UK plant collection · Batch 1

50 new entries towards the planned 1,000-plant expansion. Add this batch from Plants → UK plant collection. The original 100 plants remain a separate collection.

All 50 entries have a sourced RHS rating. Size, light, origin, habitat, flower colour and uses have been compared with the cited references. Water-need bands are editorial interpretations of cultivation advice, not watering schedules. Flowering months are reference windows: most species follow PFAF; selected cultivars use UK nursery records. Penstemon digitalis still uses a North American flowering reference, so UK dates need confirmation. This batch is source-checked, not a claim of independent botanical verification.

Named garden selections are distinguished from wild species. Their origin and habitat refer to the parent species where stated; cultivated hybrids have no separate natural habitat. Sources appear at the end of each entry.

RHS ratings are not converted from USDA zones. 89 of the original 100 plants now have sourced RHS information. The following remain pending: Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica 'Atropurpurea', Cornus sericea 'Farrow', Viburnum nudum, Lythrum alatum, Calamagrostis brachytricha, Festuca glauca, Lavandula angustifolia, Allium schoenoprasum, Petroselinum crispum, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus.

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50 plants

Japanese maple

Acer palmatum

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: May–June
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Japan, C China, Korea
Natural habitat: Woodland and scrub, from low elevations to mountain slopes in Japan.
Flower colour: Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Common camellia

Camellia japonica

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: April–June
Light: partial shade, shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: China, Japan, Korea
Natural habitat: Japanese woodland, including hills and coastal lowlands.
Flower colour: White, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Mophead hydrangea ‘Altona’

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Altona'

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: July–August
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: high
Native to: Garden selection; parent species: Japan.
Natural habitat: Parent species: open coastal sites in eastern Japan. This cultivar has no separate wild habitat.
Flower colour: Pink, Blue, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Flower colour varies with soil chemistry. Natural origin and habitat describe the parent species.

Sources

Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: July–October
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: low
Native to: China
Natural habitat: Rocky river corridors in the mountains of China.
Flower colour: Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Mexican orange blossom

Choisya ternata

RHS hardiness: H4
Flowering: April–August
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: low
Native to: Mexico
Natural habitat: Calcareous ground in Mexico; coastal occurrences are reported.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Lily-of-the-valley bush

Pieris japonica

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: April–May
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: E China, Japan, Taiwan
Natural habitat: Open mountain woodland and scrub in eastern Asia.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Japanese skimmia

Skimmia japonica

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: April–May
Light: partial shade, shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: China, Japan
Natural habitat: Japanese forest understorey; occasionally growing on old trees.
Flower colour: White, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Weigela

Weigela florida

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: May–June
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: E. Asia - N. China, Korea.
Natural habitat: Mixed woodland and scrub, at roughly 100–1,500 m elevation in its Chinese range.
Flower colour: Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: April–June
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: low
Native to: E Europe, SW Asia
Natural habitat: Humid woodland understorey around the Black Sea and southwestern Asia.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Laurustinus

Viburnum tinus

RHS hardiness: H4
Flowering: December–February
Light: full sun, partial shade, shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Mediterranean
Natural habitat: Mediterranean scrub and shaded woodland, often in coastal districts.
Flower colour: White, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Oregon grape

Mahonia aquifolium

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: January–May
Light: partial shade, shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: W North America
Natural habitat: Mixed conifer woodland in western North America.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Yellow flag iris

Iris pseudacorus

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: May–July
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: high
Native to: Europe Africa Asia
Natural habitat: Wet ground beside rivers, ponds and marshes.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

A vigorous marginal pond plant. Keep its spread within the space available.

Sources

Japanese spiraea

Spiraea japonica

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: August–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: E. Asia - Japan.
Natural habitat: Mountain habitats in Japan.
Flower colour: Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Lesser periwinkle

Vinca minor

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: April–May
Light: full sun, partial shade, shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe, S. Russia, N. Caucasus
Natural habitat: Woodland margins, hedges and small woods, often on fertile soils.
Flower colour: Blue
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Japanese rose ‘Pleniflora’

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: April–May
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Garden selection; parent species: China and Japan.
Natural habitat: Parent species: rocky mountain ravines, stream margins and hillside scrub. A garden selection.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

A cultivated double-flowered form; natural habitat describes the parent species. Natural origin and habitat describe the parent species.

Sources

Shrubby cinquefoil

Potentilla fruticosa

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: June–July
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to the Pyrenees, N. and C. Asia to Japan.
Natural habitat: Damp, rocky sites, often on limestone.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Flowering currant

Ribes sanguineum

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: April–May
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Western N America
Natural habitat: Foothills and valleys, in open ground and woodland with variable moisture.
Flower colour: Pink, Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Hardy fuchsia

Fuchsia magellanica

RHS hardiness: H4
Flowering: July–October
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Chile, Argentina
Natural habitat: Forest margins and clearings in southern South America.
Flower colour: Red, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Siebold’s plantain lily

Hosta sieboldiana

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: May–September
Light: partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Japan
Natural habitat: Fertile mountain valleys and the edges of woodland in Japan.
Flower colour: White, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Coral bells

Heuchera sanguinea

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: July–August
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: low
Native to: New Mexico, Arizona
Natural habitat: Shaded, damp rock crevices in its native range.
Flower colour: Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Species profile, not a profile of the numerous foliage-colour hybrids sold as heucheras.

Sources

Chinese peony

Paeonia lactiflora

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: June
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: China
Natural habitat: Rocky open slopes, riverbanks, grassland and woodland margins in eastern Asia.
Flower colour: White, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Border phlox

Phlox paniculata

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: June–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Eastern USA
Natural habitat: Open woodland, scrub, stream margins and slopes; often on limestone.
Flower colour: Pink, Purple, White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Alpine delphinium

Delphinium elatum

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: June–July
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe to N & C Asia
Natural habitat: Montane grassland and slopes; habitat varies across its broad Eurasian range.
Flower colour: Blue, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Species profile; garden Elatum Group cultivars can differ.

Sources

Bigleaf lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: July–August
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: low
Native to: Western N America
Natural habitat: Wet ground from coastal lowlands to mountain elevations in western North America.
Flower colour: Blue, Purple, Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Species profile, not a named Russell hybrid.

Sources

Big-root cranesbill

Geranium macrorrhizum

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: June–August
Light: full sun, partial shade, shade
Water need: low
Native to: S Europe, Turkey
Natural habitat: Shaded rocky ground, limestone scree, scrub and woodland.
Flower colour: Pink, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Peach-leaved bellflower

Campanula persicifolia

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: June–August
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: W Eurasia
Natural habitat: Open woodland and grassy open ground in Eurasia.
Flower colour: Blue
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Bugle

Ajuga reptans

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: May–July
Light: partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe, Iran, SW Asia
Natural habitat: Moist grassland and damp woodland.
Flower colour: Blue
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Mexican fleabane

Erigeron karvinskianus

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: May–October
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Mexico to Venezuela
Natural habitat: Woodland, scrub, savanna and grassland; also colonises disturbed ground.
Flower colour: White, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Biting stonecrop

Sedum acre

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: June–July
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe Africa Turkey
Natural habitat: Dry, exposed rock, sandy ground and wall crevices; often coastal.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Foxglove beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: May–July
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: United States
Natural habitat: Prairie, woodland margins and open woodland in central and eastern North America.
Flower colour: White, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Flowering months follow a North American species reference; local UK timing still needs confirmation.

Sources

Threadleaf tickseed

Coreopsis verticillata

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: June–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: E Canada to SE USA
Natural habitat: Dry rocky woodland, pine woodland and open savanna.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Bergamot

Monarda didyma

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: June–September
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: N America
Natural habitat: Moist, fertile woodland, scrub and low-lying ground.
Flower colour: Red, Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Autumn sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: August–October
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Americas
Natural habitat: Wet meadow, marsh, moist scrub and waterside ground.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Chinese astilbe

Astilbe chinensis

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: July–August
Light: partial shade
Water need: high
Native to: China, Japan
Natural habitat: Damp woodland, shaded streams, forest margins and moist valleys.
Flower colour: Pink, White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Bleeding heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: May–July
Light: partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Siberia, China, Korea
Natural habitat: Shaded woodland and sheltered valleys in eastern Asia.
Flower colour: Pink, White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Chinese wisteria

Wisteria sinensis

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: May
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: China
Natural habitat: Low-elevation woodland edges in western China, climbing trees and rock faces.
Flower colour: Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Allow for a very large mature climber and provide a strong support.

Sources

Common jasmine

Jasminum officinale

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: June–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Asia
Natural habitat: Humus-rich woodland, scrub and ravines in Asian mountain regions.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

RHS hardiness: H3
Flowering: July–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Mediterranean region, including Sicily.
Natural habitat: Open, sunny to lightly shaded sites with cool, moderately moist, fertile soil; wild range is Mediterranean.
Flower colour: Red, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

An ornamental annual, not an edible pea.

Sources

Regal lily

Lilium regale

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: July–August
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: SW China
Natural habitat: Rocky slopes, river terraces and open woodland margins in western Sichuan.
Flower colour: White, Yellow, Purple
Uses: Ornamental planting

Lilies are ornamental plants; this record is not an edible-use recommendation.

Sources

Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'

RHS hardiness: H3
Flowering: July–October
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Cultivated origin; not a wild-native taxon.
Natural habitat: Cultivated hybrid selection; it has no natural habitat of its own.
Flower colour: Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Lift and store tubers where winter conditions require it; the RHS rating is not a guarantee against winter wet or frost.

Sources

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

RHS hardiness: H3
Flowering: August–September
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Mexico, S US
Natural habitat: Open disturbed land and roadsides within and beyond its Mexican range.
Flower colour: Pink, White, Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

A seasonal annual outdoors; hardiness is not a promise of overwintering.

Sources

French marigold

Tagetes patula

RHS hardiness: H2
Flowering: July–October
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Southern N. America - Mexico.
Natural habitat: The pine–oak woodland belt of Mexico; also naturalised on disturbed ground elsewhere.
Flower colour: Yellow, Orange, Red, Brown
Uses: Ornamental planting

Frost-tender seasonal bedding.

Sources

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: June–August
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe, N Asia
Natural habitat: Moist woodland margins, hedges and neglected open ground.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Fruit crop; ornamental planting

Flowering and harvest timing differ between summer- and autumn-fruiting cultivars.

Sources

Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: March–May
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
Natural habitat: Woodland and hedges, frequently near streams.
Flower colour: Green, Pink
Uses: Fruit crop; ornamental planting

Sources

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: August–September
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: high
Native to: Europe to China
Natural habitat: Sunny, damp ground, including roadsides and disturbed sites.
Flower colour: Pink, Purple
Uses: Culinary herb; ornamental planting

Spreads by underground stems; a container can help restrict its spread.

Sources

Star magnolia ‘Royal Star’

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: March–April
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Garden selection; parent species: Japan.
Natural habitat: Parent species: mountain woodland near Nagoya, Japan. This is a garden selection.
Flower colour: White
Uses: Ornamental planting

Natural origin and habitat describe the parent species.

Sources

Wintercreeper

Euonymus fortunei

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: July
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: China, Japan, Korea
Natural habitat: Low mountain woodland and scrub in eastern Asia.
Flower colour: Green
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Rose of Sharon

Hypericum calycinum

RHS hardiness: H5
Flowering: June–September
Light: full sun, partial shade, shade
Water need: low
Native to: S Europe, SW Asia
Natural habitat: Grassland and open woodland, including upland sites.
Flower colour: Yellow
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

Japanese anemone ‘September Charm’

Anemone 'September Charm'

RHS hardiness: H7
Flowering: August–October
Light: full sun, partial shade
Water need: moderate
Native to: Cultivated origin; not a wild-native taxon.
Natural habitat: Cultivated selection; no natural habitat of its own. Grown in moist, well-drained borders.
Flower colour: Pink
Uses: Ornamental planting

Also sold as Anemone × hybrida or A. hupehensis ‘September Charm’. The record follows the named cultivar, not an inferred wild species.

Sources

Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale

RHS hardiness: H6
Flowering: May–June
Light: full sun
Water need: moderate
Native to: W. Asia - Armenia, N.E. Iran, Turkey.
Natural habitat: Mountain meadows and stony slopes in western Asia.
Flower colour: Orange, Red
Uses: Ornamental planting

Sources

About the RHS hardiness scale