12 KEY PLANTS
1 Stipa gigantea
Always bigger than you expect it to be, this grass needs space to spread and show itself off properly. It catches the light beautifully and is evergreen, too. 2.5m. AGM*. RHS H4†. 2 Phlomis russeliana
An ever-reliable plant that will flower in sun or shade and which looks solid and defiant even in the depths of winter. 90cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b.
3 Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’
Salvias are so useful flowering for months and needing little attention apart from a chop in midsummer if they’re too leggy. This forms a good, upright clump. 60cm. AGM. RHS H7. 4 Cynara cardunculus
The majestic, silvery leaves look good all year, but do remember to stake the flowerheads, which are very heavy. An excellent plant for bees. 2.5m. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b. 5 Penstemon ‘Garnet’
Dark, evergreen foliage and deep-red, tubular flowers that go on forever make this a stalwart of the border. Easy to grow from cuttings and trouble-free. 80cm. RHS H5.
6 Lupinus ‘Noble Maiden’
A classic, cottage-garden plant that is worth sticking with, despite it being messy in death. Taller plants around it can help detract from the unsightly scene. 90cm. RHS H5. 7 Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’
Used throughout the garden to soften the paths, this spurge has the most wonderful colour contrast between its lime-green flowers and glaucous, wine-tinged leaves. 30cm. RHS H7. 8 Centranthus ruber var. coccineus
Too tall to use as an edging plant, so place this a little further back where it can peep out over its neighbours’ heads – though watch it doesn’t swamp them. 80cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b. 9 Knautia macedonica
Rich-crimson buttons floating on thin, wiry stems make this an irresistible addition to the plantings here. It can flop with age, so cut it back in midsummer. 75cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-9b. 10 Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’
The umbelliferous flowers work well in semi-wild plantings and are a good contrast to spikier, more upright silhouettes. Edible leaves and seeds are a bonus.1.8m. RHS H5, USDA 4a-9b. 11 Allium siculum
From the paper-wrapped buds to their explosion of flowers, to their upright-turning, shuttlecock-like seedheads, this plant is fascinating in all its stages. 1.2m. RHS H5. 12 Silene latifolia
White campion is a typical meadow plant and so looks right at home in this more sophisticated interpretation. The pretty, divided petals are slightly scented. 75cm. RHS H6. *Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.