Buxus sempervirens (common box) £5.99
Position: partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil, including chalky Rate of growth: slow-growing Hardiness: fully hardy To find out more about how to plant a hedge , click here Common box makes a fabulous formal hedge for a partially shady site, forming a dense, evergreen screen of small, rounded, lustrous, dark green leaves. One of our recommended plants, it’s an excellent backdrop for traditional herbaceous borders. Box is happy growing in a sunny spot but the combination of dry soil and full sun may encourage poor growth and leaf scorching. If you have sandy soil, it is best to keep it in a partially shady spot in the garden. Garden care: For maximum results plant 30cm (12in) apart in well-prepared, fertile soil and water regularly until well established. Ensure that the soil or compost is never allowed to dry out. Carefully trim plants grown as hedges or topiary in mid- or late summer. Carry out rejuvenative pruning in late spring. After pruning apply a top-dressing of a balanced slow-release fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone (organic) or Osmocote (inorganic) around the base of the plant, ensuring that none touches the leaves or stems.

Allium karataviense ‘Ivory Queen’ (Turkestan onion bulbs) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Hardiness: fully hardyAn unusual, low-growing ornamental onion, th is produces globes of star-shaped, white summer flowers cradled between tw o broad, grey-green, fleshy leaves. Despite its short stems, the flowerheads can reach the size of an orange. Its eyecatching used at the edge of a sunny border or gravel garden. Its also excellent used in dried flower arrangements. Garden care: Split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.

Agapanthus ‘Glen Avon’ (African lily) £3.99
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 from frost in winter) Masses of bright blue, trumpet-shaped florets, each with darker stripes on the petals, form huge, rounded globes on top of the sturdy, upright stems. These create quite an impact above the evergreen foliage, and are excellent for adding structural interest to the border. Garden care: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from spring until flowering. In cold areas, protect the crown of the plant with a deep, dry mulch to protect them from hard frosts, or grow in a pot so they can be overwintered in an unheated greenhouse. Divide plants in spring. Divide plants that have become too big in spring, but remember you will often get more flowers when the roots are constricted.

Allium karataviense (Turkestan onion bulbs) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Hardiness: fully hardy An unusual, low-growing ornamental onion, th is produces globes of star-shaped, pinky-white summer flowers cradled between tw o broad, grey-green, fleshy leaves. Despite its short stems, the flowerheads can reach the size of an orange. Its eyecatching used at the edge of a sunny border or gravel garden. Its also excellent used in dried flower arrangements. Garden care: Split and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.