Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Antennaria dioica 'Minima'

Family: (Asteraceae)

(P) to 3″. Half the size of regular Pussy-toes, this adorable little carpeting perennial is at home in the sunny rock garden, alpine trough or growing between stepping stones. It forms a flat mat of tiny silver edged, grey-green leaves. Short stems with tight terminal clusters of buds that resemble the toes of a cat, open to papery white flowers with a pinkish tinge. A billowing cloud of fluffy seedheads follows. Blooms in late spring. A tough and useful plant. Well-drained soil and sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 8″. Dwarf Hairy Beard-Tongue. A very hardy, dwarf Penstemon that is native to eastern North America. Lovely, dusky pale purple, five-petalled, trumpet-shaped flowers with white lobes add a subtle presence to the spring garden. Leaves are lanceolate and acute. Both leaves and stems are covered by very fine hairs. For a larger version of this plant please see the Wildflower section. Sun/part shade. 3 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea

Family: (Fabaceae)

(P) to 6″. Kidney Vetch. Basal rosettes of deep green, paddle-shaped leaves with very light margins. Flowers are clustered, each containing a pale yellow tube with red lips. Flower stalks to eight inches tall and pale purple in colour. Blooms in May and June. Self-sows. Sun. 2B & 3 & 7 for 4 weeks, then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Petrorhagia saxifraga

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 8″. Eurasia. Valued for its delicate foliage, texture and tiny pink, Dianthus-like flowers with notched tips and darker veins that suspend from slender stems. Blooms in profusion in summer and then blooms sporadically until frost. Sun. 3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 12″. Japan. Short-spurred, pale lilac-blue flowers, often with paler or white markings. Rather compact growth and rounded, glaucous foliage. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Plantago cynops

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 12″. Shrubby Plantain. Central and South Europe. Tough shrublet with evergreen, grey, needle-like leaves. White tinged yellow, ovoid, spiky flowers. Summer. A real curiosity. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 4″. Rockcress. Southeastern Europe. An easy growing, mat-forming perennial spreading up to 12 inches wide. Flowering white in clusters in early spring on five-inch stalks. A plant for sun or part shade in well-drained soil. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Pulsatilla vulgaris

Family: (Ranunculaceae)

(P) to 12″.  Pasque Flower.  A captivating British native.  Anemone-like flowers are composed of purple tepals that surround a mass of golden yellow stamens which in turn frame the central cluster of purple pistils.  Flowers are followed by equally attractive seedheads reminiscent of most Clematis.  The entire plant is covered in long, silvery, silky hairs which make the plant shimmer when the sun catches it.  Deep divided, light green, silky basal leaves are good-looking throughout the season.  Grows best in a cool climate in well-drained soil.  Full sun to partial shade.  3 & T2 & ∆

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Campanula carpatica Mix

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 8″.  Tussock Bellflower.  Carpathian Mountains.  This seed is a lovely mix of blue, white and purple colours yielding large, solitary, five-petalled, up-facing, bell-shaped flowers.  Most welcome, as it flowers when other Campanula blooms are over.  A long bloomer but deadhead to keep the show going.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria pamphylica

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 12″. Turkey. Robust, blue-grey, glaucous foliage. Terminal clusters of very open, deep pink flowers with five, split-tipped petals. Long summer bloomer. Sun. 4 & T2