October

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.

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.

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.

Viola 'Sorbet F1 Honeybee' is a real heartbreaker in a six-petal suit. They bloom with rich mahogany and warm golden yellow petals - rather like sunlit honey. Near the centre there's a soft black whisker pattern. Perfect for use in beds or containers and for attracting pollinators to the garden.

A delicate lavender kissed with rosy pink undertones, the top petals of Viola 'Sorbet F1 Lavender Pink' lean a little more to lavender, the lower ones more pink, giving it a subtle watercolor fade. Refined, elegant and easy on the eye, they flower abundantly and are ideally suited for both spring and autumn use.

Well-regarded in horticultural circles, Viola Sorbet XP Neptune F1 is a premium cultivar, for its consistent performance across a wide range of climates and seasons. 'Neptune', displays striking blooms characterised by a soothing blend of soft blue and cream petals, often with a delicate yellow center and a faint blue picotee edge.

Early-blooming and reliable, Viola Sorbet remains compact in both heat and cold, making it a standout performer in spring and autumn. One of the most striking colour combinations of the series, 'Orchid Rose Beacon' has a rose and purple-pink face, dark whiskers and a golden eye. Absolutely gorgeous, it can be slipped into almost any gaps where you need a little brightness.

The Sorbet series is the premier series of Violas. Bred to have more blooms and less stretching, it is a standout performer in both spring and autumn. Sorbet F1 ‘Pink Halo’ have petals that are a crisp white. At the centre there's a raspberry-pink halo that fades outward and dark whiskers that radiate from the centre.

Sorbet 'F1 Raspberry' has tricolour patterns with cap, face, whiskers and eye colours, with luscious deep raspberry red upper and lower petals with dark whiskers and a golden eye. It is a stunning new colour pattern, with a bright face that seems to be basking in the spring or autumn sunshine

Introduced in Germany in 1900, 'Konigin Charlotte' are famously grown for their perfume. The violet coloured flowers are extremely fragrant, This cultivar is unique in that its flowers turn upward making them viewer friendly. It is also one of the longest flowering violets with scented flowers.

Cultivated in Switzerland in 2004 from the famous 'Queen Charlotte', One would think that 'Reine de Neiges', or 'Snow Queen' would be a white bloomer. The flowers are almost white, a clear crisp ice-blue. Long blooming and upward facing, their fragrance is intense.

Known for their vigorous growth and cascading blooms, Viola pansy 'Freefall F1' is perfect for spring and autumn baskets. It is day-length neutral, so will bloom well into winter and early spring. Super floriferous with a tidy habit, it attracts pollinators and adds charm to any outdoor space.