Adiantum venustum

The evergreen Himalayan maidenhair fern is a decorative plant for a shady wall crevice or a damp, shady corner. It looks delicate but is in fact surprisingly robust. Old growth should be removed in late winter before new pink crosiers unfurl in spring, developing into fresh green fronds. Height 6 in (15 cm) – Width indefinite

Ajuga reptans

Spikes of deep blue flowers emerge from the low-growing, dark green leaves of this evergreen perennial from late spring to early summer. The plant spreads rapidly and makes excellent ground cover. For a less invasive form try ‘Catlin’s Giant’, which has large bronze-purple leaves. Height 6 in (15 cm) – Width 24–36 in (60–90+ cm)

Alchemilla mollis

Dependable and drought-tolerant, lady’s mantle is grown for its pretty foliage and frothy sprays of tiny greenish-yellow flowers, which appear from early summer to fall and are good for cutting. Deadhead after flowering to prevent selfseeding. Plant it at the front of a border or in a gravel garden. Height to 24 in (60 cm) – Width 30 in (75 cm)

Anemone nemorosa ‘Bracteata Pleniflora’

A striking variant of the more common wood anemone, this creeping perennial bears semidouble white flowers, held over a ruff of closely packed green leaves, from spring to early summer. The plant thrives in rich soil. Dappled shade will bring out its best features. Height 3–6 in (8–15 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm) plus

Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana

This Sicilian daisy naturally prefers a sunny site, such as an open, well-drained rock garden. Flowers are long-lasting and bloom over a long season from late spring to late summer. The plant forms a tight mat at ground level and in winter the silvery-gray leaves turn gray-green. Height 12 in (30 cm) – Width 36 in (90 cm)

Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratum’

A truly exotic-looking plant whether in leaf, flower, or fruit, lords and ladies is excellent for filling in gaps in border displays. The glossy green leaves are veined with white, while the pale cream spathes give way to stalks of bright orange berries. It’s at its best in a sheltered site. Height 12 in (30 cm) – Width 6 in (15 cm)

Aster amellus ‘Veilchenkönigin’

A clump-forming perennial, this aster produces a mass of tiny, violet-purple, daisy-like flowers in late summer, which are attractive to butterflies. The mid-green leaves are narrow and slightly hairy. Divide plants in spring and replant the strongest sections for most vigorous regrowth. Height 12–24 in (30–60 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

These graceful, deciduous ferns (also known as lady ferns) are easy to grow and will thrive in a shady, sheltered border or woodland garden, as long as there is sufficient moisture. The arching fronds are light green or grayish, sometimes flushed purple, with a purple midrib. Height to 12 in (30 cm) – Width indefinite

Bergenia ‘Morgenröte’

Known by many as elephant’s ears because of the large, rounded, leathery green leaves, bergenias are robust, clump-forming evergreen plants. ‘Morgenröte’ produces clusters of bright reddish-pink flowers at the top of strong purple stems from mid- to late spring. Height 18 in (40 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Dawson’s White’

This relative of borage is a good choice for a woodland garden. The heart-shaped leaves, carried on stiff stalks, have irregular, creamy-white edges. In mid- and late spring, sprays of small blue flowers are borne above the foliage. Choose a cool, partly shaded site in rich soil. Height 18 in (45 cm) Width 24 in (60 cm)

Calamintha grandiflora ‘Variegata’

A plant for the woodland garden or a cool, sheltered position, this calamint has toothed, pale green leaves, speckled creamy-white, which are aromatic when crushed. From summer to fall, pink-mauve, two-lipped flowers emerge above and level with the topmost leaves. Height 12 in (30 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’

A row of this brightly colored plant will make a fine edging for a border. Finely cut leaves mingle together with a profusion of yellow, star-like flowers that punctuate the surface in early summer. A sunny position will promote the best show of blooms. Deadhead to encourage flowering. Height to 20 in (50 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Dianthus ‘Bovey Belle’

This hardy pink bears clove-scented, bright pink double blooms on long stems above silver-gray strappy foliage in summer, making an impact in a mixed border or raised bed. Deadhead regularly to promote further flowering. Pinks make long-lasting cut flowers. Height 10–18 in (25–45 cm) – Width 16 in (40 cm)

Dicentra ‘Bacchanal’

Layer upon layer of deeply divided, gray-green leaves make an effective foil for the delicate, crimson, heart-shaped flowers, dangling from arching stems, which appear from mid- to late spring. ‘Bacchanal’ is one of the darkest cultivars. These are shade-loving plants and suit a moist, shady border. Height 18 in (45 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Doronicum ‘Little Leo’

A spring-flowering perennial, this bright daisy is as attractive to wildlife as it is to gardeners. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies are regular visitors to the large yellow blooms. Plant in small groups at the front of borders, or in containers. The flowers are also good for cutting. Height 10 in (25 cm) – Width 12–24 in (30–60 cm)

Epimedium x perralchicum

Strong-growing woodland plants, epimediums make excellent ground cover under trees or shrubs. This hybrid has both interesting foliage – bronze when young, deep green when mature – and pretty, bright yellow flowers, borne on leafless stems in spring. It is also drought-tolerant. Height 16 in (40 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Oxford Blue’

This is one of the smaller sea hollies. It is an herbaceous, clump-forming plant with dark green lower leaves and, in summer, spiny, silvery flower stems bearing silver-blue, thistle-like flowers, surrounded by blue-tinged bracts. The flower stems can be dried for indoor arrangements. Height 6–18 in (15–45 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm)

Euphorbia polychroma

This euphorbia forms a loose, dome-shaped mound of lime-green stems that carry canary-yellow flowerheads from mid-spring to midsummer. The blooms are at their brightest when young. The plant dies down in winter, re-emerging the next year with a batch of fresh young shoots. Height 16 in (40 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’

Cranesbills make versatile, undemanding garden plants. The ‘Kashmir’ cultivars are spreading, herbaceous perennials with dissected green foliage; they come in blue, pink, purple, and white. This cultivar produces large, whitish summer flowers with pale lilac-pink veining. Divide vigorous plants in spring. Height to 18 in (45 cm) Width indefinite

Geum ‘Lady Stratheden’

Also sold as Goldball, this cultivar yields large, semidouble, rich yellow flowers over a long period throughout summer, brightening up any border. A clump-forming perennial, it has rounded and kidney-shaped leaves, both of which are hairy to the touch. The plant comes true from seed. Height 16–24 in (40–60 cm) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Pluto’

A named cultivar among a group of highly variable hellebores, ‘Pluto’ is a clump-forming perennial noted for its striking flowers. They are purple on the outside but green-tinged purple within and appear during winter when little else is offering garden interest. Height 18 in (45 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’

Compact, evergreen perennials, heucheras are useful for year-round interest. This cultivar has purple ruffled leaves with deeper purple veins. Small white flowers are held aloft on thin wiry stems in late spring. Grow alongside silveryleaved ‘Pewter Moon’ to show both off to good effect. Height 26 in (65 cm) – Width 20 in (50 cm)

Heuchera ‘Red Spangles’

Throughout the summer, the stems of ‘Red Spangles’ rise from among green foliage, supporting small, tubular, rich scarlet-crimson flowers, adding a splash of vibrant color to the garden. Grow where it can spill over onto a path, or include it in a mixed or shrub border. Height 20 in (50 cm) – Width 10 in (25 cm)

Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’

This is a spreading, low-growing plant, and makes excellent ground cover. The toothed leaves are silver with a green edge, while the summer flowers are pure white. Grow to cover bare soil and to suppress weeds. ‘Red Nancy’ has silver leaves with purplish-red flowers. Height to 6 in (15 cm) – Width to 3 ft (1+ m)

Oenothera fruticosa ‘Fyrverkeri‘

From late spring to late summer, the large, bright yellow flowers of this evening primrose appear on upright stems above the purple-brown-flushed leaves below. The flowers bloom during the day and are short-lived but are borne over a long season. The plant will perform best in a sunny site. Height 12–36 in (30–90 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm)

Pachysandra terminalis

Good for ground cover, this tough evergreen perennial is grown for its foliage and will spread freely given enough moisture. It has coarsely toothed, glossy, dark green leaves and tiny white flowers, which are carried in spikes in early summer. A useful plant for shady sites. Height 8 in (20 cm) – Width indefinite

Polypodium interjectum ‘Cornubiense’

The finely dissected fronds of this ground cover fern easily cover the soil and break up the hard lines of path edges. New growth starts in spring with the fronds taking several weeks to unfurl. This is a handsome, resilient plant for a damp and shady spot in the yard. Height 12 in (30 cm) Width indefinite

Pulmonaria ‘Diana Clare’

An early spring-flowering perennial, ‘Diana Clare’ is easy to grow and needs very little attention once established. In late winter and spring, clusters of violet-blue flowers, striped red, open above green leaves marked with silver. It makes good ground cover where the soil is not too dry. Height 12 in (30 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Rhodanthemum hosmariense

Plants that flower from spring until fall are much prized in the garden and this daisy-flowered, shrubby perennial amply fulfils this role. The leaves are silver and deeply lobed while the flowers are white-petalled with a yellow eye. A plant for a sunny border or rock garden with very free-draining soil. Height 4–12 in (10–30 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm)

Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’

A striking stonecrop to grow for color impact. Purplish, fleshy leaves and stems sprawl sideways while rounded heads of rose-pink flowers are held aloft in late summer and early fall. Mix with silvers and grays to accentuate the bold coloring; grow in a rock garden or at a border edge. Height 8–12 in (20–30 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Sempervivum ‘Tectorum’

The common houseleek creates starry patterns over the ground as its tight red rosettes hug the soil. Grow in old sinks, troughs, or terracotta pots to show off the architectural shapes. Reddish-purple flowers are borne in summer. A gritty, well-drained compost and full sun are desirable. Height 6 in (15 cm) – Width 20 in (50 cm)

Salvia nemorosa

Wrinkly green leaves form a neutral backdrop to the main attraction of purple, white, or pink flowers during the summer and fall months. The flower stems stand stiff and upright and, when seen from a low viewpoint, create a sea of color. Grow in sun or dappled shade in well-drained soil. Height to 3 ft (1 m) – Width 24 in (60 cm)

Veronica gentianoides

This pretty veronica is grown for its spikes of pale blue, early-summer flowers held on erect stems above a mound of glossy, bright green foliage. In hot-hued borders it makes a contrast with reds and oranges, and is also effective when planted in drifts on its own. It performs best in moist soil. Height 18 in (45 cm) – Width 18 in (45 cm)

Veronica spicata subsp. incana

Also known as the silver speedwell, this perennial marries silver hairy leaves with spikes of purple-blue flowers, making it a good choice for a border comprising cool colors. Summer flowering, it is mat-forming and will spread, so clip back if necessary after the blooms have faded. Height 12 in (30 cm) – Width 12 in (30 cm)