['Aloysia' after Maria Louisa, Queen of Spain]

A small, insignificant little deciduous shrub with tiny racemes of lilac tinged white flowers in early summer. However it's the lemon scented leaves that this plant is grown for - even the dropped autumn leaves retain their delightful scent throughout the winter (add them to pot-pourri bowls). Frost tender so best grown in a pot and moved under cover during the colder months.

· Full sun · Well drained soils · Up to 45cm growth per year · Trim hard back in the autumn · Place in a frost-free site during the winter

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: 1m (3ft)

['Arbutus' from 'Arboise' for rough fruited; 'Unedo' from 'Unus' meaning one and 'Edo' to eat]

A hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree that produces clusters of small, subtly scented cream flowers in the autumn. At the same time last year's fruits are ripening and it is these that give the tree it’s common name as they do indeed resemble, small alpine strawberries.

· Full sun · Well drained soil · Shelter from strong winds · Prefers alkaline soils · Up to 30cm growth per year · Prune to shape in April

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 10m (30ft)

['Berberis' - from the Arabic word berberys]

A hardy, deciduous red leaved shrub covered with sharp spines. It is excellent for hedging and as a ‘security shrub’ under windows or for gaps in boundaries. Bunches of small yellow, sickly sweet flowers are produced in early spring, followed in the autumn by small red berries.

· Full sun · Most well drained soils · Up to 30 cm growth per year · Prune to shape throughout the summer

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: 2m (6ft), or may be clipped to size

['Buddleia' - named after Rev. Adam Buddle from Farnbridge, Essex]

Hardy, deciduous bushes that are very attractive to butterflies and bees. Their well known sprays of purple flowers are produced throughout the summer, especially if regularly de-headed.

· Full sun · Well drained soils · Up to 120cm growth per year · Cut down to 90-120cm high in early winter

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 2.5m (7ft)

Hardy, deciduous bushes that are very attractive to butterflies and bees. Their well known sprays of blue flowers are produced throughout the summer, especially if regularly de-headed.

· Full sun · Well drained soils · Up to 120cm growth per year · Cut down to 90-120cm high in early winter

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 2.5m (7ft)

Hardy, deciduous bushes that are very attractive to butterflies and bees. Their well known sprays of red flowers are produced throughout the summer, especially if regularly de-headed.

· Full sun · Well drained soils · Up to 120cm growth per year · Cut down to 90-120cm high in early winter

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 2.5m (7ft)

A deciduous shrub with small, lance-shaped grey/green leaves and clusters of tubular, dark blue flowers in the autumn. It has a wonderful arching habit of growth. Both the foliage and flowers have a subtle scent of wood smoke.

· Full sun · Well drained soils · Up to 30cm growth per year · Trim hard back in winter

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 1m (3ft)

['Ceanothus' - a name applied by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus]

A hardy, semi evergreen shrub best planted against a wall or in a sheltered border. Its panicles of soft, powder blue flowers are produced from late summer through to early October.

· Full sun · Shelter from strong winds · Prefers acidic, well drained soils · Up to 45cm growth per year · Cut hard back to retain bushiness in April

Pot size: 3 litre

Mature height: Up to 4m (12ft), or may be trimmed to size in early Spring