Northern Ireland Nursery Stock Growers guide to local plants for local gardens

A little time and research in choosing the right plants for your garden can prevent frustration and failure.
For the best results you need three things:

• Quality plants locally grown ;
• A well prepared site;
• Weed control to prevent competition and allow establishment.

The 3 main factors controlling growth of a plant and consequently its selection are:

• Soil;
• Situation;
• Hardiness.

Soils come in many variations but if you have one which is either light or heavy, acid or alkaline (limy) extra care needs to be taken over the choice of plants. A heavy soil will feel really sticky and damp , a sandy soil will feel gritty and will drain quickly. You can easily find out whether your soil is acid or alkaline using a test kit from your local garden centre or just observing hydrangeas in your area they will be pink if the soil is limy and blue if it is acid and purple in neutral soil.
Situation whether exposed, sheltered, shady or sunny a plant in the wrong situation will not thrive. It may either not grow or grow long lank stems, fail to flower, fade or lose variegations.
Hardiness, we have a mild climate in Ireland as a result of the Gulf Stream but inland areas can suffer from frost and the most tender plants are not recommended inland especially those susceptible to spring frosts such as Pieris.
Not only do plants grow best when they are given the right conditions but they also look their best.
Most plants are now sold with informative labels - always read these as they are a good source of information

Town Gardens

In town or city gardens space is often at a premium. Plants must be chosen carefully to give you greatest enjoyment while ensuring that they do not shade or spread into neighbours gardens
The following plants are all grown locally and recommended by growers as suitable for town and city gardens.

Small trees

Amelanchier canadensis
Betula pendula ‘Youngii’
Cotoneaster 'Hybidus Pendulus'
Prunus ‘Kiku-shidare Sakura’
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Simon -Louis Freres’
Salix helvetica
Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock'
Malus 'Sun Rival'
Prunus 'Pink Shell'
Acer palmatum 'Ornatum'
Acer palmatum 'Stella Rossa'

Shrubs

Choisya 'Sundance'
Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
Cotinus 'Royal Purple'
Drimys lanceolata
Euonymus alatus
Fothergilla major
Myrtus 'Glanleam Gold'
Osmanthus Burkwoodii
Osmanthus Delavayi
Osmanthus Het. Variegatus
Pittosporum garnettii
Photinia Red Robin
Stransvaesia pallete
Mahonia japonica
Mahonia 'Winter Sun'

Herbaceous

Astilbe fanal
Campanula muralis
Heurchera 'Palace Purple'
Houttuynia Chameleon
Iris 'Perry’s Blue'
Iris 'Waku Murasaki'
libertia 'Grandiflore'
Lithodora 'Heavenly Blue'
Lithodora alba
Lupins
Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes'
Tradescanthia andersoniana
Veronica 'Georges Blue'

Climbers

Clematis ‘Mrs Thompson’
Clematis ‘Nellie Moser’
Clematis ‘Rogue Cardinal’
Clematis ‘Countesse de Bouchard’
Hedera 'Gloire de marengo'
Hedera Colch. Dent. Variegata
Hedera 'Sulphur Heart'
Hedera 'Goldchild'
Hedera 'Goldheart'
Hedera 'Green Ripple'
Hedera 'Green Ice'
Lonicera serotina
Parthenocissus veitchii
Clematis 'Montana Elizabeth'

Alpines

Diathus 'Pixie Star'
Campanula 'Blue Chips'
Geranium 'Ballerina'
Veronica 'Heidekind'
Viola 'Rebecca '

Pots

For very small gardens, yards, balconies or patios there are many plants which thrive in pots. Almost any plant can be grown in a pot if it is large enough and it is kept well watered. Pot gardens should include a mix of evergreen, flowering and architectural plants just as in any plan.
The shrubs below are all suited to growing in pots

Dwarf Rhododendrons
Camellias
Fuchsias
Buxus
Bay laurel
Skimmia
Pieris
Hydrangea
Aucuba

Many of these plants are particularly sensitive to late frost so if grown in pots they can be moved inside if there is a risk of frost.
Herbaceous perennials can also be grown in pots alchemilla, hosta, astilble. lilies, asters, bergenia and ostoesperum thrive in pots.
Bedding
Bedding and patio plants can be used in any type of garden , there are a large range to chose from. For all plants look for well branched bushy plants with lots of flower buds and if possible plants raised from F1 seed.

Rural Gardens

In a rural garden while there is frequently more space just as much care is needed over choice of plants. Not all plants complement the rural landscapes and so some should be avoided; like wise some are poisonous to animals or harbour crop pests or diseases.
Hedges are probably more important in a rural setting to give outline and structure to the garden and provide a stock proof boundary, they are a traditional feature of Irish gardens.
The following plants are all grown locally and recommended by growers as suitable for rural gardens.

Hedges

Fagus sylvatica
Ilex aquifoium
Crategus monogyna
Carpinus betula
Prunus laurocerasus
Acer campestre

Rural gardens can really make the most of trees where they can be allowed to grow to full height and spread. As well as native trees, ornamental trees can look stunning:

Ornamental trees

Acer ‘Drummondii’
Acer ‘Crimson King’
Aesculus hippocastaneum
Betula pendula
Betula jacquemontii
Sorbus aucuparia
Sorbus aria
sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’
Prunus ‘Kanzan’
Prunus ‘Tai Haku’
Prunus ‘Shirotae’

Shrubs

Providing soil type and situation is correct most large shrubs will look well in rural gardens, heavily clipped and shaped plants can look out of place. If you have an acid soil any of the following would be suitable: escallonias, azaleas, camellias, gaulnettya, leucothoe, myrtus, pieris, potentillas, rhododendron, vaccinium and weigela.
The following herbaceous plants are not fussy and will grow successfully in most gardens:

Aquilegia vul. ‘Nora Barlow’
Aquilegia vul. ‘NB Burgundy’
Aquilegia ‘Woodside’
Aquilegia ‘White Angel’
Aquilegia ‘William Guinness’
Aster alpinus ‘Mixed’
Aster novi-belgii ‘Jenny’
Aster novi-belgii ‘Lady in Blue’
Aster novi-belgii ‘White Ladies’
Campanula alliarifolia
Campanula garganica
Campanula glom. ‘Acaulis’
Campanula lactiflora
Campanula pers. ‘Coerulea’
Campanula punct. ‘Rubriflora’
Campanula punct. Yakesimana
Geranium x biokova
Geranium ‘Ballerina’
Geranium ‘Johnston’s Blue’
Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir Purple’
Geranium clarkei ‘ Kashmir White’
Geranium endressii ‘Wargrave Pink’
Geranium oxon. ‘Clarige Druce’
Geranium syl. ‘Mayflower’
Geranium syl. ‘Album’
Lupins Gallery series: yellow, blue, red and white
Lychnis x ark. ‘Molten Lava’
Lychnis x ark. ‘Veseuvius’
Lychnis Coron. ‘Angels Blush’
Lysmachia num. ‘Aurea’
Lysmachia ‘Firecracker’
Monarda didyma ‘Cambridge Scarlet’
Monarda didyma ‘Croftway Pink’
Monarda didyma ‘Fishes’
Physalis franchetii
Carex ‘Evergold’
Carex sider. ‘Variegata’
Millium effuseum ‘Aureum’
Phalaris arund. ‘Picta’
Phalaris arund. ‘Freezy’
Unicinia unc. ‘Rubra’

Climbers

·Pyracantha ‘Darts Red’
·Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’

This small selection of plants are all grown in Northern Ireland by professional growers and are available from good garden centres.

Shady/Damp Gardens

The following plants are all grown locally and recommended by growers as hardy and suitable for shady and damp areas:

Trees

Sorbus aucoparia ‘Dirkenii’
Sorbus aria ‘Chrysophylla’
Betula pendula
Betula papyrifera
Salix viminalis-

Shade shrubs

Aucuba japonica Variegata
Bergenia cordifolia Purpurea
Camellia ‘Debbie’
Camellia ‘Donation’
Elaeagnus pungens aurea
Choisya ternata
Cornus canadensis
Euonymus ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’
Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’
Ilex aquifolium
Leucothoe scarletta
Lonicera nitida ‘Baggeson’s Gold’
Lonicera pileata
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Gulftide’
Pachysandra terminalis
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Zabeliana’
Skimmia Foremanii
Viburnum davidii

Herbaceous

Anemone sylvestris
Aquilegia vul. ‘Nora Barlow’
Aquilegia vul. ‘NB Burgundy’
Aquilegia ‘Woodside’
Aquilegia ‘White Angel’
Aquilegia ‘William Guinness’
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanal’
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Snowdrift’
Astilbe chinensis pumila
Astilbe japonica ‘Deutschand’
Astilbe japonica ‘Rheinland’
Astilbe japonica ‘Venus’
Astilbe simp ‘Sprite’
Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’
Dicentra formosa ‘Alba’
Dodecatheon meadia
Doronicum cauc. ‘Magnificum’
Helleborus argutifolius
Helleborus orientalis
Hosta ‘Aurea Marginata’
Hosta ‘Gold Standard’
Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’
Hosta sieb. ‘Elegans’
Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’
Houttuynia cord. ‘Chameleon’
Kirengoshima palmatum
Primula japonica
Primula viallii
Tolmiea ‘Taff’s Gold’
Trycytris hirta ‘Mayazaki’
Trollius ‘Golden Globe’
Hardy geraniums
Lamium ‘Chequers’
Vinca minor ‘Variegata’
Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’

Climbers

Chaenomeles ‘Knaphill Scarlet’
Chaenomeles ‘Nicolene’

This small selection of plants are all grown in Northern Ireland by professional growers and are available from good garden centres.

Dry/Sunny gardens

Plants that enjoy full sun and will tolerate dry conditions include many with grey or hairy leaves.
The following plants are all grown locally and recommended by growers as suitable for sunny or dry gardens

Shrubs

Aucuba japonica variegata
Ceanothus ‘Southmead’
Ceanothus ‘Bluemound’
Cistus ‘Sunset’
Eucalyptus gunni
Hypericum ‘Hidcote’
Osteospermum ‘Lady Leitrim’
Thymus ‘Anderson’s Gold’
Thymus ‘Silver Posie’
Cytisus ‘Killiney Red’
Cytisus praecox
Cytisus praecox ‘Allgold’
Cytisus beanii
Cytisus kewensis
Elaeagnus ebingei
Elaeagnus pungens aurea
Elaeagnus pungens maculata
Euonymus fortuneii vars.
Fuschia Riccartonii
Fuchsia Aurea
Fuchsia ‘Tom Thumb’
Fuchsia ‘Lady Thumb’
Genista ‘Lemon Spreader’
Genista ‘Lydia’
Hebe ‘Green Globe’
Hebe pagei
Hebe ‘Red Edge’
Phormium tenax purpureum
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Senecio ‘Sunshine’
Spiraea x arguta
Spiraea ‘Goldflame’
Spiraea ‘Gold Mound’
Spiraea ‘Little Princess’
Spiraea ‘Shirobana’

Trees

For dry droughty conditions, Sorbus will all do well

Sorbus aucuparia vilmornii
Sorbus aucuparia ‘Joseph Rock’
Sorbus aucuparia ‘Sheerwater’
Sorbus aucuparia discolor

Herbaceous

Achillea ‘Cerise Queen’
Achillea ‘Summer Pastels’
Achemilla mollis
Achemilla alpina
Aquilegia alpina
Aquilegia ‘Mini Star’
Aquilegia ‘Mrs Scott Elliot’
Bergenia cordifolia
Carnation ‘Border mixed’
Delphinium ‘Magic Fountains’
Dianthus ‘Pikes Pink’
Dianthus ‘Hidcote Red’
Erodium manescavi
Erigeron glaucus
Erigeron ‘Azure Fairy’
Erigeron ‘Pink Jewel’
Euphorbia characias wulfenii
Euphorbia x ‘Martinii’
Euphorbia myrsinites
Geum chil. ‘Mrs Bradshaw’
Geum ‘ Lady Stratheden’
Helianthemum
Helenium ‘Red and Gold’
Hemerocallis ‘ Luxury Lace’
Hemerocallis ‘Sammy Russell’
Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’
Iris chrysographes
Iris foetidissima
Iris germ. ‘Amber Queen’
Iris germ. ‘Chantilly’
Iris germ. ‘Deep Black’
Iris germ. ‘Depth of Field’
Iris germ. ‘Party Dress’
Iris germ. ‘Tinkerbell’
Iris setosa ‘Alba’
Jasione ‘ Blue Light’
Lilium ‘Stargazer’
Lilium ‘Elfin Sun’
Lilium ‘Orange Pixie’
Lilium ‘Red carpet’
Nepeta ‘ Grandiflora’
Papaver ‘Garden Gnome’
Papaver orientale ‘Allegro’
Papaver orientale ‘Pizzicato’
Potentilla ‘Monarchs Velvet’
Potentilla nep ‘Mrs Willmott’
Potentilla recta ‘Sulphurea’
Potentilla rupestris
Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Violet’
Salvia off. ‘Icterinia’
Salvia off. ‘Purpurea’
Sidalcea ‘ Party Girl’
Solidago ‘ Golden Baby’
Verbascum chaixii ‘Alba’
Vinca major ‘Variegata’

Climbers

Solanum crispin ‘Glasnevin’

Alpines

Dianthus ‘Little Jock’
Campanula ‘Pusilla’
Heliantheum in variety
Sedum obtusatum
Linaria ‘Blue Dreams’

Grasses

Festuca glauca
Festuca glauca ‘Gold Toldee’
Deschampsia Tatra ‘Gold’
Stipa pinneata

This small selection of plants are all grown in Northern Ireland by professional growers and are available from good garden centres.

Exposed and Costal Gardens

In exposed gardens plants have to be able to withstand strong winds so good root systems are essential. Those whose young foliage or tender flowers would be ripped by the wind should be avoided or given shelter. In coastal gardens in addition to the wind salt damage has to be considered.
The following plants are all grown locally and recommended by growers as suitable for coastal and exposed gardens:

Choisya ternata
Cordyline australis
Cytisus 'Killiney Red'
Cytisus praecox
Cytisus praecox 'Allgold'
Cytisus beanii
Cytisus kewensis
Elaeagnus ebbingei
Elaeagnus pungens aurea
Elaeagnus pungens maculata
Escallonia all vars.
Euonymus fortuneii vars.
Fuchsia Riccartonii
Fuchsia Aurea
Fuchsia 'Tom Thumb'
Fuchsia 'Lady Thumb'
Fuchsia mag 'Alba'
Fuchsia mag 'Versicolor'
Garrya elliptica
Genista 'Lemon Spreader'
Genista lydia
Hebe 'Green Globe'
Hebe pagei
Hebe 'Red Edge'
Ilex 'Golden King'
Ilex 'Argentes Marginata'
Griselinia littoralis
Griselinia littoralis variegatus
Lavertera olbia 'Rosea'
Lavertera 'Burgundy Wine'
Lonicera pileata
Parahebe (all)
Phormium 'Tenax Purpureum'
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Senecio 'Sunshine'
Spiraea x arguta
Spiraea 'Goldflame'
Spiraea 'Gold Mound'
Spiraea 'Little Princess'
Spiraea 'Shirobana'
Viburnum tinus

Herbaceous

Armeria maritima 'Splendens'
Armeria maritima 'Alba'
Eryngium bourgattii
Eryngium planum
Helianthemum
Coprosa 'Beaton's Gold'

Trees

Acer pseudoplatanus
Sorbus aria
Sorbus aria 'Lutescens'
Quercus ilex

Hedges

Can provide valuable shelter in exposed areas: Ilex aquifolium, Olearia macrodonta, Escallonia macrantha are suitable, in coastal areas it is hard to beat Fuchsia .

Climbers

Solanum jasminoides 'album'
Actinidia kolomikta

This small selection of plants are all grown in Northern Ireland by professional growers and are available from good garden centres.

For more information on the 'local plants for local gardens' initiative please contact ciaran.mulholland@dardni.gov.uk