We run a not-for-profit venture giving thousands of plug plants to local community PROJECTS. However, we do sell surplus plants and seeds; all the proceeds of which go towards covering our propagation costs. They are all grown from local seed, or from seed sourced from specialist producers, and are grown in peat free compost without any artificial fertilisers, lighting or heating. Our plants are left outside over the winter and so, although looking small in the spring, are ensured to be very hardy with good root systems. Details on how to look after your plugs are on our PLANT CARE page.
Our plants for sale will change year on year as determined by the demands of nature. We also grow many other plants for local projects, so if you have a species in mind that is not on the list below please just ask us. Our plugs vary in cost between £2-3 depending on the size and quantity ordered, and are for pick up or local delivery only.
Cut September onwards to allow betony seed to disperse
Looks nice with:
Oxeye daisy, common knapweed, common birds foot trefoil
Wildlife value:
Bees, butterflies
Extra info:
Betony was believed to possess magical properties, offering protection against evil spirits and promoting good fortune. It was also thought to be effective against snake and dog bites and drunkenness.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Type:
Native biennial
Flowering time:
June to September
Height:
Up to 200cm
Flower colour:
Pinkish-purple (native) or white
Lighting
Sun, part shade and shade
Soil
Well drained and moist soil
Where to grow:
Flower bed, wild area, hedgerow and containers
Care:
Mildly poisonous so not suitable for family garden
Looks nice with:
Red Campion
Wildlife value:
Bumblebee, moths
Extra info:
Foxgloves feature in many legends and folktales, including the story of the Fairy Queen, who was said to have worn Foxglove bells on her fingers. Experience the wonder of seeing a foxglove bell with a bee bottom sticking out.
Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
May to July
Height:
40 to 150cm
Flower colour:
Yellow
Lighting
Sun
Soil
Wet
Where to grow:
Shallow water, ponds, ditches and wet meadows
Care:
Cut back after flowering
Looks nice with:
Columbine
Wildlife value:
Bees and butterflies
Extra info:
The flower is named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. She was a messenger between gods and humans. Zeus and Hera often sent Iris to deliver important news. Greeks thought the colourful petals of iris flowers looked like Iris’s rainbow path between heaven and earth.
Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
June to October
Height:
20 to 100cm
Flower colour:
Reddish-purple
Lighting
Sun/Partial shade
Soil
Prefers well drained soil
Where to grow:
Flower bed, summer meadows, wild areas and hedgerows
Care:
Needs cutting back in September or October
Looks nice with:
Oxeye daisy
Wildlife value:
Bumblebees, flies, butterflies, moths and beetles
Extra info:
Knapweed is named after the Middle English ‘knopweed’, meaning a plant with a ‘knop’, referring to the plant’s hard brown flower buds.
Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
June-August
Height:
45-120cm
Flower colour:
Purple
Lighting
Full sun
Soil
Damp
Where to grow:
Meadow/grassy areas
Care:
Do not mow/strim
Looks nice with:
Oxeye daisy
Wildlife value:
Bumblebees, flies, butterflies, moths and beetles
Extra info:
Melancholy is one of favourite plants and we are on a mission to make it more abundant. It is a striking feature in anyone’s garden; easily recognisable for its non-spiny stem, grey undersided leaves and its beautiful flowers that are loved by bees. Its name is thought to derive from its juices being used to treat “melancholia” (depression); making a man “as merry as a cricket”.
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
June-August
Height:
20-75cm
Flower colour:
White
Lighting
Full sun
Soil
Any soil, but prefers well drained
Where to grow:
Flower bed, container, hanging basket, wild areas and hedgerows
Care:
Needs cutting back in July or August
Looks nice with:
Common knapweed
Wildlife value:
Bumblebee, butterflies, flies and beetles
Extra info:
‘Daisy’ is derived from Old English, as people used to call the flower “day’s eye”. They have been used since Ancient Egyptian times and are said to have a calming effect on the mind and body, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Ragged robin (Silene flos-cucilli)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
May to July
Height:
Up to 75cm
Flower colour:
Pink
Lighting
Full sun/partial shade
Soil
Wet
Where to grow:
Wet grassland, ditches and stream banks
Care:
Cut back and clear after flowering and seeding
Looks nice with:
Yellow iris
Wildlife value:
Bees, flies and butterflies
Extra info:
In Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the plant was referred to as “crowflower” and included in Ophelia’s garland, suggesting a symbolic association with naivety and ingratitude.
Red campion (Silene dioica)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
April to October
Height:
Up to 80cm
Flower colour:
Bright rose pink
Lighting
Partial shade
Soil
Prefers damp soil.
Where to grow:
Wild areas and hedgerows
Care:
Cut back and clear after flowering and seeding.
Looks nice with:
Foxglove, columbine
Wildlife value:
Butterflies
Extra info:
‘Campion’ is a variant of ‘champion’; in classical times the rose campion was woven in garlands used to crown victors. Folklore tells that red campion flowers guard bees’ honey stores, as well as protecting fairies from being discovered.
Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Type:
Native biennial
Flowering time:
July to August
Height:
Up to 200cm
Flower colour:
Green with purple
Lighting
Full sun/partial shade (not full shade)
Soil
Prefers damp soil but can also grow in poor dry soil
Where to grow:
Plant at back or corner of border area, wild areas and hedgerows
Care:
Cut off seed heads to limit spreading or leave alone for important wintering habitat
Looks nice with:
Common knapweed
Wildlife value:
Bees, butterflies, moths and birds
Extra info:
The plants spiny heads were historically used to tease materials in the textile industry, “raising the nap” (drawing out fibres) of fabrics.
Common Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
June to September
Height:
10-30cm
Flower colour:
Yellow/orange
Lighting
Full sun
Soil
Dry
Where to grow:
Short flowering lawn, borders, meadow, container or hanging basket
Care:
Cut September onwards to allow trefoil seed to disperse
Looks nice with:
Betony, oxeye daisy, common knapweed
Wildlife value:
Bumblebees, butterflies, moths, beetles and flies
Extra info:
One of the more evocative names for common bird’s-foot-trefoil is ‘Granny’s toenails’, due to the claw-like seed pods. Other common names include ‘eggs and bacon’, and ‘hen and chickens’, due to the egg-yolk yellow flowers and reddish buds.
Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare)
Type:
Native perennial
Flowering time:
June to September
Height:
Up to 100cm
Flower colour:
Vivid blue, trumpet shaped
Lighting
Sun/partial shade
Soil
Moist, well drained soil or dry
Where to grow:
Grassland and bare disturbed soil, flower bed and containers.
Care:
Dead-heading the plants will extend the flowering season. The seed heads are spiky.
Looks nice with:
Oxeye daisy in flower bed, birds foot trefoil in container
Wildlife value:
Bees, flies, moths, beetles and butterflies
Extra info:
In various cultures Viper’s Bugloss has been seen as a symbol of resilience and protection. The flower’s ability to thrive in poor soils and challenging conditions made it a metaphor for endurance.
