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A fine plant suitable for the woodland garden or shaded herbaceous border. In spring it sends up graceful arching stems of leafy growth topped by plumes of scented, creamy-white flowers. In autumn these heads of flowers turn into bright red berries. Shaded conditions. 90cm (3ft).

A Solomon's Seal relative, that once settled down forms a handsome woodland coloniser, (even in very dry shade), with deciduous foliage unfurling dramatically in spring. Later in the season the flowers, borne in terminal clusters, appear - small, starry and cream coloured; these turning into green fruits that ripen to red. 30-45cm (12-18").

This neat shrubby plant with greyish foliage, produces flowers of white or mauve; their rich perfume filling the evening air during summer. Self seeds freely, especially in gravel or light soils. 45cm (18").

A very tiny prostrate mint, with extremely pungent foliage.

Applemint. I would not be without this favourite culinary herb. It has a sweet flavour which makes it a good addition to green salads in the summer months.

We were given this mint by Kim from the Cottage Herbery. She recommends it as the best for mint Sauce.

This mint has a distinctive and strong citrus scent. It bears small lilac flowers in summer. We love it grown in pots near seating, where the perfume can be enjoyed. 45cm (18") tall.

A native aquatic plant well worth growing in any reasonable sized pond. During the warmer months, it sends up short spikes full of pink flower buds which open to fringed white, star-shaped flowers that emit a very pleasant perfume. The durable foliage is equally attractive and provides homes for fish and wildlife.

A classic garden plant, grown for its beautiful golden-yellow to lime-green foliage, which is particularly rich in spring. Delicate, golden-yellow spikes of nodding flowers appear during late spring and summer. It will colour up best in a partially shaded site. 60cm (2ft).

A shrubby mimulus which flowers throughout summer and autumn. It is not fully hardy but is well worth growing and giving a little protection in the winter. In a cold greenhouse or conservatory it will continue to flower through most of the winter too. It looks so good in terracotta pots.

A spectacular plant from N. Mexico to Oregon, with such exotic-looking blooms that you immediately doubt its hardiness but given a spot in full sun and a moist soil it will survive in all but the coldest areas. From May until autumn this plant produces flowers not dissimilar to a flared snapdragon, either a fresh orange or fiery-red colour - we grow both colour forms. 45cm (18").

Another Monkey Flower, this time with rich orange flowers, growing up to 30cm (12") high.

Another robust deciduous grass, this time stiff upright broad, blue-green foliage topped by silky tassels of silvery-white flowers aging to reddish-purple. It has a nice open habit, making it ideal for mixing in amongst other large herbaceous plants. 2.7m (9ft) or more in height.

Perhaps one of the best of the Miscanthus, with a very graceful habit. Dense, erect clumps of very narrow leaves with fresh creamy-white margins and a silver mid-rib; all adding up to give a silvery appearance when viewed from a distance. 1.2m (4').

In autumn this plant is laden with plumes of deep, bronzy-red flowers aging to a majestic silver colour. The narrow leaves are green with a prominent silver midrib and often take on orange hues in the autumn, adding to the dramatic effect of the flowers. 1.5-1.8m (5-6').

"In a class of its own as a foliage plant" is how Christopher Lloyd describes this cultivar. It bears great arching stands of vertically banded leaves, alternately rich creamy-white and pale green. So good it is worth growing on its own as a specimen. 1.8m (6ft).

Another good foliage plant with upright stems and arching leaves. Horizontal banding of the leaves, alternates between creamy-yellow and a rich sap green. 120-150cm (4-5ft).

A selection of our native Purple Moor Grass, that lives in the bleak conditions of open moorland. Planted singly or in groups - it is great for a naturalistic planting scheme where the foliage and the airy flower heads lend a strong sculptural quality. 90-120cm (3-4ft). Molinias grow in most soils but are best in damp acidic conditions.

An elegant Himalayan plant with the most exquisite flowers. Upright stout stems carry the whorls of tubular flowers that wrap around the stem, each contained within a spiny collar. The flowers open pure white, slowly turning rose-pink and on into deepest crimson, often the same spike has flowers in all three colour stages adding to their value. The evergreen foliage is straplike, toothed and armed with weak spines, looking just like a thistle so be careful not to weed it out! This plant requires a good, fairly well-drained soil in sun. 45cm (18").