Damp, dry or shaded areas are not the ideal place for a great many plants but Hostas are the ideal solution. They are easy to grow and will provide ground cover in the shaded border or you can make a feature of them in a container if you have areas of the patio that don't catch the sun. Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans is clump forming and has strong blue-green foliage with deep ridges that give texture to the display and during the summer months you can expect stems of pale lilac flowers too. The Giant Blue Hosta is a worthy RHS Award of Garden Merit holder and is the perfect plant for moist, damp, dark borders or difficult, dry shady borders.. Height: 100cm (39). Spread: 120cm (48).
An intriguing, easy-to-grow annual that produces foliage with a fragrance similar to that of a basket of tropical fruits. A profusion of canary-yellow, daisylike flowers with an attractive central maroon-red ring open during the morning and early evening, and close during very strong sunlight. Ideal for adding height and fragrance to annual borders. Height: 60-80cm (24-32in)
Large double flowers and long rigid stems which make them ideal for cutting. The symmetrical form of each flower makes it a thing of beauty in itself. A good blend of the best colours with giant 11cm (4 1/2in) blooms
Uniform, bushy, free-flowering plants produce large, fully double blooms of exceptional quality and weather resistance. Ideal planted in borders and containers for a knock-out display all summer. Height: 30-35cm (12-14in)
A superb blend of this most unusual flower type, specially selected for its wide range of bright colours. Attractive fully double 25-3cm (1-1 1/2in) pom-pom like flowers are stunning in borders or as a cut flower. Height: 45-50cm (18-20in)
Excellent quality, scabious-flowered zinnia in a wide range of vivid colours including reds, pinks and oranges. Zinnia elegans Candy Cane Mixed will flowers freely all summer. Ideal for cutting and will attract beneficial insects and butterflies to the garden
Outstanding bushy, compact plants, smothered in long lasting double to semi -double vibrant coloured flowers during the summer. Spectacular planted en masse in bedding displays. Height: 30-45cm (12-18in)
Outstanding in trials, these robust plants show excellent garden performance, flowering over a long period and producing an abundance of fully double, deep pink-purple, dahlia-like flowers. This is a taller-than-usual variety of zinnia which will add colour and height to border displays as well as to cut flower arrangements. Zinnia Purple Prince will flower all summer until the first frosts, attracting bees and butterflies as well as the admiration of your neighbours!
Eye-catching and unusual lime green blooms with outstanding garden performance stand ceremoniously above well-branched bushy plants. This reliable border filler will add interest to your displays and make an intriguing border cut flower
Zinnias have certainly increased in popularity as summer bedding in recent years. Swizzles are sure to brighten any display with their eye-catching, bicoloured flowers, in vibrant shades of cherry and ivory. The dwarf, bushy free-flowering plants have exceptional garden performance in sunny borders or in containers, as well as attracting a variety of butterflies to your garden. Height: 25-30cm (10-12in)
Distinctly marked, brightly coloured, semi cactus-like blooms each with contrasting petal tips. An outstanding garden performer, freely flowering throughout the summer in borders, as well as making an attractive cut flower
Perfectly-formed blooms in a unique colour combination make a spectacular display in beds and borders. This bushy, compact variety has formidable garden performance, flowering continuously throughout summer regardless of dry conditions.