Plant Encyclopedia
Discover plants for your garden — filter by sun, water, bloom time and more.
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37 plants
Ground coverAjuga reptans
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a robust ground cover that spreads rapidly through runners. From April to June, dense spikes of blue-purple flowers rise above the dark green, glossy foliage. The plant is evergreen and forms a continuous carpet within a single growing season.
PerennialsBergenia cordifolia
Elephant's Ears
Elephant's Ears is a tough ground cover with large, leathery leaves that turn a stunning red in autumn and winter. From March to May, clusters of pink flowers appear on sturdy stems. The plant is evergreen, extremely hardy, and thrives in almost any position.
ShrubsBuxus sempervirens
Boxwood
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves that is ideal for topiary and hedging. The plant grows slowly and can live for hundreds of years. Small green-yellow flowers appear in April and May, attracting early bees.
ShrubsCamellia japonica
Japanese Camellia
Japanese camellia is a stunning evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage and spectacular, rosette-shaped flowers in red, pink or white appearing from January to April — a welcome splash of colour in early spring. The elegant blooms resemble roses and can be double or single-petalled.
Ornamental grassesCarex morrowii
Japanese Sedge
Japanese Sedge is an elegant, evergreen ornamental grass with finely arching leaves often edged in white or cream. The plant forms neat, dome-shaped clumps that remain decorative year-round. Ideal for shady spots where few other ornamental grasses thrive.
ShrubsCeanothus thyrsiflorus
California Lilac
California Lilac is a spectacular, evergreen shrub covered in masses of sky-blue flower panicles in spring. The small, glossy dark green leaves provide an attractive backdrop year-round. One of the few shrubs that produce truly blue flowers.
ShrubsChoisya ternata
Mexican Orange
The Mexican orange is an evergreen shrub with glossy, trifoliate leaves that release a delightful orange scent when touched. In April and May masses of star-shaped white flowers appear that are equally fragrant. A versatile shrub for both sun and partial shade.
ShrubsDaphne odora
Winter Daphne
Winter daphne is a compact evergreen shrub with leathery dark green foliage and exceptionally fragrant pink-white flowers that appear in the depths of winter, from February to March. The penetrating, sweet scent can be detected metres away. A jewel for the sheltered garden.
FernsDryopteris filix-mas
Male Fern
The male fern is a robust, native fern that forms a stately funnel of bipinnate fronds. The foliage is bright green and elegantly arching, creating a lush atmosphere in shaded garden areas. The plant is semi-evergreen to evergreen and tolerates more drought than most ferns. A reliable choice for shade borders and woodland gardens.
ShrubsEuonymus fortunei
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is a versatile evergreen shrub that can function as both ground cover and climbing plant. The variegated foliage with green and white or golden margins provides year-round colour. The plant is particularly suited to filling shady spots in the garden.
PerennialsEuphorbia characias
Mediterranean Spurge
Mediterranean Spurge is an architectural, evergreen perennial with blue-green foliage and striking yellow-green flower heads in spring. The columnar flower stems can reach 120 cm and bring colour and structure to the garden early in the season.
ShrubsFatsia japonica
Japanese Aralia
Japanese aralia is a tough evergreen shrub with spectacularly large, glossy dark green, palmate leaves that create an exotic, tropical feel. In October and November rounded clusters of creamy-white flowers appear, followed by black berries that attract birds. Excellent as a structural plant in shady gardens.
ClimbersHedera helix
Common Ivy
Common Ivy is an evergreen climber that uses aerial roots to cover walls, fences, and trees. Its dark green, glossy leaves provide year-round greenery. Mature plants flower in autumn with inconspicuous green-yellow blooms that are an important late food source for bees and insects.
PerennialsHelleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose
The Lenten Rose is one of the first bloomers of the garden year, with saucer-shaped flowers in purple, pink or white appearing as early as February. The evergreen, palmate foliage forms attractive clumps that remain decorative year-round. The plant is a valuable early nectar source for bees.
PerennialsHeuchera micrantha
Coral Bells
Coral Bells is an elegant perennial prized primarily for its striking foliage in shades of purple, bronze and green. The delicate flower stems carry airy clusters of white or pink bells in summer. The plant is evergreen and provides year-round colour.
TreesIlex aquifolium
English Holly
English Holly is a stately, evergreen tree with glossy, spiny dark green leaves that provide a magnificent backdrop in winter. Female specimens bear bright red berries that are indispensable winter food for birds. The tree grows slowly but can live for centuries.
Ground coverLiriope muscari
Lily Turf
Lily Turf is a robust evergreen ground cover with grass-like dark green foliage and striking purple flower spikes in late summer. The plant forms dense clumps that suppress weeds effectively. After flowering, decorative black berries appear and persist through winter.
ShrubsMahonia aquifolium
Oregon Grape
Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub with glossy, spiny foliage that can turn bronze-purple in winter. In March and April, dense clusters of fragrant, bright yellow flowers appear, attracting early bees. Later, blue-black berries follow that birds adore. A rewarding, shade-tolerant plant.
TreesOlea europaea
Olive Tree
The olive tree is a majestic, long-lived tree with distinctive silver-green foliage and a gnarled trunk that grows increasingly characterful with age. In warm climates it produces edible olives following a modest white bloom in June. As a container plant it can bring Mediterranean charm to cooler regions too.
Ground coverOphiopogon planiscapus
Black Mondo Grass
Black Mondo Grass is a striking ground cover with nearly black, grass-like foliage that is unique in the plant world. Small white to light purple flowers appear in summer, followed by glossy black berries. The plant is evergreen and provides a stunning contrast with light-coloured neighbours.
ShrubsOsmanthus fragrans
Sweet Olive
Sweet Olive is an evergreen shrub with dark green, leathery foliage and inconspicuous but wonderfully fragrant white flowers in September and October. The sweet, apricot-like scent carries far, making it one of the most fragrant garden plants. Slow-growing but eventually large.
Ground coverPachysandra terminalis
Japanese Spurge
Japanese Spurge is a reliable evergreen ground cover with rosette-shaped, glossy dark-green foliage and modest white flower spikes in April and May. The plant forms a dense, uniform carpet via runners and is the ideal solution for dry shade under trees. Japanese Spurge is extremely hardy.
PerennialsPhormium tenax
New Zealand Flax
New Zealand flax is a vigorous evergreen plant with long, sword-shaped, stiffly upright leaves that create a spectacular architectural statement. Cultivars come in green, bronze, red and striped forms. At maturity a tall flower stalk appears with dark red tubular flowers that attract birds. A showpiece in modern and coastal gardens.
ShrubsPhotinia x fraseri
Red Robin
Red Robin is a popular evergreen hedging plant that dazzles in spring with bright red young foliage. White flower clusters appear in April and May, followed by small red berries. The plant grows quickly and forms a dense, opaque hedge.
ShrubsPieris japonica
Japanese Andromeda
Japanese andromeda is an elegant evergreen shrub that captivates three times a year: in spring with graceful, drooping clusters of white bell-shaped flowers; then with spectacular red or bronze new foliage that gradually turns green; and year-round with its compact, glossy canopy. A jewel in the shade border.
ShrubsPittosporum tobira
Japanese Pittosporum
Japanese pittosporum is an evergreen shrub with dense, leathery dark green foliage and creamy-white, intensely fragrant flowers appearing in May and June. The scent is reminiscent of orange blossom. Supremely suited as a hedging plant or specimen in mild climates.
FernsPolystichum setiferum
Soft Shield Fern
The soft shield fern is an elegant, evergreen fern with finely divided, soft green fronds that arch gracefully outwards. The plant forms a beautiful rosette and fits perfectly in shady borders and woodland gardens. Mature specimens can reach up to 120 centimetres across.
ShrubsPrunus laurocerasus
Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is a popular, evergreen shrub with large, glossy dark green leaves. It bears white flower racemes in April and May, followed by black berries loved by birds. Widely used as a hedging plant thanks to its fast growth and dense, year-round screen.
ShrubsRhododendron catawbiense
Rhododendron
The Rhododendron is an evergreen shrub that produces spectacular clusters of purple or pink flowers in May and June above glossy dark-green foliage. The shrub can grow quite large and makes an imposing presence in partial shade. Rhododendrons are iconic in woodland gardens and rural plantings.
HerbsRosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary
Rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen sub-shrub with needle-like deep-green foliage and small blue flowers in spring. The plant gives off a warm, resinous scent and is prized both in the kitchen and the ornamental garden. Rosemary thrives in warm, dry spots and is highly drought-tolerant.
HerbsSalvia officinalis
Common Sage
Sage is a robust, aromatic herb with decorative grey-green, velvety foliage that provides year-round ornamental value. In June and July, purple-blue flowers appear in vertical spikes, beloved by bees. The plant is evergreen and adds structure to the herb garden or border. Sage has been a cherished culinary and medicinal herb for centuries.
ShrubsSkimmia japonica
Japanese Skimmia
Japanese Skimmia is a compact, evergreen shrub with aromatic dark green foliage, fragrant white flowers in March-April, and bright red berries in winter (on female plants). Providing year-round structure and colour, it is one of the most popular shrubs for shade and containers.
TreesTaxus baccata
English Yew
English Yew is an evergreen conifer used both as a freestanding tree and as a formal hedge. Its dark green needles are densely packed and form an impenetrable screen. Female trees bear striking red berries in autumn. All parts except the berry flesh are poisonous.
HerbsThymus vulgaris
Common Thyme
Common thyme is a compact, evergreen herb with small aromatic leaves and pink to white flowers. The plant is indispensable in the herb garden and blooms in June and July, when bees flock to it in droves. Thyme thrives best on dry, lean soil in full sun.
PerennialsTiarella cordifolia
Foam Flower
Foam Flower is a delicate shade plant with clouds of small white to pink flowers that seem to float above the heart-shaped foliage. Blooming lasts from April to June, adding an airy accent to the shade border. The foliage is evergreen and often turns an attractive bronze-red in autumn.
ClimbersTrachelospermum jasminoides
Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine is an evergreen climber with glossy dark green foliage that turns bronze-red in autumn. From June to August, masses of star-shaped, sweetly fragrant white flowers appear. One of the most cherished climbers for sheltered gardens and balconies.
Ground coverVinca minor
Lesser Periwinkle
Lesser Periwinkle is an evergreen ground cover with glossy dark-green foliage and abundant blue-purple flowers from March to June. The plant forms a dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds and is ideal under trees and shrubs. Periwinkle is extremely hardy and tolerates deep shade.