What to plant bare root

Iris ‘teal Velvet’

Dramatic purple flowers with splashes of gold rise above clumps of grassy leaves in late spring and early summer. Loves moist soil in sun – for best results plant by the edge of a pond, or in a bog garden. HxS: 33inx2ft (85x60cm).

Achillea ‘moonshine’ AGm

Held on tall stems clothed with feathery grey leaves, the flat heads of yellow flowers will brighten up a sunny border from June until September. Cut back hard in late winter. H&S: 2ft (60cm).

‘Constance Spry’ AGm

Named in honour of the famous flower arranger, this climbing rose marks the start of summer with fully double, blowsy-pink flowers that carry a heady scent of myrrh. Grow against a wall, in sun or partial shade. H&S: 8ft (2.5m).

Astrantia ‘Buckland’

From May until July, dusky-pink flowers are carried on wiry stems above clumps of deeply cut leaves. Plant in sun or partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding. HxS: 2ftx20in (60cmx50cm).

Kniphofia rooperi AGm

Flowers in fiery orange and yellow perch on stout stems amid robust clumps of long, arching evergreen leaves in September and October. Team with exotic plants in a sun-kissed border. HxS: 4x3ft (1.2mx90cm).

Graham thomas (‘Ausmas’)

An English shrub rose with sumptuous cupped double yellow flowers that release their delightful tea scent from summer into autumn. Ideal in a mixed border; or grow as a hedge. Happy in sun or semi-shade. H&S: 4ft (1.2m).

Geranium ‘mavis Simpson’ AGm

Masses of gorgeous clear-pink blooms smother the finely cut, greyish leaves of this cranesbill from late spring into autumn. Perfect at the front of a sunny border as it forms a fairly neat, low hummock. HxS: 39inx1ft (1mx30cm).

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ AGm

Heart-shaped leaves (in dark-green washed with a silvery-sheen) are topped with sprays of forget-me-not flowers in spring. Great at the front of borders, in dappled shade. HxS: 15x2ft (40x60cm).

Darcey Bussell (‘Ausdecorum’) AGm

Another shrub rose, this one every bit as graceful as the former ballerina and Strictly judge whose name it bears, with fruity-scented double blooms in rich crimson. Compact enough for small plots or containers. HxS: 4x3ft (1.2mx90cm).