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aka Bog Primula

Whorls of unusual shaped elegant flowers. The tall stems rise up from a rosette of basal leaves and carry the flowers in a tiered arrangement hence the name, Candelabra. This hardy perennial originates from China and thrives in bright, moist environments hence it's common name of Bog Primula. Perennial

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aka Pasque flower or Danes Blood

Sometimes known as Pasque flower or Dane's Blood as legend has it that these sprang up in places soaked by the blood of Romans or Danes because the plants appeared on barrows and boundary banks. Bell shaped flowers appear in early spring followed by silky seed heads which will persist for many months.

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aka Pasque flower, Danes Blood

A perennial herb with long-stalked leaves covered at first with silky hairs and divided into long, thin segments topped with weeping bell like blue flowers. It grows in limestone pastures in central and northern Europe and parts of Russia and in southern England. Perennial

The plant is called pasque flower because it blooms at Easter.

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aka Paper Daisy or Rhodanthe

This is a delightful little plant that will bring a fresh cheerful look to your garden or favourite container. Attractive blue green foliage and masses of papery white flowers that open from bright pink buds from spring onwards. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained soil. Perennial.

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aka Rose Grass

This dainty and delightful tuberous perennial is an ideal container plant. It will multiply happily and provide a mass of dainty star like red flowers throughout the summer months. Likes the sun, good drainage and fertile soil. Tolerant of winter cold as long as the soil isn't too wet.

Rhodohypoxis can be grown in the garden too but make sure you mark where you planted them as these tiny little treasures may disappear on you.

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aka Rose Grass

This dainty and delightful tuberous perennial is an ideal container plant. It will multiply happily and provide a mass of dainty star like white flowers throughout the summer months. Likes the sun, good drainage and fertile soil. Tolerant of winter cold as long as the soil isn't too wet.

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aka Black eyed susan

Rudbeckias are also known as ‘Black Eyed Susans’. A wonderful perennial to give vibrant and cheerful colour from late summer right through approximately 3 months of flowering into late Autumn/Winter. Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’ is a new variety bred for an absolute abundance of gold flowers with a dark black central seed cone, on a neatly compact habit. Perennial

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aka Cotton Lavender

Commonly know as 'Cotton Lavender' this little Mediterranean shrub has aromatic silver grey foliage and stems of bright yellow flowers that appear in summer. Grow in a well drained sunny position and give the plant a trim after flowering. Evergreen.

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aka Cotton Lavender

Commonly know as 'Cotton Lavender' this little Mediterranean shrub has aromatic yellow green foliage and stems of bright lemon flowers that appear in summer. Grow in a well drained sunny position and give the plant a trim after flowering. Evergreen.

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Crystal White is a mossy type, bearing white flowers on short stems above a neat cushion of green foliage. There are no drawbacks to growing Saxifraga - they are easy to grow, and most are hardy. The only problem they really have is that they can make the plants they are next to look dull. Enjoys a position in full sun with good drainage. Evergreen.

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A great little perennial plant which forms a tight mound of green foliage. From late winter until spring it is smothered with bright pink star like flowers. Enjoys a position in full sun with good drainage. An excellent little plant for rockeries, can also be grown in containers. Evergreen.

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aka Pin Cushion Flower

This magical plant will dazzle you year round with myriads of fragrant, purple pin cushion flowers. These are loved by Red Admiral Butterflies. Perfect for mass planting in the perennial border. Happy in sun or partial shade. Remove dead flower heads to encourage repeat flowering. Perennial.

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aka Pin Cushion Flower

This magical plant will dazzle you year round with myriads of fragrant, purple pin cushion flowers. These are loved by Red Admiral Butterflies. Perfect for mass planting in the perennial border. Happy in sun or partial shade. Remove dead flower heads to encourage repeat flowering. Perennial.

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aka Knawel

Native. The little crowded leaves of this moss-like plant pack together to form undulating mounds of foliage that gradually spread. Looks superb in shingle or gravel gardens set amongst larger rocks. Happiest in morning sun and must have good drainage. Evergreen.

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aka Aarbeibossie

Multi branching low spreading shrub that will cover itself in panicles of gorgeous purple florets from spring. Evergreen

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A striking perennial with silky, silvery white foliage puts on a show all-year-round. Yellow flowers in Summer. With its different texture, in a pot or as a border or mass planting it will add a touch of colour to the garden. Can be grown indoors. Drought and salt tolerant once established. Evergreen.

Trim to shape in early Spring.

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aka Lambs Ears

Senecio Bella Grigio.... such a fancy name for Lambs ears but this is not just any lambs ear but a gorgeous lambs ear. Slim, tapered silvery leaves to about 50 cm tall culminating in spires covered in pink florets. Put this one on your must have list, we have. Perennial

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aka Satin Flower

Makes a nice grassy foliage clump which is smothered in mauve-blue flowers in spring and into Summer. An easy and robust edging plant for a sunny well drained spot. Suitable for planting between pavers, or in rockeries or containers. Evergreen and hardy.

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aka Sisyrinchium Angustifolia

A dainty member of the iris family with blue green grass like foliage. The small clear white single blooms appear in late spring and summer. This perennial is clump forming and is widely used in landscaping. Plant in a sunny well drained position away from harsh frost.

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aka Satin Flower

Create a fabulous foliage effect by group planting this striking member of the Iris family. Lime green sword like leaves edged in butter yellow are topped off with dainty soft yellow blooms which appear on spikes in late spring. Plant in a sunny well drained position. Remove spent flower stalks.

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aka Lambs Ear

Stachys lanata is better known as Lamb's Ear, this silver, woolly leaved plant makes great ground cover. Furry spikes carrying small purple flowers are produced in the middle of summer. Well drained soil reduces rotting of hairy leaves, and loves full sun or some shade.

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aka Stachys Discolour

This close relative of 'Lambs Ear' grows in a similar way in that it forms a dense mat of foliage. The leaves in this instance are a woolly dark green. Whorled stems of white flowers appear in summer. Loves the sun and good drainage and is generally quite hardy. A good doer. Perennial.

aka Yellow Birds of Paradise

Also known as Yellow Birds of Paradise as it produces stunning yellow flowers throughout Spring and Summer. With large, lush dark green foliage it gives a nice tropical feel to any garden or large pot in a warm sheltered position. Can be grown inside in high light. Evergreen. Frost tender.

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aka Giant White Bird

Strelitzia Nicolai, commonly known as the Giant White Bird of Paradise or Wild Banana are banana-like plants with erect woody stems reaching a height of 6 m and the clumps formed can spread as far as 3.5m

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aka Bird of Paradise

Elegant and exotic, clump forming perennial with the most unusual, tall spikes of orange and blue blooms that resemble a bird's head. Large, wide swords of blue-grey foliage. Quite easy to grow in a sunny, well drained position with protection from frost. Evergreen.

Strelitzia are quite frost tender when young but do become a little more hardy as the clump matures. They take a few years to flower but it you like a sense of drama in the garden it will be well worth the wait.

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aka Goldfussia

Evergreen perennial shrub with glossy purple-black foliage, lanceolate leaves and purplish stems. Flowers are tubular, in a light purple tones on clusters along the stem. Flowering from spring through to autumn. Prefers full sun to part shade in free draining soil. Frost tender.
Suitable for warmer areas including Auckland/Northland

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aka Creeping germanda

Low growing, evergreen with dark green foliage. It's small leaves have serrated edges and in late spring to summer spikes of pink flowers rise above the foliage. Likes full sun in most soils. Trim in winter to keep compact and tidy. Great as a hedging plant or for the border edge. Subshrub.

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aka Wishbone Flowers

A pretty evergreen perennial with masses of multi toned flowers on a compact plant. Blue Moon features pale and deep blue contrasting flowers with a trailing form perfect for pots, planters or hanging baskets. This great new addition will flower from start of spring until the first frosts.

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aka Wishbone flowers

A pretty evergreen perennial with masses of multi toned flowers on a compact plant. Pink Moon features pink and amber contrasting flowers with a trailing form perfect for pots, planters or hanging baskets. This great new addition will flower from start of spring until the first frosts

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aka Wishbone flowers

A pretty evergreen perennial with masses of multi toned flowers on a compact plant. Purple Moon features rich velvety purple and pale lavender contrasting flowers with a trailing form perfect for pots, planters or hanging baskets. This great new addition will flower from start of spring until the first frosts

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aka Wishbone flowers

A pretty evergreen perennial with masses of multi toned flowers on a compact plant. White Moon features fresh white flowers with a contrasting yellow spot with a trailing form perfect for pots, planters or hanging baskets. This great new addition will flower from start of spring until the first frosts.

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A fast growing, clumping perennial with fine grass like green foliage. This long flowering plant will bloom masses of pink star shaped flowers from spring to late summer. This is an extremely low maintenance and hardy plant and can be used as a border or in the garden. Evergreen.

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aka Winter Red Hot Poker

Veltheimia is a Bulb that produces Very attractive glossy, dark green foliage and long spikes of beautiful dark pink flowers. It grows in filtered light, thrives in sandy soil and does well in pots. Keep container grown plants well watered throughout summer.

They are very similar to red hot poker flowers only they flower in Winter.

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aka WinterRed Hot Poker

Veltheimia is a bulb that produces very attractive green glossy strappy foliage and long spikes of off yellow-lime green flowers that are very similar to the red hot poker. Thrives in filtered light and sandy soils. Needs to be kept well watered throught the hot dry months.

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aka Speedwell

This is a wonderful little ground-cover mainly because of the colour it provides in late winter. The shiny green foliage with bronze tones forms a tight mat and starting from about August smothers itself in bright blue flowers and carries on doing so for months. Easy care, trim after flowering.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy green and cream, narrow foliage topped off with small starry blue flowers in spring and summer. Will cover the ground quite quickly and can easily be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy green, narrow foliage topped off with small white starry flowers in spring and summer. Will cover the ground quite quickly and can easily be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Periwinkle

Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy golden leaves edged with gold, small blue starry flowers in spring and summer. Great for lighting up a shady corner. Grows quickly and can be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.

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aka Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet. This old-fashioned favourite is a great plant for shady spots in the garden where it will quickly cover ground with its heart-shaped dark green foliage. Dainty stems of fragrant purple flowers winter to spring. Easy to grow and quite hardy. Perennial. Charming.

Did you know that the Violet flower contains a compound known as ionone which temporarily desensitizes the 'smell' receptors in your nose? After the first delicious sniff the violet fragrance will seem elusive. Don't worry after a few minutes your nose will recover to 'smell' another day.

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aka Poor Knights Lily

Poor Knights Lily is a stunning plant and well worth growing. A very slow growing plant with fans of flax-like leaves up to 1m high. Its striking red flowers occur on tall stems in Spring but it takes up to 7 years to flower. When root-bound it will flower more quickly and prolifically.

On the islands, the plants are fed with seabird droppings, which are high in nitrogen and phosphorous. You can simulate this with bird guano, which is sold at some garden shops, or online. Or you may use any slow-release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.

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aka Autumn Crocus, Rain Lily

Autumn Crocus with delightful white crocus like flowers in the autumn. Attractive grass like glossy green foliage, not dissimilar to tall mondo grass. They are excellent in rockeries or borders. H.30cm.