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House borders: North and East, 3.

There is a brief lull in proceedings in July while the borders get second wind and  starting again with Shasta daisies, annual poppies and Golden Rod. The Echinops comes into flower now and I particularly enjoy the contrast between its steely blue "globe" thistles and the flat, "gold plates" of the yarrow it is mixed with. The annuals that were sown the previous year come into their own this month by filling up any gaps between perennials that may be flagging in the heat. Cornflowers have been known to reach a height of 6' as they use adjacent plants to hold themselves up. A particularly good hollyhock has even managed to reach 12' in these borders. Originally planted as part of a trial for rust resistance for the consumer magazine, Gardening Which? they have seeded about everywhere. Good colour strains are kept and the others are discarded,-and yes, they are rust resistant.

(L)  Annuals are an indispensable tool for gap-filling. Cornflowers and a double opium poppy in one of the front borders. (R) Michaelmas daisy "Harrington's Pink" makes a bold splash later in the year.

(L) Poppies provide a splash of colour in early summer. (C) The intricate markings in the centre. (R) The same scene in August. Hollyhocks now take centre stage. 

 I prefer the heads of Echinops before they fully open, the bees tend to disagree.

(L) Campanula trachaleum is often pulled up by people who mistake it for a stinging nettle. It is the plant that most aptly illustrates the blurring between a weed, wildflower, and garden plant. (C)  Japanese anemones have a habit of taking over a border but can be difficult to establish. (R)  A particularly good colour break, the double, "Prinz Heinrich.

As summer gives way to autumn, Japanese anemones take over. Indeed, the variety "September Charm" can start to flower as early as the end of July. Geraniums that were cut back in July can put on a second flush and are joined by the tall spires of campanulas, latifolia, lactiflora and latiloba. Another campanula that is used extensively throughout the borders is Campanula trachaleum. Coming mostly in varying shades of blue, there is a white form and a double version. It is often "weeded" by "helpful" visitors who think that it is a stinging nettle. This should come as no surprise as it is the wild, native, Nettle-leaved Bell flower. Aconitum Carmichaelii has superb, intense, blue flowers and wonderful glossy foliage which looks well with the Michaelmas daisy "Harrington's Pink". A nearby red hot poker begins to flower towards the end of October. It is the variety "caulescens" and although the flowers normally only last for a week or two at the most, the foliage remains excellent throughout the year. I used to plant it up with the leek variety "St. Victor" but have been unable to find the seed for several years. I see no contradiction in planting vegetables within the flower beds. The foliage of beetroot, lettuce and carrots can be just as appealing as ornamental plants and they actually tend to suffer less predation from pests by being more camouflaged amongst other plants. I am also quite a fan of what one would generally call "weeds". Whilst I wouldn't dream of growing bindweed up a wigwam, There will always be a place for Red Campion and Green Alkanet.

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