Caught my eye - This week's Garden Stars: Sunshine Yellows and Fiery Bursts!

First up, allow me to introduce you to a perennial that’s simply bursting with happiness: Phygelius 'Colorburst Yellow'.

If you're looking for a plant that offers a prolonged season of sunshine, then this little beauty is an absolute must. 'Colorburst Yellow' is a truly wonderful variety of Cape Figwort and it really lives up to its name. Imagine clusters of delightful, soft yellow tubular flowers, like little trumpets heralding brighter days, densely packed all around its stems. This isn't just a fleeting show either; this gem is incredibly long flowering, meaning you'll be enjoying its cheerful disposition from summer right through into autumn, bringing a sustained splash of vibrant colour when other plants might be starting to fade.

What I particularly love about Phygelius 'Colorburst Yellow' is its wonderfully compact and bushy habit. Reaching a neat height and spread of around 50cm, it’s perfectly proportioned for all sorts of garden situations. Think about it brightening up your patio containers where you can admire those charming flowers up close, or tucking it into the front of your perennial beds to create a sunny, welcoming edge. It’s also brilliant for filling those smaller gaps that always seem to appear, quickly forming a lovely mound of fresh green foliage topped with its golden blooms.

And speaking of foliage, it’s semi-evergreen! This is a real bonus as it means that even when not in full flower, it provides a gentle structure and a touch of green through the milder winter months, so your garden never looks entirely bare in that spot. Plus, you can rest easy knowing it's a hardy perennial, robust enough to withstand our British weather and come back year after year, bringing reliable joy. It truly is a fantastic, low-maintenance plant that delivers big on impact. If you're looking for reliable plants in Wallington, this is a superb choice.

Next, prepare for a little bit of drama and a whole lot of wow-factor with our second star: Spigelia 'Ragin Cajun'.

Now this is a plant that demands attention, and rightly so! Spigelia 'Ragin Cajun' is a relatively new variety, and it’s already causing quite a stir amongst gardeners looking for something a bit different and truly spectacular. Its flowers are the main event – imagine brilliant, upward-facing, star-shaped blooms in the most incredible shade of fiery orange-red, often tipped with a contrasting yellow. They really do look like miniature fireworks exploding with colour, bringing an electrifying energy to any planting scheme. The name 'Ragin Cajun' perfectly captures its vibrant, spicy personality!

One of the fantastic things about 'Ragin Cajun' is its adaptability. The description "flowers in any spot of your garden" hints at its obliging nature; it will perform beautifully in full sun or partial shade, as long as it has reasonably moist, well-drained soil. This makes it an incredibly versatile choice for many different garden aspects. It forms a handsome clump, reaching about 60cm in height and spread, making it ideal for the mid-border where its dazzling display, typically from late spring to midsummer, can truly shine amongst other perennials and shrubs. It creates a substantial presence without being overbearing, drawing the eye with its unique and captivating flowers.

Like our Phygelius, Spigelia 'Ragin Cajun' is also a hardy perennial. This means you can plant it with confidence, knowing it’s a reliable performer that will return each year to set your garden ablaze with its stunning colours. If you’re after a real showstopper that combines exotic looks with dependable garden performance, then 'Ragin Cajun' is an investment in pure floral excitement.

These are just two of the wonderful plants currently making us smile here at Barnes Nurseries. They truly are garden stars, each offering something unique and beautiful to enhance your outdoor space.

We’d absolutely love for you to come and see Phygelius 'Colorburst Yellow' and Spigelia 'Ragin Cajun' for yourselves. A visit to our garden centre in Wallington is always a treat, and our friendly, knowledgeable team are on hand to offer any advice you might need, whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out. You can explore our full range and find even more treasures to bring your garden to life.

Of course, if you can't make it to our Wallington nursery in person, don't forget that these fantastic plants, along with many others, are available to purchase conveniently from our website. We'll make sure they are carefully packed and delivered straight to your door.

Happy gardening!

The Team at Barnes Nurseries