April

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.

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.

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.

Verbena bonariensis 'Vanity' is a new compact cultivar of a perennial favourite. This Fleuroselect Gold Medal winning variety has an open habit with gorgeous, intense purple-blue clusters atop branching thin, wiry stems. Its garden friendly, neat habit makes it sturdier and easier to maintain while you create a pollinator paradise in your 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.

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 '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 'Obsession Apricot' is a new pastel colour of this exquisite series. Bred to be earlier to flower, the evenly spread buds open to reveal showy clusters of star-shaped, peach-apricot flowers at from late spring to mid autumn. They bring an extremely fine and delicate texture to any garden composition.

A beautiful pastel mixture of this exquisite series, Verbena 'Obsession' plants are compact with a trailing habit of growth they eventually spill over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. This award winning variety is an excellent performer flowering over a long period throughout summer, regardless of the weather.

“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.

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.

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.

To garden with an Oudolf-esque plant like Veronicastrum, it is not necessary to turn your outdoor space into a prairie: you are allowed to keep your flower beds. Naturalistic planting travels well, and Veronicastrum holds its own in a formal border as well as in the middle of a lawn which has turned into a meadow.

Viola cornuta 'Arkwright Ruby' is an antique variety that is a favourite among gardeners for both its historical charm and ornamental beauty. Incredibly versatile, they are perfect for almost anywhere in the garden and even for the vase. With its long stems and long flowering season, it will deliver a vibrant splash of colour in any garden.

Viola cornuta ‘Back to Black’ is a striking cultivar of the horned violet, admired for its exceptionally dark, velvety flowers. The blooms are an intense black-purple, so deep that they often appear pure black. If you want to achieve long stems for the vase, plant them close, 5 to 10cm apart.

Renowned for its unique, hand painted, Viola 'Brush Strokes' is a captivating variety that has been carefully chosen from a cherished collection of historic strains. A harmonious blend of soft apricot, honey, plum, cream and lavender tones, often accented by intricate flecks and fine veining.

Viola 'Chantreyland' is a compact, cool-season charmer. Soft apricot petals with hints of cream, washed with a blush of sunset pink. She’s made for edging, containers, or nestling into cracks in old stone. Quite unforgettable once you’ve met her. no wonder she has been in cultivation since 1923.

A real gem from the mountains of Italy, Viola corsica 'Bertolonii' is a rare but easy-to-grow viola that deserves a spot in any sunny garden. It forms tidy clumps of dark green, lance-shaped leaves and puts on a gorgeous display of large, azure-blue flowers from April through June.