藍薊 '赫倫斯伍德粉'

I was pleasantly surprised by how compact and tidy this shrub stayed through the season, with those grey-green leaves forming a nice backdrop for the pink flower spikes. It’s a great alternative to the blue Pride of Madeira if you want something a little different in the garden.

These fat, mid-pink flower spikes are a real showstopper in my garden, and the compact shrub has held its shape perfectly through a few windy weeks. The grey-green leaves make a nice backdrop even when it's not blooming.

The grey-green evergreen foliage gives it real structure even before the pink flower spikes open, and the candles themselves are so densely packed they look plush. I've got it right next to my walkway where I can brush past it and admire the color shift as the blooms mature.