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taste for single colours.Pictured above is a brand new zinnia that you may have discovered this year, but will be widely available in the 2011 seed catalogues. It's called 'Purple Prince' and I've been trialling it this summer. I love it! Growing up

and looks wonderful planted with woolly thyme, golden-leafed sage and low-growing rosemary.MayJune - September20 minutesSerrated-leafed lavender, Lavandula x christianaWoolly thyme, Thymus pseudolanuginosusGolden-leafed sage, e.g. Salvia officinalis

.MayJune - September20 minutesGazania plants x3Sanvitalia plants x2Lantana plants x2Large potCrocksCompostGlovesFind a sun-soaked spot for this container and get out your gardening gloves, as lantana can irritate sensitive skin. Add crocks to the bottom of the pot

, such as Eschscholzia californica 'Thai Silk Lemon Bush' x5Bidens ferulifolia x2Portulaca oleraceaLarge potCrocksMulti-purpose compostCover the bottom of the pot with crocks, then fill two-thirds with compost.Plant the osteospermum in the centre of the pot encircled

minutesLarge, deep pot, at least 40cm tall and 60cm diameterCrocksLoam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 34 parrot's beaks, Lotus berthelotii4 trailing begonias1 honey bush, Melianthus major2 bananas, Musa basjooCover the bottom of the pot with crocks

in a cool, lightly shaded spot.AdamWhen it's flowered, cut back the begonia and move it indoors. The ferns can be repotted or enjoyed in the garden.More planting combinations for shadeGrowing shade-loving acer and ajuga.Grow plants for shade

and texture, while the delicate pelargonium flowers add a splash of colour.MayMay - September30 minutesAthyrium nipponicum pictum x2 Begonia 'Escargot'Pelargonium 'Deerwood Lavender Lass' x2Drill Old metal bucket and crocksCompostWater-retaining gel

If you're short of sun in your garden but want an interesting summer display, try this rich blend of foliage plants. Both the plectranthus and begonias perform well in shade.April - JuneJuly - September20 minutesBegonia rex x2Purple

and summer bedding plants can also be propagated by this method.Plectranthus house plantScissorsJar of waterPlant potsMulti-purpose compostall year roundan hourChoose healthy shoots of new growth and cut lengths of roughly 10-20cm. Cut below a leaf joint

.We're challenging you to grow the world's tallest sunflower. The current world record stands at 8.03m, and is held by German flight attendant Hans Peter Schiffer. He took the record in 2009, but it's not been held by a Brit since 1976 (that was Frank Kelland, from