Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’ (African lily) £14.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil (or John Innes no 3 compost for containers) Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Hardiness: half hardy (will need protection in winter) A wonderful white form of African lily, with globes of trumpet-shaped flowers from July to September. This bold perennial provides a perfect focal point for a sunny, well-drained border or in a patio container. Where temperatures fall below zero, container-grown specimens should be overwintered in a frost-free place. Garden care: Keep well-watered during the growing season, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser each month from spring until the plant flowers. Overwinter container-grown specimens in a cool greenhouse or conservatory, watering sparingly.

Stipa tenuissima (stipa ( syn. Stipa tenuifolia )) £8.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, medium to light, well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to September Flower colour: silver-green maturing to blonde-buff Hardiness: fully hardy Wonderful, wispy, pale yellow-green leaves topped with fluffy plumes of silver-green flowers, maturing to blonde-buff. This versatile deciduous grass is ideal for a sunny gravel garden, large container or new perennial border. It’s perfect for introducing movement into a planting scheme since the fluffy flower heads and foliage billow in the slightest breeze. Garden care: Cut back in early spring before the new foliage appears .

Artemisia absinthium ‘Lambrook Silver’ (Wormwood) £7.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained, fertile soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July-August Flower colour: greyish-yellow Hardiness: fully hardy Primarily grown for its attractive foliage, which is softly hairy and has a fern-like quality, this beautiful semi-evergreen perennial will also produce clusters of small, yellowish flowering from mid- to late summer. It is said to produce the most silvery foliage of all the cultivated wormwoods, so it makes a super accent in the border, mixing well with most shades of pinks, purples and plums. It makes an excellent edging plant for a sunny border, or if kept neatly clipped a useful addition to the parterre. To flourish happily, it will need a sheltered spot with plenty of sun and a freely draining soil. Garden care: Cut back stems to approximately 15cm in mid- mid-spring, and again after flowering to encourage fresh new foliage to grow. If grown just for its foliage, remove the emerging flowerstems as soon as they appear. Apply a generous mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around base of the plant in autumn and avoide excessive winter wet.

Convallaria majalis var. rosea (lily-of-the-valley) £7.99
Position: partial or full shade Soil: leafy, fertile, humus-rich, moist soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: May Hardiness: fully hardy A rarely seen form of lily-of-the-valley with pale pink flowers, it is an excellent choice for a woodland garden or the front of an unstructured border where it will spread to form a naturalised carpet. The flowers have a delicious scent, so plant them next to an entrance or path. Alternatively, they make excellent cut flowers, so they can be used to fill your home with their perfume. They will thrive in full sun or partial shade, provided there is adequate moisture, but their seeds may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested. Garden care: Divide and replant congested colonies in September, applying a generous mulch of composted leaf mould around the base of the plant.

Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas blue star) £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moist, but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to July Hardiness: fully hardy As the name suggests, this plant originates from the area around Arkansas where it’s found in well-drained creek banks and surrounding lowlands. This variety has very narrow, needle-like leaves that stick out from the stems like a bottle brush. The distictive foliage creates a fine textured, billowing feel that forms a dense mass, similar to a small shrub. In early summer star-like, steel-blue flowers about 1cm across appear and are great for adding cool colour to a border. Long after the flowers have faded in autumn the foliage turns rich buttery shades before the plant dies back for its winter hybernation. Garden care: This plant does not like wet soil, especially during the winter, so make sure it is planted in a freely draining soil.

Tulipa ‘Blue Heron’ (fringed tulip bulbs) £5.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: Apr-May Flower colour: violet-blue Other features: excellent cut-flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 11/12 The violet-blue open flowers have a darker centre and an attractive pale lilac frilly edge that resembles hoar frosting. They are long lasting, either in the border or as cut flowers. Garden care: In September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq. After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.

Tulipa ‘New Design’ (triumph tulip bulbs) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: April Flower colour: pink Other features: excellent cut-flowers Hardiness: fully hardy Bulb size: 11/12 Soft, silvery-pink flowers, with a deeper pink margin to the petals, are flushed with warm yellow, creating a subtle, yet distinctive colouring. The leaves are variegated too – grey-green with a creamy white margin, which often displays muted pink tones. Overall a very pretty and colourful effect. Garden care: From September to December plant bulbs 15-20cm deep and 10-15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Alternatively, allow 7-9 bulbs per 30cm sq. After flowering dead-head and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser each week for the first month. Once the foliage has died down naturally lift the bulbs and store in a cool greenhouse.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Harvington Lime’ (Lenten rose hellebore) £4.49
Position: partial shade Soil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: February to April Flower colour:lime green Other features: all parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if ingested; the sap may cause skin irritation Hardiness: borderline hardy (may need winter protection) Pretty, pendent or outward-facing, saucer-shaped, white flowers from February to April and leathery, deep green leaves. This is an attractive variety which is perfect as a ground cover for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Like all hellebores, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil. Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring.

Leucanthemum ‘Freak’ (shasta daisy) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast Flowering period: June to September Hardiness: fully hardy Appearing over a long period from early summer, the anemone-centred flowerheads of this delightful new perennial have a somewhat ruffled appearance. Its compact habit, makes it suitable for patio pots as well as the front of a sunny border. Garden care: Divide congested plants in early spring or late summer. Protect young plants from slugs and snails. Cut down to the ground in autumn.