Acer palmatum – Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum or Japanese Maple provide excellent colour and structure to the garden. Green, yellow, orange to dark red, they help to break up a sea of greenery. Colours changing through the season and bare skeletons in the late autumn and winter months.

Here in our focus image, we have two similar but distinct varieties. The name palmatum comes from the similarity to the human hand or palm with leaves spread out like fingers. These fingers can be dissected as in the far Acer or doubly dissected as in the near Acer. The double dissection making the leaves like feathers.

There are also two basic structures here. The far Japanese Maple is an upright Acer, whilst the near is more of a weeping Acer. The weeping structure provides a pleasing dome shape to the plant.

Acer palmatum - Japanese Maple - two varieties

Rank

Species

Names

Scientific name:

Acer palmatum

Common Names:

Japanese Maple

Genus:

Acer

Family:

Sapindaceae

Related Plants:

Acer, Maple, Sycamore

Growing Conditions

Position:

partial shade

Soil Type:

sandy, loamy, chalky, peaty

Soil pH:

weak-acid, neutral

Moisture:

damp, well drained

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    Helleborus orientalis is a hardy perennial plant that will flower early in the growing season and provide some colour and interest In the garden border even when the spring temperatures are chilly. 

    • Plant Family – Part of the Ranunculaceae family or Buttercups. 
    • Native to – These flowering plants are native to Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus, especially in the mountainous regions.
    • Common Names – It is often called the Lenten rose due to it flowering throughout the calendar period known in ‘christian’ lands as Lent. 
    • Flowers – The flowers are, as most Buttercups, a cup shape and are many shades of maroon, purple, pink, white and even a green tinge. They tend to droop and face the ground once fully bloomed.
    • Foliage – The dark green, glossy leaves grow in a rosette form around the main stem with the flower emanating from the centre. These leaves are palmate, dissected into long this fingers with sawtooth edges. The stems are thick and hardy. Once they have flowered the leaves will last throughout the winter, gradually turning brown and drying out. These can be pruned back to keep the plant looking fresh or just left to wither and decay, depending on the look you want produce.
    • Height and Spread – Typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches and can spread about 18 inches. These plants tends to spread over time into a cluster.
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    Overall, Hellebores are an ideal flowering plant that can be left to grow year on year, in the right conditions, and provide an interesting feature before many other garden flowers have emerged from winter.

    helleborus orientalis

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Helleborus Orientalis

    Common Names:

    Hellebore, Lenten rose

    Genus:

    Helleborus

    Family:

    Ranunculaceae

    Related Plants:

    Anemone, Aquilegia, Clematis, Delphinium, Helleborus, Ranunculus (Buttercup)

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full shade, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    chalky, loamy, clay

    Soil pH:

    weak-acidic, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

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    Armeria maritima is a hardy perennial plant that grows in clumps and flowers from spring to summer with shades of pink that are best seen en masse.

    • Plant Family – Part of the Plumbaginaceae family or leadwort family. 
    • Native to – These flowering plants are native to the coastal regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
    • Common Names – It is often called Sea Thrift or Sea Pink.  The word thrift evidently comes from an Old Norse word meaning to thrive. Very apt for this plant as it makes the very best of rather poor ground to produce a display that will lift the spirits.
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    • Position – These plants thrive in full sun location with a well drained soil, from acidic to alkaline. This makes them ideal for a rock garden, coastal gardens, but can also fit into any well-drained border or even a living roof.

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    Armeria maritima - Sea Thrift

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Armeria maritima

    Common Names:

    Sea Thrift, Sea Pink

    Genus:

    Armeria

    Family:

    Plumbaginaceae

    Related Plants:

    Plumbago, Leadworts

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, chalky, clay

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

    well drained

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    Achillea or Yarrow is a species of the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the daisy family. It has many small flowers in a cluster at the top of a thin stalk arising from the base plant and extending high towards the sunlight. It is a native, common wild flower but has many species and cultivars to expand on the basic wild variety.

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    Achillea or Yarrow, when not in the wild, is a tall flowering plant used in borders of cottage or wildlife gardens. Due to its height and slender form it can compete for space and thrive alongside its neighbours. It best sits mid border and provides clusters of small colourful flowers, tightly packed and resilient. Without neighbouring plants to help it may need support to keep it up and looking its best.

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    Achillea Yarrow 1

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Achillea

    Common Names:

    Yarrow

    Genus:

    Achillea

    Family:

    Asteraceae

    Related Plants:

    Aster, Daisy, Sunflower

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    clay, sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    weak-acid, neutral, weak-alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

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    • Height and Spread – The bulbs lay dormant in the ground over winter and come back to life in the spring. The leaves spread about 12″ around the base and the steps come up between 12″ to 18″ inches high.
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    Blinkling Hall - Great Wood - Bluebells May 2025 -8

    Rank

    Species

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Common Names:

    Bluebell

    Genus:

    Hyacinthoides

    Family:

    Asparagaceae

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    Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca

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    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy, chalky, clay

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

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    Antirrhinum Snapdragon 5

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Antirrhinum

    Common Names:

    Snapdragon

    Genus:

    Antirrhinum

    Family:

    Plantaginaceae

    Related Plants:

    Digitalis (Foxgloves), Hebe, Penstemon

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    full sun, partial shade

    Soil Type:

    sandy, chalky, loamy

    Soil pH:

    slightly acid, neutral

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained

    Rank

    Genus

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    From a size perspective, they can range from 6 inches to 3-4 feet high. So choose your plants carefully, and plant in the right position to maximise the flowering display in relation tote other plants around them. Depending on how far back in the border they will be to give that layered look to the border. Dwarf varieties, of course, are perfect for the front of border.

    As an annual plant, snapdragons usually complete their life cycle from seed to seed in one growing season. They can be used as cut flowers, making them a popular choice for bouquets and arrangements. When cut, snapdragons can last up to two weeks in a vase, allowing their beauty to be enjoyed indoors as well.

    Snapdragons can be grown from seeds, which should be sown indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Alternatively, once the threat of frost has passed, they can be directly sown outdoors. Plants should be given adequately space to allow for their growth, typically around 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the variety. 

    Modern varieties can be resilient but take care of aphids and diseases such as rust, mildew and wilt. Having Ladybirds/bugs around will help with the aphids. The diseases will require you planting in the right environment to control moisture and not spread disease from one plant to another. A correct balance of heat, breeze and moisture is important to avoid such disease.

    Snapdragons are not just beautiful; they also have a rich history. Once a staple in English gardens, they were often used in herbal remedies. The flowers were believed to possess medicinal properties, and despite their beauty, they were a key ingredient in various potions. Today, they continue to symbolise grace and strength in floral arrangements, making them a favourite among florists and garden enthusiasts alike.

  • Agapanthus – African Lily – Tall Globe Shaped Flower Heads to Lift a Summer Border

    Agapanthus plants are tall with a globe of flowers on a single stem, not unlike their cousins, Alliums, and Amaryllis. Predominantly blues, purple and white with bigger more dramatic flowers than Alliums. Native to Southern Africa, and commonly called African Lilies although they are not Lilies at all. They love the sun, well-drained soil but can also stand some drought. Ideal for keeping in pots as you can control spread and concentrate the flowering.

    Agapanthus-African Lily Blue

    Rank

    Genus

    Names

    Scientific name:

    Agapanthus

    Common Names:

    African Lily, Lily of the Nile

    Genus:

    Agapanthus

    Family:

    Amaryllidaceae

    Related Plants:

    Allium, Amaryllis, Narcissus

    Growing Conditions

    Position:

    full sun

    Soil Type:

    sandy, loamy

    Soil pH:

    acid, neutral, alkaline

    Moisture:

    moist, well drained