Alchemilla mollis (Lady's mantle): Bright green soft leaves and a froth of acid yellow/green flowers in summer. Very easy for ground cover

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Resholdt's Variety' (Wall bellflower 'Resholdt's Variety'): Carpeting alpine with brilliant blue flowers over a long flowering period in summer.

Cardamine quinquefolia: Light purple flowers emerge very early in spring, with attractive deeply divided leaves. Foliage dies down in summer.

Centaurea montana (Perennial cornflower): Large blue flowers in early summer, repeated later in year if cut back. Very attractive to bees. To 50cm. Hardy

Centranthus ruber 'Albus' (White Valerian): White panicles of white flowers in mid-late summer. Very easy, self-seeds. Perennial and hardy. To 60cm.

Centranthus ruber var. coccineus (Valerian dark red): Panicles of dark-red flowers in mid-summer, loved especially by butterflies. Classic cottage garden plant. Hardy. Up to 50cm.

Cephalaria gigantea (Giant scabious): Very tall wavy stems topped with large lemon yellow scabious-like flowers.Easy to grow. May need staking or support. Hardy. Up to 2m.

Erigeron karvinskianus (Fleabane): That pretty little daisy you see growing in the cracks in paving and walls in late summer....

Erigeron karvinskianus 'Lavender Lady' (Fleabane 'Lavender Lady'): A lavender flowered form of this delicate but robust daisy. Self-seeds around where happy. To 20cm. Hardy.

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae (Mrs Robb's bonnet): Great plant for difficult dry, shady areas. Evergreen dark-green leaves and vibrant lime-green flowers in spring. Suckers and can spread.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Album' (Rock cranesbill 'Album'): Superb ground cover Geranium especially for dry shade. White flowers with definite hint of pink. Aromatic foliage. Hardy. To 30cm.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' (Cranesbill 'Bevan's Variety'): Superb ground cover Geranium especially for dry shade. Bright pink over a dense mound of aromatic foliage. Hardy. To 30cm.

Geranium phaeum 'Album' (Dusky cranesbill 'Album'): Clean white flowers held above bright green foliage. Excellent in shade. Spreading habit. Hardy. Height to 60cm.

Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat' (Catmint 'Kit Cat'): A compact variety of catmint making a neat mound of aromatic green foliage and clusters of lavender blue flowers. Hardy. Up to 30cm.

Silene fimbriata (Fringed Campion): Greeny white fringed bell-shaped flowers, loved by bees. Can spread quite vigorously, though will be less so in a dry spot. Hardy. Up to 75cm.

Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' (Lamb's ears 'Silver Carpet'): Silver, furry leaves form spreading mats. A few spikes of silver flowers with the faintest hint of pink in summer.

Viola cornuta Alba Group (Viola white flowered): Pure white flowers, bright green foliage. Excellent for ground cover in shade