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NCG 129
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Aconitum Carmichaelii Var. arendsii
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Autumn-flowering monkshood, Chinese aconite
Full description to come, but please note: All parts of the plant are extremely toxic - it is highly advisable to wear gloves when handling and to wash hands if accidentally touched. |
NCG 224
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Adenophora latifolia 'Amethyst' | |
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Ladybells
Sometimes confused with campanula, to which it is related, this plant is more delicate. It has nodding bells in a lovely soft shade of violet-blue, borne on straight stems with dark-green toothed foliage. NOTE: The plants have a rather scrambling root system and are difficult to split tidily.… |
NCG 420
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Ajuga reptans
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Common bugle, Blue bugle, Carpetweed
Creeping bugle is a low-growing, evergreen plant that is useful to provide ground cover or to grow between paving stones. It produces spikes of rich blue/purple flowers in Spring, above dark, sometimes almost black, foliage. |
NCG 148
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Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata
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Porcelain berry
This vine-like plant is attractive in all respects, but particularly for its stunningly coloured berries, which range from soft blue-green through turquoise to purple. It grows vigorously in the right conditions. Positioning on a sheltered south-facing wall in poorish soil and restricting root growth gives the best environment for reliable… |
NCG 574
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Amsonia tabernaemontana | |
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Rhazya, Eastern Bluestar
A clump-forming perennial with willowy, dark green leaves and clusters of sky-blue, starry flowers in spring and summer. |
NCG 298
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Aquilegia vulgaris, various
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Granny's bonnet, various
A mixture of single, double and ruffled plants or seeds in a variety of colours - dark-purple, blue, white and pink. I'm also offering packets containing seeds from specific plants, but there may be some cross-pollination. Note: Plants, when offered, may be bare-rooted, depending on season. |
NCG 593
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Borago officinalis, Blue
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Borage, Blue
Borage is edible - the flowers, which have a flavour reminiscent of cucumber, can be added to summer drinks or as a garnish on salads and other cold dishes. The leaves can also be added, wilted, to Mediterranean recipes such as pasta sauces and to ravioli stuffing. Borage is very… |
NCG 242
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Brimeura amethystina AGM
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Amethyst hyacinth, Spanish hyacinth
The delicate, pale blue, nodding bells of this pretty bulbous plant are fragrant and much loved by butterflies. Although the common name refers to it as a hyacinth, it is in fact only distantly related. NOTE: Not to be confused with the Spanish bluebell, which is a thug and… |
NCG 550
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Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' | |
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Siberian bugloss 'Jack Frost'
One of my favourite spring-flowering plants, with delicate sprays of sky-blue flowers, somewhat similar to forget-me-not, but with rather more wiry flower stems, above large, heart-shaped, exquisitely marked leaves. NOTE: Depending on the season, plants, when offered, may be delivered bare-rooted and trimmed back, but will soon produce fresh growth. |
NCG 404
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Campanula glomerata
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Clustered bellflower, Dane's blood
Clusters of deep-blue bell-shaped flowers on straight stems from early summer. A very pretty plant, but spreads by underground runners and can be rather invasive, so position carefully. Note: Bare-rooted plants, when on offer, may look a little untidy, particularly early in the year. Don't worry - they will establish… |
NCG 064
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Campanula lactiflora
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Milky Bellflower
A tall, stately campanula, pale blue/lilac or white. Makes a dynamic statement at the back of the border and is also lovely cut flower if you can bear to remove it from the garden! Masses of blooms on stems up to 2m high. Much in demand by visitors to the… |
NCG 384
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Campanula persicifolia, Ex. blue
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Peach-leaved bellflower
A typical cottage garden plant, this campanula, with its papery, nodding pale-blue bells on tall, straight stems above low-growing foliage, is perfect for the middle of the border and is particularly effective if planted en masse. A good cut flower. Since these are open-pollinated plants, some variation may occur in… |
NCG 669
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Campanula portenschlagiana Syn. muralis | |
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Dalmatian bellflower, Wall bellflower
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NCG 598
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Campanula punctata 'Kent Belle' | |
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Bellflower 'Kent Belle'
Nodding heads of deep-violet narrow, tubular flowers adorn this attractive campanula. Will probably not always come true from seed, but my experience with another campanula with similarly shaped flowers (Campanula takesimana) is that collected seeds are are likely to produce plants with blooms of a similar shape and habit, though… |
NCG 567
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Catananche caerulea bicolor | |
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White Cupid's Dart
This pretty plant produces a basal rosette of narrow, grey-green leaves, above which wiry stems rise in summer, topped with white flowers with violet-blue eyes. The papery seedheads are very attractive and are useful for dried flower arrangements. |
NCG 014
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Centaurea montana
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Perennial cornflower, Mountain bluet
This wildflower has been a popular garden plant for generations. Rich blue with a reddish-purple centre, it makes a good cut flower for smaller arrangements and posies. Dead-head regularly to promote fresh blooms. The plant has a lax habit, so either cut long stems back by half to discourage legginess… |
NCG 353
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Cephalaria gigantea
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Giant scabious, Yellow scabious
This stunning perennial scabious is perfect for the back of the border as it can grow as high as 2.5m. Blooming during the summer, the strongly textured flowers are a delicate pale yellow. |
NCG 094
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Cerinthe major var. purpurascens
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Cerinthe, Honeywort, Blue shrimp plant
Deep purple, almost indigo, clusters of bells dangle above attractive glaucous, grey-green foliage. This wildflower is much loved by bees and butterflies. It self-seeds happily (but not invasively) in the gravel patio area in my garden, where it looks charming. |
NCG 853
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Cichorium intybus
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Common chicory
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NCG 509
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Clematis viticella 'Chatsworth' | |
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Italian leather flower, Purple clematis, Virgin's bower 'Chatsworth'
A wild form of clematis originating from southern Europe, with nodding, pale-mauve flowers with four, or occasionally five, petals (or, more accurately, tepals), each having a darker stripe down the middle. A good choice for scrampling over walls or large shrubs in a spot offering some shade. |
NCG 166
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Cobaea Scandens AGM
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Cup and Saucer Vine
This climber, which must usually be treated as an annual in the UK when situated outside, but can be successfully grown as a perennial indoors if warmth and some humidity are provided, is the perfect choice for a sunny, sheltered wall, trellis or pergola. Once the young plants have acclimatised,… |
NCG 575
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Commelina dianthifolia | |
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Bird-bill day flower, Widow's tears
One of my most exciting finds of 2016! This little-known plant is fully hardy when planted in well-drained soil, where over time it naturalises to produce drifts. One-inch diameter, striking gentian-blue flowers rise from attractive, rich-green foliage from mid-summer. The flowers fade by the afternoon, but are replaced daily by… |
NCG 017
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Consolida ajacis
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Larkspur, Annual Delphinium, Doubtful knight's spur
More dainty than the related delphinium, larkspur produces pink or deep blue blooms freely throughout the summer months, on tall stems with finely cut, feathery foliage. Quite variable in height. A good cut flower, if you can bear to remove it from the garden, where it always looks so beautiful!… |
NCG 555
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Corydalis elata 'Blue Summit' | |
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Blue fumitory 'Blue Summit'
Much easier to grow than the related Corydalis flexuosa, this beautiful woodland plant produces spikes of rich, dark-blue flowers with a coconut-like scent above finely divided light-green foliage with tiny magenta markings at the base and tips of the leaflets. Delightful! |
NCG 625
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Cynara cardunculus
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Cardoon
The cardoon, also called the artichoke thistle, is a member of the sunflower family. It is native to the western and central Mediterranean region. A robust plant, growing up to 2.4m/8 feet tall, it produces large, purplish-pink, thistle-like flower heads above divided, grey-green foliage. The immature flowers, called globe artichokes,… |
NCG 599
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Delphinium requienii
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Requin's larkspur
A beautiful plant which is seldom seen in the UK, Requin's larkspur produces spikes of soft, brownish-blue flowers, reminiscent of orchids, above attractive, shiny leaves (which, unlike those of other delphiniums, are said to be of no interest to slugs and snails). Usually grown as a biennial, but will flower… |
NCG 452
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Didiscus caeruleus, Lacy Series
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Lace flower, mixed
A most attractive (to pollinating insects as well as humans!), long-flowering annual. The umbels of blooms in soft shades of pink, blue, mauve and white are sweetly scented and make an excellent cut flower. |
NCG 229
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Echinops exaltatus
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Giant globe thistle
The largest echinops, growing to at least 2m tall - and usually more, looks magnificent at the back of the bed or as a specimen plant. It is advisable to remove seed heads before they disintegrate, as the thick, long roots can make unwanted, self-seeded, plants difficult to remove. But… |
NCG 603
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Echinops ritro
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Blue hedgehog, Globe thistle
A very dependable hardy perennial that is much loved by butterflies and other pollinating insects, Echinops ritro is a lovely addition to the garden for late-summer colour. The spiky, globular flower heads look silvery at first, turning to a dynamic blue-violet as they open. If cut early, they can be… |
NCG 862
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Eriolarynx australis Syn. Iochroma australe | |
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Mini angel's trumpet
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NCG 022
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Eryngium planum
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Sea Holly
The steely blue flowers of this attractive plant, which appear on wiry stems with spiny leaves from July, are much loved by bees, hoverflies and butterflies. |
NCG 507
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Geranium phaeum, various
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Dusky cranesbill
Although a British native, Geranium phaeum is perhaps more commonly seen as a cultivated garden plant, particularly in colours singled out as particularly attractive. These appear in Spring and range from deepest-purple to near-white. The lobed or divided foliage varies in colour too, from mid to dark green, often with… |
NCG 382
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Geranium pratense Blue, white-veined
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Cranesbill, Blue, white-veined
I have been unable to positively identify this delightful blue geranium, which is unusual in that it has pronounced white veins rather than the more usual blue. It bears a passing resemblance to (and may be the result of a cross with) 'Mrs Kendall Clark', but the veining is simpler… |
NCG 228
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Geranium pratense Ex. 'Mrs Kendall Clark' AGM
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Meadow cranesbill 'Mrs Kendall Clark'
This is an exquisite geranium! The strong, upright stems bear sky blue blooms run through with delicate white veins (most blue geraniums have dark veins). Happy in full sun or part shade and has a long flowering period. A must! Please note that since there are other geraniums in the… |
NCG 411
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Geranium pratense, blue
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Meadow cranesbill, tall, blue
This lovely tall, deep-blue geranium is happy in full sun or part shade. It has strong, upright stems and is self-supporting in all but the most exposed sites. Please note that since there are other geraniums in the garden there may have been some cross-pollination, so I cannot guarantee that… |
NCG 221
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Geranium pyrenaicum 'Bill Wallis'
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Mountain Cranesbill 'Bill Wallis'
With its abundance of small, rich purple flowers from early spring and right through until autumn, small, lobed leaves and reddish stems, this is a delightful geranium and, given what I'm about to tell you, surprisingly rare. I am going to be brutally honest with you; if you choose to… |
NCG 635
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Ipomoea purpurea Ex. 'Grandpa Otts'
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Morning glory 'Grandpa Otts'
An abundance of the familiar Morning Glory flowers, but in an intense deep-violet colour that will hit you between the eyes! Although it is possible that not all seeds will come true, I would expect most to do so. Attracts butterflies and other pollinating insects. |
NCG 198
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Ipomoea tricolor syn. rubro-caerulea 'Heavenly Blue'
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Morning Glory
Clear sky-blue trumpets festoon this popular, long-flowering annual climber. Happily scrambles up walls and fences and through trellis, shrubby plants and trees. Highly recommended! NOTE: Externally sourced seeds. |
NCG 718
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Iris germanica, blue | |
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Bearded iris, blue
I'm not sure of the name of this delightful bearded iris. The blooms, which appear in spring, have dark blue falls and lemon-yellow standards, on strong stems. Much recommended! NOTE: Depending on season, plants, when available, may be trimmed back and/or barerooted for shipping. |
NCG 719
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Iris germanica, pale blue | |
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Bearded iris, pale blue
A dependable, robust bearded iris with a profusion of pale-blue blooms in spring, contrasting well with the grey-green, sword-shaped foliage. Makes a good cut flower. NOTE: Depending on season, plants, when available, may be trimmed back and/or barerooted for shipping. |
NCG 415
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Iris sanguinea AGM
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Blood-red iris
This delicate iris is perhaps my favourite. The Audrey Hepburn of the iris family... not cheap and gaudy but delicate, composed and very, very classy - a natural beauty! I'm not quite sure how it got its common name; the petals do have a reddish base, but are for the… |
NCG 243
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Iris setosa var arctica
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Dwarf Arctic iris
This sweet little iris, standing only a few inches tall, has pale blue flowers with striking veins, and are yellow at the centre, fading to silver. The blooms appear above green, spear-shaped leaves. |
NCG 387
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Lathyrus cirrhosus | |
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Cirrhose vetch
A collector's item! This very unusual small but robust, scrambling perennial sweet pea is native to the Pyrenees and forms a dense mound of attractive, grey-green foliage bearing tendrils and many small, pale-pink, unscented blooms from June well into summer. A deceptively robust plant that will do well in relatively… |
NCG 030
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Lathyrus odoratus
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Mixed Sweet Pea
This mixture of sweet peas in pink, red, blue, mauve and maybe occasionally pale yellow (lathyrus chloranthus). Something of a Jamboree bag, but will no doubt produce some attractive plants and all will complement each other! |
NCG 268
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Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani' | |
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Sweet Pea 'Cupani'
Seeds of this delightful heirloom sweet pea was sent in 1699 by Father Cupani, a Franciscan monk from Sicily, to Dr Robert Uvedale, who resided in Enfield, Middlesex. All our modern sweet peas are descended from these seeds. The flowers, which have dark blue standards and purple wings, are produced… |
NCG 032
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Lathyrus sativus var. azureus
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King Tutankhamun's pea, Indian Vetch, Chickling Pea, Grass Pea
My favourite sweet pea, despite the fact that is has no scent. Rumoured to originate here in the UK from seeds found by Harold Carter, the Egyptologist, in Tutankhamun's tomb, the small flowers are a delicate clear sky-blue, with pink centres. A small plant by sweet pea standards, it looks… |
NCG 397
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Lavandula angustifolia
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English Lavender
Although lavender seed will not come true, but will produce plants with some variation in colour and form, unless you plan to make a formal feature in your garden this can be a plus... a mass planting of lavender grown from seed, with colours ranging from light mauve to deep… |
NCG 367
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Linum narbonense 'Heavenly Blue' AGM
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Perennial flax 'Heavenly Blue'
This charming, usually short-lived, perennial produces masses of clear blue flowers an inch in diameter and dark-green foliage on wiry stems. The flowers last only a day, but new buds burst daily too, so during summer the plant is always full of colour. It will self-seed but is not a… |
NCG 483
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Linum perenne 'Blue Sapphire'
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Perennial flax 'Blue Sapphire'
This compact form of perennial flax is a cottage garden favourite, with ferny foliage and masses of sky-blue flowers from late spring and right through the summer. It works well as an edging plant, in containers and for naturalising in wildlife gardens. Although short-lived, it will gently self-seed. Established plants… |
NCG 034
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Linum usitatissimum
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Common Flax, Linseed
The delicate flowers of this dainty plant are sky-blue or white, on fine, grey-blue foliage - a delight to see en masse! Ours appeared from nowhere in my hot bed (flax is grown in the fields nearby, so the seeds were, no doubt, brought in by birds). Despite the fact… |
NCG 252
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Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' AGM
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Big blue lilyturf
Happiest in part shade and moist soil, Liriope offers interest all year round. It forms clumps of glossy, evergreen, strap-like leaves, which contrast well with spikes of deep purple flowers from late summer and into the autumn. These are followed by glossy black berries. Growing up to about 1 foot… |
NCG 601
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Lobelia siphilitica
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Great blue lobelia, Blue cardinal flower
This stately plant, which originates from Northern America, has tall spires of rich-blue or violet, tubular flowers above rosettes of dark green leaves. It much loved by pollinating insects but on the other hand is said to be a herbivore deterrent, which, if it works, will be useful to gardeners… |
NCG 386
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Muscari botryoides | |
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Common or Italian Grape Hyacinth
Description coming soon |
NCG 323
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Nicandra physalodes
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Shoo-fly plant, Apple of Peru, Peruvian bluebell
Looking very similar to Chinese Lanterns (Physalis alkekengi), but with green/black lanterns rather than the familiar bright orange, and striking black stems, this plant is an annual and although it does seed itself around it is easier to control than Physalis (which multiplies by underground runners and has a tendency… |
NCG 038
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Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll'
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Love-in-a-Mist
Everything about this cottage garden favourite is spectacular, from the buds, through flowers to seed pods. The finely cut, bright-green foliage is bedecked with rich cornflower-blue flowers throughout the summer, which develop into seedpods, often tinged red and like spurred balloons. These are a lovely addition to dried flower arrangements. |
NCG 308
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Pulmonaria officinalis
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Blue Lungwort
All the pulmonarias are lovely shade plants, and no less this, the common type. Blue flowers, turning mauve and then pink, adorn rather hairy stems up to 12 inches tall growing from a rosette of green foliage specked with white. NOTE: Plants, when offered, may, depending on season, be trimmed right… |
NCG 634
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Pulmonaria officinalis 'Opal' Syn. 'Ocupol'
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Lungwort 'Opal'
Pulmonarias are lovely shade plants and this variety is delightful! Lighting up shady areas, the palest-blue flowers are borne on hairy stems up to 12 inches tall growing from a rosette of green foliage specked with white. NOTE: Plants, when offered, may, depending on season, be trimmed right back, but will… |
NCG 284
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Salvia forskaohlei | |
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Indigo woodland sage
An unusual, hardy salvia with large, textured leaves and deep purple and white flowers on strong stems. Very attractive. |
NCG 760
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Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' | |
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Anise-scented sage, Hummingbird sage
Salvia guaranitica, the anise-scented sage or hummingbird sage, is a species of Salvia native to a wide area of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. A tall plant with rich-green, aromatic foliage and spikes cobalt-blue flowers contrasting with near-black sepals in late summer to autumn. It is very… |
NCG 453
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Salvia patens 'Oxford Blue' | |
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Gentian Sage 'Oxford Blue'
The showy, clear blue flowers of this salvia are the most beautiful of the sage family! Grow en masse for best effect. Makes a good cut flower if you can bear to cut it. |
NCG 524
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Scabiosa syn. Lomelosia caucasica, mixed
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Scabious, mixed
This traditional cottage garden plant is a must! Easy to grow, and making a wonderful cut flower, the blooms are coloured from white and cream to various shades of blue, on tall stems. As a bonus, both seed heads and foliage are attractive. |
NCG 337
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Scilla litardierei 'Amethystina' AGM
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Amethyst meadow squill
A lovely little plant with intensely blue flower spikes from spring to early summer. The seeds on offer will, of course, need time to develop into bulbs of flowering size, but they can be left to their own devices and grow quite quickly. These are very useful bulbs for naturalising,… |
NCG 044
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Sisyrinchium bermudiana Syn. angustifolium | |
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Blue-eyed Grass
Dainty deep blue, star-shaped flowers with yellow throats on short, straight stems above stiff, grass-like foliage. Very pretty at the front of the border. |
NCG 390
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Symphyotrichum Syn. Aster novae-angliae 'Violetta'
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New England Aster 'Violetta'
This tall, striking aster is exquisite... the picture does not really do it justice. It produces masses of deep-purple, single flowers about 3.5cm in diameter from late summer and well into autumn. It is loved by pollinating insects. Also a good cut flower. Much recommended! I cannot guarantee that seed,… |
NCG 421
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Symphytum x hidcotense 'Hidcote Blue' | |
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Comfrey 'Hidcote Blue'
Symphytum 'Hidcote Blue' produces branching stems bearing mid-green, rather coarse, foliage. Clusters of red buds appear in late spring, maturing to pale blue and then white. The foliage is mid-green and rather coarse. Best planted where it will always be required, as it is difficult to completely remove once established.… |
NCG 441
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Trachelium caeruleum 'Pallas' AGM
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Blue throatwort
Although a perennial, this stunning plant is usually grown as an annual, as it will not withstand frost. It forms a bushy mound of small leaves from which rise flower stems topped with large umbels composed of many tiny mauve flowers. A wonderful cut flower - much recommended! |
NCG 735
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Triteleia Syn. Brodiaea laxa | |
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Triplet lily, Ithuriel's spear, Grassnut
The delightful purple, star-shaped blooms of this bulbous plant, which is indigenous to the west coast of America, appear in profusion in late Spring. |
NCG 085
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Verbena bonariensis
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Purpletop verbena, Purpletop vervain
A tall, sculptural plant that ticks all the boxes! The clusters of small, purple flowers, which are borne on the end of strong, branching stems, are a magnet for butterflies, bees and hoverflies. Grow en masse for best effect. Although a perennial, this plant tends to be short-lived, but it… |
NCG 393
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Verbena hybrida Mix | |
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Verbena, Mixed
Strictly speaking a short-lived perennial, but not fully hardy, so best treated as a half-hardy annual. Flowers are in shades including bright red, blue, rich peach and purple with a white eye. Plant en masse at the front of the border or in hanging baskets. |
NCG 413
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Veronica gentianoides
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Gentian speedwell
In summer, spikes of small, pale-blue flowers with striking purple veining appear above rosettes of attractive, glossy foliage. Best grown near the front of the border, where its intricate markings can be best appreciated! |
NCG 084
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Veronica longifolia (blue)
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Garden Speedwell, Blue
A very attractive and useful plant; long lasting, purple flower spikes of tiny flowers appear from late spring until mid summer and make a good filler in flower arrangements.Very attractive to bees. |
NCG 526
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Vinca major 'Variegata' | |
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Greater periwinkle 'Variegata'
A trailing vine, usually used as ground cover, with bold creamy-yellow and green variegation. Pretty purple flowers and inch or so across appear sporadically from spring right into autumn. The plant spreads by rooting along the stems where they lie on the ground and can become quite dense, but can… |
NCG 047
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Viola cornuta
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Horned Violet
A lovely front of border plant in shades of mid-blue, pale-blue and occasionally white. Very easy to grow and flowers for months. Plants can become leggy but this is easily remedied; cut them back to within 3-4 inches of the ground and they will soon regenerate to produce compact plants… |
NCG 594
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Viola odorata | |
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Sweet violet
Description coming soon. |
NCG 419
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Viola sororia 'Freckles' | |
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Woolly Blue Violet, Sister Violet
This stunning viola has white, or very pale-blue, flowers which are covered in tiny purple speckles. Comes true from seed. The plants on offer are very small, but don't worry - they will soon bulk out if given the right conditions. |
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