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Halimiocistus

Type	Shrub (Multi-stemmed Plant), Evergreen, Ground cover, Flowering
Form	Low Growing or Spreading Plant
Size	Low Border / Edging / Ground Cover Plant (up to 50cm height)
Colours	Yellow Flowers (Summer), Medium green Foliage
Care	Low/Easy Maintenance
Hardiness	Frost hardy, Drought Tolerant, Seaside Friendly
Growth	Slow Growing Plant

Plant Strengths: Sun loving draught tolerant plant; Evergreen foliage for all year round colour and screening; Suitable for container growing; Suitable for exposed coastal planting; Tolerates full sun and sandy, drought-prone soils

Hebe

includes about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand.

Hebe has four perpendicular rows of leaves in opposite decussate pairs. The flowers are perfect, the corolla usually has four slightly unequal lobes, the flower has two stamens and a long style. Flowers are arranged in a spiked infloescence. Identification of Hebe species is difficult, especially if they are not in flower. The plants range in size from dwarf shrubs to small trees up to 7 metres, Large-leaved species are normally found on the coast, in lowland scrub and along forest margins. At higher altitudes smaller-leaved species grow, and in alpine areas there are whipcord species with leaves reduced to thick scales.

Hebes are grown in many gardens and public areas; they attract butterflies. Hebes cope with most soil types, and can be propagated from seed or cuttings easily.

Hedera

It is an evergreen climbing plant, growing to 20–30 m high where suitable surfaces are available, and also growing as ground cover where there are no vertical surfaces. It climbs by means of aerial rootlets which cling to the substrate. The leaves are alternate, 50–100 mm long, with a 15–20 mm petiole; they are of two types, with palmately five-lobed juvenile leaves on creeping and climbing stems, and unlobed cordate adult leaves on fertile flowering stems exposed to full sun, usually high in the crowns of trees or the top of rock faces. The flowers are produced from late summer until late autumn, individually small, in 3–5 cm diameter umbels, greenish-yellow, and very rich in nectar, an important late autumn food source for bees and other insects. The fruit are purple-black to orange-yellow berries 6–8 mm diameter, ripening in late winter, and are an important food for many birds, though somewhat poisonous to humans. There are one to five seeds in each berry, which are dispersed by birds eating the berries.

Heuchera

Heuchera is a genus which has been developed over the last 10 years or so into a huge range of forms, that thrive in British gardens. Heuchera are very tough and will tolerate and even thrive in a semi-shaded postion, they are not pH sensitive. Heucheras are very popular due to the evergreen nature of the plants and the wealth of foliage colours that are available, so provide good foliage and Heuchera are not attacked by slugs or snails like hostas. Heuchera thive in the open ground but they also make very good plants to add to pots or raised beds, giving colour all year around. Heuchera can grow out of the ground over time and lifting and replanting deeper will re-invigorate old plants. Heuchera are remarkably pest and disease free, but vine weevil larvae will feed on unprotected roots and may need treatment.

Hosta

The Hosta is a really pretty groundcovering plant, for the moist well drained area of the garden, its good close to an entrance or beside a path, it copes well in sun or shade, however the foliage does need protection from cold weather, and drying winds.

The biggest pitful of the Hosta is that Slugs are very partial to eating it.... so surround the base with some form of slug protection the best usually being a sharp sand shallow ditch.

Its a hardy perennial

For propagation just divde overcrowded clumps in spring

Hypericum

Botanical Name:

Hypericum calycinum

Other names:

Rose of Sharon, St John's Wort

Genus:

Hypericum

Species:

H. calycinum ~ H. calycinum is a fast-growing,

Spreading, semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub with lance-shaped leaves and yellow flowers throughout summer into early autumn

A medium-sized bush with bright yellow flowers, Hypericum grows one to four feet tall and wide, with many clustered, upright branches with dark green, shiny, somewhat pointed leaves. Flowers appear in summer and can be an inch wide. The fruits are greenish-red and have become popular in flower arrangements.

How to grow:

Plant in well-drained, somewhat dry soil in full sun. Plants adapt to different soil types. Prune for shape if necessary

grows well in dry areas, and flower borders

Iberis

Iberis is a genus belonging to the family Brassicaceae.

These species are commonly known as candytufts. The name "candytuft" is not related to candy rather it derives from Candia, the former name of Iraklion on the island of Crete.

A favourite for the rockery (although equally at home at the front of the border and admirable on the top of a dry wall) is this evergreen, shrubby perennial forming neat leafy mats of foliage covered in spring and summer with numerous heads of pure white flowers. Hardy throughout the British Isles.

Height 9 ins.

English Name:

Wild Candytuft, Rocket Candytuft, Bitter Candytuft, Clowns Mustard,

Description:

A native wild flower, once used in the treatment of sciatica and gout, sometimes fairly common on chalky hillsides. It is a charming little plant, somewhat similar to the popular garden varieties, with clusters of fragrant, pink or white flowers that make good cut flowers. 4-12 ins.

Juniperus

An evergreen Shrub growing to 9m by 4m at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 2 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in hot dry soils and in poor soils. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Does well in chalky soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates a pH range from 4 to 8 Succeeds in light woodland but dislikes heavy shade. Established plants are very tolerant of drought. Although the fully dormant plant is cold-tolerant throughout Britain, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.

All parts of the plant are very aromatic.

Juniper is a very polymorphic species that has a long history of culinary and medicinal use.

It is frequently grown in the ornamental and herb garden, there is a huge range of cultivars of widely diverse habits.

Lamium

Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: moist, well-drained garden soil
Rate of growth: average to fast
Flowering period: May to July
Hardiness: fully hardy

Delicate silver leaves, narrowly edged in green give this lamium an ethereal quality. It quickly forms a silvery carpet of foliage with whorls of long-lasting, nettle-like, magenta flowers in late spring and early summer. A beautiful evergreen groundcover plant that will light up the base of deciduous or even evergreen shrubs and trees. It prefers partial shade, and once established, will even flourish in difficult areas of dry shade.

Garden care: If you are growing this in dry shade, keep it well watered until it is established.

After it has finished flowering, remove the faded flower heads to encourage fresh new foliage.

Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn or early spring.

Lavendula

Dense spikes of fragrant, deep violet summer flowers and aromatic, silvery-grey leaves. Possibly the best English lavender for edging path and borders, when brushed against the aromatic foliage perfumes the air. Perfect for a sunny, well-drained site, after flowering cut back the flower-stalks to maintain the plant's compact, bushy shape

Lavender (Lavandula) is such a romantic flower that every gardener sooner or later succumbs to the urge to grow it. Undeterred by the fact that it is a native of the Mediterranean and a lover of dry, sunny, rocky habitats, we give it a try anyway, hoping it will adapt. After all, England can hardly be considered dry or particularly sunny, yet English gardeners are renowned for their lavender plants. Think of ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’, two of the hardiest and best loved lavender varieties. This is a good place to start a discussion on growing lavender.

Growing Requirements
As with most plants, your success in growing this coveted plant will depend both on what kind of growing conditions you can provide and which varieties you select to grow. Lavender plants will tolerate many growing conditions, but it thrives in warm, well-drained soil and full sun. Like many plants grown for their essential oils, a lean soil will encourage a higher concentration of oils. An alkaline and especially chalky soil will enhance lavenders fragrance. While you can grow lavender in Zone 5, it is unlikely you will ever have a lavender hedge. More realistically you can expect to have plants that will do well when the weather cooperates and to experience the occasional loss of a plant or two after a severe winter or a wet, humid summer.

Liriope

Height - 25-40cm
Width - 30-40cm
Habit - Evergreen, clump forming.
Planting distance - 40cm
Flowering - September and October

Botanical Name:

Liriope muscari

Other names:

Liriope platyphylla, Liriope graminifolia, Ophiopogon graminifolius

Genus:

Liriope

Species:

L. muscari ~ L. muscari is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial, with narrow, arching, dark-green leaves, and spikes of small violet-purple flowers in autumn, followed by black berries.

Cultivation:

Plant in light, moderately fertile, preferably acid, moist but well-drained soil in part or full shade. Drought tolerant once established. Shelter from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas

Soil types: Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage: Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH: Acid, Neutral

Light: Full Shade, Full Sun

Aspect: North, East, West

Exposure: Sheltered

Hardiness: Hardy

Lonicera

Lonicera or Honeysuckle can be used in three different ways in the garden: as a colourful climber, as a richly scented climber and as a stocky, shrubby plant

Site and soil preferences

Most honeysuckles tolerate a wide range of conditions, making them easy to cultivate. The soil should be rich and leafy with plenty of added moisture-retaining organic matter.

Pruning

Early varieties flower on last year's growth and need pruning immediately after flowering.

Cutting back hard helps restrict their spread but you can also leave them to scale a tree or high wall.

Propagation

Most honeysuckles are easy to grow from cuttings, which are best taken when the plants are in full growth in July.

Use gentle bottom heat to stimulate rooting, but move young plants to a cool spot as soon as they have a root system.

Most honeysuckles propagate themselves by a process called layering (their stems spread across and root in the soil), developing a sprawling complex of shrubs and suckers if left unchecked.

Lysimachia

Lysimachia species often have yellow flowers, and grow vigorously. They tend to grow in damp conditions.

Lysimachia vulgaris

or Garden loosestrife is an erect rhizomatous perennial that may attain a height of one meter or more. Both the stems and the leaves are softly hairy. Lance-shaped leaves, 8-12 cm long, occur on the stem in an opposite or whorled arrangement. The leaves are dotted with black or orange glands. The yellow, primrose-like flowers occur in a cluster at the top of the plant. Each flower has five petals and a calyx with reddish-brown margins. The fruit is a dry capsule.

Garden loosestrife spreads by seeds and rhizomes (stolons). The species flowers from July to September.

Lysimachia are in the Primulaceae family, are tall plants with elegant floral spires. Creeping, groundcover specimens are also included in this varied genus of hardy perennials. They prefer moist soil, whether in a border or at the water’s edge, although they will grow in any fertile soil.

Cultivation: Plant from autumn to spring in any fertile, preferably moisture-retaining soil. Mulch dry soils thoroughly in late winter or early spring. On open sites, support tall plants with stakes. Divide and replant yearly or every other year to control the spread of plants at water margins.

Propagation: Sow seed when ripe, or in early spring in a cold frame. Plant out in autumn. Divide plants from autumn to spring. Take stem cuttings from L. nummularia in spring.

Pests and Diseases: Usually trouble free.

Halimiocistus