Plants in 'Edges and smaller hedges' scheme

Box makes a classic formal hedge, traditionally used for lining paths, around flower beds or in formal gardens. These bare-root plants are up to half the price of box plants in containers at other times of the year. They are also fast and easy to plant. Use 4 - 5 plants per linear metre to form a hedge, or 6 plants per metre in 2 staggered rows to form a wider hedge, as illustrated here. Plant into well-dug, fertile soil, and mulch with bark or manure to keep roots moist and soil protected. Clip twice annually (midsummer and autumn) if you like things very tidy. Clip once (late summer) if you prefer a looser look. Bare root plants 20 - 30 cms tall. Available November to April only.

This species of heather flowers in winter and late spring, and forms a dense mound up to 30 cms high and 60 cms wide. Heathers are good, low-maintenance groundcover plants for well-drained, peaty or acidic soil, and can be planted in clumps of 3 -4 plants per square metre. This variety has red flowers, fading to pink. 1.5 litre container.

A white-flowering heather which flowers in winter and late spring. It forms a dense mound up to 40 cms high and 70 cms wide. Heathers are good, low-maintenance groundcover plants for well-drained, peaty or acidic soil, and can be planted in clumps of 3 - 4 plants per square metre. Once established they can cope with short periods of dryness or waterlogging. 1.5L container.

A bushy evergreen perennial which can grow up to 30 cms high, which makes an ideal plant at the front of a flower border or as an edge to a path. It grows best in well-drained soil and sun, and is a traditional favourite in the rockery. It can also grow along walls or in gaps between steps. Masses of white flowers in spring and summer make this a great value plant requiring little care. Sold per six smaller plants in 9 cms square pots.

Aromatic flowers and foliage - a classic garden plant. Best in full sun and well-drained soil. It makes a low hedge, and should be planted somewhere which you brush against or pass often. All parts are aromatic. Does best if flower stalks are trimmed after flowering. Cut back to the main body of the plant again at the end of the year. Does not tolerate wet soils or shade, and when planted in this situation it can be leggy and short-lived. Plant two to three plants per metre for a good hedge, or dot amongst perennials in a dry sunny area. 1.5 - 2L pot.

The perfect variety of lavender for a low hedge of border edge. 'Munstead' is a more compact variety of lavender, which makes it ideally suited for this purpose. Plant 2-3 plants per metre and clip after flowering to prevent it from getting leggy. This fantastic lavender is a dense and bushy shrub with strongly scented distinctive lilac flowers in summer! Height 45 cm. 2 litre container.

Myrtles are evergreen shrubs and small trees with pleasantly aromatic leaves and small, fragrant white flowers. They are suitable for sun or light shade with well-drained soil, and grow particularly well near the sea. The subspecies 'tarantina' has very small leaves, and can be kept clipped as a low hedge (as seen here in Innisbeg Gardens near Baltimore, Co Cork), or allowed to grow into a small specimen up to 150 high and wide. Plant somewhere where you will brush past it, as the delicious scent comes when the leaves are rubbed. A good alternative to box hedging where it should be planted c 40 cms apart and trimmed very lightly in the first year to encourage growth. Nice bushy plant in a 5 litre container - grown in Mount Congreve Estate in County Waterford.

A DYG favourite - for its excellent taste! This compact evergreen shrub bears utterly delicious, small berries in late summer and autumn - reputed to be Queen Victoria's favourite fruit. It can grow to 2 m in height, and may be kept clipped in a way similar to box. This versatile shrub should be planted in sun or light shade, and has a tolerance of drought and seaside conditions, though it prefers fertile, well-drained soil. It also grows well in a pot in a sunny spot. Every garden should have at least one of these plants, and once you have tasted the fruit you will find it hard to resist: somewhere between a blueberry and artificial bubble-gum. There is a mature hedge around Muckross House in Co Kerry which contains this plant. The foliage is scented when crushed. Healthy plants, gron in Mount Congreve Estate in Co Waterford. 3L container.