12 KEY PLANTS

1 Silene dioica A charming wild perennial with shocking pink flowers that complement and follow on from bluebells in woods but are lovely to let romp in beds and gravel. Easily grown from seed, they are spring flowering and scented at night. 80cm. USDA 5a-8b^† .

2 A much-loved cottage garden plant that is easy to start from seed and lovely to let naturalise in gravel or beds. It hangs its violet blue flowers on knee-high stems in late spring. 1m. RHS H7, USDA 3a-8b.