Jenny Barnes
Jenny is head gardener at Cottesbrooke Hall, Northamptonshire. She has a particular interest in roses and a sculptural pruning technique.
1 Eschscholzia californica ‘Apricot Chiffon’ (Thai Silk Series)
Californian poppies thrive even in the poorest of soils, providing clouds of feathery, blue-grey foliage topped with masses of single and double flowers, tinged apricotcoral. Keep deadheading and it will flower until the first frosts. 50cm. AGM*. RHS H3†.
2 Crepis rubra
This member of the daisy family looks like a beautiful, pink dandelion. Pale blooms on wiry stems are held above tight rosettes of grey-green leaves. It is drought-tolerant, and prefers full sun and good drainage. A great choice for gravel gardens. 30cm. RHS H6.
3 Nigella orientalis ‘Transformer’
A quirky, long-lasting, cut flower. Seedpods look equally as good dried. Wispy, fern-like foliage with tiny, yellow-green flowers that peel back to expose an elongated seedhead reminiscent of a jester’s hat. 40cm. RHS H3.
4 Nigella papillosa ‘African Bride’
A dramatic love-in-a-mist with unusual, black seedpods surrounded by a white ruff of petals and deep-purple anthers. It looks delicate but is as tough as old boots. Beloved by bees, it is a great addition to borders or wildflower meadows. 55-70cm. RHS H3.
5 Brassica oleracea (Acephala
Group) ‘Redbor’
I love to mix edible plants with ornamentals, and the ruffled, plum-coloured foliage of this kale looks fantastic with orange calendula or nasturtiums. Stands well through winter and when it runs to seed in spring, offers another dimension with a plume of yellow flowers. 60cm. AGM. USDA 2a-11.
6 Gypsophila elegans ‘Kermesina’
Airy sprays of tiny, pink, star-shaped flowers held on branching stems. Sow these to twinkle through the border or use as cut flowers. The poorer the soil, the more flowers you will have, so refrain from fertilising.
Plants will self-seed freely. 50cm. RHS H5.
7 Agrostemma githago ‘Ocean Pearl’
Large, white flowers with gold stitching in the throat. Long, willowy stems require support, so grow between existing perennials and let it scramble. Plants will cross-pollinate, so sow fresh each year to maintain the pure-white form. 60cm. RHS H5.