Hyacinthoides non-scripta – Common Bluebell

The Common Bluebell, scientifically known as the Hyacithoides non-scripta, is to be found flowering in the woodlands of Western Europe and the British Isles. This bulbous perennial flowers, en masse, during April and May and produces a spectacle that has inspired and challenged artist for generations.

Plant Family – Part of the Asparagaceae family or asparagus family that includes Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to the areas of Western Europe near to the Atlantic Ocean.
Common Names – It is often called the Common Bluebell or Woodland Bluebell.
Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped in a single violet-blue colour. The flowers grow on one side of the stem producing a curved flower head, unlike the Bluebells more often found in gardens.
Foliage – The leaves spread radially at ground level leaving the stems to grow from up and flower.
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.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, but also work in a wildflower meadow, cottage garden or herbaceous border.

Overall, these plants will thrive and multiply, once established and protected from damage. Walking over them can lead to permanent damage that they will struggle to recover from. Admire from a distance.

Blinkling Hall - Great Wood - Bluebells May 2025 -8

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Common Names:	Bluebell
Genus:	Hyacinthoides
Family:	A sparagaceae
Related Plants:	Asparagus, Camassia, Hosta, Hyacinth and Yucca

Growing Conditions
Position:	partial shade
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, chalky, clay
Soil pH:	acid, neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	moist, well drained

Armeria maritima – Sea Thrift

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.
Flowers – The flower heads are formed in a round cluster on top of a thin but sturdy stem. The small flowers are various shades of pink. They remain upright on the thin stems to maintain a fine display.
Foliage – The dark green, glossy needle-like leaves form a clump or carpet from which the flower stalks grow to form a canopy.
Height and Spread – These are a low growing, ground cover plant that grow to a height of up to 18 inches, mostly shorter than that. They tend to spread over time into a cluster and form a carpet that accentuates their beauty.
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.

Overall, a plant that will cope with poor conditions to produce a flowering display and survive year on year with little maintenance.

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

Calceolaria or Slipper Flower

Calceolaria are a genus flowering plant from the family, Calceolariaceae. Commonly called the Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse and Slipperwort, due to unusual flowers that resemble slippers or purses and calceolaria being from the Latin for shoe. Currently, there are only 3 genera in its family, although others may soon follow as modern dna analysis is re-classifying plants into their families. There are over 388 species of Calceolaria and that covers a wide range of different plants

Natively, these plants are found mainly in the Andes Mountains but also anywhere from Southern Patagonia to Central Mexico. Many modern hybrids can be found to brighten up garden pots and hanging baskets.

Calceolaria Slipper flower acid yellow close up 1

Rank

Genus

Names
Scientific name:	Calceolaria
Common Names:	Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse, Slipperwort
Genus:	Calceolaria
Family:	Calceolariaceae
Related Plants:	Porodittia, Jovellana

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun, partial shade, sheltered
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH:	acid, neutral
Moisture:	moist

Calceolaria-Slipper-flower-acid-yellow-in-basket-planter.jpg

Pieris Japonica – Andromeda

Pieris japonica is a hardy evergreen flowering shrub that has distinctive new red leaves early in the season. These new red leaves turn yellow then green as they mature. Certain cultivars can have very dark red leaves.

Plant Family – Part of the Ericaceae family or heath family, same as rhododendron, heathers, cranberry and blueberry, and my favourite bilberries.
Native to – These flowering plants are native to China, Taiwan and Japan, especially in the mountainous regions.
Common Names – It is often called the Andromeda.
Flowers – The flowers are small and bell shaped, similar to lily-of-the-valley. Colours ranging from reddish pink to white.
Foliage – The leaves usually start red when they first emerge, fading to yellow, light green and through to dark green as they mature. Being evergreen the leaves are glossy and leathery in form.
Height and Spread – Typically a slow growing shrub that can stay within 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, although they can develop into a more straggly, woody tree up to about 12 feet.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil, acidic side. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, or any moist, shaded and cool position. Too much sun or frost can scorch the leaves and turn them brown. They need regular water in dry conditions but don’t like soggy wet conditions.

Overall, in the right position they can be a trouble free, easy to maintain plant that gives a splendid splash of colour in the spring and maintain its foliage all year round. Just remember it is an acid loving plant and if you have neutral or alkaline soil it will require specific acidic feed to keep it going.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Pieris japonica
Common Names:	Andromeda
Genus:	Pieris
Family:	Ericaceae
Related Plants:	Rhododendron, Heathers, Cranberry and Blueberry

Growing Conditions
Position:	partial shade
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy
Soil pH:	acid
Moisture:	moist, well drained

Helleborus Orientalis – Lenten Rose

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.
Position – These plants thrive in a shaded or partially shaded location with a well drained soil, more on the acidic side, but tolerant of alkaline. This makes them ideal in a woodland garden, or any moist, shaded and cool position. Too much sun or frost can scorch the leaves and turn them brown.

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.

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

Anemone – Japanese Anemone – Easy to Grow Tall Perennial

Japanese Anemone are perennials that are characterised by tall stalks and flat wide single flowers in an array of different colours. They are simple to grow but in heavy shade tend to get leggy and require support. This is especially true for the Japanese Anemone but there are varieties such as the ‘wood anemone’ that grow closer to the ground and ideal for more shady areas.

Popular hybrids like the ‘Richard Ahrens’ can grow up to 1 metre tall and has flowers of 7-8cm across. The contrasting pale pink with dark pink edge and vivid yellow stamens make a pleasing contrast with lush green surroundings. They are easy to grow and will spread if not restrained.

In the winter they will recede back to the tuberous roots and re-appear in the spring provided the roots have not been waterlogged.

Due to their height and little need for attention they are a good option for mid flower border or informal cottage garden and will attract insects and other wildlife to add to the an overall healthy ecology.

Rank

Species

Names
Scientific name:	Anemone x hybrida
Common Names:	Japanese Anemone
Genus:	Anemone
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Related Plants:	Buttercup, Clematis, Aquilegia

Growing Conditions
Position:	full sun, partial shade
Soil Type:	sandy, loamy, chalky, clay
Soil pH:	acid, neutral, alkaline
Moisture:	moist, well drained

Gazania or African Daisy – Vibrant Hot Colours

Gazania or African Daisies are bold, bright flowers with hot colours that are suited to sunny, dry climates. Although being in the same family, they are a different genus to Osteospermum plants that are also commonly referred to as African Daisies. These plants are drought tolerant and like to have full sun to be at their best. Being in the shade will make the flowers close and may then grow thin taller stems unable to support the large flower head.