Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Overdam'
feather reed grass
- Position: full sun
- Soil: dry or moist, humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: slow-growing
- Flowering period: June to August
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A tall, dramatic grass with an upright, architectural habit, this will stand to attention in a perennial border, or can be planted en masse as a screen. Fine leaves initially have yellow margins, which fade to white as the flowers emerge. Both the leaves and flowers turn a wonderful wheat colour in late autumn and should be left to add winter interest in the garden. - Garden care: Although they can be planted in light shade, the flowers of Calamagrostis cultivars tend to fall over without sun. Cut ‘Overdam’ down to the ground in late winter, before the new shoots start appearing.
Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'
coneflower
Copes well with adverse weather conditions
Achillea ptarmica (The Pearl Group) 'The Pearl' (clonal)
sneezewort
Masses of snow-white, button flowers
Anemone × hybrida 'Robustissima'
windflower
First rate pink flowers
Eryngium yuccifolium
button eryngo
Distinctive strap-shaped foliage
Water garden
Who can resist the allure of water in the garden? The gentle gurgle of a running stream creates a sense of calm and tranquillity, while a simple pond makes a focal point with magnetic appeal. You can create lush...
Read full articlePrairie
Indulge a passion for ornamental grasses by creating a prairie- or meadow-style garden. They can be richly planted with native wildflowers or a selection of complementary perennials and self-seeding annuals to create a naturalistic planting effect. Prairie gardens often...
Read full articleCordyline
Cordylines are tufted evergreen shrubs that originate from Southeast Asia and the Pacific rim, where they mature to form awkwardly shaped stubby trees with tufts of spiky leaves that resemble huge pineapple tops at the end of each branch. In...
Read full article