12 KEY PLANTS
1 Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife is a wildflower of ponds and marshes, where its lofty spikes of magenta flowers sustain long-tongued insects such as brimstone butterflies, red-tailed bumblebees and elephant hawk moths. 1.5m. RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b†.
2 Helianthus annuus ‘Earthwalker’ To add height and vivacity to a hot border, Patricia calls on this dramatic sunflower, with abundant blooms in tawny and terracotta shades. 3m. RHS H4.
3 Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’ The daintiest of pokers with slender spikes of tubular flowers that open lemony-white from lime-green buds, and fade to a warm cream. 60cm. RHS H5.
4 Astrantia major hybrid Patricia loves astrantias for their easy-going nature and long flowering period, and has many in her garden. They hybridise freely, and this tall, dark and handsome black-stemmed example is probably a cross between A. major ‘Venice’ and A. ‘Moulin Rouge’. 80cm. RHS H6.
5 Succisa pratensis The pincushion heads of the damp-loving devil’s bit scabious are the primary food source of the declining marsh fritillary butterfly, which is classified as a priority species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. The leaves are long and oval, unlike those of field scabious, which are dark-green, hairy and deeply lobed. 60cm. RHS H7.
6 Monarda ‘Prärienacht’ Best known for its fragrant leaves, but valued by Patricia as a magnet for bees, growing well in moist, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. 90cm. RHS H4.
7 Salvia Love and Wishes (= ‘Serendip6’) A justly popular, shrubby salvia with a small, neat habit, bearing long-lasting, bold-magenta flowers on contrasting dark calyces. Leaves are small, dark and aromatic. 80cm. RHS H3.
8 Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ An easily propagated, evergreen succulent, with glossy, dark rosettes borne on woody trunks. The foliage grows darker, the hotter and sunnier its spot. Best grown in pots and set out in the garden in summer. 1-1.5m. AGM*. RHS H1C.
9 Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Ace of Spades’ An essential component in Patricia’s almostblack repertoire, ‘Ace of Spades’ is grown as an annual from seed each year. It bears very dark purple, delicately scented pincushion flowers up to 5cm across. 60cm. RHS H4.
10 Eryngium planum An elegant, small-flowered sea holly of upright bearing. Rounded, thimble-sized flowers are surrounded by a ruff of slender bracts, borne on long, very branched, blue stems above mid-green leaves. 90cm. RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b.
11 Eucomis bicolor With its pineapple flowers and lush, tropical leaves, this plant looks wildly exotic, but is relatively easy to grow, being frost-hardy and welcoming moisture, unlike many South African bulbs. 50cm. AGM. RHS H4.
12 Salvia uliginosa Glorious, large, vigorous, sky-blue salvia that thrives in a warm, sunny spot in soil that remains moist, but not waterlogged. Protect the crown of the plant with a mulch over winter.2m. AGM. RHS H4.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available