Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, fertile soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardySimilar in appearance to astilbe, this aruncus has plumes of creamy-white, feathery flowers in June and July and leaves made up of many leaflets. It looks impressive beside water, or planted in clumps towards the back of a mixed border. It does equally well in sun and shade but it needs soil that does not dry out.

The seedheads of this plant are poisonous.Garden care: Cut back the flowered stems back hard to just above ground-level in autumn and apply a generous mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: May to JuneHardiness: fully hardyA popular cultivar among garden designers, this lovely grannys bonnet has beautiful, fully double, spur-less purple-black flowers in late spring above fern-like green leaves.  It looks gorgeous with other black flowers, and is equally at home in cottage-garden scheme or among grasses. It thrives best in soil that retains moisture over the summer. It is easy to grow and quite short-lived, but self-seeds freely, though rarely to nuisance level.Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant.

Divided specimens may take...

Large, blue-violet or dark violet flowers on arching shoots from April to September and dark green leaves. This prostrate, evergreen shrub is perfect for suppressing weeds on sloping banks or the bare ground under trees. Extremely fast-growing, it's only really suitable for large gardens - for small sites chose Vinca minor.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any but very dry soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: April to September Flower colour: blue-violet or dark-violetHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: To prevent the plant from becoming invasive cut back any unwanted shoots in springGoes well with: Choisya ternata, Kerria japonica, Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata', Ajuga reptans atropurpurea, Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Galanthus nivalis

Masses of subtly scented, pure white flowers from May to August and toothed, oval, fresh green leaves. This horned white violet is ideal for the front of a moist, well-drained border in sun or partial shade. Spreading in habit, the evergreen foliage should be cut back after flowering to maintain a neat, compact shape.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: May to August Flower colour: pure whiteHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: To minimise the risk of fungal diseases always use new, sterilised compost for container plants.

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering

This plant has won an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS for its outstanding qualities. It is a low growing variety, with purplish-grey leaves that emerge in spring. In bold contrast with its cool coloured foliage are the heads of rosy-red flowers which begin their show in late summer and continue well into the autum.

The flowers are loved by butterflies and bees. Plant it in full sun, and it requires good drainage for optimum growth.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: rosy-redOther features: the dried flower-heads provide colour and structure in the winter gardenHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: In February and March cut...

Clusters of beautiful, bell-shaped, lavender-blue flowers on erect, branched stems in early summer and slender, fresh green leaflets. This gorgeous Jacob's ladder is an ideal tall plant for a wildflower garden or woodland edge in sun or partial shade. It grows well in grass and although short lived self seeds freely.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: JuneFlower colour: lavender-blueOther features: slender, fresh green leafletsHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: In autumn after flowering cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stemsGoes well with: Knautia arvensis, Cardamine pratensis, Lonicera...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich soilRate of Growth: fast-growingFlowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyNo garden should be without this beautiful and useful perennial. It has scalloped, bright green leaves which catch droplets of water that look like quicksilver and from June to September, it produces a frothy haze of tiny, chartreuse yellow flowers. Its ideal planted en masse for groundcover or edging paths, it tolerates a range of adverse conditions including heavy clay and, once established, is drought tolerant.Alchemilla mollis takes its name comes from the Arabic, meaning little magical one, due both to its reputation...

Rosettes of silver, greyish white leaves provide an attractive, weed suppressing carpet for much of the year. This non-flowering variety of 'Lamb's Ears' is an excellent, drought-tolerant groundcover or edging plant for a well-drained site in full sun. The foliage is a more intense shade of silver than flowering varieties of the plant.Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile soilRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: n/ aFlowers: n/ aOther features: silvery white leavesHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Pick off and destroy any foliage that becomes infected by powdery mildew and treat the remaining leaves with fungicide.

Lift and divide large clumps in early spring

Dense spikes of fragrant, blue-purple summer flowers and aromatic, grey-green leaves. This lavender, named after Gertrude Jeykll's garden at Munstead Wood, makes a lovely low hedge. Perfect for a sunny, well-drained site, the flower stalks should be cut back after flowering to maintain the plant's compact shape.Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: blue-purpleOther features: the aromatic flowers and leaves can be used for making pot pourriHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Cut back the stalks after the flowers have faded.

Carefully trim back in April, taking care not to cut into old wood

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, humus-rich soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyThis upright, bushy plant produces a haze of tiny blue flowers with long purple bracts from June right through to September. When crushed, the oval, dark green leaves emit a spearmint-like scent and the flowers are a magnet for bees. Try this lovely catmint in a warm, sunny spot in the garden, among herbs or Mediterranean-style plants. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.