Fragrant

Anemone × hybrida ‘Königin Charlotte’ (Queen Charlotte) is an award‑winning Japanese anemone with rich rose‑pink, semi‑double flowers carried on tall stems from late summer into autumn. The large blooms add colour and movement when many borders are fading. Overlapping petals give a fuller look, with a warm yellow centre.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well‑drained soil. It’s excellent at the back of a mixed border, where its stems can weave naturally through neighbouring plants and grasses. A little afternoon shade can be helpful in hotter gardens.

Over time it forms a substantial clump and can spread, so allow space and try not to move it once established. Pair it with asters, salvias and ornamental grasses for a long season of interest. It’s particularly effective in drifts, where repeated clumps create rhythm through the border.

Mulch in spring, water in dry spells, and avoid excessive winter wet. Stems usually hold well, but a light support can help in exposed gardens. Adding organic matter helps sandy soils hold moisture and supports better flowering.

Cut back after flowering, or leave stems standing over winter and tidy in spring. A dependable perennial for late‑summer colour with a soft, romantic feel. As an RHS AGM cultivar, it’s a dependable choice for late‑season colour.

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' is one of the best-loved classic peonies, producing very large, fully double blooms in soft rose-pink with a sumptuous, romantic look and a strong, sweet fragrance.

The flowers appear in late spring to early summer above handsome divided foliage, and the sturdy, long-lived clump makes an outstanding feature in mixed borders as well as a superb cut flower.

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade, keeping the eyes only just below the soil surface for reliable flowering and long-term performance.

Water while establishing, mulch annually around the clump and leave the foliage to die back naturally in autumn so the plant can build strength for the following year.

Lilium 'Oriental Mixed' brings a fragrant mix of oriental lilies in a range of colours to summer borders and patio pots, with bold, outward-facing blooms that make a striking feature. The flowers are long-lasting and eye-catching, adding instant impact to planting schemes and bouquets alike.

Reaching an established height of around 90–120 cm, these lilies form sturdy stems and glossy green foliage, with multiple buds per stem. They flower reliably in mid to late summer and return each year in the right conditions.

Plant bulbs in spring or autumn in a sunny or lightly shaded position with well-drained, fertile soil. Work in compost and avoid waterlogged sites; lilies prefer moisture during growth but hate sitting in winter wet.

Water during dry spells while shoots develop and as buds form, then reduce once flowering finishes. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring and again as buds appear, and remove spent flowers while leaving stems and leaves to die back naturally.

Ideal for borders, containers and cutting gardens, lilies create a dramatic vertical accent and pair beautifully with perennials and grasses. Established clumps can be lifted and divided every few years if needed.

Ismene ‘Sulphur Queen’ is a particularly refined spider lily, valued for its elegant, creamy-yellow blooms and gentle fragrance. Each flower is beautifully poised, with a subtle green-striped throat, bringing a softly exotic note to summer pots and sheltered borders.

Plant where it can enjoy warmth and good drainage, then lift and store the bulbs over winter for best results. An excellent choice for cutting, too—its blooms add poise to a simple vase arrangement.

Immaculate and beautifully scented, Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ is one of the most esteemed herbaceous peonies—cherished for its refined, fully double white blooms and rich, dark green divided foliage. It brings quiet grandeur to borders and makes a splendidly luxurious cut flower.

Plant in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade, in soil that is moist yet well-drained. As the generous flowers open, stems may benefit from discreet support for a perfectly poised display.