Plant Solutions

Height and spread: 20cm × 30cm (8in × 1ft)

Companion plants: A pretty annual to seed in a gravel garden, among low-growing grasses or to follow on from helianthemums and dwarf bearded irises.

Iberis umbellata

Candytuft Hardy annual

Often a child gardener’s first success, candytuft is an easily grown, quick-acting plant with simple leaves and branched stems which bear umbels of four-petalled, lilac, pink or white flowers. The outer petals on each umbel are larger than the inner, creating a lace-cap effect. Self sows freely in friable soil. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Soil preference: Any

Aspect: Sun or part shade

Season of interest: Spring, summer

Height and spread: Up to 30cm × 15cm (12in × 6in)

Companion plants: Useful gap filler among the leaves of perennials which will flower later or naturalized in cottage style plantings with pinks, sweet Williams or other annuals.

Limnanthes douglasii

Poached Egg Plant Hardy annual

A remarkably versatile, wildlife-friendly, low energy plant. Produces a moisture-retaining dense carpet of vivid green vegetation and when the bright yellow and white flowers open, in late spring and early summer, they are irresistible to bees. Though annual, self-seeding will usually allow these plants to develop self-sustaining colonies.

Soil preference: Any, not too dry

Aspect: Sun or part shade

Season of interest: Spring, summer

Height and spread: 15cm × 20cm (6in × 8in)

Companion plants: Useful to plant in front of shrubs, where they will make a bright carpet, or to scatter along the front of an annual border. Limnanthes also looks handsome grown among tuft-forming grasses such as Festuca glauca.

Calendula officinalis

Marigold, Pot Marigold Hardy annual

Familiar, aromatic annual with big daisy flowers, single or double, in the yellow and orange colour range. Modern series include the dwarf ‘Citrus Cocktail’ and taller ‘Touch of Red’, whose petals have dark edges. ‘Art Shades’ are tall, traditional marigolds with orange to yellow, fully double flowers. Prone to mildew in damp years.

Soil preference: Any free-draining and fertile

Aspect: Sun, partial shade

Season of interest: Summer, autumn

Height and spread: From 15–60cm × 45cm (6–24in × 18in)

Companion plants: The hot colours are excellent to contrast with blue larkspur and annual Convolvulus or to pep up a cottage border. Also good for creating a wild meadow effect with other hardy annuals and cornfield blooms.

Annuals for scent

Reseda odorata

Mignonette, Bastard Rocket Hardy annual

R. Coates

An unassuming little plant from Southern Europe, with simple leaves and spikes of tiny greenish flowers, each with a tuft of orange stamens. The plant’s main distinguishing feature is its sweet fragrance, making it perfect to plant near an outdoor seating area. Attractive to moths and other nectar-seeking insects.

Soil preference: Any, fertile, free-draining

Aspect: Sun, part shade

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 45cm × 20cm (1ft 6in × 8in)

Companion plants: Pretty among such annuals as calendulas and Nigella or perhaps in a fragrant border with roses, pinks and nicotianas.

Nemesia cheiranthus ‘Masquerade’

Half hardy annual

An odd-looking relative of the more familiar bedding plant whose branching stems bear bicoloured flowers with elongated, narrow upper petals in white, contrasting with broad, two lobed lower petals which are yellowish orange. The plant has a the rich fragrance of roasted or candied coconut.

Soil preference: Fertile but free-draining

Aspect: Sun

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 30cm × 20cm (12in × 8in)

Companion plants: An interesting plant for a hanging basket, perhaps planted with golden flowered Bidens ferulifolia or with Lamium ‘Golden Anniversary’.

Tagetes lucida

Mexican Mint or Spanish Tarragon Perennial, usually grown as an annual

Differing from better known members of the genus by having simple, rather than filigree, leaves, this plant has culinary value as well as beauty. The leaves and branched stems are highly aromatic – reminiscent of aniseed. It has bright golden flowers whose outer ray florets are broad, surrounding a raised central tuft of fertile florets.

Soil preference: Free-draining but fertile

Aspect: Sun

Season of interest: Summer