‘Chipperfield Orange’ - A tall late-flowering variety with large heads of burnt orange flowers streaked with yellow, 5ft.
‘Goldrausch’ – Tall pure yellow variety. Very easy and floriferous. 4ft / 1.2m
hoopsii – Very different from the autumn flowering varieties. Bright yellow daisies with long, narrow petals, smooth foliage, May/June flowering. 2-3ft / 60-80cm
‘Morheim Beauty’ – Always popular, reliable, compact and full of flower, the flowers are a particularly good shade of deep orange-red with prominent dark cones. 2ft / 60-70cm
‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ - Very early into flower - June - but goes on well into Oct and only 3ft. Russet orange flowers.
HELLEBORES
I have given up listing all the separate colour hellebores but predominantly dark colours and greens and creams are found in singles and a wide selection, including apricot and spotted amongst the doubles. It is obviously best to take your pick when they are in flower, so watch the website for flowering details.
HEMEROCALLIS
Much underrated, Daylilies may only have flowers that last one day but they are produced in such quantity that this is irrelevant. Several of the varieties listed below flower for 3 months in summer and their tolerance of most soils and sites, even shade, make them very worthy border perennials.
Double River Wye - Medium-sized double lemon yellow flowers with ruffled edges. Very pretty and prolific, slender foliage, 2-3ft.
George Cunningham - Large apricot flowers and a long flowering period, gorgeous, 3ft.
Little Missy - Masses of deep purple/pink flowers with a distinctive silver edge and yellow throat, repeats well, 2ft.
Stella d’Oro - Everyone’s favourite. Small, always in flower, lovely bright yellow flowers, easy, 18ins.
Stoke Poges - Pale pink flowers, fading to cream at the edges, long flowering period, 2ft.
INULA
racemosa - Although reference books that actually list this inform one that this inula likes moisture and sun, I have grown it in shade under hazel bushes on chalk, without loss of size or vigour. The bold, paddle shaped leaves will grow to 3ft in length from a stout, non-invasive crown.Then 6-7ft stems shoot up with yellow daisy flowers arranged in clusters, spirally up this stem. The birds love the seed-heads and it brings something junglely to the garden that does not require lagging or lifting each autumn, 6ft+
IRIS
Iris germanica hybrids are the belles of early summer with their huge sumptuous blooms from strong pale foliage. In a sunny well-drained spot they can’t be beaten for impact of colour or scent. Even after flowering the foliage adds an architectural note to any scheme and is a joy in itself.
- ‘Benton Deidrie’ – Pleasing creamy yellow, like very good butter, lily scent. 2-3ft / 60-80cm
- ‘Green Spot’ - Distinctly different white waxy flowers with green spotted falls, dwarf, 1ft.
- ‘Langport Wren’ – Compact and very floriferous with deep plummy black flowers. 2ft / 60cm
- ‘June Prom’ – A romantic confection of pale blue, yellow beard and green and darker blue veins on the falls. 2-3ft / 60-80cm
Listed below are the siberian irises which I have found to tolerate a wide range of soils and situations, even drought when established, and which give a wonderful show of delicate iris flowers in late spring/early summer. The large clumps of upright spear-like foliage are fresh green and several flowers are produced on each of the strong stems held well above the foliage.
sibirica ‘Dance Ballerina Dance - Unique flowers, lilac/pink/white, ruffled falls, streaked with honey yellow and with a fine white edge, 2ft.
- ‘Dreaming Green’ -
- ‘Fourfold White’ – Shorter growing but full of flower. 18in / 50cm
- ‘Shaker’s Prayer’ – A striking mixture of purple and white, with prominent blue veining. 2ft / 60cm
- ‘Silver Edge - Large blue flowers with a striking silver edge, early to mid season, 2ft / 6ocm
- ‘Snow Queen - Compact plants with delicately ruffled ivory white flowers, mid season but reblooms later, 18ins.
KNAUTIA
macedonica - This needs virtually no introduction as a reliable long-flowering stalwart for a sunny well-drained border, always smothered in small dark maroon red scabious flowers. I have tall and shorter clones of this, seed grown from proven hardy plants, 18ins-3ft
KNIPHOFIA
A large genus of plants, most from South Africa, in all sizes to suit all gardens. Forget any pre-conceptions about ‘red-hot pokers,’ these days they come in heights from 18ins-5ft and flower colours from red to cream. All are hardy given sun and decent drainage.
caulescens - Making a substantial clump of grey-green leaves, late flowering with stout spikes of red flowers turning yellow on opening. The stems form trunks as the clump ages, very unusual, full sun and good drainage, 4ft.
Dorset Sentry - Fat, rounded pokers in clear acid yellow. bronze stems. July-Oct and only 3ft.
Sherbet Lemon – Tall bronze stems topped by lemon curd coloured slender pokers. June-July. 4ft / 1.2m
Tawny King – Tawny brown buds opening cream – to 4ft. Vigorous and prolific. July –Oct
Timothy – soft salmon and cream flowers, bronze stems. 2ft+, easy. July-Sept.
uvaria nobilis - Own a new regional landmark! I have wanted this ever since seeing it at Great Dixter; the bold spikes of orange flowers come in late summer and stems can reach at least 6ft, in ideal conditions as much as 12ft. Has that wow factor needed in late summer borders!
‘Wol’s Red Seedling’ – The poker for people who don’t like them! Compact clumps, narrow leaves, lots of slender pokers and in the most amazing tomato soup colour. 2-3ft / 60-80cm
LATHRYUS
vernus - Charming perennial peas for a shady/woodland site. Easy and hardy, they form a clump and will seed themselves about if happy. Purple flowers. 12in / 30cm
- ‘Rosenelf’ – Pink flowered version of the above, comes true from seed.
LEUCANTHEMUM
Everyone loves these tough perennial daisies, standing proud in the sunny border.
'Phyllis Smith’ - The petals of this large flowered variety are twisted and form a frothy fringe round deep yellow centres, 3ft / 1m
‘Wirral Supreme’ – Tall stems topped by flat heads of yellow centred daisies with rings of short petals around the centres, giving a semi-double appearance. 3ft / 1m
LIRIOPE
Dense clumps of grassy leaves all year with spikes of tiny round flowers up the stems, like beads in late summer/autumn. Likes a moist soil in part shade.
muscari ‘Munroe’s White’ - The flowers are pale lavender ageing to white, 12ins.
LOBELIA
We are of course discussing herbacious lobelias here, not the bedding varieties, and what amazing flower power they bring to the late summer scene. Some may be hardier than others and none will stand prolonged freezing, but all are worth the effort to accommodate them in the garden.
'Tania' The hardiest of the brightly coloured lobelias with plum tinged leaves and stems and the brightest cerise red flowers in late summer/ autumn. This year they flowered through to late November! 2-3ft/75cm
LYCHNIS
chalcedonica - The bright red heads of the maltese cross are a favourite for any cottage garden border. 3-4ft / 1m
LYSIMACHIA
Interesting perennials, mostly spreading by running rootstocks, preferring moist soil in sun or part shade but good border soil will do.
ciliata - The delicate small yellow flowers are like bells held on fine stems away from the plant and come from mid summer on. The foliage, a bronze-green colour, changes to gold, red and plum in autumn. Can be invasive in damp soil but grows well in dry shade, when established. 3ft / 1m
clethroides - The 'goose neck loosetrife'; so-called because the flowers bend in an elegant curve to point horizontally, rather like a goose who's chasing you! Makes lovely big clumps and flowers through the summer from June. 2ft/60cm
-‘Firecracker’ – As above but with plummy-purple foliage. A bold statement and keeps the fine dark colour even in quite deep shade, 3ft / 1m.
punctata ‘Alexander’ - Whilst the plain green-leaved punctata is considered a bit of a thug, this rather tasty variegated version might just tempt you. The spring shoots are heavily flushed with bright pink which gradually fades as the leaves mature to their green and cream variegation. The bright yellow cup-shaped flowers arrive in mid summer. It is also shorter and less vigorous - ie invasive - than the ordinary, 2ft.
LYTHRUM
Jolly spires of flowers, tolerant of both sun and shade but not soil that completely dries out.
- ‘Robin’ – Bright rosy red flowers, shorter and more compact. 2ft / 60cm
MARRUBRUM
vulgare crispum – The ideal ground cover for woodlandy, shady and inhospitable spots, with crispy-curly sage-green leaves and short spikes of pale green flowers. Spreads out rooting as it goes. 8in / 20cm
MONARDA
‘Gardenview Scarlet’ - This mildew resistant variety has scented foliage and is happiest in moist, well drained soil in sun and part shade. Attracts bees and butterflies 2ft / 60cm
'On Parade' - Really deep cerise/plum flowers on tall stems, the leaves and stems are flushed with the same rich plum shade. Flowers for ages into late summer. 3ft/80cm
'Pink Supreme' - Another compact variety, this time with stunning bright pink flowers and dark green leaves with a hint of purple. 2ft/60cm