Shire Plants Blog

Autumn Discounts

4th Oct 2020

We currently have a large number of plants at reduced prices. Autumn is a great time to plant hardy perennials, because the roots establish in the warm soil and the plants have a real head-start ov … read more

​Spotlight on Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

26th Sep 2020

Chicory is a native wildflower steeped in folklore. One tale tells of a young girl who sat down at the side of the road to cry for her dead lover. She was inconsolable by all who passed her and … read more

Latest Newsletter

24th Sep 2020

Our latest newsletter has been sent to our subscribers. You can read it here.

Chinese Foxgloves

15th Sep 2020

I just love the detail in this Chinese Foxglove which has been flowering for ages. It really stands out in the garden and everyone asks what it is.Full plant details here … read more

Interesting Mints

30th Aug 2020

After Eight Chocolate mint, anyone? "The savor or smell of the Mint rejoyceth the heart of man, for which cause they use it to strew in chambers and places of recreation, pleasure and repose, and … read more

Amphibians

28th Aug 2020

Today we moved a lot of large plants in pots and found a large number newts, frogs and toads. This is why we don't use pesticides at the nursery, but instead we work with nature as much as possible an … read more

Our Packaging

22nd Aug 2020

If you're interested in how we pack and dispatch our plants, you now view some information and view photographs of our packaging here.

Pinks available now

13th Aug 2020

Dianthus, Old Fashioned Pinks, Gillyflowers - whatever you call them, there's nothing like the scent of them in the garden, and many are good for the vase too. Here are just a few that are available t … read more

Cardoon

20th Jul 2020

I love cardoons (Cynara cardunculus) throughout the summer, but when the purple thistle-like flowers open on top of the globes, they are truly wonderful. The bees and butterflies love them too. The la … read more

Dianthus Monty Allwood

19th Jun 2020

I had to cut these flowers off Dianthus 'Monty Allwood' while taking cuttings. They're beautiful and the scent is heavenly. No vases at the nursery so a plastic cup will have to do! Plants coming soon … read more

Fox and Cubs

19th Jun 2020

This wonderful plant is called Fox and Cubs because of the dual appearance of bronzy-orange open flowers (the fox) alongside red-brown flower buds (the cubs). Tall stems hold the flowers above neat ro … read more

Cornflowers

21st May 2020

Really enjoying the cornflowers at the moment. Here we have the blue Centaurea montana, plus the less common 'Purple Heart', 'Black Sprite' and my favourite, the wonderful creamy yellow 'Sulphurea'. … read more

Yarrow

10th May 2020

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was collected by children during the First World War and sent to the front line to be used as a herb to stop bleeding and heal wounds. It has long been used as an antisep … read more

Thank You

27th Apr 2020

Thank you to all our customers who are keeping us busy! Parcels from this batch are heading as far north as Inverness and as far south as the Isle of White. Our courier observes social distancing rule … read more

State of Play at the Nursery

19th Apr 2020

We are very grateful to all our customers for their continued support during a time that is difficult for everyone. We are continuing to process orders and we have increased the number of days we disp … read more

Viola sororia 'Freckles'

9th Apr 2020

Viola sororia 'Freckles' has just started flowering so I've taken a photo to update the details on the website. I just love these flowers. The sororia violas are great because they start flowering jus … read more

Perennial Wallflowers

2nd Apr 2020

This beauty is Erysimum 'Pastel Patchwork' and we are currently propagating it in order to add it to our range later in the year. We have a growing range of perennial wallflowers, including a number o … read more

March Newsletter

24th Mar 2020

Our March newsletter, including featured plants, is out now. If you don't subscribe you can still read it here:https://mailchi.mp/c0ad8232b732/march-at-shire-plants … read more

Rainy Day, new propagating bench

28th Feb 2020

Non-stop rain today (for a change!), so it was a good day to build a new heated propagating bench under glass. As we grow everything we sell ourselves, we take a lot of cuttings and sow a lot of seeds … read more

February 2020 Newsletter Out Now

14th Feb 2020

Our latest newsletter is out and this month we look at crystallising flowers and feature a number of our favourite violet plants.You can read the newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/82bcb4cedf67/ … read more