Agapanthus ‘Enigma’ (African lily) £7.99
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) The flowers of this bi-coloured African lily have blue throats, which fade to white towards the edges of the petals. This produces a very pretty effect. This evergreen African lily can be used in conjunction with softer, unstructured plants for best effect. Garden care: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from spring until flowering. Towards the end of September ease back on the watering and feeding of plants in containers to allow the foliage to toughen up. 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.

Penstemon ‘White Bedder’ (beard tongue) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection in cold areas) Large, white, foxglove-like flowers emerge from pink-flushed buds from July to October and really sing among the lance-shaped, bright green leaves. If deadheaded regularly this wonderful white penstemon continues flowering until the first frosts. It’s a handsome, easy-to- grow perennial that will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for lighting up the middle of a partly shady, well-drained border. Grown in sun, it looks particularly good with silver-leaved plants. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Apply a dry mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost damage and cut back in spring when new shoots appear low down on the stem. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Penstemon ‘Hidcote Pink’ (beard tongue) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection in cold areas) Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This pretty, easy-to-grow perennial is named after plantsman Laurence Johnston’s famous Arts and Crafts garden in Gloucestershire. It will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. The delicate pink flowers of this variety have white throats striped with pink, like seaside rock, which contrast particularly well with deep reds or with wispy grasses. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Apply a dry mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost damage and cut back in spring when new shoots appear low down on the stem. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Penstemon Jean Grace (‘Penbow’) (beard tongue) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: June to August Flower colour: bright azure-blue Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection in cold areas) Lax spikes of bright azure-blue, bell-shaped flowers from June to August rise above the lance-shaped, glaucus-green leaves. This versatile penstemon is an attractive front-of-border, rockery or container plant. Flowering in the first year after sowing, it prefers a sunny or partly shady site with fertile, well-drained soil. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Apply a dry mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost damage and cut back in spring when new shoots appear low down on the stem. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

Penstemon ‘Pensham Czar’ (beard tongue) £5.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to October Flower colour: purple with a white throat Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection in cold areas) Upright flower spikes rise above the clumps of semi-evergreen foliage, bearing white-throated, purple flowers, which if dead-headed regularly will continue to appear until the first frosts. It is an invaluable late-flowering gap-filler, which mixes easily with ornamental grasses. Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Apply a dry mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost damage and cut back in spring when new shoots appear low down on the stem. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.