Van Meuwen Catalogue of Garden Plants: for plants, bulbs, trees, shrubs, perennials and gardening accessories and gifts

Christmas Box/ Sweet Box

The white spidery flowers have a fragrance so heady that it will stop you in your tracks. The sweet, honey scented winter blooms are followed by glossy black berries. This exceptional dwarf evergreen shrub is so versatile it will grow in almost any soil or situation – even those impossible dry shaded spots! A wonderful compact plant for woodland ground cover, or low informal hedges. You can even cut a few stems for a vase indoors! Grows to 60cm (24”). Supplied in 9cm pot.

This tropical beauty really has the wow factor! An unusual bulb, the Fireball Lily or Blood Lily, produces huge spherical flower heads up to 15cm (6”) across, made up of hundreds of tiny starry blooms of fiery red. The amazing flower heads are followed by a flurry of small orange red berries. Simply astounding in summer patio containers, or grow them indoors in a warm greenhouse or conservatory. Height: 60cm (30”). Supplied as 14/16cm bulbs.

Discourage feline intruders with the scented foliage of Coleus canina - Cats and Dogs hate the smell! Luckily it is not offensive to humans. The neat grey green leaves and small pale blue flowers make this an attractive addition to borders too. At its most effective when grown in full sun, the scardy cat plant (as it is also known) is undemanding and surprisingly drought tolerant. Height: 45cm (18”). Supplied as 40mm plug plants.

A striking perennial with a bold garden presence! Distinctive, architectural blooms rise high on sturdy stems to reveal cones of tiny flowers surrounded by an electric blue collar! A useful plant for coastal areas and hot, dry sites. The dramatic Sea Holly flowers are also excellent for cutting and drying. Height: 90cm (36”). Spread: 45cm (18”). Bare root plants supplied.

This French version of ‘Jersey Long' has been awarded an RHS Award of garden merit for its extremely long bulbs with a superb flavour. Shallots have a much sweeter flavour than onions and can be used in stews and casseroles for a more delicate taste. This variety is a particular favourite with exhibition growers, and can be stored over a long period.

[Pack contains 15-20 sets.]

Syn. Persimmon, Diospyros.

The Persimmon tree produces orange coloured Sharon fruit in late autumn which are best harvested after the first frosts have softened the very sweet, tomato sized fruit. This attractive tree is also grown for its excellent autumn foliage which turns to shades of orange, red and purple. Height: 8m (26’) Spread: 5m (16’). Supplied in 11cm pot.

For guaranteed impact in sunny garden borders these hardy, summer flowering shrubs are unbeatable! Versatile and undemanding, this collection of deciduous shrubs provides continuous colour from March to September.

Collection comprises:

Lonicera (Shrubby Honeysuckle) - Clusters of pink flowers in May and June followed by shiny red berries in late summer. Height: 2m (6 ‘) Spread: 3m (10 ft).

Buddleja (Butterfly Bush) - Large purple plumes of flowers adorn this fast growing shrub from July to September. Buddleja will attract clouds of butterflies to your garden. Height 3m (10’) Spread 2m (6’6”).

Forsythia - Masses of radiant yellow star shaped flowers appear on naked stems from March to April. Height: 3m (10’) Spread: 180cm (6’).

Ribes (Flowering Currant) - Deep pink red flowers drip from the upright stems of the flowering currant from March to April, followed by glaucous blue berries in late summer. Height: 3m (10’) Spread: 2.5m (8’).

Philadelphus (Mock Orange) - Intensely fragrant double white flowers cover the stems of mock orange in June and July. Philadelphus is also highly attractive to bees. Height: 3m (10’) Spread: 2.5m (8’).

False Mallow/ Prairie Mallow.

A more compact variety of prairie mallow with stunning cerise pink flowers. This undemanding perennial will grow in all but the wettest of soils and makes a lovely upright accent in an informal cottage garden border. The tall stems also make a pretty cut flower. Height: 90cm (36”) Spread: 45cm (18”). Supplied in 5cm pots.

False Mallow/ Prairie Mallow.

Baby pink, silken flowers are produced on sturdy spikes in early summer. This undemanding perennial will grow in all but the wettest of soils and makes a lovely upright accent in an informal cottage garden border. The tall stems also make a pretty cut flower. Height: 90cm (36”) Spread: 45cm (18”). Supplied in 5cm pots.

Phaseolus caracalla syn. Vigna caracalla.

This evergreen twining climber is a close relative to the runner bean. Grown for its pendants of twisted flowers, like coiled snail shells, up to 5cm (2”) across. The fascinating summer flowers are followed by cylindrical green fruits in late autumn. Requiring a minimum temperature of 15°C (59°F), Phaseolus is best grown in a heated greenhouse or conservatory. Alternatively, grow in patio containers that can be moved indoors for the winter. Height: 6m (20’). Spread: 2m (6’). Supplied in 9cm pots.

The nodding bell shaped flowers of Fritillaria meleagris are unmistakeable for their snake skin markings. This British wild flower bulb is now protected and rarely seen in its native meadows, but will always attract attention in a woodland garden, rockery, or naturalised in grass. Height: 30cm (15”) high. Bulb size 5/6cm. From cultivated stock.

This incredible hybrid is the first pendulous variety of trailing Antirrhinum. Stems of densely packed blooms in shades of white, pink, red, violet and yellow create a myriad of colour. At last you can grow these cottage garden favourites in baskets where their fascinating flowers can be fully appreciated!

Drifts of single flowered snowdrops really lift the spirits on cold winter days! These understated beauties love to nestle in dappled shade at the base of trees. For a particularly bold impact, try naturalising them in large informal areas of grass. Snowdrop bulbs are ideal for autumn planting. For spring planting choose snowdrops in the green. Height: 10cm (4”). Bulb size: 4/5cm. Only cultivated stock used.

Galanthus nivalis Flore Pleno.

Double flowered, honey scented snowdrops brave the cold winter weather for a wonderful display! These understated beauties love to nestle in dappled shade at the base of trees, or for a particularly bold impact, try naturalising them in large informal areas of grass. Snowdrop bulbs are ideal for autumn planting. For spring planting choose snowdrops in the green. Height: 10cm (4”). Bulb size: 4/5cm. Only cultivated stock used.

Galanthus nivalis

Drifts of single flowered snowdrops really lift the spirits on cold winter days! These understated beauties love to nestle in dappled shade at the base of trees. For a particularly bold impact, try naturalising them in large informal areas of grass. Snowdrops in the green are ideal for spring planting. For autumn planting choose Snowdrop bulbs. Height: 10cm (4”). Bulb size: 4/5cm. Only cultivated stock used.

This exceptional collection of spring flowering bulbs will fill your borders with colour. Plant them in gaps among perennials or grow them together for a show in their own right.

250 Spring Bulb Collection comprises:

Red Apeldoorn Tulips (4)- Beautiful flowers during April and May.

Mixed Daffodils and Narcissi (6) – Mixed varieties, flower March and April.

Ixia (15)- Mixed colours, flower mid summer.

Dutch Iris (20)- Ideal for flower arranging. Flower April and May.

Allium sphaerocephalon (20)- Distinctive reddish purple flowers.

Anemone de Caen (30)- Brilliant colours, ideal for cutting. Flower May and June.

Anemone St Brigid (25)- Double and semi-double flowers during May and June.

Allium moly (30) - Golden heads of flowers in June and July.

Allium ostrowskianum (25)- A profusion of pink flowers in June.

Grape Hyacinth (20)- Produces blue flowers from April to May.

Oxalis (40)- Masses of deep pink flowers in March and April.

Brodiaea (15)- Produces clusters of blue flowers during July.

This exceptional collection of spring flowering bulbs will fill your borders with colour. Plant them in gaps among perennials or grow them together for a show in their own right.

200 Spring Bulb Collection comprises:

Allium Drumstick sphaerocephalon (30) - Green maturing to deep clover-red blooms from June to July. Height: 90cm.

Anemone de Caen (35) - Bright colour from June onwards, plant at 14 day intervals to prolong flowering period. Height: 20-30cm.

Chionodoxa (30) - One of the first bulbs to flower in spring. Three bright-blue, white centred flowers per stem. Height: 15cm.

Brodiaea (30) - Masses of lilac flowers in June and July. Height: 50cm.

Narcissus Tκte-ΰ-Tκte (5) - Fragrant, yellow flowers during March and April.

Puschkinia (30) - Clusters of white flowers with sky-blue veins from March to April. Height: 20cm.

Oxalis Deppei (30) - Red flowers from June until autumn. Height: 20cm.

Tulipa Tarda (10) - Great for naturalizing, flowers in early spring with three -seven flowers from each bulb. Height: 15cm.

Matthiola incana.

Let the intoxicating fragrance of summer stocks fill your beds, borders and containers. This lively mix of double flowers, in shades of pink, red and white are carried on elegant spikes with a sweet, spicy perfume. Great in the border but superlative as cut flowers. Height: 25cm (10”). Spread: 25cm (10”).

Enjoy your own fresh strawberries for almost four months! This specially selected strawberry collection includes three varieties; one early, one mid-season and one late-fruiting, producing a succession of juicy sweet berries from June until September. Easy to grow and ideal for hanging baskets and containers, so you can ‘grow your own’ in even the tiniest of gardens!

Pack contains 12 plants of each variety. Imported from virus-free stock.

Baskets, window boxes, pots or climbing up a trellis - grow this superb variety in any sunny spot! Whether you train their runners up a support or let them trail from baskets they will produce exceptionally tasty, bright red, juicy fruits year after year. Imported from virus-free stock. Size 1 bareroot plants supplied.

Firm juicy flesh and a mouth watering flavour make this variety one of the best! Look forward to picking a generous crop in June and July. Easy to grow and ideal for hanging baskets and containers, so you can ‘grow your own’ in even the tiniest of gardens! Imported from virus-free stock. Size 1 bareroot plants supplied.

A fantastic collection with a long cropping period that is perfectly proportioned for patio containers. Easy to grow and ideal for hanging baskets or window boxes, so you can ‘grow your own’ in even the tiniest of gardens! Imported from virus-free stock. Bareroot plants supplied.

The heady perfume and colourful blooms of this trailing sweet pea are certain to evoke fond memories of past summers. At just 18cm (7 inches) tall, this specially bred, compact variety is perfect for containers. Hang baskets and flower pouches at head height and in full sun, to enjoy their unmistakable scent. Early ordering is essential to allow plants to fully establish in containers prior to flowering.

Lathyrus latifolius.

The much-admired hardy perennial sweet pea produces masses of delicate blooms in shades of carmine, rose and white throughout summer. Unlike its annual cousins, the everlasting sweet pea is not scented, but will return year after year. A lovely scrambling climber for cottage gardens, that can also be cut for a pretty arrangement indoors. Height: 2m (78”). Spread: 90 cm (36”). Supplied in 5cm pots.

A specially selected colour mix in red, white, and blue! The delicate flowers of Sweet Pea Flying the Flag pack a big punch with their strong fragrance. Grow sweet peas against sunny walls and fences; simply perfect as a cut flower for a patriotic posy! Height: 200cm (78"). Supplied as 30mm plug plants.

These water-storing granules produce a saturated gel which retains moisture to prevent hanging baskets and containers from drying out so readily. Each granule can hold up to 400 times its own weight in water! Reduces your time spent watering and improves growing conditions for your plants.