For most of the year Ajuga is a pleasant, quiet achiever, a very versatile low growing ground cover, with evergreen, rosette-like foliage that hugs the ground like an evergreen carpet but those weeks in spring when the blue flowers appear are simply quite magical.

Anchusa arvensis is an annual wildflower that produces compact sprays of blue flowers from April to September. Rich in nectar and pollen, they are much loved by almost all bee species. Characterised as a companion of old culture it can be added to wildflower gardens to bring its own brand of natural diversity.

The Magic Carpet Snapdragon is a dwarf, low-growing plant that has a trailing habit that makes it excellent for containers or in window boxes. They are rust resistant and reliable, the blossom-laden flower heads bloom in spring to early summer in a range of exquisite colours.

Pale greenish-white, pincushion-like flowers surrounded by a ruff of greenish white bracts are produced from June to October. The delicate Astrantia alba is perfect for naturalising in areas of moist, dappled shade. It works equally well in a woodland edge or in a mixed border.

'Hadspen Blood' is a beautiful variety is probably the deepest, darkest, blood-red form of this plant. Sultry, dark red button flowers, surrounded by a ruff of near-black bracts are produced from June to August above deeply lobed, dark green leaves with almost imperceptible black margins.

Astrantia major “Primadonna” is a splendid and most attractive cultivated variety forming bushy plants, good for ground cover, and bearing long, loosely-branched stems of very lovely flowers in various shades of wine to deep red. The papery bracts remain presentable for months, rustling in every breeze.

Brachycome is a care-free annual that forms clouds of soft colour. It is one of the most profuse and long-flowering annuals. Cheerful little pinwheels and are held above pale green, feathery foliage. It flowers so heavily that the foliage is often obscured.

Cheerful and bright, use Calendula in beds, borders or containers. Calendula is prolific and durable, and like most hardy annuals it is easy to grow, simply sow where it is to flower. It is currently one of the top herbs used for medicinal use. Sprinkle salads and decorate cakes with the edible tangy petals.

With large single flowers some with chocolate coloured centres, Calendula 'Art Shades Mixed' contains not only the usual bright orange but also various unusual shades - apricot, orange, primrose and cream. Gorgeous and remarkably easy to grow they will flower non-stop from spring until first frosts.

‘Indian Prince' has unique petals quite unlike other Calendula, the dark orange rays are in layers of orange, backed with rich mahogany red petals.Prolific and durable the daisy-like blooms grow up to 20cm wide they are perfect candidates for cutting and flower arrangements.

Campanula carpatica 'F1 Blue' is a lovely lavender-blue-flowered variety of this easily-grown campanula. It covers its low mounds of foliage with upward-facing blue bells for weeks in summer. The flowers are held on short stems above dainty heart shaped, bright green leaves.

Campanula carpatica 'F1 White' is a lovely white-flowered variety of this easily-grown campanula. It covers its low mounds of foliage with upward-facing white bells for weeks in summer. The flowers are held on short stems above dainty heart shaped, bright green leaves.