A growing library of plant stories from Earlscliffe. Search by name, or filter by one or more tags.
Please note that this is a work in progress and not all plants have been uploaded or have complete information.
Showing 18 of 38 plants.
Aeonium arboreum is a branching, rosette-forming succulent from the Canary Islands that brings a sculptural, drought-tolerant presence to mild, sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, though it needs protection from frost and winter wet to thrive.
A striking, branching succulent with glossy rosettes of deep purple-black leaves that darken in full sun.
The Fiery Century Plant (Agave ferox) is a striking, heavily armed succulent from Mexico, valued more for its intensity than for widespread cultivation.
Aralia spinosa is a hardy, suckering shrub or small tree that thrives in Ireland and Britain, offering bold, tropical-looking foliage and strong resilience, but requiring space due to its spines and spreading habit.
Beschorneria yuccoides is a hardy, non-spiny, agave-like perennial that thrives in mild, well-drained gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering elegant structure and reliable performance.
Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’ is a hardy, sculptural conifer that performs very well in Ireland and Britain, offering dramatic weeping form and blue-grey foliage where space allows.
A graceful flowering tree with large white bracts and layered branching, bringing one of the most spectacular spring displays of any temperate woodland species.
Daphne bholua is a fragrant winter-flowering shrub that performs well in sheltered gardens in Ireland and Britain, rewarding careful siting with one of the most prized scents of the season.
Davidia involucrata is a distinctive flowering tree that thrives in sheltered, fertile conditions in Ireland and Britain, rewarding patience with its unique “handkerchief” blooms each spring.
Echium candicans is a bold, blue-flowering shrub that thrives in mild, well-drained coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering strong architectural impact but limited tolerance of cold and winter wet.
Echium pininana is a spectacular biennial that can thrive in mild, well-drained gardens in Ireland and Britain, producing towering flower spikes but requiring protection from frost and winter wet.
Echium wildpretii is a dramatic biennial that can thrive in mild, well-drained coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, producing spectacular flower spikes but with limited tolerance of frost and winter wet.
Furcraea parmentieri (often mislabelled as Furcraea longaeva) is a bold, trunk‑forming succulent with a dense crown of blue‑grey leaves, capable of producing a towering flowering spike before dying.
A graceful, fast‑growing deciduous tree with large heart‑shaped leaves and spectacular hanging clusters of berries that resemble bunches of grapes.
Musa basjoo is a robust, fast-growing banana that brings a tropical look to Ireland and Britain, surviving winter through its roots and regrowing each year in sheltered, fertile conditions.
Phoenix canariensis is a classic, large-feathered palm that can be grown in very mild coastal gardens in Ireland and Britain, offering strong visual impact but requiring significant shelter and protection from cold.
A dark‑leaved ornamental elder combining finely cut, near‑black foliage with soft pink flowers and the resilience of the native hedgerow elder.
Tetrapanax papyrifer is a fast-growing, suckering shrub that brings a bold, tropical effect to Ireland and Britain, combining reasonable hardiness with dramatic, oversized foliage.
This page is periodically reviewed and expanded. Last substantial update: 9 July 2026.
