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aka Tractor Seat Ligularia

If you are looking for fabulous foliage then the leaves of the 'Tractor Seat' Ligularia are hard to beat. Large, glossy, green and textured, the leaves put on an outstanding display in a shady spot. Stems of yellow flowers in autumn-winter. Evergreen.

This plant is commonly known as Ligularia but is more correctly called Farfugium japonicum var giganteum

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Rukuhia Beauty is the perfect, shade loving, groundcover for smaller gardens with its lush foliage of dark green. Likes moist earth and a dressing of slow release fert to support its growth periods. Low maintenance plant with high return, looks great planted enmasse. Perennial

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aka Leopard Plant

Outstanding foliage plant with large lush rounded leaves decorated with yellow spots. The yellow daisy like flowers appear in summer but are not the main feature compared to the leaves. Will grow in sun or semi-shade, prefers soil that does not dry out too much in summer. Evergreen.

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A clump forming striking perennial with big yellow spotted green leaves. This plants grows in sun or partially shade. Forms a great highlight in woodland areas. The yellow daisy like flowers appear in summer but are not the main feature compared to the leaves. Prefers not to dry out in summer.

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aka Statice

A perennial Statice that has a rosette of large leathery leaves topped off in summer with stems of dainty deep mauve flowers. Lovely to pick and excellent for drying. Happiest in a sunny well drained spot. Perfect for coastal gardens.

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aka AKA Lithospermum

Lovely to spill over a wall or a bank this spreading ground-cover has beautiful medium blue flowers in spring and summer. The dark green leaves are somewhat 'hairy' on trailing stems. Likes a well drained, warm spot but can cope with afternoon shade. Cut back after flowering. Evergreen.

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aka AKA Lithospermum

A great little spreading ground-cover for those of you who love bright blue. Hairy green leaves on trailing stems are covered with masses of deep blue flowers in spring and summer. Likes a well drained, warm spot but can cope with afternoon shade. Cut back after flowering. Evergreen.

It is important to note that Lithodora resent root disturbance so take care when weeding to treat it tenderly.

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aka AKA Lithospermum

A great little ground-cover to sprawl over a hot dry bank or in the rock garden. Darkest green foliage and brightest blue flowers from late spring through to summer. Trim regularly to keep tidy. Protect from harsh frost and avoid lime. Evergreen.

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aka Lithodora

Low growing carpet of fine green needle like leaves with intense blue flowers in spring. Great for covering a sunny or semi shaded spot in well drained soil. Great for rockeries and on edges. Attractive to bees. European native. Frost hardy. -

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aka Cardinal Flower

Gorgeous rosettes of bronze red foliage are topped off with tall stems of vivid red flowers in summer through to autumn. The flowers are loved by birds and butterflies. Happy in the sun in soil that does not dry out in summer. Tolerates light frost. Perennial.

This perennial will add a real punch of colour to the border or around the pond/stream margins. It is very important that it does not dry out in summer so keep an eye on it especially the first season after planting. Will cope with quite boggy conditions.