Plant database
A library for small spaces
Edibles, herbs, fruit and flowers that thrive in pots, patches and windowsills.
Good picks for autumn
From our library — tuned to what's worth starting in September. Set your region for picks tailored to your climate.
Nerine
Shimmering pink lily-stars in October when little else is flowering.
Michaelmas Daisy
Drifts of lavender-pink daisies in October — late nectar for bumblebees.
Radish
Ready to eat in just 4 weeks – fastest reward in gardening.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Succulent plates that turn from pink to brick — September pollinator buffet.
Herb
St John's wort
St John's wort is a hardy perennial herb with bright yellow flowers traditionally used for medicinal purposes. It thrives in sunny locations with minimal care and can spread vigorously.
Herb
Lavender
Lavender is a drought-tolerant perennial herb prized for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery foliage. It thrives in sunny, dry conditions and is ideal for small containers.
Flower
David Austin White Rose
David Austin English roses are renowned for their classic cupped blooms, fragrance, and disease resistance. White varieties like 'Claire Austin' and 'Generous Gardener' combine old-rose charm with repeat flowering.
Flower
Dutch iris
Dutch iris are spring-blooming bulbs prized for their elegant flowers in blue, purple, yellow, and white. They naturalize well and make excellent cut flowers.
Herb
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Hardy perennial
Drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb. Hates wet feet.
Herb
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Hardy perennial
Tiny aromatic leaves – tucks into cracks and pots.
Flower
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Half-hardy annual
Peppery edible flowers that thrive on neglect — perfect first flower.
Flower
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Hardy perennial
Fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial that hums with bees in summer.
Flower
Scented Geranium
Pelargonium × hortorum
Tender perennial
Crush a leaf — rose, lemon or mint depending on variety.
Cut flower
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Hardy annual
Honey-scented frothy edging — works as a living mulch under taller crops.
Flower
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea
Hardy perennial
Daisy-bright bee magnet — the seedheads feed goldfinches over winter.
Flower
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis
Hardy perennial
Tall wiry stems with violet pompoms — butterflies fly in from streets away.
Flower
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude'
Hardy perennial
Succulent plates that turn from pink to brick — September pollinator buffet.
Flower
Agastache (Anise Hyssop)
Agastache foeniculum
Hardy perennial
Liquorice-scented foliage and lavender bottle-brush spikes — bees go wild.
Flower
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Eryngium planum
Hardy perennial
Metallic blue thistles with steel-cut ruffs — pollinators love them.
Herb
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Hardy perennial
Felted Mediterranean leaves — partner to onions, butter and brown butter.
Herb
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Hardy perennial
Pizza herb — and the pink flowers swarm with bees in July.
Flower
Italian Aster
Aster amellus
Hardy perennial
Compact violet-blue daisies — mildew-resistant Mediterranean classic.
Flower
Catmint
Nepeta × faassenii
Hardy perennial
Lavender-blue hazy clouds — bees and cats both adore it.
Flower
Globe Thistle
Echinops ritro
Hardy perennial
Steel-blue spiky globes — bees go into ecstasy, dries to silver.
Flower
Miss Willmott's Ghost
Eryngium giganteum
Hardy biennial
Silver-white sea holly biennial — ghosts the border with shimmer.
Flower
Salvia nemorosa
Salvia nemorosa
Hardy perennial
Violet-blue spires that flower again if you cut them back hard in July.
Flower
Showy Stonecrop
Hylotelephium spectabile
Hardy perennial
Flat butterfly-landing-pads of pink autumn flowers — drought-proof.
Flower
Caucasian Stonecrop
Phedimus spurius
Hardy perennial
Mat-forming succulent groundcover with star-shaped flowers.
Flower
Wood Spurge
Euphorbia amygdaloides
Hardy perennial
Acid-green spring bracts — happy in dry shade where little else grows.
Flower
Lamb's Ear
Stachys byzantina
Hardy perennial
Felted silver leaves — kid-favourite, plus pink summer spires for bees.
Flower
Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Hardy perennial
Silky purple cups in April followed by feathery seedheads.
Flower
Perennial Wallflower 'Bowles'
Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve'
Hardy perennial
Months and months of mauve flower spires — bee magnet, short-lived.
Flower
Perennial Cornflower
Centaurea montana
Hardy perennial
Bigger spidery blue cornflowers on a clump-forming perennial.
Flower
Catmint 'Walker's Low'
Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'
Hardy perennial
Bigger, longer-blooming catmint — three months of bee-attracting blue.
Flower
Lavender 'Hidcote'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
Hardy perennial
Compact deep-purple English lavender — the hedging classic.
Flower
Lavender 'Munstead'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
Hardy perennial
Soft mauve-blue English lavender — Gertrude Jekyll's choice.
Flower
French Lavender
Lavandula stoechas
Half-hardy perennial
Rabbit-ear bracts on top of deep-purple cones — half-hardy stunner.
Flower
Allium 'Millennium'
Allium 'Millennium'
Hardy perennial
Late-summer pink drumsticks — fills the gap after spring alliums fade.
Flower
Maiden Pink
Dianthus deltoides
Hardy perennial
Tiny carmine star-pinks — mat-forming, lasts forever in poor soil.
Flower
Spiked Speedwell
Veronica spicata
Hardy perennial
Slender blue spikes from May to July — solid bee-friendly clumps.