ABC of hardy plants
Plant suggestions for your herbaceous border
Anemone (windflower)
The best anemone for the border is the Japanese anemone, A. japonica [Anemone x hybrida]. This has white, pink or rose flowers on 3ft (90cm) stems in September. It grows in most soils, in and sun or shade, but can be a slow starter and should be left undisturbed for as long as possible. It is increased by division in spring or autumn.
Aconitum (monkshood)
Long narrow flower spikes are mostly blue or purple. Aconitum ‘Bressingham Spire’ has violet-blue flower spikes 3ft (90cm) high. A. fischeri [A. carmichaelii] flowers in September and October, is light blue, 3ft (90cm) high. All grow well in good soil, in sun or partial shade. Increase by dividing in spring or autumn.
Aquilegia (columbine)
Aquilegias are not long-lived, but they usually produce lots of seedlings. Colours are often delicate, though there are strong blues and reds. Two of the best mixed colours are Mrs Scott Elliot hybrids and McKana hybrids, both 21/2ft (75cm) tall, that flower in May and June. They grow in any reasonable soil in sun or partial shade. Sow seed outdoors in spring.
Anthemis (golden marguerite)
The best kind is Anthemis tinctoria,a bushy plant with grey ferny leaves and yellow daisy flowers. It grows 2-3ft (60-90cm) high and flowers most of the summer. There are several varieties differing in the size and shade of the flower. All like sun and well-drained soils, and can be increased by cuttings in early summer.
Anchusa (alkanet)
There are several varieties of Anchusa italica [A. azurea], all with blue flowers that flower in June. A. caespitosa is 15in (38cm) high and flowers from May to July. Both like welldrained soils and open sunny positions. They can be raised from seed, but some forms of A. azurea are grown from root cuttings in winter or early spring.
Armeria maritima (thrift)
This is a useful plant for the front of a herbaceous border or bed. It makes a tuft of narrow leaves and the almost globular heads of pink flowers are carried on 18in (45cm) stems in late spring and early summer. It likes welldrained soils and sun, and is increased by division in spring or autumn.