Bright And Beautiful

10 stunning plants that will give your garden a lift with little effort.

- Connall Oosterbroek

1 GAURA ‘BELLEZA’

This easy-to-grow perennial produces a long-lasting display of blooms in white, and light or dark pink. Butterflies and bees love it. The blooms start opening in early summer and continue right through to autumn. Plant it en masse in the garden, or with other perennials in a mixed border.

Growing tips: Plant in full sun and, while tolerant of poor soils, it performs better in well-drained, compost-enriched soil. Although drought tolerant, water plants well while they establish themselves.

Size: This compact variety will grow up to 45cm high with a spread of 60cm.

2 VERBENA ‘ENDURASCAPE’

Used by landscapers for those difficult areas where little else grows, ‘Endurascape’ handles temperatures as low as -6°C to over 38°C. They have excellent powdery mildew resistance. Use them to edge a path or border, or plant in containers and hanging baskets.

Growing tips: Plant in full sun. Although drought tolerant, water regularly while they establish themselves.

Size: 30cm high, spreading out to 60cm wide.

3 CALIBRACHOA ‘MINIFAMOUS DOUBLE’

New on the market, these vigorous annuals produce gorgeous double blooms throughout the year. Their cascading habit looks particularly effective in hanging baskets, window boxes and mixed containers, but they can also be used in a border or as an edging. The plants stand up well to heat, wind and rain.

Growing tips: Plant in full sun in good-quality potting soil or well-drained garden soil. They don’t require deadheading.

Size: Height and spread 38cm.

4 PELARGONIUM ‘VILLETTA’