ABC of hardy plants
Plant suggestions for your herbaceous border
Astilbe
These are graceful plants that die down to ground level each winter and throw up ferny leaves in spring, followed, in June and July, by the feathery plumes of white, pink or crimson flowers. Most are 2-3ft (6090cm) high, but Astilbe simplicifolia is no more than 1ft (30cm). All like damp soil and can be increased by division in spring or autumn.
Campanula (bellflower)
C. persicifolia has bellshaped flowers on long stems in June and July. Height is 21/2ft (75cm). C. lactiflora is 5ft (1.5m), with smaller flowers from June to August. C. glomerata has purple flowers on 18in (46cm) stems in June and July. All are grown in any reasonable soil in sun or shade. Increase by division in spring or autumn.
Aster (Michaelmas daisies)
Michaelmas daisies are varieties of either Aster novibelgii [Symphyotrichum novibelgii], with smooth shiny leaves, or of A. novae-angliae [Symphyotrichum novaeangliae], with downy leaves. There are a number of garden varieties of the first of these species, varying in height from 1-6ft (30cm-1.8m), and in colour from white, pale-lavender and silverypink to violet and crimson. Some have single flowers, some more or less doubles,
Bergenia (largeleaved saxifrage)
These are handsome plants that are grown for their large, almost evergreen leaves and clusters of pink, rose or crimson flowers produced in early spring on short, stout stems. They will grow in almost any soil and sunny or shady place, and can be increased by division in spring or autumn. and all bloom in September and October. Varieties of A. novae-angliae are 4-5ft high. There are varieties of Aster amellus, all about 2ft (60cm) high and bushy, with large single flowers in August and September. All are easily grown in almost any soil and open situation, but Aster amellus is best moved in March or April. Michaelmas daisies can be planted in spring or autumn and are best divided annually, as they spread rapidly.
Artemisia
Artemisia schmidtiana and A. ludoviciana are 2ft (60cm) high with silver leaves. Much taller is A. lactiflora, with small creamywhite flowers in August, green leaves and grows to 5ft (1.5m) tall. All like open, sunny places. The grey and silver-leaved varieties prefer light, well-drained soils, but A. lactiflora will grow in almost any soil. Increase by division.