Hydrangea paniculata
Large bush with scented, white to light pinkish
conical blooms, instead of the more usual
globular panicles of the mop-head varieties.
Flowering until almost the end of autumn, it
tolerates some sun. Prune back quite hard after
flowering.
Leycesteria formosa – arbre aux
faisans – pheasant berry
Growing rapidly to two metres, this shrub has densely
growing, semi-evergreen leaves and withstands
temperatures as low as -12°C. The prune-coloured
bracts surrounding the deep purple berries are most
attractive and last well into December. Some people
eat the berries so it is likely pheasants do too. It is
happiest on light soils, whether acid or limey, and can
be pruned hard in the spring. Varieties include the
golden-leafed ‘Golden Lanters’ and purple-leafed
‘Purple Rain’.
Clethra alnifolia –
summersweet
The scented upright plumes last from July
to September and are white or pink (‘Pink
Spire’). Prefers a cool position in moist, acid
soil in mid-shade. Slow-growing, it eventually
reaches 2m. The leaves are deciduous and turn
orange in autumn.
Vitex agnus-castus – gatillier, agneau chaste,
poivre aux moines, chaste tree, monks’ pepper.
Very easy to grow and tolerates dry, even chalky, soils in full sun. This
aromatic, medicinal shrub grows to 3m, with blue plume-like flowers from
August to September. White and pink varieties are available too. The berries
and deciduous palmate leaves are used as a tonic.
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