STRUCTURAL SEEDHEADS
Honesty, Lunaria annua
Purple or white spring flowers produce cases that are beige at first; the outer layers falling away as the seeds ripen to reveal parchment-like white discs, reminiscent of silver moons. Height 36in (91cm); spread 12in (30cm).
Clematis tangutica
This late flowering clematis produces fabulous fluffy seedheads. The lantern-shaped flowers have thick petals the colour of lemon peel, which appear from late summer into autumn. These are followed by the seedheads that together form a shaggy globe in bleached blond or silvery-grey. Height 15ft (4.6m); spread 10ft (3m).
Eryngium giganteum
These thistle-like plants have a thimble-shaped flower, surrounded by a collar of narrow, spiny-edged leaf bracts. The flowers are produced mid to late summer in silvery blue, purple or white, then turn a parchment colour. The seedheads are robust and on frosty mornings, every sculptural detail will be revealed in ice crystals. Height 36in (91cm); spread 12in (30cm).
Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum This has an unusual, balloon-like pod and distinctive flat top. Delicate flowers in a wide range of colours appear from early summer, followed by blue-grey seedheads. The pods fade to grey-brown as they decay. Early flowering plants will have peaked too soon to be appreciated in the autumn garden, but sowing another batch in midsummer will provide autumnal seedpods that will last into winter. Height 39in (1m); spread 20in (51cm).
Physalis
The papery, orange seedpods of Chinese lanterns are a shot of vibrant colour. Small, white flowers appear in midsummer, and the distinctive lanterns form along the stems. They persist into autumn, when they fade to pale papery brown. Wind and rain will break down this outer casing to reveal a copper-coloured skeleton to catch the frost. Best in a large container. Height 30in (76cm); spread 36in (91cm).
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare
The umbel-like seedheads of fennel have a delicate beauty, and the tall stems add structure to the autumn-winter garden. Aromatic, feathery foliage appears in late spring, with tall flower stems and flat, bright yellow flowers following in midsummer. Seedheads form in August and September, which will last well in a sheltered spot. Spiders love to weave their webs among the starry flower remains, where they will catch any morning dew or frost. Height 6ft (1.8m), spread 20in (51cm).
Allium cristophii
Most alliums produce attractive seedheads, but this variety is topped by the largest and most dramatic. Large globes are made up of smaller, star-shaped, pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. By late summer, the straw-coloured framework is left behind, resembling large, skeletal lollipops, which look amazing under snow or frost. They tend to be more robust than the other allium seedheads and should last well into mid autumn. Height 2ft (61cm); spread 8in (20cm).
Cynara cardunculus
The sculptural layers of these huge cardoon seedheads look like they might have been carved from wood. Held on tall stems, they add drama and vertical structure to the autumn-winter garden. Seedheads are produced in late summer and will last in a sheltered spot through to Christmas. Height 5ft (1.5m); spread 4ft (1.2m).
Sedum
These are among the best seedheads for catching winter frosts. There are numerous cultivars, with a range of green or purple leaves and flat umbel-shaped flower heads in white, yellow, pink or red. Leaves emerge in early spring, and green flower buds follow before turning colour in late summer; gradually fading in autumn to produce dark brown seedheads. These can persist right through until spring and look beautiful when coated in frost. Height and spread 20in (51cm).