Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyPretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves, and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airness to a shady border. The leaves of this cultivar have delicate markings and are flushed with bronze in spring and autumn. In spring, it produces tiny, bright yellow flowers held on delicate, wiry stems.

This evergreen epimedium looks especially good in garden borders or under deciduous trees, since the star-shaped flowers are held high above the foliage. A lovely, year-round, groundcover plant.Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: deep, fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast growing Flowering period: May to JulyHardiness: fully hardyA fantastic, architectural plant that's justifiably popular. It is deciduous, and produces enormous, jagged, deep green glossy leaves up to 90cm long in early spring. In mid-summer, spectacular spikes of white flowers with purple hoods shoot up from the foliage and last for several weeks.

It thrives best in dappled shade and although it will take full sun, the leaves may scorch. Plant it as a specimen plant in a mixed border, and give it plenty of room to spread itself out. Slugs and snails love this plant, so pick them off regularly.Garden care: To minimise the risk of powdery mildew taking hold ensure that the plant is watered well...

Brooding border perennial with deep purple tubular flowers, each with a striped throat. A wonderful penstemon for adding sensuous tones to planting schemes and for partnering purples. Plant in the middle of a sunny, well-drained border and feed with a potash-rich liquid feed from June.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June to October Flower colour: deep purpleHardiness: fully hardy (borderline)Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering.

Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against frost damageGoes well with: Alchemilla mollis, Verbena bonariensis, Euphorbia characias subspecies wulfenii, Allium hollandicum...

A large flowered variety of Penstemon, which has a compact, upright habit. It has gorgeous deep purple flowers, with even darker lobes that are highlighted by a white throat. Penstemons are perfect for adding late colour to the garden as they can still be in bloom in October.

The compact form of this variety makes it a great choice for pots and containers - or the front of a herbaceous border.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October Flower colour: deep purpleHardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection)Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back and compost the spent flower stems in autumn and apply a dry mulch around the crown of the plant to protect against...

Whorls of pale pink flowers surrounded by striking, purple pink bracts from July to September and aromatic, purplish green leaves. This pale pink bergamot is an ideal, long flowering plant for the middle of a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border. One of the oldest and most popular varieties it does best in a soil that retains moisture over summer.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: pale pinkOther features: fresh or dried leaves make a delicious teaHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in early April and apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around each plant...

Whorls of wonderful, white flowers surrounded by green bracts from July to September, and aromatic, mid-green leaves. This beautiful bergamot associates well with other late-flowering perennials such as achillea and veronicastrum. Highly attractive to bees, it looks great planted in drifts in the middle of a sunny, well-drained, moisture-retentive border.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlower colour: whiteOther Features: fresh or dried leaves make a delicious teaHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in early April.

Resist cutting bergamot back in autumn since the stiff, vertical stems look good all winter. These plants are very susceptible to powdery...

Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: slow-growingFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyPretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves, and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The leaves of this cultivar are semi-evergreen and red-tinted in spring and autumn, and in spring, tiny flowers the colours of sunset are suspended on wiry stems. The colourful heart-shaped leaves provide spectacular all-year foliage interest for shady areas or under deciduous trees.

A lovely groundcover plant.Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large...

Large, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers up to 12cm (5in) across with cone-shaped, blackish-brown centres from August to October. This award-winning black-eyed Susan looks great planted in bold drifts with other late summer-flowering perennials and ornamental grasses. Coping well in sun or partial shade, it's ideal for the middle of a border that doesn't dry out over summer.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: golden yellowOther features: toothed, mid-green leaves; excellent, long lasting cut-flowersHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring.

Support with ring stakes or brushwood well before the...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkalineRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: fully hardyArching sprays of dainty, rose-pink, heart-shaped flowers appear in late spring above fern-like, fresh green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America. In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands. This dicentra was first introduced in 1816, then...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkalineRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to NovemberHardiness: fully hardyThis vibrant, compact variety of bleeding heart produces a profusion of deep crimson, heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer above feathery, grey-green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border. As long as the ground is kept moist, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade.Dicentras are northern hemisphere plants, growing from Asia to North America.

In their natural habitat they are found in moist soils in the cool margins of woodlands.Garden care: Dicentras are happy...