12 OF POLLY’S FAVOURITE PLANTS
1 Malus domestica ‘Worcester Pearmain’
An early to mid-season eating apple, particularly noted for its beautiful blossom. 4-8m. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b†.
2 Pulsatilla vulgaris
Pretty purple or white flowers followed by wispy seedheads that look great in arrangements. 20cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b.
3 Cydonia oblonga
Some years a late frost catches the glorious blossom and stops fruiting, but in glut years Polly loves to make quince ice cream. 4m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b.
4 Helleborus x hybridus Harvington red
This hellebore makes a good cut flower once the seedheads have formed, especially if the tips of the stems are seared. 40cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.
5 Tulipa ‘Black Hero’
This double late tulip is a heavier, headier ‘Queen of Night’ with long-lasting blooms. 60cm. RHS H6.
6 Paeonia mlokosewitschii
Blacklands has a whole block of this exquisite peony. It makes a wonderful if short-lived cut flower for events, although it won’t stay the course in bouquets. 50cm-1m. AGM. RHS H6.
7 Tulipa ‘Virichic’
A lily-flowered tulip with bold-pink petals with a green flash up the centre. 50cm. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.
8 Fritillaria persica ‘Bicolor’
The bulbs of this dramatic and unusual fritillary are both eye-wateringly expensive and deeply desirable. 60cm-1m. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
9 Thalictrum ‘Elin’
A majestically tall umbel with unbeatable foliage and beautiful flowerheads that’s perfect for the cutting garden. 2m. AGM. RHS H4.
10 Malus ‘Evereste’
This crab apple offers the delights of red buds opening to white blossom followed by yellow-orange fruits that persist into winter. 4-8m. AGM. RHS H6.
11 Erysimum cheiri ‘Giant Pink’
Richly coloured wallflower with extra-large blooms that’s a welcome addition to spring cut-flower displays. 60cm. RHS H5.
12 Centaurea ‘Jordy’
An elegant perennial cornflower for the cutting garden; support with pea sticks to prevent flopping. 45cm. RHS H4, USDA 3a-8b.
BREEDER TULIPS
1 ‘Queen Alexandra’, 2 ‘Roi Soleil’, 3 ‘Fairy Nymph’ (after breaking), 4 ‘La Joyeuse’, 5 ‘Jules Favres’, 6 ‘Je Maintiendrai’
BROKEN TULIPS
7 ‘Mabel’, 8 ‘Columbine’, 9 ‘Bessie’, 10 ‘Absalon’, 11 ‘Insulinde’, 12 ‘The Lizard’