Plant List
The Folklorians Garden is shaped by plants chosen for their character, their quiet usefulness to wildlife, and the threads of story they carry with them.
This list gathers every species and cultivar in the garden, setting out their form, scale and presence so visitors can understand how each one contributes to the woodland‑edge atmosphere. Together, they create a palette dominated by greens, whites and creams and soft textures, with gentle highlights in pink and blue — a living tapestry where folklore, ecology and gentle garden craft meet.
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Achillea ‘New Vintage White’
Perennial. Height 30–35cm; spread 25–35cm. A compact yarrow with tight, milky‑white umbels that hover like little moons above ferny foliage. It brings a soft, herbal steadiness to the garden — the sort of plant that feels like it’s been here forever, quietly stitching the borders together.
Ammi majus
Annual. Height 90–120cm; spread 30–45cm. Lacy white umbels float like soft breath over the planting, giving everything that meadow‑edge looseness. It’s the plant that makes the whole garden exhale — light, airy, and full of quiet movement.
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
Perennial (sub‑shrub). Height 70–90cm; spread 70–90cm. Silvery, finely cut foliage that glows even on dull days, adding a cool, herbal shimmer. It’s the wise elder of the border — aromatic, steady, and beautifully grounding.
Astrantia major
Perennial. Height 60–90cm; spread 45cm. Starry pincushion blooms with a soft, woodland poise. Astrantia always feels like a plant with secrets — quiet, intricate, and full of old‑world charm.
Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions in White’
Perennial. Height 40–50cm; spread 30–40cm. Feathery white plumes rise from glossy foliage, catching the light in shady corners. It brings a cool, mist‑like softness — a little moment of hush in the planting.
Borage
Annual. Height 60–90cm; spread 45cm. A generous, bee‑magnet herb with star‑shaped flowers and a cheerful, slightly unruly habit. It’s the friendly neighbour of the garden — always buzzing, always busy.
Bronze fennel
Perennial. Height 1.5–1.8m; spread 45–60cm. Tall, airy and smoky‑bronze, it threads through planting like a veil. It brings height without heaviness — a plant that whispers rather than shouts.
Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Perennial grass. Height 1.2–1.8m; spread 45–60cm. Upright, architectural plumes that stand like sentinels through the seasons. It lends rhythm and backbone — the quiet metronome of the garden.
Camomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Perennial. Height 10–20cm; spread 30–40cm. Soft, apple‑scented foliage with dainty white daisies. It’s the gentle healer of the garden — soothing, low‑growing and full of old folklore warmth.
Cornflower ‘Snowman’
Annual. Height 60–80cm; spread 30–40cm. A white twist on a cottage‑garden classic, bringing bright, papery freshness. It’s simple, joyful and full of summer energy.
Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–60cm. Silvery, aromatic foliage with a warm, resinous scent. It adds a sun‑baked Mediterranean note — a little wild hillside tucked into the border.
Delphinium ‘Excalibur’
Perennial. Height 1.2–1.5m; spread 45cm. Tall spires of clean white flowers that rise like candle flames. A noble, upright presence — the kind of plant that gives a garden its sense of theatre.
Digitalis ‘Camelot Cream’
Biennial/short‑lived perennial. Height 90–120cm; spread 45cm. Soft, creamy bells with a gentle speckling, glowing in shade. It brings that classic foxglove magic — elegant, a little mysterious, always enchanting.
Digitalis ‘Foxybee White’
Biennial. Height 60–80cm; spread 40cm. A compact foxglove with clean white blooms and a friendly, cottage‑garden feel. It’s the approachable one — charming, bright and bee‑pleasing.
Digitalis ‘Hannabee Pink F1’
Biennial. Height 60–80cm; spread 40cm. Soft pink bells with a delicate, modern look. It adds a blush of colour without breaking the garden’s calm.
Digitalis ‘Hannabee White’
Biennial. Height 60–80cm; spread 40cm. Pure white blooms with a clean, upright habit. It feels like a foxglove distilled — simple, luminous and quietly confident.
Digitalis ‘Hannabee White F1’
Biennial. Height 60–80cm; spread 40cm. A refined, uniform white foxglove with excellent form. It brings a sense of order to the soft woodland palette.
Dryopteris alrata
Perennial fern. Height 60–90cm; spread 60–90cm. A robust, handsome fern with strong, arching fronds. It anchors the shade with quiet, ancient presence.
Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’
Perennial fern. Height 45–60cm; spread 45–60cm. Coppery young fronds that mature to deep green, giving a lovely seasonal shift. It’s a fern with flair — subtle, but full of life.
Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Profusion’
Perennial. Height 20–30cm; spread 60–90cm. Clouds of tiny daisies that shift from white to soft pink. It spills and wanders in that carefree, cottage‑garden way that makes everything feel more alive.
Euphorbia schillingii
Perennial. Height 1–1.5m; spread 60–90cm. Tall stems topped with lime‑green bracts that glow in shade. It brings structure and a little wild energy — a plant with presence.
Korean rock fern
Perennial fern. Height 30–45cm; spread 30–45cm. Glossy, tidy fronds that hold their shape beautifully. A small fern with big composure.
Polystichum polyblepharum
Perennial fern. Height 45–60cm; spread 45–60cm. Shiny, evergreen fronds with a slightly regal air. It brings year‑round texture and a sense of permanence.
Shuttlecock fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Perennial fern. Height 1–1.5m; spread 1m. Tall, vase‑shaped fronds that unfurl like green feathers. It’s dramatic, ancient and full of woodland spirit.
Garlic chives
Perennial. Height 30–45cm; spread 30cm. Strappy leaves and starry white flowers beloved by pollinators. A humble herb with surprising elegance.
Gypsophila ‘Covent Garden’
Annual. Height 45–60cm; spread 30cm. Airy, cloud‑like sprays of tiny white blooms. It softens everything it touches.
Gypsophila ‘Festival White’
Perennial. Height 30–40cm; spread 30–40cm. Compact, frothy and bright — a little constellation of white stars.
White lavender
Perennial shrub. Height 40–60cm; spread 60–75cm. Clean white spires above silvery foliage. Calm, fragrant and timeless.
Leucanthemum ‘Madonna’
Perennial. Height 25–30cm; spread 30–40cm. Neat, compact daisies with bright white petals. Cheerful, tidy and full of summer brightness.
Leucanthemum ‘Snow Lady F1’
Perennial. Height 20–25cm; spread 25–30cm. A dwarf daisy with crisp white blooms. Small but full of charm.
Lupin ‘Gallery White’
Perennial. Height 60–90cm; spread 45cm. Compact white spires with that classic lupin presence. It brings structure and a touch of nostalgia.
Moss — various species
Perennial bryophytes. Height 1–5cm; spread indefinite. Soft, green carpets that hold moisture and quiet. Moss brings the woodland floor into the garden — ancient, grounding and full of story.
Nigella ‘Persian Jewels White’
Annual. Height 45–60cm; spread 20–30cm. Papery white flowers with delicate filigree foliage. A plant that feels like a whispered secret.
Oregano — hot and spicy
Perennial. Height 30–45cm; spread 45cm. Aromatic, bee‑rich and full of flavour. It brings a warm, herbal hum to the planting.
Oregano — variegated
Perennial. Height 20–30cm; spread 40cm. Cream‑edged leaves that brighten the herb layer. Cheerful, tidy and quietly uplifting.
Panicum (species)
Perennial grass. Height 1–1.5m; spread 60–90cm. Open, airy seedheads that shimmer in low light. It brings movement and a soft prairie note.
Rosa ‘Chevy Chase’
Climbing rose. Height 3–4m; spread 2–3m. A rambler with clusters of deep crimson blooms. Romantic, abundant and full of old‑fashioned charm.
Rosa ‘Highgrove’
Shrub rose. Height 1.2–1.5m; spread 1–1.2m. Soft pink blooms with a gentle scent. Elegant, balanced and quietly regal.
Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ (Rowan)
Deciduous tree. Height 4–6m; spread 3–4m. Golden berries and fine, feathery foliage. A guardian tree — protective, storied and full of folklore weight.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Perennial herb. Height 45–60cm; spread 60cm. Soft grey leaves with a warm, resinous scent. A plant of memory, healing and kitchen‑garden comfort.
Sagina subulata ‘Supreme’
Perennial. Height 2–5cm; spread 30cm. A bright green, moss‑like mat dotted with tiny white flowers. It brings a soft, storybook quality to path edges.
Salvia ‘Chalk White’
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Clean white spires with a fresh, uplifting presence. Bees adore it.
Salvia ‘Clotted Cream’
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Warm, creamy blooms that soften the palette. A gentle, glowing presence.
Salvia ‘Glacier’
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Cool white flowers with a crisp, icy clarity. It brings brightness even on grey days.
Salvia ‘Lyrical White’
Perennial. Height 50–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Strong, upright white spires with excellent repeat flowering. A reliable, luminous workhorse.
Salvia ‘Snowhill’
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Soft white blooms on sturdy stems. Calm, steady and beautifully bee‑rich.
Salvia ‘Vanilla Cream’
Perennial. Height 40–60cm; spread 40–50cm. Warm, buttery‑white flowers that glow in evening light. A plant with gentle charm.
Strawberry — alpine red
Perennial. Height 15–20cm; spread 30cm. Tiny, jewel‑bright fruits and delicate foliage. A woodland treasure.
Thyme
Perennial herb. Height 10–20cm; spread 30–40cm. Low, aromatic and bee‑thrumming. It brings warmth and texture to the herb layer.
Valeriana officinalis
Perennial. Height 1–1.5m; spread 45–60cm. Tall stems topped with soft, scented white flowers. A plant with deep roots in folklore — calming, gentle and quietly powerful.
Verbascum ‘Snow Maiden’
Biennial/short‑lived perennial. Height 1–1.2m; spread 45cm. Elegant white spires with a soft, velvety presence. It brings a touch of moonlit stillness to the border.
Uncover the story of the garden, the team behind it and a plant list
Folklore and our gardens
Explore the folklore associated with our gardens, from Wishing Trees to Wild & Whimsical Woodlands, Magical Menageries and more.
Read more here
The folklore of the plants in our gardens
Plants have always carried stories just beneath their leaves, quiet threads of myth and meaning woven into the everyday borders we walk past.
Explore the space where plants meet folklore, and the familiar becomes just a little more enchanted.
The Team
The Folklorians Garden has been shaped by a dedicated team of makers, growers and storytellers, supported by small independent UK businesses whose craft and generosity helped bring this vision to life — meet the people behind the garden here.
Plant List
The Folklorians Garden is shaped by plants chosen for their character, their quiet usefulness to wildlife, and the threads of story they carry with them.
Explore a list that gathers every species and cultivar in the garden, setting out their form, scale and presence so visitors can understand how each one contributes to the woodland‑edge atmosphere.
The Folklorians Garden @ BBC Gardeners World Live 2026
Planning for The Folklorians Garden began for Kate on her drive home from Gardeners’ World Live 2025. Still buzzing from creating The Nectary, inspiration struck at 3am in a service station on the M6. With a scrap of paper and a head full of ideas, the first threads of The Folklorians Garden took shape, and Kate quickly shared them with her team. What followed were months of research, design work, sponsor conversations and the careful sourcing of materials.
