Add some instant impact

After the flush of early summer, the garden can appear lacklustre. Look no further than the daisy family to provide the most vibrant-coloured blooms

ANTHEMIS

Its pale-yellow flowers sit well with fiery red, orange or blue. ‘E. C. Buxton’ forms low mounds of feathery foliage. Cut back after flowering. H and sp: 60cm

HELENIUM

Choose shades from yellow to deep red. ‘Moerheim Beauty’ (shown) flowers early. Add lots of compost when planting.

H: 90cm; sp: 75cm

RUDBECKIA

Perennial Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ is prolific in any soil or situation. Bright-yellow petals and black central cones attract bees.

H: 60cm; sp 40cm

ECHINACEA

Shorter than many coneflowers, ‘White Swan’ is a magnet for bees and butterflies. Buy in flower, plant in free-draining, humusrich soil and water well after planting.

H: 70cm; sp: 45cm