At Verdis, we believe that a great garden blends structure with softness, and bold features with delicate details. Over the years, we’ve curated a palette of plants that not only perform beautifully but also bring charm, drama and structure to every space we design.
Here are some of our absolute favourites:
Topiary for Structure & Evergreen Elegance
Topiary brings timeless formality and clean lines to a garden. We use the following varieties for their versatility and resilience:
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Taxus baccata (Yew)
A classic choice. Its dense, dark green foliage makes it ideal for crisp shapes and long-lasting structure. -
Ligustrum (Privet)
Great for more contemporary designs, Ligustrum responds well to clipping and adds a lighter green contrast. -
Ilex crenata
A wonderful alternative to boxwood, especially as box is susceptible to caterpillar infestation and blight. Its small leaves and neat growth habit make it perfect for low hedging or geometric topiary.
Textural Interest & Bold Blooms
We love combining lush texture with vibrant colour. These perennials and shrubs bring seasonal drama:
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Hydrangea arborescens ‘Strong Annabelle’
A must-have for its huge, creamy-white flowerheads that hold up better than the original ‘Annabelle’. A beautiful focal point in any border. -
Alliums
Architectural, bold and perfect for adding height and a touch of purple drama to early summer beds. -
Agapanthus ‘Big Blue’ & Agapanthus ‘Alba’
These striking, sun-loving perennials bring a Mediterranean feel with their vibrant blue or pure white flowers. Ideal for pots or borders.
Soft Planting for Movement & Pollinators
We always balance structure with soft, flowing planting to create a more naturalistic feel. These are staples in our borders:
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Salvia ‘Caradonna’
Deep purple spires and aromatic foliage – bees and designers alike love it. -
Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’
An elegant cottage garden plant with soft green-and-white pincushion flowers that look great en masse. -
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’
A reliable, airy spreader with lavender-blue flowers and a long flowering period – perfect at the front of borders. -
Erigeron karvinskianus
Delicate daisy-like flowers that tumble beautifully over edges, softening paths and walls effortlessly.
Exotic Flair & Evergreen Interest
For structure with a tropical twist, we often reach for these architectural showstoppers:
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Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm)
Hardy and bold, it adds instant drama and is surprisingly tolerant of UK climates. -
Chamaerops humilis (Dwarf Fan Palm)
Another hardy palm, compact in size but full of texture and presence.
Compact Structure with a Twist
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Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’
We adore this plant for its natural spherical form, silvery foliage and low-maintenance charm. A softer, more modern alternative to clipped box.
Lush Green Backdrops
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Fatsia japonica
A bold-leafed evergreen that thrives in shade and brings a lush, tropical texture to any planting scheme.
These plants are more than just favourites – they’re the backbone of our planting philosophy. They allow us to create gardens that are structured yet relaxed, elegant yet inviting. Whether it’s the formal topiary of Yew or the soft haze of Nepeta, each plant earns its place for the unique beauty and balance it brings.
If you’re dreaming of a garden that feels both timeless and alive, these are the plants that help us make that vision a reality.
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