3 Old and new favourites

Gladiolus ‘Ruby’ Richly coloured flowers that continue opening in the vase after cutting. 90cm. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.

Monarda ‘Fireball’ Textural red flowers with highly aromatic foliage make an eye-catching focal point. 90cm. RHS H4, USDA 4a-8b.

Anemone tomentosa

Pearlescent buds and delicately suspended flowers make these valuable autumn flowers. 1.5m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-7b.

Phalaris arundinacea var. picta ‘Feesey’ Beautiful pink to cream foliage is useful from spring to late autumn. 75cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.

Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Queen Esta’ An excellent plant for foliage and sizeable reddish purple flowers for cutting in spring. 25-30cm. RHS H7, USDA 6a-9b.

Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’ Glowing metallic foliage can make an arrangement sing and brighten a border. 45cm. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.

Fuchsia ‘Dying Embers’ Fuchsias have a short vase-life but an undeniable wow-factor. 50cm-1m. RHS H4, USDA 7a-9b.

Salvia Love and Wishes (= ‘Serendip6’) I prefer to cut this after most of the flowering on a stem is finished and the deep-purple calyces become more prominent. 80cm. RHS H3, USDA 9a-11.

Pelargonium sidoides

A perennial favoured for its deep-purple flowers that are held high on silvery stems. 35cm. AGM. RHS H1C.