Plum-crimson, pincushion-like flowers on slender, branched stems from July to September and narrow, mid-green leaves. This popular perennial brings long-lasting colour to a mixed or herbaceous border. It's best planted in well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun and supported with twiggy pea sticks since it has a tendency to sprawl.Position: full sunSoil: moderately-fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Flower colour: plum-crimsonOther features: highly attractive to beesHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Support with twiggy pea sticks or brushwood well before the flowers appear

Soft spikes of woolly, purple flowers from June to September above rosettes of large, greyish white, felted leaves. This form of lambs' ears is primarily grown for its leaves, which are larger than other varieties. An excellent groundcover plant for sites in full sun, it's drought tolerant and provides a weed-suppressing carpet for much of the year.Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, moderately fertile soilRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: June to SeptemberFlowers: purpleOther features: large, greyish-white, felted 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...

Pretty, pendent or outward-facing, saucer-shaped, white or greenish-cream flowers from February to April and leathery, deep green leaves. The petals of these lovely Lenten roses become pinker with age. Attractive ground cover plants for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.

Unfortunately we can't guarantee what colour you get but the flowers are available in a fantastic colour range, either white, pink or red.Position: partial shadeSoil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April Flower colour: white/ pink/ red and may have specklesOther features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritationHardiness: fully hardy...

Ever popular, lily-of-the-valley is an excellent groundcover plant for moist, humus-rich areas of the garden, quickly spreading to form a fragrant carpet of pure white, bell-shaped flowers and long, dark green leaves. The plant flourishes in sun or partial shade, and the diminutive, bell-like flowers are traditionally an important part of spring wedding bouquets. The seeds may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested.Position: partial or full shadeSoil: leafy, fertile, humus-rich, moist soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: MayHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Divide and replant congested colonies in September, applying a generous mulch of composted leaf mould around the base of the plant.

Fluffy sprays of lilac flowers on upright, dark-purple stems above clumps of fern-like, grey-green leaves. This light and airy perennial is perfect towards the back of a herbaceous or mixed border. Best grown in moist, humus-rich soil, both the dainty foliage and flowers contrast well with the coarser-leaved plants usually grown at the back of the border.Position: partial shadeSoil: moist, humus rich soilRate of Growth: slow to averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberFlowers: lilacOther features: leaves & flowers are good in flower arrangementsHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Stake using ring stakes or brush-wood before the flowers appear.

Cut back the stems to the ground after flowering. Add a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the base of...

Position: full sunSoil: well-drained, fertile soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to OctoberHardiness: hardy (borderline)Hyssops are great for adding vertical accents 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 and bees. They are short-lived though, and may need replacing every few years, especially after a cold or wet winter. Blue Fortune has loose spires of lilac-blue flowers from July to October and peppermint-scented leaves.

This upright, bushy perennial is perfect for the middle of a sheltered, sunny border. Try it as part of a Mediterranean scheme, with grey-leaved plants, or among ornamental grasses.Garden care: Dont cut back the faded flower-stems...

Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyAsters are invaluable for providing late summer and autumn colour in the garden. This mildew-resistant form produces a fountain of twiggy stems, topped by full sprays of simple starry daisies in pale lavender blue. Their golden cental eye is a target for bees and butterflies.

Suitable for middle or front of a sunny border where it will give a colourful display for many weeks. An excellent cut flower.Garden care: Leave top growth on through the winter to provide protection and valuable food for birds and insects. Insert twiggy prunings early in the season to provide invisible and effective support.

Apply a thick 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch around the base of...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: August and SeptemberHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas)Arching spikes of bright, canary-yellow, freesia-like flowers appear from July to September. This vigorous montbretia soon spreads to form handsome colonies of sword-shaped, mid-green leaves. One of the best yellow varieties, it looks most effective planted in bold drifts in a sunny, sheltered border with moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil.

It makes an excellent cut flower.Garden care: Resist removing the faded foliage in autumn and cover the crown of the plant with bracken or bark chips to protect the plant against frost damage. Lift and divide...

Sprays of gentian-blue, star-shaped flowers with a pale lilac edge in March and April and heart-shaped, mid-green leaves. This fast-growing, evergreen perennial is perfect for carpeting areas in between deciduous shrubs and trees. An excellent companion for ferns and other shade-loving woodland plants, it prefers moist, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil.Position: partial shadeSoil: moist, moderately fertile, humus-rich soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: March and April Flower colour: gentian-blue with a pale lilac edgeHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leafmould, composted pine needles or garden compost when planting.

Lift and divide congested colonies in springGoes well with: Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Athyrium...

Succulent leaves flushed bronze with purple stems and clusters of soft pink flowers in late summer. The attractive flowers add a splash of colour late in the year when most flowers are going over and the seed heads also look good if left on througout winter. A valuable plant that makes an excellent cut flower too.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: soft pinkOther 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 border.

In February and...