Create contrast with purple and red

LOBELIA CARDINALIS Flowering Aug-Oct, this handsome mid-border perennial has scarlet flowers and dark foliage. Dig in plenty of organic matter – it needs reliable soil moisture. H90cm (3ft) S30cm (12in) DAHLIA ‘MOONFIRE’ Dark purple-flushed foliage with an abundance of warm yellow, red-haloed flowers July-Sept. Ideal in full sun and a humus-rich soil. H70cm (28in) S40cm (16in) MONARDA ‘GARDENVIEW SCARLET’ Bold red bergamot loved by bees and butterflies, flowering July-Sept in full sun or part shade. Needs a moist, well-drained soil. H90cm (3ft) S45cm (18in) KNIPHOFIA ‘TAWNY KING’ Flowering July-Oct, this vibrant ‘poker’ has dark bronze stems and apricot flower buds. Good partner for dahlia ‘Moonfire’. H1.2m (4ft) S1m (3ft 3in) CANNA ‘TROPICANNA BLACK’ Flappy paddle-shaped leaves that are almost black, and vibrant red flowers June-Sept. Grow in full sun in well-drained soil and lift in winter. H1.5m (5ft) S70cm (28in)

COTINUS COGGYGRIA ‘ROYAL PURPLE’ This tall bushy shrub with dark purple leaves bears fluffy pink flower plumes July-Sept. It’s deciduous, so leaves turn scarlet in autumn. H and S5m (16ft)