A plant is very similar to a relationship; in order to flourish it requires nurturing, attention and commitment.
Here are some romantically named plants that you and your garden will fall in love with:
Agapanthus ‘Flower of Love’ – From the word “Agape” meaning love in Greek. Sometimes called Lily of the Nile or African Lily, Agapanthus is a striking perennial known for its architectural presence and globe-like clusters of blue or white flowers. Despite the name, they aren’t true lilies; they are native to South Africa and are much tougher than they look. Plant in full Sun (at least 6–8 hours), too much shade leads to floppy stems and no flowers.
Calycanthus ‘Aphrodite’ – A deciduous shrub known for its captivating fragrance. With a compact and rounded form, this variety produces large, bright red to purple flowers with a sweet, fruity scent that attracts pollinators. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the aromatic blossoms stand out against the glossy, dark green foliage. Height 4m Spread 2.5m. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position from cold, drying winds. Full sun or partial shade.
Camellia ‘Black Lace’ – This is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its richly coloured, velvety red flowers that appear almost black in low light. Blooming from late winter into early spring, the double blooms are set against glossy, dark green foliage. With a neat, upright habit, it is well suited to borders, woodland gardens, or statement containers. ‘Black Lace’ thrives in acidic, moist but well-drained soil and a sheltered position in full or partial shade. Providing year-round structure and striking winter colour, this elegant camellia is a superb choice for adding depth, contrast, and sophistication to the garden.
Camellia rosthorniana Cupido (‘Elina’) – A beautiful compact, evergreen shrub that makes a superb addition to the border. Red shoots in early spring then white flowers follow with a delicate pink flush. Height 1.5m. Spread 1m. Grow in acidic soil in a sheltered position and partial shade.
Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame’ – A new varity of deciduous tree, prized for its vibrant and symbolic beauty. This variety features heart-shaped leaves that burst into a brilliant flame-like display in spring until autumn, transitioning from fiery red to warm orange and gold. This striking colouration intensifies the ornamental appeal throughout the season. Once mature, clusters of rosy-pink flowers appear on bare branches in early spring, before the leaves. An eye catching choice to add to the garden. Height 2.5-4m. Grow in fertile moist but well drained soil in full sun.
Cercis canadensis ‘Carolina Sweetheart’ – A small deciduous tree celebrated for its deep burgundy foliage and compact growth. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves emerge deep red purple before taking on green hues in the summer and then displaying shades of orange and red in the autumn, creating a striking contrast in gardens. In early spring, it blooms with clusters of rosy-pink flowers along bare branches, attracting pollinators. A valuable addition to the garden as a focal point. Height and Spread 4m.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Exochorda x macrantha ‘The Bride’ – Also known as Pearlbush, Exochorda x macrantha is a popular deciduous shrub covered with showy white flowers in April and May. A small to medium sized bush with a weeping habit. Can be trained against a wall, pergolas, trellises or fences.
Forsythia intermedia ‘Weekend’ – Forsythia x intermedia ‘Weekend’ is a hardy, deciduous shrub with masses of deep yellow blooms that appear on bare stems in early to mid-spring. They generally appear before the leaves providing a blaze of gold in early spring. It is easily grown and ideal for informal hedging or for training up a wall. A true herald of spring.
Leucothoe keiskei ‘Burning Love’ – An evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant, colour-changing foliage and graceful habit. New growth emerges bright red in spring, maturing to glossy green over the summer, before returning to fiery red and bronze tones in autumn and winter, providing year-round interest. Clusters of small white flowers appear in the summer. Ideal for borders it thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained acidic soil. Reaching 1 metres in height with a similar spread, it offers seasonal drama and evergreen structure.
Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ – A compact, evergreen shrub known for its graceful, soft-textured foliage and year-round appeal. Unlike traditional Mahonia’s, it features delicate, fern-like leaves that are bright green, offering a less spiky appearance. In late summer to early autumn, it produces clusters of small, bright yellow flowers with a sweet fragrance, followed by blue-black berries in winter. Height and Spread 1.5m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position. Full shade or partial shade. Will tolerate full sun, provided the soil doesn’t dry out.
Nandina domestica ‘Obsession’ – This is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its colourful foliage throughout the year. This cultivar features fine, bamboo-like leaves that emerge with a vibrant red tint in spring, maturing to rich green in summer. As autumn approaches, the foliage turns shades of red and purple creating a dramatic display. In late spring, small white flowers appear making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and ornamental gardens. Height and Spread 1m.
Grow in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position. Full sun.
Nandina domestica ‘Twilight’ – A compact, evergreen to semi evergreen shrub prized for its delicate foliage and striking variegation. New growth emerges pink, maturing to soft green leaves edged and splashed with creamy white, then in the summer, small white flowers may appear adding seasonal interest. Ideal for borders, containers and sheltered gardens, it thrives in full sun and prefers moist but well-drained soil. Height 1.5m
Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ – Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ is a beautiful, deciduous flowering cherry renowned for its abundant spring display. In April, masses of double, soft pink blossom open in drooping clusters creating a striking and elegant feature. Leaves open bronze before maturing to green and forming a rounded, compact crown that provides light summer shade before turning warm shades of orange and red in autumn. With a graceful habit is well suited to gardens, avenues and lawns. Best planted in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Salvia x jamensis ‘Hot Lips’ – A vibrant perennial celebrated for its striking two-tone flowers. The blooms feature bold, red petals with white tips, creating a “hot lips” appearance that stands out in any garden. Flowering from summer to autumn, this salvia attracts pollinators. It has aromatic, lance-shaped green leaves that provide a lovely contrast to the colourful flowers. ‘Hot Lips’ thrives in full sun and moist but well-drained soil, making it perfect for borders, containers, or wildlife gardens.
Sambucus nigra f por. Black Lace (‘Eva’) – Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ is a deciduous shrub prized for its finely cut, deep purple foliage and elegant habit. In early summer, it produces large, flat heads of soft pink flowers, which contrast beautifully with the dark leaves and are attractive to pollinators. These are followed by glossy black berries in autumn. Ideal for borders, hedging or as a specimen plant, it grows in full sun, partial shade or full shade and is tolerant of most soil types. Height and Spread 4m.
Feeling inspired?
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