Aster

This salvia shows velvety purple and plum coloured blooms from spring to autumn and sometimes even until the first frosts. Grown in ideal conditions in well-draining soil and full sun or partial shade it will keep its foliage in mild winters and can tolerate very low temperatures with some winter protection. Plant in a patio container or near seating areas to enjoy the minty-blackcurrant scent from the foliage.

This lovely cottage garden plant has spikes of purple-eyed white flowers that shoot up from glossy dark evergreen foliage. Flowers emerge from early summer and bloom right the way until early autumn. This plant is a biennial, so avoid cutting back spent flowers to allow them to self-seed.

This rare herbaceous plant has thin stems with wavy leaves that are topped by delicate cream and purple flowers shaped like little teacups. The flowers appear in spring and bloom all the way through to summer. This delightful plant is hardy and always grows back even after very cold winter weather.