Not all nuts are suitable for UK garden growing but Hazelnuts, Sweet Chestnuts and even Walnuts are worth a go.

Lobelia erinus or annual Lobelia is renown for it’s strong blue summer flowers that combine well with the white of Alysum. Thet are also capable of making a strong statement when grown in a container.

Verbena Bonariensis   Common Name: Verbena Genus: Verbena Species: bonariensis Exposure: Full sun / but also does well in partial sun Hardiness: Half Hardy Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist Height: 130-160cm Spread: 45cm Time to plant seeds: March to April or late summer. Flowering period: August to October Verbena Bonariensis has been enjoying a resurgence of [...]

I like the look of thisAsia native Ixora although I am unlikely to be able to grow a flowering specimen with my limited heat. This photo was taken at Kew Garden in March.

Shoot for the stars with Cosmos bipinnatus or the Mexican aster a fine half-hardy annual to grow in any garden. The tall frothy stems produce many single dahlia like flowers in bright colours ranging from white to carmine

A favorite annual for growing in the border is the Marigold or Tagetes. Bold coloured flowers in Yellows, Oranges, Lemons Reds and Creams are a feature of these plants that flower from July to the first frost. Despite the names they all originate from Mexico.

Nasturtiums or Tropaeolum majus are also known as Indian Cress as the peppery leaves can be eaten. However, the best reason for growing Nasturtiums is the large volume of red, orange or yellow flowers you can get on a trailing plants that is planted in poor soil.

Petunias do not need to be lonely and relegated to the onion patch. Petunias are generally a very forgiving species of half-hardy annuals that are easy to grow from seed. Some special varieties may be easier to grow from plug plants or cuttings although it is not worth the effort of over wintering the plants.