Dramatic, slender black stems covered with bright yellow flowers in July and August and large, handsome boldly toothed leaves. This towering perennial makes an excellent specimen plant for a moist, sunny border or bog garden. Perfect for a waterside planting, it requires a moist soil and protection from the midday sun.Position: full sunSoil: fertile, deep, moist soilRate of Growth: average to fastFlowering period: July to AugustFlowers: yellowOther features: handsome, boldly toothed leavesHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Lift and divide large clumps in spring or after flowering.

Apply a generous 5-7 cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost in spring

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May-JuneHardiness: fully hardyBright lemon yellow, upward-facing flowers with long spurs that flare out behind appear in early summer on on tall stems above clumps of ferny bluish-green foliage. The flowers are good for cutting, are fragrant, and attract butterflies. This is a short-lived but easy-to-grow perennial that will self-seed freely.Garden care: Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring, but they may be different to the parent plant.

Best to leave to naturalise as they dislike root disturbance, but large clumps can be lifted and divided in early spring. Contact with the sap may...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: deep, fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: June to JulyHardiness: fully hardyBillowing clouds of tiny, white flowers float above huge rosettes of deeply cut dark green leaves in June and July. A favourite plant of Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, this perennial looks magnificent at the back of a sunny border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. The tiny flowers, attractive to bees, are a perfect foil for large-flowered plants.

The leaves smell strongly of cabbage and the plant needs space to spread out. Garden care: Cut back the plant to ground level in autumn and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant in spring.

Position: full sunSoil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardyA cottage garden favourite, hollyhocks come in every colour except purple and blue, which makes them useful companions for many other cottage-style plants. They are a magnet for bees and butterflies, too. This one has towering spires of deep burgundy flowers with yellow throats from June to July and rounded, light green leaves.

Its perfect for providing vertical interest in a sunny, well-drained border, and its dramatic, near-black flowers work as well in a contemporary, minimalist garden as in a more traditional setting.Garden care: Water well during dry spells. All hollyhocks are pront to rust. To prevent rust this either spray with Bordeaux...

Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, fertile soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to OctoberHardiness: hardy (borderline)Hyssops are great for adding height to a border, with whorls of long-lasting, tiny flowers arranged like a bottlebrush and pointed, aromatic fresh green leaves that are attractive to butterflies. They are short-lived though, and may need replacing every few years, especially after a cold or wet winter. 'Black Adder' has smoky, violet flowers on long spires from July to October.

Try it as part of a Mediterranean scheme or in a sunny, well-drained border among ornamental grasses.Garden care: Don't cut back the faded flower-stems until early spring, as they provide interest in the winter months. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring

Succulent, grey-green leaves, topped with large, flat heads of bright pinkish-mauve flowers in summer. This award-winning ice plant looks great planted in bold drifts towards the front of a sunny, well-drained border. A valuable late source of nectar for butterflies and bees, the flat flowerheads make attractive dried-flowers.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: August to NovemberFlower colour: bright pinkish-mauveOther features: attractive to butterflies and bees; the dried flower-heads provide colour and structure in the winter gardenHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: The flowerheads look great left during the winter to add shape and texture to your...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: August to OctoberHardiness: fully hardyA fabulous plant for adding late summer colour to the garden, this anemone grows in sun or shade and has masses of pale pink, saucer-like flowers with yellow centres. The leaves are semi-evergreen and deeply cut and bring interesting texture to a herbaceous border. It is clump-forming and looks good with most late-flowering plants, especially if it is allowed to spread gently among perennials and shrubs.Garden care: Cut back the stalks after the flowers have faded, and tidy up old dead leaves in March, then mulch well.

Divide congested clumps in spring or autumn.

Clusters of tiny, pure white flowers from May to June and coarsely toothed, lustrous, dark green leaves. Japanese spurge is excellent groundcover for areas of full or partial shade. It's perfect for carpeting bare areas of earth between deciduous shrubs or trees.Position: any, from full sun to full shadeSoil: tolerates mostRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: May to June Flower colour: pure whiteHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any moist soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyGigantic domed clusters of small purple-pink flowers are held on tall, self-supporting red stems with lance-shaped, bright green leaves from July to September. This majestic perennial will give height and drama to a moist border, wildlife or bog garden in sun or partial shade. It needs space to spread and will self-seed freely.Garden care: Cut back and compost the stems after flowering.

Renmove unwanted seedlings as they appear.

Spectacular, golden-yellow thistle like flowers on stiff stems in mid- and late summer and lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. This bold plant is ideal for providing vertical interest in a sunny, well-drained herbaceous border. Best on poor soil, the dried seed heads are excellent for use in flower arrangements.Position: full sunSoil: well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July and AugustFlower colour: golden yellowOther features: the flowers are attractive to butterflies and beesHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps every three years in spring