Be inspired by…

The buzz of summer borders, rose-themed shopping, hostas and other flowers for now, a fragrant herby basket to plant, diary dates and our quick quiz on grasses

Bees and butterflies will love this exciting medley of meadow and cottage-garden plants. Buddleia (‘the butterfly bush’) is famed for its butterfly appeal, while stout spikes of agastache and echinacea daisies are both nectar-rich magnets for bees. Even better still, the arrangement of plants looks fabulous too – layers of flowers in contrasting shapes in a delicious range of ice-cream pinks, set off by the metallic silvery foliage of calocephalus and artemisia. Choose a sunny sheltered spot for planting, leaving sufficient space for each plant to grow, where pollinators can get a chance to rootle for nectar without being buffeted by the breeze.