Stem therapy

partial shade. Lilies are exotic and flamboyant and give a reliable display of colour year after year.

They can be used to great effect to fill gaps in the border and there are many different varieties, colours and sizes to choose from. Plant bulbs from early autumn in full sun to get the best flowers, but you can plant all the way through till spring.

They like rich, moist, free-draining soil, so dig plenty of compost into your bed before planting.

For cuttings in August through September, I love mountain fleece (persicaria) and achillea.

Mountain fleece is a beautiful perennial that enjoys a long bloom season extending from midsummer through to fall. It comes in a range of colours and features soft, fleecy flower spikes on graceful wands over dark green foliage. It does well in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun.

Achillea is a great summer border perennial with attractive feathery foliage and flat, circular flower heads.

It’s perfect for luring bees and butterflies and is another cottage garden plant that comes in many colours. Plant in full sun on light, welldrained soil and it will thrive.

For autumn pickings in September and October, I’d go with coneflowers (echinacea) and fountain grass (pennisetum). Coneflowers are stunning.

They look like giant inverted daises and are among my favourites with their distinctive pale purple or pink petals. They prefer fertile soil, so dig in some compost before planting – ideally in spring, as they don’t like a mild, wet winter.

People sometimes associate grasses with being quite dull and just use them to fill out borders and bouquets. However, fountain grass is truly lovely.

It has thin and delicate upright leaves with feathery pink flowers. They can add a beautiful soft finish to your vase and your garden. Pennisetum are sun-lovers and need a sheltered location and well-drained soil.

So don’t keep forking out for flowers. Become your own florist and both your garden and home will be better off for it.