IN THE GARDEN
Quercus Garden Plants have a half-price sale on selected shrubs, climbers, perennials, and grasses until 26th October, with 20% off trees, water plants, and pots.
This robust, autumn flowering crocus with an open goblet-shape has pure white flowers which appear in early autumn and light green leaves which appear in spring.
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. It spreads quite freely over time, creating a carpet of flowers. Height 15cm, spread 10cm.
A big, sturdy plant which is quite unlike the ungainly annual sunflowers. A small wood sunflower, it is clothed in a wealth of lovely little, lemon-yellow sunflowers from summer into late autumn, forming an impressive clump loved by butterflies and bees.
Gorgeous when backlit by autumn sunshine and good with a multitude of other perennials and grasses. Although it is very tall, it doesn’t need staking so is perfect for a windy garden. Height 2.4m, spread 60cm.
Well known valuable plants not only for bees and butterflies but for its strong shape which provides interest and structure almost throughout the year, contrasting well with the strong vertical form of grasses and the flat plates of Achillea. Pale green ‘broccoli’ heads open to glorious ruby pink jewels in autumn.
Best on poor, dry soil where it’ll hold its form better. Height 45cm, spread 45cm. (Previously known as Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and now within a new genus of Hylotelephium.)
Not just a vegetable but colourful too so well worthy of a place in the flower border. I always plant kale and chard in flower borders as I love the contrast of foliage colour and you can eat them - right through winter too.
When the sun shines through the foliage it glows. Easily grown from seed in spring, this is an annual that will feed you and give you colour all year round.
An upright but widely arching grass that makes quite a prominent statement in the border when grown as a specimen. This variety has distinctive darker flowers in late summer. Plant in amongst lighter foliaged plants and light coloured flowers.
In autumn, like most molinia, it turns a glorious golden yellow and lasts well into winter. Plant in moist soil in sun or light shade. H 80cm, S 30cm.
The purple hazel or filbert is a thicket-forming, small tree with large, dark-purple, heart-shaped leaves, purple-tinged catkins, and pink nuts. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, producing the best leaf colour in full sun. Grow another Corylus nearby as a pollinator if you want to eat the nuts.
Thin out the branches every so often and use the long straight branches as supports for runner beans, sweet peas, and many other climbers. Height 5m.
Plants at Quercus Garden Plants are propagated and grown peat-free, at 850 feet (259m) and stay outdoors all year, so are tough and acclimatised to Scottish growing conditions. Most of them can be seen growing in wildlife and environmentally friendly, inspiring demonstration gardens.
Quercus Garden Plants is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm from March until the end of October at Whitmuir Farm, Lamancha, EH46 7BB.
Hear more from Rona on how she grows her hardy plants on the Scotland Grows Show.