Introduction
Over the years, you start to notice something about plants.
Some look great on a label, but never quite do it in the garden. Others just quietly get on with it, year after year, no fuss.
The plants below are the ones Kev keeps coming back to. Not because they’re fashionable, but because they work. Properly.
These are the plants he’s used, moved around with him, discovered by accident, and still grows today at Prospect Plant Nursery.
St Bernard’s Lily – Short Flower, Big Impact
“This is one of my favourites… it doesn’t flower for long, but when it does, it’s superb.”
It’s one of those plants you might walk past most of the year, then suddenly it stops you.
Tall stems, covered in little white star-shaped flowers, a bit like a spider plant in bloom. It only lasts a couple of weeks around late May, but it’s worth it.
The foliage sits there as a neat clump of blue green leaves, so it still earns its place after flowering.
“It’ll go in sun or shade… just a really useful plant.”
Ornamental Marjoram – The One That Surprises People
“People sort of recognise it… but then go, what is it?”
This isn’t your standard herb patch marjoram.
The variety Kev keeps coming back to is Origanum Rosenkuppel. Bigger leaves, taller stems, and flowers that start purple in bud before opening pink.
So you get both colours at once.
“Bees and butterflies absolutely adore it… as do I.”
It’s the sort of plant that fits straight into a cottage garden, but has a bit more presence than people expect.
Perennial Alliums – Like Chives, But Better
“I’ve gotten into these over the last few years… really useful plants.”
Not the bulb alliums. These are the clump-forming types.
Grass-like leaves, then up come pinky mauve flowers, like chives but more showy. And they keep going from late May through into July.
Once they’re established, you can just lift them, pull them apart, and spread them around.
“Good value for money… loads of flowers.”
Salvia Caradonna – The One Every Garden Should Have
“I think every garden should have one.”
Strong, upright spikes of deep blue flowers, getting up towards three foot if they’re happy.
They cut through a border brilliantly, especially against softer colours.
What Kev likes is the reliability.
“A lot of salvias are tender… you lose them. This one you don’t, unless it’s sat in wet soil.”
Cut it back after flowering and it’ll come again later in the season.
Astrantia – The Dry Shade Discovery
“I remember seeing it and thinking… that’s brilliant. A flower in dry shade.”
This one stuck with Kev from years ago working down in West Sussex.
Astrantias have come a long way, with loads of colours now, but the real value is where they’ll grow.
The standout here is Astrantia Moira Reid.
“It’s similar to Shaggy… but I think it’s better.”
Green and white flowers, strong stems, and happy in dappled shade.
Japanese Forest Grass – Lighting Up the Dark Corners
“If you’ve got a dull corner… this just lifts it.”
Soft, flowing grass that forms a gentle mound.
The golden varieties are the real winners, especially in shade where they almost look like sunlight hitting the ground.
“It just looks good all summer… then disappears and comes back fresh.”
Kev uses it a lot in designs for that exact reason.
Geum Scarlet Tempest – The One That Doesn’t Stop
“When I was a kid, you didn’t really bother with geums…”
They were a bit dull. Not anymore.
Scarlet Tempest is different because it just keeps flowering.
Most geums give you a short burst. This one carries on through the summer, sometimes much longer in the right spot.
“I’ve seen it flower nearly all year in one garden.”
Best in dapple shade so the colour holds.
Francoa – The One That Started with a Mystery
“I saw it in a garden… loved it… had no idea what it was.”
That’s how this one started.
Big leaves at the base, then up come these airy pink flower spikes.
Kev eventually found it again in a nursery in the Lake District and has kept it ever since.
“It’s one of those plants you don’t see very often.”
The one grown at Prospect has larger flowers and doesn’t self seed like the standard form.
London Pride – The One That Came Everywhere with Him
“I’ve taken this plant everywhere I’ve worked.”
This is where the story really comes in.
A cutting given to Kev when he was younger. Not quite the same as standard London Pride.
The leaves are different. Sharper, more toothed. You notice it straight away.
Same delicate pink flowers, but a completely different look.
“I took it to West Sussex… took it to the next garden… brought it up to Scarborough.”
It’s followed him everywhere.
“You won’t really find this anywhere else.”
Conclusion
This is what real plant knowledge looks like.
Not trends. Not what’s on the front of a catalogue.
Just plants that have been used, tested, moved around, and kept for a reason.
The kind that make gardening easier, not harder.
Call to Action
If you fancy any of these, we’ve got them growing here at Prospect Plant Nursery. We also run courses, talks and workshops throughout the year. So keep in touch and join our Potting Shed List for more updates.
Some in bigger numbers, some not so many.
Come and have a look, and we’ll talk you through what’ll actually work in your garden.