Fergus Garrett has been head gardener at Great Dixter in East Sussex for more than 30 years. For the first 13 years, he worked side by side with Dixter’s owner, the gardener and writer Christopher ‘Christo’ Lloyd, helping to cement Dixter’s reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative gardens. Since Christo’s death in 2006, Fergus has continued to move the garden forward, focused on educating the next generation of gardeners and always eager to experiment. Here, he shares the 50 plants he loves the most
PORTRAIT JIM HOLDEN
My dream plants
Every gardener should dream – these are some of the plants I fantasise about but cannot quite grow.
1 AGAVE ATTENUATA
The foxtail agave makes bold succulent rosettes of glaucous aqua-green foliage. Long and curved flower spikes with greenish yellow flowers are produced from the largest rosettes. Spineless leaves, a strong structure, zany flower spikes and the willingness to flower make this a plant to drool over. I must try it again on the coast in Hastings where it may get through the winters.
Height (H)3m. Spread (S)70cm. Plant type (PT) Perennial succulent. Conditions (C) Well-drained sand or clay; full sun. Needs a sheltered position ideally west- or south-facing. Season of interest (SI) Foliage: year round; flowers: spring – summer.
Hardiness rating (HR) RHS H1C, USDA 10a-12†.
2 CORDYLINE INDIVISA
The most dramatic of all the cordylines, with bigger and more striking foliage. A New Zealand endemic, the leaves have a blue-green tinge, are shaped like a broad sword with a distinctive midrib, and can be more than a metre long. A dramatic punctuation point for your borders. Will self-seed in the mildest areas and is especially good in coastal gardens.
H3m. S 2m. PT Tree. CMoist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soils; part shade. SIYear round. HR RHS H2, USDA 9a-11.
3 ECHIUM WILDPRETII
Endemic to the Canary Isles, this is a tall and striking monocarpic bugloss, producing a robust spire peppered with fiery brick-red flowers. The first-year rosettes are attractive, with lance-like, pale grey-green leaves. Hairy throughout, this is a plant that is stunning at all stages of its life. Will self-seed if it likes you and is good on the coast. H 3m. S 40cm. PT Biennial. CWell-drained soils; full sun. Thrives in arid and dry conditions. In its nati
