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).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

, and has cement instead of lime mortar. But growing out from a few cracks near the top run of the brickwork is a wonderful crop of maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), and hart's-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium).Hart's-tongue is fairly common

foliage, with cupping of leaves and fern-like growth. There's nothing you can do if your crops are already affected and there's no assurance that affected produce will be safe to eat. However the RHS does point out that, as this weedkiller can be grazed

is the fiddlehead - these are the emerging fronds of ferns such as Osmunda regalis or Matteucia struthiopteris. Popular in America, slightly toxic if undercooked and, according to my wife (whose taste I trust absolutely), absolutely disgusting.The mange tout gets a

sheltered area, then there are a couple of exotic trees that are truly spectacular. The silk tree (Albizia julibrissin f. rosea) has large pinnate leaves and flowers like pink starbursts.Also, Weinmannia trichosperma, which is a Chilean evergreen with fern

plant that flowers for ages.Miscanthus 'Ferne Osten' - many of the grasses come into their own at this time of year. I love the flowers of miscanthus; crimped and twisted braids that slowly unravel. I bet Bob Flowerdew's hair looks like this when he