Position: full or partial shadeSoil: moist, fertile, neutral to acid soilRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyThis is the lady fern, with graceful, bright green, filigree-like leaves. One of our recommended plants, it looks great planted in bold swathes with other shade-loving plants in a sheltered, shady woodland edge, shrub or mixed border. It is deciduous, and begins to look tatty in the autumn, so try it among evergreen ferns or late-flowering perennials. Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. In cold areas in late autumn protect the crown of the plant with a dry mulch of straw or bracken.

Pretty, pale blue or blue-violet flowers from April to September and lance-shaped, dark green leaves. This pretty, prostrate, evergreen shrub is excellent groundcover for the smaller garden. One of our recommended plants, it's less invasive than Vinca major and grows in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: any but very dry soilRate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: April to September Flower colour: lavender-blueHardiness: 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

Stately sprays of large, fragrant, outward-facing yellow flowers with dark burgundy-red bands on the outside are produced in midsummer. Lilies are one of the all time favourite summer-flowering bulbs as they look superb in any garden scheme. Though they are best planted in autumn when the bulbs are still plump, lilies can still be planted in spring for an eye-catching summer display.The RSPCA have recently reported that all parts of lilies can be fatal to cats, including the flower, leaves and pollen.

For more information, click here.Position: full sun (with shade at the base)Soil: well-drained, acid to neutral soil, enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter or a loam-based potting compost, such as John Innes no. 2Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July and...

Tall stems of pointed, mid-green leaves, tinted dark coppery-brown, topped with pale lemon flowers in July and August. This pale lemon loosestrife is ideal for a moist herbaceous border or bog garden. Less invasive than the popular yellow loosestrife, it will happily grow in sun or shade.Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: July and August Flower colour: pale lemonHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Incorporate lots of organic matter when planting.

Apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plants in spring and lift and divide congested colonies

This handsome Jerusalem sage produces bluish-lilac flowers from late winter to late spring. Considered one of the best pulmonarias for foliage, the mid-green leaves are marbled and hairy to touch. An excellent groundcover plant for moist, shady spots, it looks great at the front of the border or for edging paths.Position: partial shadeSoil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: February to MayFlower colour: bluish-lilacOther features: marbled, hairy leavesHardiness: fully hardy Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps everythree to five years after flowering or in autumn.

Cut back plants affected by mildew to the ground, water and feed - the plant will regenerate and produce new leaves later in the year

25% off was £7.95, now £5.95Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, moist, preferably humus-rich soilRate of growth: average to fast-growingFlowering period: June to AugustHardiness: fully hardyPapery, pinkish-magenta, pincushion-like flowers surrounded by a ruff of wine-tinted bracts are produced from June to August above deeply lobed, dark green leaves. Although it is an old cottage-garden favourite, this astrantia works equally well in contemporary-style plantings. Use towards the front of a sunny, yet moist border.

Astrantias have been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century and have numerous common names, such as melancholy gentleman, Hatties pincushion and the more well known masterwort.Garden care: Astrantias do not like dry...

One of the earliest of the salvias to flower. Each slender upright stem carries a series of comparatively large hooded flowers in candyfloss pink, which open in succession up its length. Large rosette of grey green leaves form a dense groundcover canopy.

A fine Salvia exhibiting strong and virgorous growth and producing a second flush of flowers later in July and August. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soilRate of growth: average Flowering period: May to July Flower colour: pale pinkOther features: useful early flowering formHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: To prolong flowering, cut out spent flower spikes as soon as they start to fade, leaving foliage to mature into rich autumn tones.

Alternatively, cut...

Position: full sun or partial shadeSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: May to JuneHardiness: fully hardyPearl-grey, saucer-shaped flowers, with pale grey stripes on the petals appear in summer among finely cut mid-green leaves. This exquisite meadow cranesbill is one of the tallest and most vigorous hardy geraniums. It is ideal for the front of a sunny border though it can cope with a fairly shady spot.

Or try it in a wildflower meadow, where it can self-seed freely. 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: fertile, well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: May to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardyDark lilac, saucer-shaped flowers appear from May to September among deeply divided, deep purple leaves. A brand new introduction from North America, this geranium is very compact and the unusual foliage turns lovely autumnal colours. Like all hardy geraniums, it is ideal for the front of a sunny border though it can cope with a fairly shady spot and looks at home growing in a deciduous woodland garden.

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...

Position: full sunSoil: fertile, well-drained soilRate of Growth: averageFlowering period: June to OctoberHardiness: fully hardyMasses of small daisies, emerging white, then turning pink, with yellow centres, give this plant an unusual, two-tone effect. It has a long flowering period, from May to October, and is amazingly versatile, being low-growing, happy in sun or partial shade and thriving in any well-drained soil. It's also tolerant of coastal conditions.

Try it as an edging plant in a mixed border, alongside paths, in a gravel garden, spilling over walls, or planted in the cracks in paving. Bees and butterflies love all erigerons, so they make a wonderful addition to a wildlife garden, too. Garden...