EASY PLANTS FOR ALLOTMENT INTEREST
1 Panicum ‘Frosted Explosion’ An airy firework of a grass that looks beautiful in sun or pearled with raindrops. Will self-seed, or sow seed indoors February-May. 45cm. RHS H4†.
2 Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Lemon’ This droughtresistant, easy-to-grow red-hot poker swaps zingy yellow for the red but is no less striking for that. Divide clumps in spring. 90cm. RHS H5.
3 Salvia x sylvestris ‘Dear Anja’ An upright salvia with dark stems and purple-blue flowers. Take softwood cuttings in April. 1m. RHS H7.
4 Gillenia trifoliata One of Stefano’s favourites, both for its delicate flowers and its sturdy winter skeleton. Sow seed indoors at any time. 40cm. AGM*. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.
5 Oenothera biennis A beautiful yet tough plant with a delicate scent. Its yellow blooms appear at dusk to light up summer evenings. Sow direct in spring (or in a cold frame in autumn). 1.5m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.
6 Asclepias tuberosa Also known as butterfly weed. Waxy, star-burst, summer flowers in yellow and orange. Sow in trays of gritty soil, and grow in sun and dry soil. 90cm. RHS H4, USDA 3a-9b.
7 Gladiolus murielae Understated beauty with nodding, highly scented, white flowers that have a distinctive purple blotch at their base. Plant corms in spring for summer display. 1m. AGM RHS H3, USDA 7a-10b.
8 Nigella papillosa ‘African Bride’ Pure-white petals with a dark centre and distinctive seedheads. Sow direct March-May or September-November. 70cm. RHS H3.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.