and mulch each spring with leaf mould or a seaweed-based feed to keep the foliage lush. It also thrives in a large container of free-draining, humus-rich compost, making it a flexible choice for a shaded courtyard or patio, so browse our range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics settle in through the seasons, read our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA choice, sought-after plant for the discerning gardener, \u003cstrong\u003eMyosotidium hortensia\u003c\/strong\u003e sits perfectly within our wider collection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy crown and strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57973059944831,"sku":"MYOSHORT19","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57973059977599,"sku":"MYOSHORT9","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/960px-Chatham_Island_forget-me-nots__Myosotidium_hortensia.jpg?v=1784327825"},{"product_id":"aristea-ecklonii","title":"Aristea ecklonii (Blue Stars)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAristea ecklonii\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Stars\u003c\/strong\u003e or the \u003cstrong\u003eblue-eyed iris\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a jewel-like member of the iris family from southern Africa. It forms neat clumps of erect, sword-shaped evergreen leaves, and in summer throws up loosely branched sprays studded with short-lived, saucer-shaped flowers of the purest star-bright blue. Few perennials deliver a blue this intense, and each sunny morning brings a fresh flush of blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a sun-lover for mild gardens. Rated \u003cstrong\u003eRHS H3\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is tender across most of the UK and reliably hardy only in the mildest, most sheltered or coastal spots, where it comes through winter down to around 0C. Grown in a pot it is easily moved under cover for the coldest months, and even where it needs protection the evergreen fans hold year-round structure. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics, what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide for how tender exotics behave through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered, south-facing spot, tolerating only light shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining, humus-rich loam on the neutral to acid side, never waterlogged in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact 0.5 to 1 m tall and 0.1 to 0.5 m across in 2 to 5 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e protect over winter except in frost-free coastal gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater freely through the first summer to establish, then keep it just moist in growth and drier in winter, as it resents sitting wet. Its love of sharp drainage and shelter makes it a natural for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e, a sunny gravel bed, or the front of an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e. It is equally happy in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea container on the patio\u003c\/a\u003e, which doubles as the easiest way to move it under glass for winter. The nectar-rich blue flowers are a magnet for bees, earning it a place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range to build a full sub-tropical scheme. Every Aristea we send out is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy crown and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57973063549311,"sku":"ARISECKL9","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2258362526.jpg?v=1784327715"},{"product_id":"libertia-caerulescens","title":"Libertia sessiliflora 'Caerulescens'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLibertia sessiliflora 'Caerulescens'\u003c\/strong\u003e and known as the \u003cstrong\u003eChilean libertia\u003c\/strong\u003e, is an unusual evergreen member of the iris family that brings a haze of soft powder-blue flowers to the early summer garden. Where most libertias flower white, this Chilean species stands apart with airy sprays of china-blue blooms lit by bright orange anthers, held above a neat clump of narrow, dark green blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRated \u003cstrong\u003eRHS H3\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is happiest in a warm, sunny, free-draining spot and rewards a dry winter mulch and some shelter in colder gardens. It is fully evergreen, so the fine, grassy foliage holds its structure through the year, with the powder-blue flower spikes arriving in late spring and early summer, followed by neat brown seed heads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to light shade, in a warm, sheltered spot that ripens the clump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich and moist but well-drained, on chalk, clay or loam across the full pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slowly clump-forming perennial reaching around 0.5 to 1 m tall and roughly 0.5 m across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H3, so give a dry winter mulch and shelter in colder or wetter gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first season to settle the roots, then keep it on the drier side once established. Its upright, iris-like habit and long flowering make it a natural for a sunny \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003egravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e, while its compact clump sits happily in a pot on a warm patio among other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e. The nectar-rich blue flowers are a draw for bees, so it also earns a place among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range for planting companions, and see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics: what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal notes. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy clump and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57973074723199,"sku":"LIBECAER9","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/libertisacaerules.jpg?v=1784327420"},{"product_id":"agapanthus-africanus-blue","title":"Agapanthus africanus Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAgapanthus africanus\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely loved as the \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican Lily\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eLily of the Nile\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking summer perennials you can grow. It sends up tall, slender stems topped with rounded umbels of deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers held above glossy, strap-like evergreen leaves. Native to the Western Cape of South Africa, this is the true evergreen species, prized for the intensity of its colour and for the way it performs in pots on a hot, sunny patio.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is worth knowing that the evergreen \u003cstrong\u003eAgapanthus africanus\u003c\/strong\u003e is noticeably less hardy than the familiar deciduous garden hybrids. Rated RHS H3, it is happy outdoors only in mild coastal and southern gardens and tolerates around -5C at most. Soggy ground is far more dangerous to it than a cold snap: park those fleshy roots in waterlogged winter soil and they rot far faster than frost could ever manage. Sharp winter drainage is therefore essential, and in colder gardens it is best grown in a container that can be moved to a frost-free porch or greenhouse from late autumn until spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered spot; the more sun it gets, the more freely it flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, moist but sharply free-draining soil or a loam-based compost, and never wet over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact evergreen clump to around 0.6 to 0.9 m tall and 0.45 m across within a few seasons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e half-hardy (RHS H3), so guard it from hard frost and, most of all, from a wet winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgapanthus africanus is superb in containers, and a little root restriction actually encourages a stronger show of flowers, which makes it a natural choice for our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e. It also earns a place at the front of a warm \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e and shines in mild \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and seaside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. The nectar-rich summer umbels are a magnet for bees, so it sits happily among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. To see the wider range, browse all of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, and read how these plants behave through the year on our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery African Lily we send out is nursery-grown and hand-selected for a healthy clump and strong roots, then carefully packed to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57974337864063,"sku":"AGAPAFRIBLUE17","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2233530340.jpg?v=1784326912"},{"product_id":"fascicularia-bicolor","title":"Fascicularia bicolor","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFascicularia bicolor\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003ehardy bromeliad\u003c\/strong\u003e (also known as the \u003cstrong\u003ecrimson bromeliad\u003c\/strong\u003e), is one of the most exotic-looking plants you can grow outdoors in Britain. It forms an architectural evergreen rosette of narrow, spiny, silver-green leaves, and as late summer arrives the whole centre flushes vivid crimson while a cluster of powder-blue flowers opens deep inside the rosette. It is a true bromeliad from Chile, yet tough enough for a hot, sharply drained, sheltered spot or a large pot, and it revels in mild coastal gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRated RHS H3, this is a borderline-hardy exotic rather than a fully hardy one, and understanding why matters. Frost by itself seldom does the damage; it is a cold, \u003cstrong\u003ewet\u003c\/strong\u003e winter that catches it out. Waterlogged soil, and rain pooling in the rosette, will rot the plant well before frost does, so sharp winter drainage is essential. Grown on a sunny bank, in a gravel garden or in a pot of gritty compost, it comes through UK winters far better than its tropical looks suggest. In colder or wetter gardens, keep it in a container so you can move it under cover for the worst of the wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, in the hottest, brightest, most sheltered spot you have. Good light brings out the silver foliage and the crimson central flush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e gritty, free-draining loam or sand, on a slope, raised bed or gravel bank. Sharp drainage matters far more than fertility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow-spreading clump reaching around 0.4 to 0.5 m tall and up to 1 m across over 5 to 10 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline hardy to about -5C in mild and coastal areas. It is a wet winter, more than a cold one, that puts it at risk, so keep it dry from autumn to spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer or two to establish, then leave it largely to its own devices, as mature clumps are impressively drought tolerant and thrive in a hot, dry corner. Its low, spiny rosette makes superb \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry or gravel garden\u003c\/a\u003e, and its salt tolerance suits it to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. It is equally happy in a container: grow it in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea pot of gritty compost\u003c\/a\u003e that you can move into the rain shadow of a wall for winter. Pair it with other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e such as our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trachycarpus-fortunei\"\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/a\u003e for a bold, jungle-meets-Mediterranean scheme, and read our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Fascicularia bicolor we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy, well-coloured rosette and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974379282815,"sku":"FASCBICO9","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1280877688.jpg?v=1784326566"},{"product_id":"coleus-love-bird","title":"Coleus 'Love Bird'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eColeus 'Love Bird'\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most compact of all the \u003cstrong\u003epainted nettles\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eColeus scutellarioides\u003c\/em\u003e, formerly \u003cem\u003eSolenostemon\u003c\/em\u003e), is a jewel-box of a foliage plant. Each small, scalloped leaf is painted deep rose-red and neatly edged in bright lime-yellow, carried on a tidy, self-branching mound that stays neat all summer. It is the easy way to pack bold, tropical-looking colour into a pot or border with no flowers required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColeus is a tender tropical perennial, so in the UK it is grown as a \u003cstrong\u003esummer plant\u003c\/strong\u003e: stood outside or bedded out from late May once the frosts have passed, then enjoyed right through to autumn. Rated RHS H1c, it will not take frost, but it grows fast and colours up quickly, giving you months of vivid foliage from a single small plant. Treat it as a seasonal star, or keep it going year to year by overwintering a plant or a few cuttings on a bright windowsill.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade. Good light keeps the red and yellow contrast strong, with a little afternoon shade in the hottest spots to prevent scorch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, or a quality peat-free compost in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003econtainers and pots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dwarf, bushy habit to around 20 to 30 cm, perfect for the front of a border or a patio display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e tender (H1c), so protect from frost and bring under cover over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the compost consistently moist, as coleus is thirsty and sulks if it dries out, and feed every couple of weeks through summer. Pinch out the growing tips regularly and snip off any flower spikes to keep it dense, bushy and brightly coloured. 'Love Bird' is superb in mixed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic and tropical borders\u003c\/a\u003e, in summer container schemes, and as fast, low-level colour in a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003epartly shaded spot\u003c\/a\u003e. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect through the seasons\u003c\/a\u003e guide for more on growing tender exotics outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of our wider \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003eHardy Exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range, every plant is nursery-grown, carefully selected and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"12cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57980901753215,"sku":"COLELOVEBIRD12","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/littlebird.jpg?v=1784323647"},{"product_id":"vitex-agnus-castus-blue-diddley","title":"Vitex agnus-castus 'Blue Diddley'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eVitex agnus-castus 'Blue Diddley'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact, dwarf form of the much-loved \u003cstrong\u003echaste tree\u003c\/strong\u003e, bred to bring all the Mediterranean charm of the species to smaller gardens, borders and containers. Where the ordinary \u003cstrong\u003eVitex agnus-castus\u003c\/strong\u003e can reach 2.5m, 'Blue Diddley' settles at a neat 1 to 1.5m, making it one of the most manageable and free-flowering choices for a sunny, exotic-style planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom late summer into autumn it is topped with slender, upright spikes of fragrant, blue-violet flowers that bees and butterflies adore, held above deeply divided, aromatic grey-green foliage that releases a warm, peppery scent when brushed. It is a genuine pollinator magnet and a wonderful way to extend colour in the garden long after many summer shrubs have finished. Plant it near a path or seating area where the scented leaves and buzzing visitors can be enjoyed up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, ideally south or west facing, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Maximum heat and light give the best flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any free-draining soil, from chalk to sand and across the full pH range. Sharp drainage matters most, as winter wet is the main risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dwarf, compact form reaching around 1 to 1.5m in height and spread, roughly half the size of the species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e hardy in milder parts of the UK (RHS H4, to around -10C). In colder gardens grow it against a warm wall and mulch the base in autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a deciduous shrub that flowers on the current season's growth, 'Blue Diddley' responds beautifully to a hard prune in early spring, quickly throwing up vigorous new stems tipped with flower. Water through the first summer to establish, after which it is happily drought-tolerant, thriving on the kind of hot, dry, free-draining spot that suits our other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought-tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e. Its compact habit makes it ideal for a large pot on a sunny patio, alongside the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse it to add late-season structure and scent to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, or as a standout in a wildlife planting with our other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. It sits perfectly within the wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to a British summer. For a guide to how these plants perform through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics: what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e page.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery 'Blue Diddley' we supply is nursery-grown, chosen for a healthy, well-branched framework and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in top condition ready to plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":58063994880383,"sku":"VITEAGNUCASTBLUE19","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/vitex_59fd7035-6e9b-45ad-99cb-bd7a08d5e65f.jpg?v=1785185273"}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/blue-flowering-plants.oembed","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}