Rob’s bold border heroes

Echinacea purpurea

‘Rubinstern’ Tall stemmed with wide, pink-red flower heads opening from a tawny central cone. They flower from late summer to late autumn. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

Calycanthus ‘Venus’

A shrub with large, exotic white flowers with yellow and purple central markings and a sweet scent. Grows to 1.2-1.8m (4-6ft) tall and flowers from May to June. Hardy in most places in the UK.

Lobelia speciosa

Nothing like the trailing types used for baskets, the variety ‘Monet Moment’ has upright spikes of deep rose-pink flowers on dark green foliage. Ideal for a moist garden. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’

An herbaceous perennial with clumps of large, veined leaves with upright spires of dark red flowers. Will spread rapidly in the right spot (full sun or partial shade).

Lythrum salicaria ‘Blush’

Slender spikes of pink flowers and tall, lance-shaped leaves on 1m (3ft 3in) high stems. Butterfly and bee-friendly. Flowers from mid summer to early autumn.

Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’

A vigorous herbaceous perennial with divided prickly leaves and perfectly rounded, blue flower heads on silvery stems. Creates structure and shape and will tolerate poor soil. May need staking.