The true valerian makes a lovely, pure white alternative to ever- popular Verbena bonariensis. Heads of tiny flowers are a magnet to pollinators and are held on a stiffly branched skeletal structure about 1.2m high above ferny leaves. In good soil this perennial will seed about and light up dark corners. Great weaving its way between taller roses. Ht 1,5m

All phlox are summer stalwarts with whorls of scented upright flowers and neat leaves coping well in sun or shade. This gem however has one other trick up its sleeve - handsome cream foliage which illuminates dark corners all summer. Soft pink scented flowers with a darker eye complete the picture 30cm

Slender spires of pure white flower appear in July and August above neat whorls of deep-green leaves. This perennial never needs staking and slowly forms substantial clumps. Ht 1.5m

Toadlily. A truly elegant and unusual Japanese perennial which comes into its own in late summer and autumn when the orchid-like blooms speckled in purple, dangle from wiry, zigzagging stems. Protect from slugs in spring and this will slowly build into a substantial clump. Best in semi shade and associates well with brunneras, hostas and ferns. 1m

Unusual betony with large and showy dense spikes of hooded mauve purple flowers like a giant dead-nettle in May above a mound of tidy, scalloped foliage. From Turkey. Easy care and good as groundcover under shrubs and roses. Ht 40cm

Unusual and dainty shrub that only reaches a meter high but decks itself in Chamaeleon-like leaves which change from shrimp-pink in spring to cream and finally green by summer when attractive, white spirea-like flowers appear on the branches. Will slowly sucker about in sun or part shade. May - Jul Ht 1m

Perennial Campion Choice, lacy white campion perfect in those difficult dry and shady areas such as at the base of trees. In May and June clumps are covered with the delicate fringed flowers and attractive seed pods follow on 60cm

Only discovered this marvellous little rose recently. With few thorns, a neat ,compact habit and a mass of creamy flowers from May to Christmas this is a great 'doer'. The lack of meaningful scent is its only drawback. (Grown on its own roots) 80cm

All-time favourite native plant. Dainty, good for pollinators and flowers for ages early in the season when there is little to enjoy in the garden. Primroses love thin grass in sun or seeding about under roses and shrubs - dotting themselves among cracks in paving. Goes beautifully with purple crocuses, violets or forget-me-nots. 10cm

Cape Fuchsia. Unusual sub-shrub which dies down in winter with huge panicles of long dusky red bells each with a lemon yellow lip. Flowers for a long time June - August. Ht 50cm

Old-fashioned but elegant plant with unique rows of ivory bell flowers hanging from ranks of lustrous leaves in May. This is a tough perennial which is best in shade and a hearty soil. See it growing wild in the woods of the local Nettlebridge Valley 50cm.

Big name for a pretty little ground covering fern. This unusual variety is frilly and a fresh lettuce green all year-round making it a great companion for early spring bulbs and as a tight understorey to roses and shrubs. Ht 25cm. Spread 40cm after 2 years

Named The Obedient Plant because each flower is hinged and can be swivelled to left or right with the push of a finger. 30cm tidy clumps of white spires are at their best in July. Will spread and make large clumps in the heavy soils it enjoys.

Beautiful upright phlox making substantial clumps. This was found in an old garden near Bristol. The usual rich musky scent 1m July - Aug

Nice compact phlox with clean pink flowers - each with a rosy eye and the classic musky scent through summer . Good both in sun or shade 30-40cm

All phlox are invaluable for their scent and shade tolerance. This variety has pure white scented flwrs which are great for picking with a musky, peppery scent in high Summer. A good upright perennial for sun or shade 50cm

This cottage garden plant has a unique colouration - irridescent blue/purple flowers above purple -tinged foliage. Blooms appear in June to July; they smell sweetly and last a long time on compact plants in sun or shade and no staking required 50cm

Jerusalem sage is a tough but sumptuous groundcover plant with bold - almost evergreen mats of foliage from which rise yellow whorls of flower in pom-poms up the stem in June. Great seedheads last well through winter. Ht 40cm. spread 1m +

The architectural soft-pink drumsticks of this native plant are an unusual shape when they flower in May and June making a great contrast to tulips and alliums. This plant likes average to damp soils and will spread about making good groundcover in sun/shade 30cm.

A lovely deep violet colour. No garden should be without a penstemon because they flower for a long time and make useful mounds of evergreen leaves through winter. 50cm

This is the hardiest and easiest penstemon to grow with a generous show of raspberry pink bells all summer and willowy leaves which stay evergreen through winter. Cut back hard each spring 40cm

Classic wild-meadow plant, yet this rare form found in a Priston garden is half the size and later and longer in flowering than the normal Oxe-Eye daisy making it a dainty edging perennial to weave through borders or gravel paths to enrich the wildlife value of your garden. 30cm (Leucanthemum vulgare)

Japanese Black Mondo Grass makes neat little clumps of shining dark foliage. A perfect foil for small cyclamen and miniature bulbs such as snowdrops and crocus. Good in sun or shade to edge borders and paths. Evergreen and easy. Ht 10cm

Plume poppy. A great stately foliage plant with bold blue-grey leaves and subtle tawny panicles of flower that catch the evening sun. Tends to spread rapidly so good in wilder places or confined spaces. Ht 2m.

A new twist on the tough old cottage garden favourite. The same cheerful spikes of neat flowers in June but beautiful creamy variegations in this cultivar which have pinky tinges as they sprout in spring. Not invasive like the original form. No staking required. Ht 40cm

Unusual and dainty shrub that only reaches a meter high but decks itself in Chamaeleon-like leaves which change from shrimp-pink in spring to cream and finally green by summer when attractive, white spirea-like flowers appear on the branches. Will slowly sucker about in sun or part shade. May - Jul Ht 1m

Another easy and dependable groundcover for shady places but this brunnera is a giant with bold silvery leaves up to 25cm long after the mist of blue spring flowers. Dies down in winter. Slug -proof 40cm

Incredibly decorative and elegant woodland sedge. In May, white frilly flowers dangle like cotton-wool wands above neat foliage. These make lovely seed heads through winter. Only 30cm high Evergreen.

Unusual evergreen perennial. Above a grassy green mound of foliage, strings of small purple flowers emerge like clusters of tiny grapes in early autumn. A neat and easy plant for dry, shady places. Good as an edger too and nice with hostas and trycertis lily. Ht. 30cm.