If you're searching for a rose that will brighten up your cottage garden in the late summer and early autumn, consider Rose 'The Fairy'. This hardy shrub flowers in July, producing pretty, pink blooms in abundance. Its glossy leaves and graceful, arching stems can be trained into a small hedge. Alternatively, the Rosa can be grown in a sunny, cottage garden border, where it will prove itself to be deserving of the RHS AGM it holds. Height: 60cm (2'). Spread: 90cm (3').
Exquisite pyramid shaped blooms with the darkest purple black petals. Plant tulips in groups and delight as they open to reveal their superb colouring. Why not cut some for a flower arrangement so that you can enjoy them indoors too!
Commonly known as Shooting Stars, this unusual perennial deserves to be more widely grown in UK gardens. The spring blooms are similar to Cyclamen, with reflexed petals and a lovely deep pink colour, but carried on much taller, 45cm (18) stems.
Aptly named, this gorgeous French Lavender produces large deep purple flower heads topped with frilly lavender petal-like bracts. The silver-green foliage emits a spicy fragrance when brushed past and is the perfect way to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden. A neat compact habit makes Lavender 'Fathead' ideal as border edging or grown in patio containers where you can appreciate the flowers up close. Blooming over a long period throughout summer, these Lavandula stoechas flowers are highly attractive to pollinating insects. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Mother of Pearl' has nectar rich, white flowers in summer, and powder pink berries in autumn making it an ideal shrub for a wildlife-friendly garden.
Large star shaped velvety purple flowers will bloom in June and October.
Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' is an appealing choice if you?re looking for a plant with interesting and light-coloured foliage to fill a gap in a large garden border. The European Red Elder has bright yellow-green, feathery leaves, contrasting wonderfully with shrubs with dark green foliage. Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' grows well in all types of soil, but is happiest in a spot that is both well-drained and moist. Conical heads of creamy white flowers are produced in late summer, followed by elderberries. Height and spread: 2.5m (8.2').
Lupins have long been favourite plants for cottage garden planting schemes and with specimens like Lupin 'The Page' it's easy to see why. The tall spires hold dozens of pea-like blooms in a rich shades of scarlet red. This variety has been bred to provide a long flowering period which will bring great satisfaction to newcomers to gardening as well as experienced gardeners too. Lupins shouldn't be thought of as purely for cottage gardens as they'll bring a burst of colour in borders or in groups at the edge of woodlands. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 75cm (30).
The eye-catching blooms of Evening Primrose have played a major role in creating some of the most stunning perennial borders in gardens around the world. Oenothera 'African Sun' brings together all the key parts of this popular plants, together with maintaining a rounded, compact habit. The rich golden-yellow flowers remain open throughout the daytime as well as in the evenings and look excellent in borders and containers. Slender green foliage forms the base of this tough, reliable, hardy garden plant and will thrive in most conditions. Low maintenance and unlike other evening primroses, tolerates shade as well as full sun. Height: 90cm (36). Spread: 30cm (12).
This new collection brings together varieties of two colours - pure white and rare soft pink. The nodding bells make an enduring and evocative sight every spring, and the scent is unforgettable. These Lily of the Valley flower stems are great for cutting too. Ht. 25cm. Supplied as pips.
These hardy, compact Chrysanthemums are fantastic for adding late summer and autumn colour to your garden, just as other plants are starting to fade. Each plant forms a natural, neat mound of foliage which is completely smothered with flowers for weeks.
This great book is packed full of ideas and tips, from dealing with pests diseases and growing bigger plants to ways to save money in the garden. By Steve Brookes.