PRAIRIE WILD
Where Full sun, dry What Ice plant, Verbena bonariensis, Mexican feather grass
This trio is wild, wonderful and pretty much maintenance free. All these plants will thrive in those dry, hot parts of the garden you never get round to watering. The wispy grass (Stipa tenuissima) contrasts with the glaucous green succulent leaves of the ice plant (Hylotelephium spectabile), and out of this glorious tangle emerges tall spires of purple-topped verbena from midsummer onwards. Great in containers too, though for window boxes, choose dwarf Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’.
Bulb ‘seasoning’ Small spring tulips that naturalise, such as sylvestris or whittallii; round-headed garlic (Allium sphaerocephalon)
Where Partial to full moist shade What Lily turf, shuttlecock fern, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’
A beautiful combination with the hopelessly elegant Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ and its huge white summer flower heads the star of the show. Supported ably by an evergreen carpet of white-flowered lily turf (Liriope muscari ‘Monroe White’) and fresh green ferns unfurling gracefully in spring (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Best in garden soil.
Bulb ‘seasoning’ Snowdrops; lily of the valley