Plant Solutions

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 50cm × 30cm (1ft 8in × 1ft)

Companion plants: Great for a mixed annual border or to dot in among such perennials as Mexican salvias, osteospermums or grasses.

Lavatera trimestris

Annual

Tall, bold, with thick, rigid stems and large, slightly hoary leaves, this native of the Mediterranean regions has large, saucer shaped flowers whose stamens and stigma fuse to form a central spike. Colours range from rich pink, in ‘Silver Cup’ and ‘Ruby Regis’, to a startling white in ‘Mont Blanc’. Each petal is veined with darker lines.

Soil preference: Well-drained, fertile

Aspect: Sun

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 60–90cm × 45cm (2–3ft × 18in)

Companion plants: Careful siting is necessary, with so conspicuous a plant. Excellent in bold groups on its own or among such large perennials as Galega, leucanthemums and Phlox paniculata, with perennial asters to follow.

Galactites tomentosa

Annual

A thistle with spiky, divided white and green foliage, which emerges in autumn or early spring, forming an attractive rosette. In summer, the stem lengthens and branches, eventually bearing lilac-mauve, tufted thistle flowers. Seed is borne on thistledown. This native of the Canary islands and Mediterranean self-seeds freely, but young seedlings will not survive prolonged frost.

Soil preference: Any free-draining

Aspect: Sun

Season of interest: Spring, summer

Height and spread: 1m × 75cm (3ft 4in × 2ft 6in)

Companion plants: Attractive when allowed to colonize areas between shrubs – especially such Mediterranean species as rosemary, lavender, Santolina or Phlomis fruticosa, or to pop up at random in a mixed border.

Annuals for extra poor soil (#ulink_9f849648-dd59-5e28-b921-39a919cd6956)

Briza maxima

Greater Quaking Grass Annual

A free-seeding annual grass which performs best in hot, dry conditions, where the plants are less likely to become invasive. Mid-green, soft grass foliage emerges in autumn or spring. The flower stems are wiry and much branched, bearing cone-shaped flowers which shimmer and tremble in the slightest breeze. Superb for cutting and drying.

Soil preference: Dry, not too fertile

Aspect: Sun or part shade

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 60cm × 45cm (2ft × 18in)

Companion plants: A beautiful foil for showy herbaceous plants such as scabious, cornflowers, Linum or Oenothera.

Eschscholzia californica

Californian Poppy Annual or shortlived perennial

A beautiful combination of blue-green, lacy foliage and bright, silky-textured flowers makes this American native a valuable plant, especially for a dry garden. The wild species has bright orange flowers, but seed selections come in a range of sunset hues from cream or primrose yellow, through peachy tones to burnt orange. Best in free-draining soil.

Soil preference: Dry, not too fertile

Aspect: Sun

Season of interest: Summer

Height and spread: 30cm × 30cm (1ft × 1ft)

Companion plants: The orange form makes a stirring companion to such bronze-tinted grasses as Stipa tenuissima or the sedge Carex buchananii. Also good in a gravel garden, where its misty foliage and silky petals will soften hard textures.

Geranium robertianum

Herb Robert Annual

An invasive annual with spreading habit, pungentsmelling, ferny foliage and a long run of tiny, pink, five-petalled flowers. The albino form, ‘Album’, is more distinctive. A thug in the wrong place, but charming when allowed to self-sow in drifts in gravel or along the edges of a path.

Soil preference: Any free-draining

Aspect: Sun or part shade

Season of interest: Spring, summer, autumn

Height and spread: 20cm × 40cm (8in × 1ft 4in)

Companion plants: Naturalize this one with other gravel or paving crack plants such as Viola riviniana or Alchemilla.

Annuals for very rich soil

Consolida ajacis

Larkspur Annual

Classic cornfield annual which has been bred to improve height, standing power, and colour range. The leaves are finely divided and the tall, straight stems are furnished with spurred flowers in shades of pink or blue or white. Easy to raise from seed sown in autumn or spring, directly where they are expected to flower.

Soil preference: Fertile, well-drained

Aspect: Sun