Summer loving

D AR K & MYST E RI OU S For a plant that adds drama to borders, we recommend Sambucus ‘Strait-Laced’. Slimmer than most elderberries, it has sprays of pink flowers and black lacy leaves, and it reaches a height of 1.8-2m.

K E E P T H E M H A N DY… Lightweight snips are perfect for cutting flowers like iris and astrantia to display in a vase. You’ll find lots of hand tools in store.

Making memories

Gardening legend Peter Seabrook named Verbena ‘Margaret’s Memory’ in tribute to his late wife, and sales of this special plant will support the Alzheimer’s Society. Perfect for growing in a sunny container.

G RO W T HE BE ST

Look out for plants in this magazine, and in store, labelled AGM. These extraspecial plants have been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) because they perform particularly well.

W H A T T O P L A N T N O W Summer loving

EASY TO GROW ‘Star of Beauty’

‘Roma’

RISING STARS

Astrantias have a quiet, understated beauty and attract bees aplenty, making them a must-have summer plant. Two of our favourite varieties are ‘Star of Beauty’, which has deep wine-red starshaped flowers, and the lovely rose-pink ‘Roma’ (AGM). Both can be grown in full sun or dappled shade, and will reach around 60-70cm tall.

F LO WE R A RT Four irresistible irises

‘Au Sommet’ Monet loved irises and we can see why –the colour combinations are enchanting. We love these four gorgeous varieties, bred by French iris specialist, Cayeux, but we stock many other beauties, too. When planting your iris, choose a well-drained, sunny spot. ‘Comme un Sourire’

‘Cranberry Swirl’