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
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Inspired by the historic house and setting at Park House in Cambridgeshire, landscape architect Robert Myers has woven together traditional and contemporary design elements to create a haven for people, plants and wildlife
