Formerly grown as a greenhouse and conservatory foliage plant, this attractive shrub is almost hardy in very mild gardens if planted in a warm sunny border and given a protective mulch in winter. Usually it is grown for ornamental bedding purposes, either as a taller highlight among flowering plants, or in large pots as a patio foliage plant. If kept as a perennial, it needs a minimum winter temperature of 4-7C (40-45F), and may be propagated by division and basal suckers, as well as summer cuttings. It is easy from seed, however, as a half-hardy annual. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Phyllostachys aurea Bamboo
This is a decorative bamboo with bright golden-yellow canes and contrasting darker-green foliage. It makes a striking addition to the back of the shrubbery and also makes a good specimen plant. Several clumps grown together can also be used to make a informal garden screen. It will tolerate most soil conditons and is particularly at home in a damp but free-draining spot.
Rodgersia aesculifolia Rodgersia
With 25cm long, bronze-tinted leaves like huge hands with brown veins, this Chinese perennial has great presence, and it's even more striking in midsummer. The clusters of creamy white to creamy pink flowers form loose pyramids on tall stems, and are beautiful. The seed-heads have a reddish tint in autumn. It makes a great show in a damp part of the border or bog garden where it can produce highly impressive clumps. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.
Nicotiana sylvestris Tobacco plant
This nicotiana has more than a touch of class, and makes an aristocratic statement at the back of a lightly shaded or sunny border. The leaves are as large and hairy as a commercial tobacco plant, but the stately flower stems are its eye-catching feature. They are topped in summer and early autumn with large, loose sprays of very long, slim drooping flowers. Opening by day, these are pure white and intensely fragrant. When in full flower, each head is quite startling and resembles a graceful explosion. Plants self-seed, or the seeds can be collected for storing. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Trachycarpus fortunei Chusan palm
The hemp or windmill palm, also listed sometimes as Chamaerops excelsa, is a fine evergreen Himalayan palm, medium-sized in gardens but ultimately 10-12m (33-40ft) after a century or so in a good climate. It is the hardiest of the trachycarpus species, and thrives in mild seaside gardens, where it flowers and seeds itself freely, adding tropical flair to planting schemes. Elsewhere it requires the shelter of a warm wall to protect it from frost and the cold winds which can shred its huge fan-shaped leaves. In cold gardens, it is best grown as a container plant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
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"The garden is inspired by ‘Falling Water’, one of the great masterpieces of 20th Century architecture, by designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Built almost 50 years ago, ‘Falling Water’ is a modernist architect's dream, formed of minimalist platforms that appear to float over a spectacular natural waterfall. Aiming to capture the essence of this modern classic, our cool, contemporary garden uses towering waterfalls, muted planting and textured landscaping materials, to create a space for easy outdoor living. This is a garden for the ‘after hours’, a place to chill out and relax after a hard days work."
Paul Martin - designer of the Falling Waters garden
Discover which garden the public voted their favourite in this year's BBC RHS People's Award.
"The garden is inspired by ‘Falling Water’, one of the great masterpieces of 20th Century architecture, by designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Built almost 50 years ago, ‘Falling Water’ is a modernist architect's dream, formed of minimalist platforms that appear to float over a spectacular natural waterfall. Aiming to capture the essence of this modern classic, our cool, contemporary garden uses towering waterfalls, muted planting and textured landscaping materials, to create a space for easy outdoor living. This is a garden for the ‘after hours’, a place to chill out and relax after a hard days work."
