Meet the owners - Karen & Sue
Karen Wilkieson and Sue Rabjohns established East Neuk Perennials in 2011 after working together growing cut flowers and salad leaves at the award winning Ardross Farm shop walled garden in Elie.
Between them, the pair have over 40 years of gardening experience which has seen them employed as professional gardeners and design consultants in established gardens and estates throughout the East Neuk, such as Balcarres Estate, Wormiston House, Gilston House and Falfield House.
July - Achillea
Achillea, also known as Yarrow, is a clump forming herbaceous plant typically characterised by flat flower heads and fragrant leaves. It enjoys a sunny site but will cope with dappled shade too. Achillea are a great addition to a herbaceous border, not only for their colour – they come in many shades including pink, red, orange, yellow and white - but also for their distinct shape which is a beautiful combination with other plants flowering at this time, such as Phlox, Hemerocallis and Geum. At the nursery, we have Walter Funcke, Red Velvet and Rose Madder in the ‘millefolium’ species. Our favourite of these is Terracotta because of the range of shades it shows as the flowers age. We also have the rather unusual Achillea ptarmica Flore Pleno ‘Noblessa’ which has lovely double button-shaped flowers, rather atypical of Achilleas. Another fantastic cultivar is Achillea fillipendulina ‘Gold Plate’ which we are currently propagating ready for next season. Try pairing this one with Eryngium Big Blue for a stunning combination.
Plant suppliers
East Neuk Perennials grow over 200 varieties of hardy herbaceous perennials. Karen and Sue are passionate about growing plants that will flourish in the Scottish climate – not just in Fife, but throughout the country.
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