Informal / Cottage

Zinnia 'Lilliput' is a superb early-flowering, medium height series which bloom in profusion all summer long. 'Lilliput White' produce perfectly formed white pompoms which grow 5cm wide. The plants reach around 45 to 50cm tall. Extremely easy to grow from seed, they are the perfect flower for beginners.

Zinnia 'Lilliput Mix' is a superb blend of this most unusual flower type, specially selected for its wide range of bright colours. Very floriferous, the tiny double pom-pom flowers are produced in profusion. This ‘cut-and-come-again’ flower, yields multiple cuts over the season, the old blooms stay fresh as new blooms open.

This outstanding annual produces perfectly formed salmon-pink pompoms, Zinnia 'Lilliput Salmon' begin blooming early and last until late autumn. They can be sown late spring until late summer directly where they are to flower. A second sowing in mid-summer ensures continued flowering into the autumn.

Zinnias are back in fashion with a vengeance. 'State Fair' is a lovely old series of giant dahlia-flowered zinnias. A time tested winner, in a full range of bright uniform colours, it performs well both in the garden and in the vase. Sow successively from March to July for flowering until autumn.

Xeranthemum 'Lumina' is a hardy annual and one of the prettiest of all the everlasting flowers. The attractive double crested paper-like blooms stand gracefully aloft strong stems, they are simply charming in borders with an abundance of dainty blossoms in four distinct colours of white, rose, crimson and purple.

Veronica spicata ssp. incana is the outstanding silver-leaved form of this reliable perennial. It has a good compact habit and grows to just 40cm (16in) tall and forms a mound of silvery grey narrow leaves. In early summer the plant bears short spikes of deep violet blue flowers.

Gardeners are often looking for good solid perennials that will have attractive flowers, be easy to take care of, grow nicely but not take over the garden. One group of plants that should be considered is the Veronicas. They provide some of the clearest, truest blues in the perennial border.

Veronica longifolia prefers a position in sun or part shade in moist well-drained soil. The sophisticated blue spires bloom in midsummer and last for several months. They make a strong vertical statement and are an excellent contrast to more traditional flowers shapes when positioned at the front of the border.

“Imagination’ is a verbena cultivar that is noted for its profuse bloom of violet-blue flowers, its spreading-trailing stems and its deeply cut foliage. A heat and drought tolerant plant, easily grown it performs well in hanging baskets and containers in full sun.

Verbena hastata 'White Spires' is one of the choicest species available. It produces masses of pure white flowers on architectural flower heads. Its sheer volume of flowers make it a real winner. It is understandably increasing in popularity as it becomes more readily available.

Verbena hastata 'Pink Spires' flowers with multi-branching candelabra-like flower heads. Appearing in mid-late summer and lasting into late autumn, this hardy plant does not need staking, and provides lots of mid to late summer colour in the garden.

Verbena hastata 'Blue Spires' is the blue form of this lovely perennial, with multi-branching candelabra-like flower heads, the flowers slowly expand as they ascend the stems like burning sparklers. The flowers appear in mid-late summer and will last into late autumn.

Relatively new to cultivation Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta' is the smallest growing of the perennial Verbascums. Soundly perennial and drought tolerant it produces delicate flower spikes with whorls of tissue thin purple blooms that ascend to the finest point. It is by far the darkest flowered mullein available.

Verbascum phoeniceum is a stately plant, which combines architectural form with beautiful colouring. 'Rosetta' produces elegant spires of intense pink blooms which are always much admired. They bloom throughout the summer, with a few sporadic flowers late into the year.

English gardeners are very familiar with this plant and consider it essential for a well-structured garden. Verbascum phoeniceum 'Hybrids Mix' flower freely, giving a glorious plethora of colours from delicate salmon to rich claret. A true perennial which can flower the first year given an early sowing.

The poise of the lovely Verbascum phoeniceum 'Flush of White' makes this plant a natural candidate for the front of the border, even though its height might suggest, that it should go at the back. In summer winds, which snap off delphiniums and toss sunflowers awry, the Verbascum stands defiant.

Verbascum ‘Snow Maiden’ is an incredibly beautiful mullein that grow to just 36 to 48cm tall. With masses of soft white flowers each with delicate yellow filaments they flower in June and continue to appear over a long summer, often right through to September. Very easy to grow from seed.

Verbascums are statuesque in both foliage and flower. This elegant species, native to the Olympus mountains is arguably the finest of the genus. Tall flower spikes rise from the centre of the foliage, each are weighted heavily with bright, golden-yellow blooms giving the effect of an enormous candelabra.

Verbascum nigrum is one of the most reliable and long-flowering verbascum, it is also one of the truly perennial species. The variety ‘Album’ bloom profusely in late spring with masses of white flowers with attractive violet filaments, held on candelabra like branches. They bloom throughout the summer, with a few sporadic flowers still in September to early October.

Verbascum nigrum is one of the most reliable and long-flowering verbascum, it is also one of the truly perennial species. This European native bloom profusely with masses of golden-yellow flowers. First thing in the morning, the flowers are alive with bees getting on with their day’s work. Take time to stand and admire them for a few minutes. They will pay you no heed, they’re far too busy.

One look at this species of Verbascum and you will realise why it is also called ‘Arctic Summer’. Tall, white, fleecy flower stems emerge from felted evergreen leaves in early summer. Its stems and leaves are covered in a silvery down that gives it an appearance of being permanently covered with frost.