Fargesia rufa (bamboo) £19.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average to fast growing Leaves: green Canes: green Hardiness: fully hardy This very hardy bamboo is quite modestly sized (with an eventual height of around 3m), so is ideal for smaller gardens or large pots. It has slender, upright to arching canes, which are clothed in attractive green leaves throughout the year. Eventually forming dense clumps, the new canes emerge a bright green, which contrast well with the culm sheaths, creating a distinctive two-tone effect until the sheaths drop away. Garden care: Do not allow to dry out while the plant is getting established. Protect from cold, drying winds.

Alstroemeria (Planet Series) ‘Venus’ (Peruvian lily) £7.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: slow growing to average Flowering period: June and July Other features: contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy Creamy white petals, that are infused with pink, surround the more colourful inner petals, which also have yellow flashes and small maroon streaks. A very pretty Peruvian lily that will blend easily with pastel shades, stronger pinks or white. They are excellent for cutting too. Garden care: Newly planted Alstroemerias should be given a very generous 20cm (8″) deep mulch of chipped bark in their first winter to help the plants become established. In subsequent autumns, provide a dry mulch of bracken or bark chippings will help protect the crowns. After flowering cut back the faded flower-stems, but make sure you always wear gloves when working with Peruvian lilies, as contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.

Simple candle holder £7.99
Classic and simple candle holders that can be used to dress the table – either indoors or out. The mirrored base reflects lots of light, so you need less of them to be able to see what you are eating. Made from nickel plated brass. > Measurements: Height 30cm, base 14.5cm x 14.5cm

Alstroemeria ‘Sirius’ (Planet Series) (alstroemeria Sirius) £6.99
Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: slow growing to average Flowering period: June and July Other features: excellent cut flowers; contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation Hardiness: fully hardy Soft pink flowers with a gold throat and brownish-red freckles, appear in profusion from early summer, creating an exotic feel to ther border. An easy to mix colour, it looks beautiful when planted in sizeable clumps, and as it makes such a good cut flower, it is worth planting more than you need. Garden care: Alstroemerias will need some protection in their first year or two, so only plant out when all danger of frost has passed. Set the bare roots out carefully onto well-prepared soil, or if planting into pots, use a good, multi-purpose compost. The plant will grow from the rhizome, not the fleshy storage bulb, so it is important that any bud on the rhizome is pointing upwards before being covered with 7 – 8cm (3″) soil. Ideally they should be placed at 30 – 45cm intervals. Keep the soil moist whilst the plant starts to grow and develop, which should be in spring. Newly planted Alstroemerias should be given a very generous 20cm (8″) deep mulch of chipped bark in their first winter to help the plants become established. In subsequent autumns, provide a dry mulch of bracken or bark chippings will help protect the crowns. After flowering cut back the faded flower-stems, but make sure you always wear gloves when working with Peruvian lilies, as contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.

Alcea rosea Chater’s Double Group maroon-flowered (hollyhock) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to August Hardiness: fully hardy The flowers of this cultivar are a sumptuous shade, so when in full bloom, they create bold columns of colour that will add drama towards the back of herbaceous borders. For a particularly eye-catching effect, mix it with strong purple tones. Garden care: Water well during dry spells. In autumn cut the plants back to 15cm (6in) from the ground.

Alcea rosea Chater’s Double Group rose pink-flowered (hollyhock) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: June to August Hardiness: fully hardy Slender spires of rose pink, pompom-like flowers, look wonderful when planted with a wide range of pastel shades or stronger blues, purples and plum. Their architectural structure will form a wonderful backdrop for lower-growing perennials. Garden care: Water well during dry spells. In autumn cut the plants back to 15cm (6in) from the ground.

Dichelostemma congestum (congested snake lily) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: May to June Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection in colder areas) Tightly packed clusters of lilac-blue, tubular flowers, form at the tops of the tall, upright stems in early summer, just as the grass-like foliage is starting to die back. Thriving in a sheltered spot with plenty of sun and freely draining soil, it works well in both a herbaceous border or prairie style setting. Garden care: Plant corms 10cm deep in autumn in well-drained soil. Keep dry after flowering and apply a generous layer of insulating mulch around the crown in autumn to keep it warm. In colder areas, it may be best to pot it up so it can be over-wintered in a cool greenhouse.

Dahlia ‘Kelsey Annie Joy’ (dahlia tuber) £3.99
Position: full sun Soil: fertile, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Hardiness: half hardy (may need winter protection) Garden care: Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being over-crowded. While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch. In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.