Purples & Blues

Dahlia 'Genova' brings bicolour pompon blooms in white and lilac-purple tones to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 75 cm, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

Hosta ‘Patriot’ is a reliable shade perennial with bold, white-edged leaves that bring instant brightness to woodland borders, shady patios and large containers, adding texture and structure from spring to autumn.

Forming a clump to around 55cm tall, it produces spikes of funnel-shaped, lavender-blue flowers in summer. The leaves are puckered and sturdy, creating a handsome mound that works as groundcover or a focal point.

Plant in partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Hostas prefer cool roots, so they benefit from mulch and from protection from hot afternoon sun in exposed gardens.

Water regularly in dry spells, especially in pots, and mulch in spring to conserve moisture. Protect new shoots from slugs and snails, and remove spent flower stems after flowering for a tidy finish.

Ideal for shady borders, underplanting, and container displays, ‘Patriot’ pairs beautifully with ferns, brunnera and hellebores, and provides strong foliage contrast alongside finer-textured plants.

Dahlia 'Blue Wish' produces fully double blooms in white flushed with soft lilac, creating a cool, luminous effect that works beautifully in both elegant borders and cut flower arrangements.

The flowers sit on sturdy stems above bushy foliage and bloom steadily from midsummer until the first frosts, making this a reliable choice for long-season colour.

Plant in a sunny, sheltered position after frost risk has passed, using fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Regular picking and deadheading will encourage more flowers.

In colder areas, lift and store the tubers after the first frost, or mulch and protect them well if left in the ground in very mild conditions.

Dahlia 'Almand’s Joy' brings giant dinnerplate flowers in soft purple and white shades to summer borders and cutting gardens, with bold flowerheads held on sturdy stems. Whether planted in drifts or dotted through mixed beds, the blooms add instant impact and keep coming through the warm months.

Once established, this clump-forming dahlia typically reaches 1 m, producing plenty of long stems for cutting. Regular picking and deadheading encourages a steady succession of flowers from midsummer into autumn.

Start tubers in a frost-free place in spring, or plant outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and enrich the planting area with compost for best results.

Water during dry spells, especially while buds form, and feed every two to three weeks through the flowering period. Taller plants benefit from discreet staking, and removing faded blooms keeps the plant productive and tidy.

Perfect for borders, patio pots and cutting gardens, dahlias are also pollinator-friendly in single-flowered forms. Lift and store the tubers after the first frosts in colder areas to enjoy an even better display the following year.

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.

Dahlia 'Purple Explosion' produces bold decorative blooms in deep purple edged white, creating a crisp, high-contrast effect that stands out from a distance and adds drama to summer planting.

The flowers are full and rounded, held above a strong, bushy plant that provides dependable colour from midsummer until frost and plenty of stems for cutting.

Plant in a sunny, sheltered position after the danger of frost has passed, using fertile, well-drained soil and giving the plant support if conditions are windy.

Keep deadheading and watering through dry spells to maintain flowering, then lift and store the tubers once autumn frosts arrive.

Dahlia 'Edinburgh' is a bold decorative variety with rich purple petals tipped white, creating a dramatic bi-colour effect that stands out brilliantly in late summer planting.

The flowers are full and symmetrical, carried on sturdy stems above a neat, bushy plant that performs well in borders and provides striking stems for cutting.

Grow it in a sunny, sheltered site with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, planting after the last frosts for the strongest start.

Feed and deadhead regularly through the season to keep flowers coming, then lift and store the tubers before severe winter cold.

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.