Plant Profile: Astrantia (Masterwort)

Astrantia is one of several umbellifers (see also Eryngium) with ornamental bracts, a feature that offers significant added value in…

Plant Profile: Perovskia

Native to arid areas of Central Asia, Perovskia is a woody perennial or sub-shrub to 100-120cm, now recognised as a…

Plant Profile: Kniphofia

Glowing inflorescences of Kniphofia hovering above the foliage layer of perennial plantings are a striking and dramatic effect available to…

Plant Profile: Eryngium

Eryngiums are a large genus of annuals, biennials and perennials with spiky leaves and prickly, globe-shaped inflorescences often mistaken for…

Iris Japonica
Plant Profile: Iris Japonica

With a few exceptions, the forms of Iris most familiar in European contexts require open conditions and full sun to…

New World Salvias
Plant Profile: New World Salvias

Urban microclimates tend toward extremes, particularly heat and drought. Plants that are tough enough to survive heat and water stress…

New World Salvias
Plant Profile: New World Salvias

Salvias have become valuable contributors to the urban landscape in recent decades, notably the many cultivars of Salvia nemorosa (S.…

Sesleria Caerulea
Plant Profile: Sesleria Caerulea

Prone to hybridisation and back-crossing, the ±30 species of Sesleria are a taxonomic tangle of poorly differentiated species, forms and…

Genista Aetnensis
Plant Profile: Genista aetnensis

“Here on the arid spine of the formidable mountain, destroyer Vesuvius, brightened by no other tree or flower, you scatter…

Carex
Plant Profile: Carex

As a landscape architect working mostly in the public realm, I am always looking for tough plants that are visually…

Creeping Jenny
Plant Profile: Creeping Jenny

The Guangzhou Garden RHS Chelsea 2021 perfectly illustrated the role for chartreuse foliage plants in a late season planting scheme…

Beech Tree
Plant Profile: Beech Tree

Plants are increasingly recognised for their contribution to climate change mitigation, as well as climate change adaptation. After COP26 in…