I love the excitement of adding tender and borderline hardy plants to containers and the garden beds. It brings with it a temporary opportunity to experiment and be playful.
1 Heliotropium arborescens 'Reva' A tender shrub that's easy from cuttings. Great for hot spots and the water-conscious gardener. Its scent is a must for a container or bed near a seat, window or door. Give it plenty of sun to bring out the best fragrance from the flowers. Height and spread: 30cm x 45cm.
2 Oxalis triangularis 'Atropurpurea' An excellent groundcover, with deep-purple foliage and soft-pink flowers. I've been using it outside for 15 years, but in winter I always bring some corms inside to enjoy on a windowsill, just in case. 20cm x 30cm. USDA 7a-10b.
3 Monstera deliciosa Ever thought of giving your houseplants a summer holiday? I use this dramatic plant in a shady container display for the summer months. Just bring it in before it gets too cold. 1.5m x 50cm.
4 Coleus argentatus One of best plants for foliage. Its soft, silky, silvery leaves make it incredibly useful for 'filling' around your colour scheme. A robust plant (for a tender perennial), it will even grow in shade. 60cm x 60cm. RHS H1C, USDA 10a-11.
5 Dahlia 'Wishes n Dreams' Described as a dwarf bedding dahlia. The dark leaves contrast with magenta to sugar-pink flowers. Just as at home in a container as in a flower border. Single flowers are great for pollinating insects, and this flowers from July to the first frosts. 70cm x 30cm. RHS H3.
6 Verbena rigida I'm always looking for fillers to go among my shrubby containers. Occasionally, one of the fillers steals the show and this verbena is one of those plants, weaving itself into the tightest spots and still putting on a display. Surprisingly hardy. 60cm x 40cm. RHS H3, USDA 9a-10b.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
EARTHLY CONCERN
Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing
Gardening is good for you
In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.
TANGERINE DREAM
On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial
Waste not, nice plot
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love
One for all
A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity
Autumn at Sissinghurst
As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.
