Dicentra ‘Bacchanal’ (bleeding heart) was £6.99 now £3.49
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, humus-rich rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April to May Hardiness: fully hardy This vibrant, compact variety of bleeding heart produces a profusion of deep crimson, heart-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer above feathery, grey-green leaves. Easy to grow, it looks fabulous planted in groups towards the front of a shady border. As long as the ground is kept moist it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Garden care: Lift and divide la rge clumps in late autumn when the leaves have died down, or in early spring before the new growth appears, taking care not to damage the fragile roots.

Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘White Robin’ (Ragged Robin) was £9.99 now £3.99
Slender upright perennial with bluish-green foliage and star-shaped white fl owers.

Gunnera manicata (Chile rhubarb) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: deep, permanently moist, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average to fast-growing Flowering period: June Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline) A dramatic, architectural plant, with massive, deeply veined, rounded leaves hel d on stout, prickly stems. This majestic plant looks wonderful at the edge of a large pond or stream where its foliage is reflected in the water. One of the m ost spectacular plants that can be grown in Britain, it requires deep, permanent ly moist, humus-rich soil, lots of space and protection from cold, drying winds. Garden care: Cut back the dying leaves in autumn. In frost-prone ar eas protect the crown of the plant with a dry winter mulch such as straw.

Campanula poscharskyana ‘E. H. Frost’ (bellflower) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, well-drained, fertile soi l Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: J une to September Hardiness: fully hardy This low-grow ing, spreading campanula makes ideal groundcover, and looks wonderful scrambling between pavings or up a wall, or as an edging plant. It has masses of small, st ar-shaped, pure white flowers from June to September and rounded, mid-green, ser rated leaves. An extremely vigorous variety, this is best planted away from smaller, less robust plants. Garden care: Protect the tender foliage from slug damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. During the growing season water freely. After flowering, pull out th e flowered shoots by hand, and the plant may produce a second flush.

Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta ‘Blue Cloud’ (lesser catmint) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to September Hardiness: fully hardy This upright, bushy plant produces a haze of tiny blue flowers with long purple bracts from June right through to September. When crushed, the oval, dark green leaves emit a spearmint-like scent and the flowers are a magnet for bees. Try this lovely catmint in a warm, sunny spot in the garden, among herbs or Mediterranean-style plants. Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.

Lythrum salicaria ‘Blush’ (purple loosestrife) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, deep, moist soil Rate of Growth: average to fast Flowering period: July to August Flowers: light pink Other features: handsome, boldly toothed leaves Hardiness: fully hardy This moisture loving perennial will quickly form naturalised clumps beside waterways, where its light pink flowers, which appear in profusion, will provide colour throughout the summer and into autumn. The birds and bees will be attracted by the nectar-rich flowers and the foliage takes on good autumn colour too. Garden Care: It self-seeds freely, so if you want to control its spread remove the flowerspikes as they fade.

Centaurea montana ‘Alba’ (mountain knapweed) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to July Hardiness: fully hardy This perennial cultivar of the annual cornflower has shaggy white flowers with reddish violet centres that are twice the size of the native species. It flowers from May to July and has lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. It looks particularly good with old cottage garden favourites such as lupins and catmint, or with grasses. An excellent plant for the middle of a well-drained, sunny border. Garden care: Stake with brushwood or bamboo canes before the flowers appear. Cut back to the ground after flowering and you may get a second flush of flowers. Lift and divide large clumps every three years in spring.

Salvia ‘Madeline (PBR)’ (sage) was £7.99 now £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well- drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees Hardiness: fully hardy Each flower is made up of two colours, as the upper lip is a rich purple blue, while the lower one is near-white. They are borne on upright stems from early summer, often producing a second flush is dead-headed promptly. Garden care: To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.