Of HRH Prince Charles’s favourite plants at Highgrove
The Prince is passionate about delphiniums, and this dark-indigo variety is particularly striking. 1.7m. USDA 3a-8b†.
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Injecting a touch of glamour in early summer borders, Opium poppies come in a huge range of colours, including this vivid single form, with its dark throat. 90cm. USDA 2a-9b.
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The Southern Marsh Orchid is threatened by loss of habitat in many parts of the country, but has been re established at Highgrove. 15cm. USDA 6a-9b.
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‘White Ruffles’
White delphiniums, including this attractive double variety, provide a useful foil to the more usual blue and lavender forms. 1.2m. USDA 3a-7b.
‘Champneys Pink Cluster’
Although, like most rambling roses, this flowers only once, it produces its lovely, muskily fragranced blooms in unusual abundance. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.
7 Highgrove (= ‘Hornightshade’)
‘Patty’s Plum’
This glorious, faded-purple poppy needs careful staking to prevent sprawl and to ensure its glamorous petals can be shown off to their full glory. 85cm. USDA 2a-9b. Specially selected by The Prince of Wales, The Highgrove Rose is a short climber that produces fragrant, garnetcoloured blooms in abundance. 2.4m.
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If grown in a rich, moist soil, this white foxglove will often flower in its first year. 60cm. USDA 4a-9b.
‘Comtesse de Bouchard’
Bred over 100 years ago, this cultivar is still well worth growing for its robust habit and prolonged flowering season. 2.4m. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-9a. In a rich but free-draining site, meadow rue forms an airy and elegant haze of flowers held above lacy foliage. 90cm. USDA 5a-8b. A self-clinging climber that takes time to establish, but repays the wait with a stunning show of midsummer lacy blooms. 15m. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 4a-7b.
King Arthur Group
An appropriately regal choice, the King Arthur Group delphiniums are notable for their inky-blue colour, which is intensified by a pure white eye. 1.7m. USDA 3a-8b.