Shire Plants Blog

British Bluebells are steeped in tradition, myth and legend and are a joy to behold in spring.  A wish made when you see the first bluebell open in spring will come true. It is said that if you … read more

This striking violet is new to us this year and will be available in a few weeks. The dark colour of the flowers really stand out at this time of year (flowering early in a polytunnel). As a bonus the … read more

A primrose flowering in our field today. Despite not belonging to the rose family, the name Primrose is thought to derive from the Latin for 'first' (prima) 'rose' (rosa). Lovely to see them at this t … read more

This aptly named violet is in flower now. I love the rich purple colour. Currently sold out, but we have some other violets available here.  … read more

Two new Celandines added to our range today. A beautiful ivory white variety called 'Salmon White' and a lovely double named 'Double Bronze'. Celandines are fantastic at this time of year and we now s … read more

I grew this beautiful anemone for the first time last year and I'm pleased to have plants listed on the website now. It's probably the nicest variety of our native wood anemone I know (other than the … read more

Primula 'Gold Lace' was introduced by the Victorians and was much prized by gardeners in those times. Much prized by us now, it's a lovely spring flower. We have plants available and about to flower n … read more

This is Viola odorata 'Princess Diana' which is flowering in the polytunnel now. She has a gorgeous scent when the sun is on her.

Really like this unusual lesser celandine which we've grown for the first time this year. Lovely green petals with light streaks of lemon. Only available in small numbers this year but we should have … read more

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

I potted up these primroses (Primula vulgaris) late in the autumn and they are just beginning to flower now. Although you can buy hybrid primulas of every colour under the sun these days, these true B … read more

This is Viola odorata 'Dick o' the Hills', a sweet violet which has just started flowering and should be flowering strongly through to late spring. I like to think it was named after a wizened old she … read more

Walking around the nursery today, I spotted this amazing plant in flower. Looking at it you would think it should be flowering on a hot sunny day in July, not February! Admittedly it was in a polytunn … read more

I love the contrast of the bright yellow flowers against the dark brown polished leaves of this celandine, which look metallic in certain light. A perfect plant to brighten up the late winter/early sp … read more

Spotlight on: Celandine Celandine are one of the delights of early spring and among the first plants to flower in the countryside. They are delightful little flowers and true harbingers of spr … read more