Colquhounia coccinea Nepalese Flame 3L

A striking, semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub with an open, upright habit and soft grey-green, aromatic leaves — felted with a silvery down beneath — that release a minty scent when brushed. From late summer into autumn it puts on a real show, with dense whorls of tubular, scarlet-orange flowers held on terminal spikes, their vivid colour standing out beautifully against the pale foliage. Native to the grassy hillsides and thickets of the Himalayas, from Nepal through to western China, it brings an exotic, architectural quality to a border unlike almost anything else flowering at that time of year.

Reaching 1.5–2.5m in height and spread over five to ten years, 'Nepalese Flame' asks for a warm, sheltered spot in full sun — a south- or west-facing wall is ideal — and poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil; it copes with chalk, loam or sand. It isn't fully hardy everywhere in the UK: hard frosts can damage or kill the top growth, though established plants will usually resprout from the base come late spring. A deep, dry mulch over winter helps protect the roots and improves its chances of bouncing back strongly. In milder gardens or against a warm wall it can be kept semi-evergreen; elsewhere, treat any winter dieback as normal rather than a sign of failure.

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