Best for bright, striking blooms

‘Sunningdale Yellow’

Small, earlyflowering variety with slender, bright yellow pokers. Deciduous foliage. H: 90cm (3ft), S: 45cm (1½ft). From www.bethcha o. co.uk; tel:01206 822007.

‘Orange Vanilla Popsicle’

Small, compact variety. Orange-red to creamy white blossoms. Grassy evergreen-leaves. H: 45cm (1½ft), S: 30cm (1ft). From www.coblands. co.uk; tel: 01452 742445.

‘Moonstone’

Fat pokers of caramel-apricot on stout, dark stems. Semi-evergreen foliage. Flowers from July. H: 60cm (2ft), S: 45cm (1½ft).

From www.binny plants.com; tel: 01506 858931.

‘Alcazar’

Imposing spikes of yellow and orange. Flowers all summer. Easy to establish. H: 1.2m (4ft), S: 60cm (2ft).

From www. claireaustinhardyplants.co.uk; tel: 01686 670342.

‘Ice Queen’

One of the palest varieties, with lovely creamyyellow blooms from green buds. Flowers from July. H: 1.2m (4ft), S: 75cm (2½ft). From www.bethcha o. co.uk; tel:01206 822007.

‘Tawny King’

Bright creamybrown pokers fade to apricot-cream. Evergreen foliage. H: 1.2m (4ft), S: 90cm (3ft).

From www. claireaustinhardyplants.co.uk; tel: 01686 670342.