Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: July-AugustHardiness: fully hardyTall stems with pointed, mid green leaves are smothered in white, pendulous, bell-like flowers in July. This lovely bellflower enjoys the shade as well as the sun, and is great for lighting up a dark area of the garden. Try it at the back of a border, or between shrubs.

Self seeds freely.Garden care: During the growing season water freely. Stake with bamboo canes or brushwood in spring before the flowers appear. Deadhead to prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding.

Dense spikes of soft pink flowers over a long period from June to October and conspicuously veined, mid-green leaves. This vigorous, semi-evergreen perennial is excellent groundcover for moist areas of the garden. Flourishing in sun or shade, the poker-like flower-heads are an important late summer source of nectar for bees.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any moist soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to October Flower colour: soft pinkOther features: contact with all parts of the plant may cause skin irritation; the sap may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insectsHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in spring or autumn

Long, narrow spikes of pure white flowers are borne from midsummer to eary autumn above semi-evergreen, lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. This clump-forming, robust perennial has handsome foliage and will make an excellent groundcover in sun or partial shade. Great for adding vertical interest in the border.

Best planted in bold swathes in reliably moist soils.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any moist soilRate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July to October Flower colour: whiteOther features: lance-shaped, dark green leaves; contact with all parts of the plant may cause skin irritation; the sap may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insectsHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in...

Beautiful clump-forming evergreen perennial with grass-like leaves which are dark purple almost black. In summer, small racemes of bell-shaped pale purplish white flowers appear, followed by dark blue fruit. This unusual plant looks fantastic with other grasses, especially if grouped in tubs and it provides a brilliant contrast with most other plants.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to AugustFlower colour: pale purplish whiteOther features: nearly black leaves contrast beautifully with yellow and silver foliaged plantsHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Top-dress plants in autumn with leaf mould.

Protect young plants from slug damage

An extraordinary, tall coneflower with bright green 'petals' and prominent, almost black centres. These striking perennials are perfect for the back of a sunny or partially shady border. Grower Chris Marchant, from Orchard Dene, says this plant provides 'useful punctuation' to massed plantings of daisies or umbel-type flowers.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: bright greenOther features: toothed, mid-green leavesHardiness: half hardyGarden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring.

Support with ring stakes or brushwood well before the flowers appear

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moist, humus-rich rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkalineRate of growth: averageFlowering period: April to MayHardiness: 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.Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn when the leaves have died down, or in early spring before the new growth appears, taking care not to damage the fragile roots.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: average to fast growingFlowering period: May to JuneHardiness: fully hardyThis pretty cranesbill is smothered with pure white, cup shaped flowers from May though to June. Thriving in full sun or partial shade, it quickly forms loose hummocks of deeply cut, dark green leaves, valuable for suppressing weeds at the front of the border. Try it as part of a cottage garden scheme or towards the front of a mixed border.

Garden care: In midsummer rejuvenate plants that are beginning to look jaded, by removing old flowered stems and leaves. Lift and divide large colonies in spring.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: well-drained, poor to moderately fertile, preferably alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June and JulyHardiness: fully hardyTightly rolled, blue-grey leaves form a neat mound, crowned with upright golden spikelets in summer. This grass is also evergreen, which means minimal maintenance. Although it will tolerate some shade, it is prone to rust if it gets too wet.

Helictotrichon looks very natural growing alongside Mediterranean-style plants. Try it in a gravel border, where its colour is beautifully offset by the honey tones of the stones, and give it room to express itself.Garden care: Remove dead foliage and flowering stems in late winter or early spring.

Stunning clear blue flowers appear in spikes on top of tall stems from summer to autumn. This tall salvia is perfect for adding a splash of colour at the back of a herbaceous border. It copes well in sun or light dappled shade and the flowers are a magnet for butterflies and bees.

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, moist to well drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Flower colour: turquoiseOther features: aromatic foliageHardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)Garden care: To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist or wet soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: June to JulyHardiness: fully hardyNamed after the famous botanist and author, EA Bowles, who discovered the native species in East Anglia, this is gorgeous, deciduous, ornamental grass with rich yellow leaves, edged in green. It's useful for brightening shady areas, for filling gaps in borders and planting by water, where the fine leaves contrast brilliantly with larger leaved plants.  In early summer, it throws up long spikes with brown, feathery flowers. The variegation is best in partial shade - specimens in full sun can end up looking bleached.Garden care: Cut brittle, dead foliage right down to the ground in late winter, before new growth appears.Goes well with: Hosta...