Use these plants

Canna ‘Wyoming’

Tall, strong-growing tender plants with large purple-bronze leaves and very large ruffled vivid orange flowers from midsummer to early autumn. H1.5m (5ft) S90cm (3ft)

Pelargonium ‘Patricia Andrea’

Glossy-leaved, compact, vigorous and floriferous pelargonium with double, rose-bud like, salmon-pink flowers June-Sept. H and S45cm (18in)

Fatsia japonica

Evergreen, tropicallooking shrub with huge, glossy, palmate leaves. Produces creamy-white flowers in autumn, followed by black fruits. H and S4m (13ft)

Dahlia ‘Chat Noir’

Semi-cactus dahlia with rich garnet-red double flowers (up to 15cm/6in across), which have a near-black centre and appear from July until the first frosts. H1.1m (3½ft) S45cm (18in)

Agapanthus ‘Purple Delight’

Rich purple-coloured umbels on tall stems provide a pop of colour midsummer to early autumn with evergreen strap-like leaves. H90cm (3ft) S50cm (20in)

Musa basjoo

Architectural banana with dramatic, paddleshaped leaves up to 3m (10ft) long. Yellowishgreen (inedible) fruit can follow creamyyellow summer flowers. H5m (16ft) S4m (13ft)

Crocosmia ‘Severn Sunrise’

Arching, narrow leaves and stems of upwardfacing vibrant orange flowers (Aug-Oct) that fade to pink; boosts the late-summer garden. H and S50cm (20in)

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’

A graceful, striking deciduous grass with arching, linear leaves bearing dramatic bands of cream or pale yellow. Good for height and movement. H1.2m (4ft) S45cm (18in)

Chamaerops humilis

A medium-sized, bushy evergreen palm with a mass of striking fanshaped leaves that reach 45cm (18in) in length. Strong-growing and hardy to -10C (14F) H1.5m (5ft) S2m (6½ft)