Southend-on-Sea Borough Council: The Cockler’s Garden

This is a broad, cone-shaped, mid-green conifer with thick needle-covered branches. When young, the tree has foliage right down to the ground but as it gets older and the broad top of the tree shades the base, the lower branches need to be removed. It needs quite a large garden to accommodate it, but will tolerate light pruning. It is best grown as an isolated specimen.

The sea holly is a bold evergreen with an upright stem topped by greenish-white late summer flowers high above wide, spine edged, deep green leaves at the base. It thrives in well-drained soil, prefers full sun and hates having its roots locked in wet winter soil. Keep away from a border edge where the sharp spines might scratch passers-by.

Garden fennel is a culinary herb with very finely divided foliage. It makes a dramatic statement in the herb garden, where it combines well with woody herbs such as sage and rosemary. It will grow in most soil conditons provided it is planted in a sunny spot. In summer plants are topped with a wonderful display of showy yellow flower heads.The seeds are as useful herbally as the leaves, and may be left to ripen as a crop.

Buddleja davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub from China. It is ideal for a wide range of positions in the garden, providing they are sunny and the soil is well-drained. The long, heavy flowering heads transform the bush and make a stunning display for four to six weeks, attracting clouds of butterflies. Prune hard in spring to keep plants within bounds. To propagate, take hardwood cuttings in winter.

This is a striking plant with rosettes of sparsely-felted, semi-evergreen foliage in winter which, in summer, have tall upright spikes of flower growing from the centre of each. These are studded with lots of single, wide-open white flowers, each having a mauve centre. The plants associate well with other summer flowers such as delphiniums, but also look very good grown among roses.