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eye at a local plant centre, its spoon-shaped petals infused with steely blue crying out for closer inspection. Three plants were soon at home in a large terracotta pot, positioned in a hot spot on my patio. Since June they've bloomed non

).All these aspects considered, if I was only allowed to grow one hosta then I would have to choose Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'. It has big glaucous blue leaves and a chandelier of white flowers, looks magnificent in a pot and wonderful in a damp corner amongst ferns

to be admired, and I'd grow it for its leaves alone. But at this time of year it adds a new dimension by producing erupting clouds of dainty forget-me-not blue flowers. Gorgeous! My brunnera grows alongside ferns and foxgloves, and my oriental hellebore

.Looking at my garden this morning, however, I realised that we're a bit short of colour at this time of year. I know that within a few weeks the place will be alive with flower but right now it's a little flat.I didn't plant enough tulips last year. Right now

Heliotropum arborescens 'Butterfly Blue' x 4Nemesia caerulea x 4French lavender, Lavandula stoechas x 440cm plastic-coated wire basketMulti-purpose compostWool basket liningSlow release fertiliserWater-retaining gelPlace a layer of wool or alternative lining in the bottom

sowing Z. 'Blackcurrant Sorbet' and Z. 'Orange King'. Orange is a great colour to combine with purples, pinks and blues to add zing, or if you prefer, lime green.When I'm cutting flowers, I always make sure I have a bucket of water with me so I can put

in height.Pennisetum 'Red Buttons'A striking blue grass with mounds of slender foliage and lovely silvery flower heads. Poa labillardierei makes an elegant addition to borders.Poa labillardiereiWhere to see grassesKnoll GardensRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew

, the vacuum cleaner man, invented one with a plastic ball instead of a wheel but even that refinement is no longer available at we have gone back to basics. Dyson also made water go uphill in his 2003 Chelsea Flower Show Garden - the planting tried

it looks like. (We've had it where I work - very nasty - have to avoid growing onions and all alliums for years!I know that onion beds need to be kept weeded in summer or the onions become stressed and bolt, producing a flower spike that saps all

I don't really do birds. I'm usually too busy peering down at insects on flowers or running across leaves. Or I'm on hands and knees, bum in the air, turning stones over looking for ground beetles or grubbing at plant roots for weevils