A delicate beauty that stands out among the bolder varieties, Lathyrus odoratus ‘Butterfly’ bears pale cream blooms softly flushed and veined with lilac and lavender Superb for cutting and a striking presence in the garden or the vase.

Richly ruffled and frilled, the blooms of Viola ‘F1 Frizzle Sizzle Burgundy’ resemble plush velvet. An excellent choice for cool season blooms, few plants are as accommodating, and fewer still manage to be so dramatic about it.

Bred by Roger Parsons, ‘Just Julia’ is a modern example of the classic Spencer Sweet Pea. Large, frilled blooms on long, strong stems and distinguished by its glowing pink petals with a lilac undertone. Highly recommended.

A fun addition to the cutting garden, Mounds of fresh green foliage give rise to upright, wiry stems topped with starlike blooms. The papery white ray-florets of Ammobium alatum are both charming and unique.

Florence Fennel 'Selma' is a fine-looking cultivar bred for strong, uniform bulbs and bolt resistance. One of the better picks for tricky weather or late sowings. Best sown after midsummer, once the days start shortening, Fennel prefers to bulk up as things cool down.

Viola 'Arkwright Ruby' is an antique variety that is a favourite among gardeners for both its historical charm and ornamental beauty. The rich, velvety ruby-red blooms are incredibly versatile, perfect for almost anywhere in the garden or for the vase.

Nicotiana ‘Bronze Queen’ is a striking annual grown for its unique, bronze-toned flowers. It features star-shaped, tubular blooms in warm shades of coppery bronze that give an airy ethereal presence to the garden.

Mizuna ‘Purple Stem’ is a striking Japanese variety that retains the classic deeply serrated leaves and mild mustard flavour of green mizuna, but with a touch more sweetness and less bite. Organic Seed.

Bupleurum 'Bronze Beauty' produces small ochre flowers, each surrounded by showy, petal-like bracts, which mature into warm cinnamon-bronze tones that are particularly valued in naturalistic planting schemes.

'Tokyo Bekana’ is a fast-growing leafy green prized for its soft, frilly lime-green leaves and crisp white stems. Its mild, sweet flavour and tender texture make it feel more like a buttery lettuce than a typical brassica. Organic Seeds.

Omphalodes is a delicate annual that wears its charm lightly. It forms an airy mound of fine, silver-grey foliage. Come late spring, it sends up slender stems topped with small, pure white flowers. They look like forget-me-nots dressed up in white linen.