An unusual import from North America where it is known as Upright Prairie Coneflower or Mexican Hat this likes well drained, prairie type settings and looks wonderful in wildflower planting, too. Grows to 3' tall and has lobed leaves up to 5" long. Good in drought and poor quality soils. Looks great planted in groups in perennial borders, too.

Rodgersia pinnata Fireworks is fully hardy and is ideal for a shady garden spot or woodland area. It has showy foliage with large deeply veined leaves from May to October. In July and August it produces flower spikes which are a dense mass of small star shaped flowers in shades of rusty orange, red and yellow. Hardy. 2l pot

A bold perennial of shrub-like size, Rodgersia have large, striking leaves on long stalks. The foliage starts off chocolate brown then changes to green, bronze, and red before returning to brown in autumn. The flowers go through a color transition, opening a pale pink and darkening to burgundy-red over time. They are produced in early summer on tall stalks well above the foliage. Rodgersias like moist soil, so can be used in bog gardens or at the margins of a pond.

Rudbeckia deamii is a floriferous beauty with upright growth. Bright yellow flowers are set of by a dark conical centre. Makes a lovely mound about 30" high high. Flowers July to November. Full sun to partial shade. 2l pot

5" wide single yellow daisy type flowers with a black eye. This is a very popular Rudbeckia and deserves its Award of Garden Merit. H.& S. 2' Tolerates light shade.

Upright perennial with yellow-gold daisy flowers and black centres. Strong stems with narrow mid-green leaves. H. 3'

This is a charmingly furry leafed Salvia. The plant spreads 24" and attains a height of 24". It's tender but does over-winter in very mild gardens. Pretty panicles of white flowers in summer. Must have excellent drainage, hates wet feet in winter. 2l pot

Lovely cultivar with purple stems covered in violet-blue flowers from June to October. Grey-green aromatic foliage makes a wonderful contrast. Full sun in light well drained but moist soil. Compact H20" S 12" 2 litre pot

Purple stems laden with violet-purple flowers from June to October. Plant in full sun in a moist-well-drained area. H 18" S 18"-24" Hardy perennial. 2l pot

This Salvia produces long spikes of rich pink flowers all summer and looks lovely in sunny borders. Hardy perennial. H. 2'. 2l pot

From a low base of soft green leaves, this hardy perennial bears many long spikes of purply-blue flowers in summer, emerging from reddish bracts.. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. H 2'. 2 litre pot as are most of our Perennials. Photo courtesy of Jelitto

A handsome plant forming large clumps of aromatic textured foliage. Turkestanica flowers are white tinged with pink on stalks up to 3' tall. Full sun, good drainage and moderate summer water. Cut back old flower stems to encourage plant's strength. 2l pot

Clump forming, upright with hairy mid-green leaves and violet blue flower spikes early to mid summer. Scented foliage. Grow in full sun, facing south in chalky, loamy, sandy soil which is moist but well drained. Hardy.

Indigo blue flowers early to mid-summer, moist well drained fertile soil in sun or dappled shade. Deadhead to prolong flowering and mulch generously in spring with garden compost or manure
H. 30" S.18"

Clump forming with aromatic leaves and narrow spikes of small white flowers. Chalky, sandy, loamy soil moist but well drained. Full sun. Hardy.

A very beautiful plant for the back of a sunny border, this flowers in late summer and early autumn. The flowers are in spikes at the top of tall stems and the flowers open in succession, ensuring a long flowering period. Half hardy. Plant in well drained light, moist or sandy soil. H 6' S 2'. 2 litre pot

Pale blue pin cushion flowers on this little beauty which is a shorter variety than most. H&S 10"

A lovely perennial much loved by butterflies. Good for the front of the border, a rockery or container growing. It forms tidy mounts of leafy rosettes and from May to September has lovely pincushion flowers in shades of soft pinks and blues. H. 10" 2l. pot

aka the Kaffir Lily, this autumn flowering plant thoroughly deserves a place in the garden. It likes full sun to partial shade in well drained light soil. It grows to about 18" tall with a spread of 6". Grow in clumps of several to make a good display. It's half hardy. 2l pot

Many red purple flowers above sharply toothed fresh green leaves and red stems. Photo by kind permission of De Vroomen

Rose pink flowers and deep maroon/burgundy petals in August & September. Hardy. Beloved of butterflies and bees. Plant in sun or a little shade in well drained soil. H. 2' 2l pot Photo by kind permission of De Vroomen

The flowers are an attractive dark red from July to September. Attractive to butterflies. Plant in well drained soil in full sun. The green foliage is tinged purple. H. & S. 18"

Fabulously dark leaf form, possibly the darkest there is. Pinky purple flowers make a most attractive contrast. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Flowers August to October and is attractive to butterflies and bees. H&S 18". Hardy. 2l pot

Grey-green leaves with large, flat white flower heads in summer. Great for bees and butterflies. Occasionally produces pink flowers. Flowers Aug to Nov.. Soil" moderately fertile, well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline. Full sun, part shade. Fully hardy. Once established give Sedums the Chelsea Chop. During the last week of May cut one in every 3 stems back to the ground to give bushier plants. 2 litre pot.

Dense mounds of deep dusty purple leaves with flat heads of small red flowers. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. A new variety
H&S 1' x 1' 2 litre pot

This is a very attractive perennial, flowering in late summer. The leaves are heavily dissected and a lightish green, the umbels of white flowers are dense but delicate, looking like a rather upmarket cow parsley About 3' to 4'.

Looking rather like a mini hollyhock this perennial has showy spikes of 2 inch wide red flowers from June to August. The leaves are kidney shaped. H.3' S.18"

Snow white flowers on this hollyhock lookalike, very pretty and 'fresh' looking. Clump forming upright. Chalky, sandy, loamy soils, well drained in part shade or full sun. Stake in windy gardens. Hardy. 2 litre pot H. about 3' S about 2'

Sidalceas look a bit like mini hollyhocks. They have clusters of upright stems and the flowers are pink and mallow like. Less troubled by the rust that sometimes attacks hollyhocks and they don't self seed easily. The stems are strong and don't need supporting. Plant in sun for them to do their best but they will take some light shade. They don't like wet feet so place in well-drained soil and protect with straw or bracken from snow and winter rains. Deadhead for further flowering. H 36" S 18" Fully Hardy. 2l pot

This Sidalcea has tall upright stems covered in pale pink, saucer shaped flowers. Likes well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun. Avoid heavy soils or any that get water logged. Protect with a dry mulch in cold winters. Plant in part shade or full sun. Hardy 2l. pot

Party Girl is a herbaceous perennial with summer flowering tall, hollyhock-like flowers. It likes well drained, fertile soil in full sun which is moist but well drained. Quite hardy but a winter mulch is probably a good idea. 2l pot

This has a small pink hollyhock type flower and the plants bloom for a long time. They like a well drained acid soil which is moist and they don't like to dry righ out. Full sun to partial shade.

We just don't know why more people don't grow this. It's just so pretty trailing over the edge of containers with its double white, scented flowers and glamorous grey foliage. We are growing it in tubs and urns and enjoying the contrast of the foliage against both. It's flowering now in late May, with us. Hardy here to -6C. 1 litre pot.

A dwarf golden rod, this perennial grows to 2' with a spread of about 1'. Plant in full sun. Yellow flowers July to September. Well drained soil. Photo courtesy of Jelitto

Popularly known as lambs' ears, this pretty plant has silvery grey felted leaves and spikes of small purplish flowers which are beloved of bees. It's evergreen and mat forming with a spread of around 3' and a height of around 12".

This dwarf lambs' ear is almost cuddly! Silver fuzz covered leaves with spikes of lilac-plum flowers in July-August. H.with flowers 10" S. 10" Plant in full sun in well drained neutral soil. Wonderful edging or rockery plant.

Dozen of spikes of white tubular flowers, flushed with pink in July - August. Heart shaped dark green leaves. H. 16". Well drained soil, full sun or p art shade. Also good in containers. Photo courtesy of Jelitto

This is one of those attractive cottage garden type plants. It has spikes of lavender blue, mallow type flowers, growing to a height of about 3'. Plant in full sun in moist but well drained soil. 2l pot.

Low growing and attractively coloured this is a frost hardy herbaceous perennial growing to 50cm. It makes a good edging plant and has yellowish green leaves. 2l pot