Charlie Bloom, garden designer and kitchen gardener at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

COSMOS

‘Producing masses of large, pink, daisy-like flowers, cosmos can grow up to 1m tall.’ They need to be grown in loose, weed-free, well-drained poor to average soil and positioned in full sun. Be sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms but also leave some to self-seed.

FENNEL

‘The fennel is dainty, has fern-like leaves with large yellow umbel flowers, and is great for flower arranging.’ Herb fennel likes to be sown where it is to be grown, as it doesn’t like its roots disturbed. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant and needs little maintenance.

MALOPE TRIFIDA ‘VULCAN’

‘The Malope produces deep magenta flowers, offset by lime green stems, similar to hibiscus flowers.’ Malope is a hardy annual and thrives in a full sun position in moist, well-drained soil. Encourage lateral growth and further flowering by picking some of the blooms.