Key plants in the Explore Charleston garden

An evergreen palm forming a small tree with a stout, fibre-covered trunk bearing a terminal tuft of deeply divided, fan-shaped dark green leaves to 1m in width, and large arching sprays of small, light yellow flowers


 

Shade-tolerant, easy to grow and evergreen, ivies have a lot to offer gardeners. Recent research shows they can help keep buildings cool in summer and less damp in winter. Their dense growth and nectar-rich flowers are useful for wildlife too


 

Topiary has been used historically in many different European gardening styles, from early Roman gardens through to modern day. From box balls to yew ‘peacocks’, it is so versatile and striking that many are inspired to create their own piece of living architecture
 

A large-flowered cultivar that performs from mid-summer to mid-autumn. Fluffy, loose, pyramid-shaped flower panicles are creamy-white, turning shades of pink as they age, before finally taking on rich pink tones



 

Vigorous, evergreen, woody climber about 9m in height, with twining stems, glossy dark green, oval leaves to 10cm in length, often turning deep bronze-red in winter and clusters of very fragrant, white flowers 2.5cm in width produced in mid to late summer