This contrasting and vibrant mixture of red, white and blue cornflowers provides a bold and long-lasting display to the garden. Traditional and reliable, display these pretty, pollinator-friendly plants in wildflower areas, borders and patio pots, planted in groups or informally dotted around.
Huge flowers up to 15cm (6) across add an exotic flavour to patio pots. The flamboyant blooms of Begonia Giant Picotee Mixed boast layers of elaborate, ruffled petals with a picotee edge. Supplied as a mixture of sumptuous bicolours, that looks simply spectacular set against lush serrated foliage in containers, beds, and window boxes. Height and spread: 30cm (12).Useful links:How to grow bulbs, corms and tubers Culinary note: Add the bright coloured petals to sandwiches or salads for a light lemon taste and crisp texture. For more details about edible flowers click here.
Make your borders glow with red hot colour in summer with this vibrant Kniphofia 'T&M Special Hybrids' collection. These red hot pokers bloom in molten shades of red, orange and yellow and will certainly turn up the heat in your summer colour schemes.
This easy to grow Coleus Canina keeps cats, dogs, rabbits and foxes away from your garden, also known as the ?Scaredy Cat? Plant. It produces an odour that cats in particular find offensive. It will be at its most effective when planted in a sunny spot, because the odour gets stronger the hotter leaves become ? fortunately the odour is barely obvious to humans! Coleus Caninai is easy to grow and will thrive on neglect as it is a naturally drought tolerant plant. It even produces attractive blue flowers during the summer months and early autumn. Height: 45cm (18).
You might think that the 'Husker Red' in this Penstemon's name refers to the pink-white, trumpet-shaped flowers it sports during the summer, but look more closely and you'll see that its foliage, too, is ruby red. What's more, these leaves are semi-evergreen, thus giving the plant a long season of interest. As if its beauty wasn't enough, this Beard Tongue is also an extremely practical choice for cottage gardens: it is weather-resistant and seemingly immune to slugs and other pests. These qualities ensure that the magnificent plant will brighten up borders throughout the summer and beyond. Height: 50cm (1'8). Spread: 50cm (1'8).
The tall spires of the Red Hot Poker are equally at home in the cottage garden, exotic garden, or wildlife garden. Above dense clumps of evergreen foliage, the scarlet-orange and yellow blooms of Kniphofia 'Fire Dance' are an old favourite of the mixed border, still just as popular today. Loved by bees and butterflies, the Torch Lily is also rabbit proof, making it a useful choice in rural gardens. Height: 50cm (20) Spread: 60cm (24).
As the name suggests, this variety of Dogwood sports red flowers in spring rather than the usual creamy white ones. These hardy shrubs are becoming increasingly popular in garden design as they have a structure and form that is both eye pleasing and also neat and tidy. Another bonus feature of this shrub is that its blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies so it will draw them into your garden where you can enjoy seeing them. Due to its neat compact habit, Cornus ?Royal Red? is also suitable for growing in large containers too. Height: 180cm (71). Spread 180cm (71).
Bush roses are always popular, and this variety is one of the best, in a beautiful shade of red.
The spindle bush is a familiar hedgerow plant, of which Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade' is a selected form, chosen for its especially generous flowers. Grown as a deciduous shrub or small tree, ?Red Cascade? has leaves that turn a dazzling dark red in autumn, and rosy-red winged fruit that break open to reveal bright orange seeds. Its branches are weighed down by a profusion of fruit, and its seeds are loved by birds - you may find self-sown seedlings popping up across the garden. Suitable for most soil conditions, and tolerant of both sun and shade. Height:3m (10'). Spread: 2.5m (8').
An exciting new bamboo with striking red stems! Recently discovered in China, Bamboo 'Red Fountain' is a well-behaved, clumping bamboo whose new shoots emerge green before blending to deep yellow and then changing to crimson red.
Balcon Red' or 'Decora Imperial' is one of the most widely grown geraniums in the UK and Europe