Perennials M to Z

Here are some of our favourite and most useful non-native woody perennials. We have worked hard to find plants which work as well for gardeners as well as they do for wildlife, providing a diverse and extended flowering season. . If we have missed any of your favourites please let us know! You'll find non-native "trees for bees" under exotic trees.

Mahonia

Mahonia

Large architectural plant, spikes of fragrant yellow flowers, glossy leaves. The varieties we sell are a lovely splash of colour for a partly shaded area, and a really good nectar source in the dead of Winter for bees.
Flowers: November - March
Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained


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Rose, rugosa (Rosa rugosa)

Rose, rugosa (Rosa rugosa)

Rugosa roses make excellent hedge plants. Easy to grow, they are tough and disease resistant. Their fragrant single flowers are a good source of pollen and nectar and bright red hips and habit make them helpful for birds. Roses are despatched bare root from November to March.
Flowers: July - September
Soil type: Tolerant of most soils

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Roses, climbing and rambling

Roses, climbing and rambling

Flowers: June - July
Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained

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Rose, species (Rosa)

Rose, species (Rosa)

These species roses all have single flowers, rather than double, and are consequently useful in attracting pollinating insects. They are all scented. Our species roses are despatched bare root from November to March.
Flowers: July - September
Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained

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Rose, Gallica (Rosa Gallica)

Rose, Gallica (Rosa Gallica)

Gallica Roses are healthy looking, easy roses which offer a lovely and scented display of flowers in midsummer.
Flowers: June - July
Soil type: Fertile, moist or well drained

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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Upright purple/blue flower spikes and aromatic foliage. Many culinary uses, and Rosemary honey is delicious ! As a Mediterranean plant it is drought resistant, but will not do well on clay.
Flowers: April - June
Soil type: Well drained

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Sweet box (Sarcococca)

Sweet box (Sarcococca)

Sarcococca confusa is a useful small evergreen, flourishing in shady difficult corners, flowering in the depths of winter and smelling of honey. Good cover for small birds, and forage for honey bees on a warm February day.
Flowers: February-March
Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained
Minimum purchase : 1

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Viburnum tinus

Viburnum tinus

Easy going, useful winter flowering evergreen.
Flowers: December - April
Soil type: Any well drained, moist

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Viburnum bodnantense 'Charles Lamont'

Viburnum bodnantense 'Charles Lamont'

Spectacular pink winter flowering shrub.
Flowers: October - March
Soil type: Moist, rich loamy

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Viburnum fragrans

Viburnum fragrans

Gorgeous fragrant pink flowers in winter opening to creamy white.
Flowers: November - March
Soil type: Most moist soils

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Wisteria

Wisteria

Traditional large and opulent climber.

Flowers: May - July
Soil type: Fertile, moist, well drained


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Witch hazel (Hamamelis)

Witch hazel (Hamamelis)

A good source of pollen for honey bees in the very early spring. Witch hazel flowers look wonderfully exotic as specimen trees, flowering on bare wood. They are happy in sun or semi-shade.
Flowers: December-February
Soil type: Fertile, well drained, non alkaline
Minimum purchase : 1

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