October

Deschampsia cespitosa is a lovely variety of ornamental grass especially valued for it’s tall flower plumes. The sprays of airy delicate flowers, eventually changing to bronze add texture and colour to the winter garden and deliver a knock-out punch to cut-flower arrangements.

Delphinium ‘Summer Skies’ is a soft, airy sky-blue, more powdery pastel than sapphire. The petals often have a faint lavender wash, and the little centre white 'bee' makes the blue look even cleaner and brighter. In cooler weather it can read slightly bluer; in strong sun it looks paler. They are worth almost any effort to grow because they are so beautiful.

Benary's Pacific is a premium strain, that will bloom the first year from a December greenhouse sowing and is excellent for cutting. 'Percival' blooms with tall spires of pure white blooms, each with a stunning black bee They are worth almost any effort to grow because they are so beautiful.

Delphinium 'King Arthur' blooms with deep, royal purple flowers, each with a brilliant white bee. These stately plants add structure and presence to the back of any perennial border or cottage garden where their majesty will truly reign supreme.

Often called the Queen of the Border, Delphinium 'Guinevere' blooms with spires of Lavender rose with white bees that bloom the first year from a December greenhouse sowing. Bring a touch of nostalgia back to the garden, they are worth almost any effort to grow because they are so beautiful.

In the Arthurian legends Sir Galahad is renowned for his gallantry and purity, he is perhaps the knightly embodiment of pure virtue. In the garden, Delphinium 'Galahad' is a subtle and beautiful delphinium with spires of elegant pure white blooms.

Delphinium 'Cameliard' blooms feature spires of soft lavender-blue, with a slightly silvery, mauve-tinged look on the petals and will bloom the first year from an early sowing. Bring a touch of nostalgia back to the garden, they are excellent for cutting, ideal as feature plants and are worth almost any effort to grow because they are so beautiful.

Delphinium 'Black Knight' produces gorgeous spires that are laden with intensely coloured deep purple flowers. Bloom the first year from an early sowing, these dark-eyed delphiniums are stunning when planted in bold clumps in the garden and are one of the most spectacular cut flowers you can grow.

Astolat is a rare and unusual colour. This stunning delphinium blooms with spires of soft blush to deep rose-pink flowers. Gorgeous in the vase or planted in bold clumps for a dramatic statement in the garden. Benary's Pacific is a premium strain of this gorgeous variety that will bloom the first year from an early sowing.

No other blue quite measures up to the almost iridescent hues of Delphinium “Cliveden Beauty”. The multi-branching plants grow to just 75 to 90cm tall so are suitable for most gardens and do not need staking in most situations. The many individual blooms are clear light blue, each with a white centre.

The Delphinium Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that is more heat tolerant and less fussy than most other varieties and if sown early will flower in the current year. Blooming is consistent from June to September, the sturdy flower spikes are very attractive to pollinators and make a wonderful cut flower.

The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that if sown early will flower in the current year. Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Sky Blue' has densely packed spires of soft sky-blue flowers each with a white bee. It is ideal for borders and can be grown as a container plant.

Delphinium 'Pure White Fountains' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires of pure white blooms. The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that if sown early will flower in the current year. The sturdy flower spikes are very attractive to bees and make a wonderful cut flower.

The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that is more heat tolerant and less fussy than most other varieties and if sown early will flower in the current year. Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Lilac Pink' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires, each bloom has a white bee.

The Magic Fountains series is a delightful delphinium that grows 75 to 90cm tall. The plants have a good compact habit and because of their short stature and healthy thick stems, does not require staking. 'Magic Fountains Lavender' is a a gorgeous lavender, each bloom has a white centre, called the 'bee'.

The Fountains series is a vigorous-growing strain that if sown early will flower in the current year. Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Dark Blue' has densely packed spires of dark blue flowers each with a white bee. It is ideal for borders and can be grown as a container plant.

Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom' is an elegant delphinium with densely packed flower spires of large, semi-double blooms. In a gorgeous vintage shade of dusky, cherry-blossom pink, each bloom has a white centre known as the 'bee'. The sturdy spikes are very attractive to bees and make a wonderful cut flower.

Cyperus alternifolius is a very popular both as a house plant and pond plant. The bracts are symmetrically arranged in an umbrella formation and held atop elegant stems that sway with the breeze, giving a tropical touch to the garden. They are also excellent when used in fresh or dried floral arrangements.

What gardener with a heart and soul could resist the spring flowers of Corydalis, whose winged petals with upswept spurs suggest a flight of elfin butterflies. These woodland ephemerals are highly useful at the front of the border, with miniature bulbs such as crocus, muscari or scillas.

Dazzling gold stripes on mahogany-brown petals mark each bloom as unique on this very free-flowering, semi-double Coreopsis. Irresistible to butterflies but left alone by deer and untroubled by heat, humidity, and drought, this carefree beauty self-sows freely, going from seed to bloom in just 12 weeks.

Coreopsis 'Incredible Swirl' is a striking variety that provides a captivating display of unique, bicolour blooms. The mix of cream and soft cranberry to plum act as the perfect bridge flower in bouquets or in the garden. These flowers are long-lasting and prolific, blooming in abundance from late spring to early autumn.