Purples & Blues

Agapanthus africanus 'Dokter Brouwer' brings generous drumstick heads of blue‑lilac trumpets above neat, strap-shaped foliage in midsummer. It’s a simple way to add structure and cool colour to sunny borders, gravel gardens and large patio pots.

This variety stays compact enough for containers, yet still feels architectural. Plant it in a warm, sheltered spot and you’ll get sturdy stems that hold their shape in wind and rain, giving you weeks of colour and a lovely cut‑flower option.

Agapanthus enjoy sun and a fertile, moisture-retentive soil that drains freely. In pots, use a loam-based compost and avoid overpotting—slightly snug roots often encourage better flowering. Try pairing with ornamental grasses, salvias or lavender for an effortless summer look. Once established it copes well with short dry spells, but flowers best with regular moisture.

Water well while the plant is establishing, then keep it evenly moist through summer, especially in containers. Feed monthly with a high‑potassium fertiliser and remove spent flower heads if you’d like a tidier display. The nectar-rich blooms are also a magnet for bees.

In colder areas, give evergreen agapanthus extra winter protection: mulch the crown, wrap containers, or move pots to a frost-free place until spring. Divide crowded clumps in spring to refresh growth and create new plants for other parts of the garden.

Echinops 'Blue Glow' produces metallic blue globe-shaped flower heads on sturdy stems, bringing strong form and cool colour to sunny borders from high summer onward.

The rounded blooms contrast beautifully with looser planting styles and are excellent for pollinators, while the stems also dry well for lasting arrangements.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil, including poorer or drier ground where many softer perennials might struggle. Good drainage is especially important in winter.

Water while establishing, but once settled the plant is notably drought tolerant. Remove spent blooms if preferred or leave seedheads standing for structure.

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a charming miniature hosta grown chiefly for its rounded, blue-grey leaves, which form a neat, dense clump ideal for shady containers, front-of-border positions and small-space planting.

In summer it carries short stems of lavender flowers above the foliage, adding a soft seasonal lift without distracting from the plant's tidy, compact form.

Plant in partial shade in humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist but drains well, and protect young shoots from slugs while the plant establishes.

Water during dry spells, especially in pots, and remove old leaves in late winter or early spring before the new foliage emerges.

Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ is a much-loved perennial for shade, combining bold, puckered leaves with attractive variegation that brightens borders, woodland edges, and containers throughout the growing season.

The broad, heart-shaped foliage forms a generous clump and provides strong ground cover, while pale lilac summer flowers rise above the leaves on tall stems, adding a softer, seasonal highlight.

Plant in partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. A sheltered position helps prevent leaf scorch, and consistent moisture supports the best leaf colour and overall plant performance.

Water well in dry weather, mulch in spring to retain moisture, and remove old foliage once it dies back. Slug protection is helpful in spring, and clumps can be divided every few years to rejuvenate plants.

Perfect for shade borders and underplanting, this hosta also works beautifully in large pots and brings a calm, architectural feel to planting designs where flowers are secondary to foliage impact.

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ is a shade-loving perennial prized for its shimmering, silver-patterned leaves and delicate forget-me-not style blue flowers that appear in spring, lifting woodland borders and shady pots.

Forming a tidy clump, it reaches around 30–50cm in height and gradually spreads to create a generous patch of foliage. It’s a brilliant, low-effort plant for brightening darker corners all season long.

Plant in light to partial shade in moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It copes with a wide range of soil types, but appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season.

Water during dry spells, especially in the first year, and mulch in spring to keep roots cool and soil moisture steady. Remove old leaves as new growth appears to keep clumps looking fresh.

Ideal for woodland planting, shady borders and large containers, ‘Jack Frost’ pairs beautifully with hellebores, epimediums and spring bulbs, and is also a great ground-cover plant in dappled shade.