Give them a gift they’ll love
Make a romantic gesture with the gift of a beautiful plant
As an alternative to the traditional fresh flowers and chocolates given on Valentine’s Day, why not think outside the box and opt for the more permanent offering of a hardy plant? Choose one that will be cherished, not just for a few, transient days, but for many years to come. Proclaim your love through a romantically named plant and it will melt the heart of your loved one every time they stop to admire it. To ensure the plant you choose lives a happy and healthy life, think about the conditions the recipient’s garden offers, such as soil type, aspect (shade or full sun) and size, and avoid planting in extremes of weather such as frozen ground or waterlogged soil. If lack of space is an issue, opt for a plant that will thrive in a container, be that on a small patio or sheltered balcony.
POTENTILLA FRUTICOSA ‘LOVELY PINK’
This shrubby and compact cinquefoil is worth its weight in gold for unremitting flower power over the summer. Five-petalled, cup-shaped pink flowers, favoured by bees, engulf a neat mound of attractive green foliage. Easy to grow in most conditions, it thrives in a hot sunny aspect and is reasonably drought tolerant. Trim in spring to maintain a good shape. H and S1m (3ft 3in)
CROCUS ‘ROMANCE’
While roses may be the flower associated with Valentine’s Day, the humble crocus is dedicated to St Valentine, the Christian martyr, after whom this day was named. ‘Romance’ defies the cold and adds a ray of sunshine to the sleeping landscape with its buttery-yellow, goblet-shaped blooms. Plant them in beds or rockeries or naturalise them in the lawn. Buy ready-potted crocuses and plant outside after flowering. H10cm (4in) S5cm (2in)
CUPID’S DART (CATANACHE CAERULEA) ‘ALBA’
This hardy perennial is a native of the Mediterranean, used in bouquets as a Greek symbol of love. A mass of silvery buds on upright stems open into papery-white flower heads with a purplish centre June-Sept. This little gem dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil and thrives in gritty free-draining soil in a sunny aspect. H60cm (2ft) S35cm (14in)
LILY ‘ROMANCE SERIES’
Fall in love with the seductive scent of lilies that drifts far and wide from where they’re planted. The eclectic mix of pink and red lilies in the Romance series epitomises the colours of Valentine’s Day, each with its distinct profile; some bearing spots, others stripes and all with eight blooms per stem. Symbolising grace and purity, these exotic-looking, oriental cultivars need no staking, having been bred to be compact and are therefore perfect for growing in pots positioned in sun or semi-shade. H40cm (16in) S25cm (10in)
CLEMATIS ‘SWEET SUMMER LOVE’
Smothered in small, reddishpurple flowers from July-Aug, this clematis will carry on blooming until October. The flowers have a pale reverse to the petals and are sweetly scented. Plant it in a large container or against a sunny wall or fence, where it will make a great partner for a climbing rose. Cut back the previous year’s stems to a pair of strong buds 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground level in spring. H3m (10ft) S1m (3ft 3in)
ZANTEDESCHIA ‘CAPTAIN ROMANCE’
Clumps of this sumptuous calla lily live up to their distinguished name by providing great presence in a garden setting. The rich pink, trumpetshaped blooms stand proudly to attention, above lush green foliage. Summer-flowering calla lilies prefer humus rich, well-drained soil; heavy soil can cause the rhizomes to rot. Lift in autumn when the foliage has died back and store over winter in a frost-free environment. H65cm (26in) S40cm (16in) after 5-10 years
LAVATERA CLEMENTII ‘BARNSLEY BABY’
From its delicately shaded blush-pink blooms to its deeply lobed, heart-shaped leaves, this hard-working little shrub embodies all that could be romantic in a plant. This compact version of a classic garden favourite is just as vigorous as its lofty relations and flowers without pause throughout summer. Happiest in full sun and well-drained soil, it’s the perfect, troublefree specimen for a container. H75cm (30in) S60cm (2ft)
CLEMATIS ‘NEW LOVE’
Unlike its climbing cousins, this herbaceous clematis needs little support and would nestle comfortably among perennials in a sunny or semi-shaded border, in a fertile, free-draining soil. Expect to see a profusion of unique, star-shaped indigo-blue blooms with slender reflexed petals clustering along its strong upright stems for a long period over the summer months. When grown in a container, use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No3. H90cm (3ft) S50cm (20in)
ROSA ‘MY VALENTINE’
Red roses are the undisputed flower symbol of love, but why buy a bunch when you can have a long-lived productive plant instead? From summer to late autumn this sumptuous Hybrid Tea produces recurrent flushes of classic red, velvety blooms, usually one per stem. And unlike many cut-flower roses, the blooms on this bush rose are exquisitely fragranced. Plant in an open, sunny site, keep it well fed, regularly watered, pruned annually and it will live for decades. H and S90cm (3ft)
SALVIA ‘LOVE AND WISHES’
For uninterrupted colour from mid-summer to autumn, jewel-toned salvias add a splash of opulence to any border. The luxurious magenta flowers of ‘Love and Wishes’ are held by deep burgundy calyces. Although not fully hardy in all parts of the UK (down to at least -5C/23F), cuttings strike easily and new plants mature quickly. These wildlife-friendly plants perform best in full sun or lightly dappled shade with good winter drainage. H80cm (32in) S50cm (20in)