Beautiful Gardens Spring Edition 2020 | Page 3

Spring into action BRIGHT IDEAS W H AT TO D O N O W Easy-care plants SUPER SEMPERVIVUMS The trend for low-maintenance succulents means sempervivums (commonly known as houseleeks) are more popular than ever. ‘Chick Charms’ is a new collection of winter-hardy sempervivums for outdoor pots and alpine gardens. These are three of our favourite varieties from the full selection available. For seasonal colour and style NEW PLANTS Bee happy Over-sized teacup planter (25cm dia. plant not included) £29.99 NEW, SCENTED VARIETY Golden Nugget HELPING HANDS Feathered fun RSPB-endorsed metal sculptures (14cm tall, on a 1m stake) £12.99 each Glossy evergreen leaves, scented summer flowers and a compact shape make new Choisya ‘Greenfingers’ a versatile plant that’s happy in sun or part-shade. This summer, a donation from the sale of every plant will go to Greenfingers, a charity that creates magical gardens in hospices for life-limited children. Cranberry Cocktail NEW VARIETY Pots of fire Polyanthus Showstopper ‘Fire Dragon’ has big, bold, early blooms BOX CLEVER IN THE PINK For an alternative to box, why not try Rhododendron ‘Bloombux’? With clusters of soft pink flowers in May, it can be trimmed into smart topiary shapes. Brighten up patio pots with sun-loving Hebe ‘Sunrise’. The evergreen leaves are pink in winter and spring, before changing to yellow-green in the summer time. Appletini BEAUTIFUL GARDENS/3