Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
Russian sage
- Position: full sun
- Soil: well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: August and September
- Hardiness: fully hardy
With its aromatic leaves and upright spikes of violet-blue flowers, Russian sage makes a wonderful companion to all kinds of late-summer ornamental grasses and perennials. In August and September, tiny, violet-blue, tubular flowers appear on silver-grey spikes above the main framework of the plant, among deeply-cut and lobed, grey-green leaves. This deciduous sub-shrub makes a real impact planted en masse alongside a path, where the sage-like fragrance of its leaves can be appreciated, or try it alongside other silver-leaved plants, or in swathes in a sunny border. One of our recommended plants, it copes well with dry, chalky soil and salt-laden air. - Garden care: As this shrub has a tendancy to flop a little, in March cut back to the permanent framework of the shrub to promote bushier growth. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
Echinacea purpurea
coneflower
Long lasting, rosy purple flowers.
Achillea 'Terracotta'
yarrow
Long-lasting, rich terracotta flowers
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
black-eyed susan
Large golden-yellow flowerheads
Anemone × hybrida 'Königin Charlotte'
Japanese anemone ( syn. Queen Charlotte )
Brings autumn colour to the garden
Sedum (Herbstfreude Group) 'Herbstfreude'
stonecrop (syn Autumn Joy)
Perfect filler plant
Penstemon 'Raven'
beard tongue
Dramatic, deep purple, foxglove-like flowers
Verbena bonariensis
verbena
Lilac-purple flowers
How to get more flowers
Many flowering plants can be encouraged to produce better and longer-lasting displays with the minimum of effort. A plant produces flowers in order to reproduce and ensure the survival of the species. Once a plant has flowered and fertilisation has...
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