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Plants in 'The birds and the bees' scheme
Showing 8 results
| Echinops ritro
Globe thistle
The spiky leaves and bristly metallic blue flowers of this plant make it a great architectural plant for the back of a summer border. The spiny, cobwebbed leaves provide interest from spring until the blooms appear in late summer. It associates well with other tall striking late summer plants such as Echinacea or tall Miscanthus grasses. Plant in a sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil. Cut down to almost ground level in late winter. 2-3L pot.
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| Echium pininana
Echium
Echium produces a larger-than-life spire of blue-purple flowers in the second half of the summer. In its first year it produces rosettes of large, coarse bristly leaves. In its second year it will shoot upwards with enormous speed up to 400cms high. These flowers last a long time, and attract an enormous amount of bees and other insects. After flowering, leave the seedhead for a few weeks to scatter its seeds - plants will show up around the place in subsequent years. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Not suitable for inland areas unless in a very sheltered spot. 2-3L container.
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| Euphorbia mellifera
Honey spurge
An evergreen shrub with long, glossy leaves and sprays of honey-scented green blooms in summer. This plant will grow in very harsh conditions, from dry shade to full sun, and also only metres from the sea. It can grow quite large, and if this happens after a few years, it's best to cut it down to the ground to let it start again, as pruning makes it look ungainly. A fabulous foliage plant, giving a tropical feel to any garden. The sap can cause a mild rash. This affects some people more than others. Wear gloves and long sleaves if and when pruning. 2-3L container.
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| Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel
A tall, very airy herb with grean, feathery foliage, which produces flat flowerheads of yellow flowers in summer. Grow in poor, dry sunny soil, and cut down to the ground during the winter. All parts are edible. Tastes as good as it looks. Culinary uses with fish, pork, salads and barbecues. 1-2 litre pot.
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| Knautia arvensis
Field scabious
A tap-rooted perennial with pale lilac-lavender coloured flowers up to 130cms tall which float on wiry stems high above the foliage from mid-summer to early autumn. Suitable for a nature garden, meadow planting or even in a formal herbaceous border, this plant is particularly atrractive to bees. Plant in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. 2-3L container.
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| Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet'
Bergamot, Bee balm
'Cambridge Scarlet' is an old variety of Bergamot with distinctive scarlet-red flowers from mid-summer and on into autumn. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, and the leaves are pleasantly aromatic. Ideal in a herbaceous border or planted with taller grasses. Prefers soil which is always moist, but never water-logged, in full sun or light shade. Height to 90 cms. 2-3L container.
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| Nepeta 'Six Hill's Giant'
'Six Hill's Giant' catmint
One of our favourite and most used perennials. This plant requires next to no care and will reward you with masses of lavender blue flower for most of the summer between June and September. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies, and the foliage is mildly and pleasantly aromatic, making it a good edging plant. A traditional favourite for sunny borders and beds. It requires well-drained soil in sun or light shade, and is drought-tolerant when established. Trim after flowering to encourage a second round of flowering, and cut down to 2-3 inches in late autumn / winter. Height and spread of 90 cms. 3L container.
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| Sedum 'Autumn Joy' ('Herbstfreude')
Stonecrop
A fabulous and very easy perennial for dry, sunny sites, and very attractive for butterflies and bees. The sprays of dark pink flowers in late summer and autumn last for several weeks, and are interesting too in cold and frosty weather. In late winter / early spring, cut plants down almost to the base - leave foliage on through the winter for insects and to protect the crown of the plant. Height and spread to 75 cms. 2-3L container.
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