Simons 5 Star Performers – March

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZofjoJ_s2A[/embed]

These plants look good together – the theme is blue and gold – and they all like similar conditions namely sunny and reasonably drained. The Euphorbia and the Vinca will tolerate quite a lot of shade too if required.

Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’

A fast growing dense evergreen for a sunny position that is ideal against a fence or wall or just as a back of border shrub. It is often used against a vertical surface but is self supporting and covers itself in true blue flowers in May/June normally. It can be pruned lightly after flowering to improve density and control size. The bees love it.

Euphorbia wulfenii ‘Shorty’

A more compact form of this charismatic plant – structural and evergreen it works well in contemporary or cottage style gardens. The bright limey yellow flowers make a good contrast to the leaves and to other small shrubs and herbaceous plants.It is a popular family of plants with garden designers and you can see why.

Choisya ‘Sundance’

One of the brightest evergreens around displaying rich yellow leaves all year – the colour is particularly strong on new growth. The foliage is aromatic and the white flowers in May/June are scented too. It can be pruned to contain it and naturally makes a dense dome shaped shrub. Its shape and colour works particularly well with the Ceanothus – luckily they both like Sun and well drained soils.

Vinca minor ‘Ralph Shugert’

A low growing ground cover evergreen ideal for carpeting the soil around or under shrubs. The blue flowers are produced profusely on this variety and it will gently spread rooting as it goes. As a bonus the leaves are variegated too.

Festuca glauca ‘AmiGold’

A compact true grass that is ideal in groups at the front of a border. It is another sun lover that benefits from being split regularly in the spring to maintain vigour.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZofjoJ_s2A[/embed]