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Free UK garden tool

Find the right plant for your garden

Search 125 plants by name or narrow the list by soil, sunlight, hardiness and flowering season.

125plant profiles
99hardy choices
102bee-friendly plants

Search common names, botanical names and profile descriptions.

Plant library

Browse and refine your results

Select more than one filter to widen a category. Different filter groups work together.

125 plants match your choices

How our UK plant finder works

This plant finder contains 125 plants chosen specifically for UK gardens. Each plant includes hardiness ratings, soil requirements, sun exposure needs, and flowering seasons based on British growing conditions.

Use the search bar to find plants by common or botanical name. The filter panel includes eight criteria. Combine plant type, sunlight, difficulty, hardiness, season, soil, foliage and special features. Every plant links to growing, pruning, propagation and companion planting advice.

Choosing plants for UK growing conditions

British gardens can have heavy clay, unpredictable frosts and large differences in light. Those conditions vary by region and aspect.

Hardy plants survive UK winters below −15°C without protection. Our database includes 99 hardy varieties. Half-hardy plants tolerate temperatures down to −5°C but need mulching or fleece in harsh winters. Tender plants require frost-free conditions and should be moved indoors before the first frost.

For clay soil (common across southern and central England): filter by Clay in the soil type selector. Plants like aster, geranium, and hawthorn thrive in heavy ground. For shady gardens: filter by Partial shade or Full shade. Ferns, hostas, hellebores, and foxgloves all perform well in low-light UK gardens.

Frequently asked questions

How does this plant finder work?

Our UK plant finder contains 125 plants selected for British growing conditions. Search by common or botanical name. You can also use eight filters, including plant type, sunlight, hardiness and soil. Each result links to a full plant profile with growing tips and companion planting advice.

Are all plants in this finder suitable for UK gardens?

Yes, every plant is chosen for UK growing conditions. Each entry has a hardiness rating. Hardy plants survive below −15°C, while half-hardy plants tolerate down to −5°C. Tender plants need frost protection. Soil, sun, and moisture requirements are specific to British gardens.

What does the RHS Award of Garden Merit mean?

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) recognises plants that perform reliably in UK gardens. The Royal Horticultural Society trials and assesses plants for ease of growing, availability, and overall garden value. Use the Special filter to find the 89 AGM award winners in our database.

How do I choose plants for a shady UK garden?

Select Partial shade or Full shade in the Sun Exposure filter. Hardy shade plants for UK gardens include ferns, hostas, hellebores, and foxgloves. Check soil type too, as heavy clay is common in shaded UK borders.

Can I filter plants by wildlife value?

Yes. The Special filters include bee-friendly, butterfly-friendly, and bird-friendly options. 102 plants in our database attract bees. These plants support UK pollinators and garden wildlife through nectar, seeds, berries, and habitat.

What hardiness rating do I need for my garden?

Most of lowland England sits in RHS hardiness zones H5 to H6, with winter lows between −10°C and −15°C. Choose hardy plants for reliable year-round performance. In exposed or highland areas, stick to plants rated hardy. Coastal and urban gardens can often grow half-hardy plants with less risk of frost damage.