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perfectly suited to the smaller garden. It has pure white star-shaped (hence the name 'stellata' as in 'constellation') flowers. It grows very slowly and will reach only about 1.5m after 10 years: given perfect conditions it will eventually top out at about

shade.Sarcococca confusa (Christmas box)A winter flowering, highly scented shrub. Compact in size, Sarcococca is ideal for planting near a pathway or gate.Viburnum tinus (laurustinus)This is a workhorse of a shrub, which has pinkish-white flowers

are growing stronglyMore on growing summer perennialsHow to grow climbing glory vinePlant summer-flowering bulbs in potsGrow dahlias for cut flowersGrow exotic plants from seedGrow lilies from bulbilsPlant eucomis

to July. Plants will look best if plants are renewed from cuttings every year (cuttings should be taken from new, leggy stems).Veronica beccabungaBetween June and September, Anemopsis californica produces distinctive, honey-scented white flowers. It can

of apple trees to swell, flushed with pink, before the pure white flowers burst open. As my main reason for growing apple trees is for their fruit, I'm keen that the trees produce abundant blossom, and also that there will be plenty of bees to enjoy it

, which open to pinky-white flowers in spring.Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'I love this hosta, with its flashes of creamy white on dark-green undulating foliage. Planting hostas in pots helps to protect them from slug and snail attack.Hosta 'Night Before

, mauves or white are held on strong, medium-tall wiry stems that don't need supporting.Japanese anemoneThis must-have plant has short stems of large bell-shaped flowers in purples, pinks and blues. It's drought tolerant and pretty hardy, although it

Downie': one of the most reliable and popular small trees available. Lots and lots of pink buds open into a cloud of white flowers in May. Rosy-cheeked little apples in autumn. Self-fertile.Next up is Malus 'Red Sentinel': the reddest of red apples

of blossom to choose from that it all gets a bit confusing. But my top five at the moment are: Prunus 'Taihaku' - its white flowers have centres the colour of jam stains Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - its purple leaves are interesting Prunus 'Cheal's Weeping

(you will see a fair bit of this plant at the Chelsea Flower Show next week as it is perfect for the time of year). Another one that I love is Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum', which has flowers of softest fairy pink that fade to white.* A biennial