New plants to perk up your borders
New and unusual plants abound at Tatton Park. Here’s our pick of the best from a wide range of late-season perennials, alpines and bedding beauties.
Agapanthus ‘Sylvia’
Agapanthus is a glorious, long-flowering ‘no-nonsense’ bulb and thrives especially well in a hot summer. They flower better when they’re potbound and Agapanthus ‘Sylvia’ from Pennard Plants is a beautiful new white companion to the blue ‘Charlotte’. Small, sturdy stems hold an abundance of vivid, pure white multi-flowered heads.
Chrysanthemum ‘Green Mist’
Chrysanthemum ‘Green Mist’ is a flower arranger’s dream and is proving a real hit. The incurved ball of flowers is held above dark green foliage and the cut blooms will last three to four weeks. Chrysanthemums Direct is selling rooted cuttings at the show or by mail order – more than 20,000 sold so far. As with all chrysanths, just keep a weather eye out for pesky whiteflies and rust.
Dianthus petraeus subsp. noeanus
A delightful pink, Dianthus petraeus subsp. noeanus, from Hall Farm Nursery, forms a dense cushion of neat green foliage. In summer richly-scented, pure white blooms are produced on long wiry stems, each heavily notched around their margins and looking like miniature starbursts. Ideal for a rock garden, or placed near to a seat so you can enjoy the exquisite fragrance - it grows to 15cm.
Thalictrum diffusiflorum
Rarely available, the tall, delicate stems of Thalictrum diffusiflorum thrive when grown in a container, but can be difficult to establish in your garden. It has very large lilac flowers up to 4cm across above clumps of grey-green foliage that soars up to 80cm high. Elizabeth MacGregor, in the Floral Marquee, has good quality plants potted up and raring to go.
Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’
Tatton Park is renowned for its quality bedding plants, particularly in the municipal flower bed displays. One star of the show is the UK-bred, dark-leaved Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’. One plant will fill a 12cm container in 12 weeks, but for instant drama use three to the pot. Some are available this year, but Ball Colegrave/Kindergarden promise more for next year.
Crocosmia ‘Hellfire’
The arching spires of crocosmia reward you with cascades of brilliant blooms, and Crocosmia ‘Hellfire’, from Cath’s Garden Plants, is a vibrant addition to any border. One of the best new red forms to appear in recent years, it has upright stems with deep red flowers. The petals are reflexed and streaked deep maroon. It doesn't mind full sun or part shade but likes moisture retentive soil.
Potentilla ‘Arc en Ciel’
If you’re after something a little different for your late summer border, then potentillas are perfect. Flowering from July through to October, Potentilla ‘Arc en Ciel’ produces large double flowers in darkest mahogany with pale terracotta highlights along the edges. Elizabeth MacGregor has it in the Plant Marquee. This cottage garden favourite grows to 45cm high.
Impatiens ‘Masquerade’
Impatiens are superb in summer containers or at the front of your borders. There’s been a lot of breeding work done in recent years, and Impatiens ‘Masquerade’ is a typical example. Variegated foliage contrasts beautifully with the scarlet flowers, which hold their heads high above the gold and green carpet below. Very eye-catching, this needs semi-shade and regular feeding.