The plants in this collection will die right back in autumn, then fresh new growth will appear again in spring.

Strong structural elements and a striking colour contrast create a pairing that will look great in summer.



In this collection you will receive three of each of the following plants. They are all supplied in 9cm nursery pots:


• Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue': Spherical, bright blue flower-heads up to 5cm (2in) across in July and August and prickly, grey-green leaves. This gorgeous globe thistle is highly attractive to butterflies and bees. An eye-catching, yet undemanding perennial for the back of a herbaceous or mixed border, it's best planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Grows to 1.8m.
  
  
• Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold': One of the biggest yarrows, with flat, plate-like heads of deep yellow flowers held high on tall stems, with ferny foliage beneath. This achillea is long-lasting, and drought-tolerant, but needs a lot of space to spread out. Try it in a sunny spot at the back of a herbaceous border, or among grasses. Grows to 1.2m.



• Planting tips:
  Prepare the bed well by digging in lots of composted organic matter before you plant. For best results it is essential that the plants are kept well watered for the first year, particularly during warmer weather.