Quick Guide: early summer, hardy, full sun, height: 60-90cm/2-3ft, width: 60cm/24in

Verbena peruviana (above), a native of South America, is a low growing perennial that looks best where its tiny though startlingly bright red flowers can spill over a sunny wall. It does well in a sheltered rock garden or a stone trough in a favoured corner. There are no named varieties of the species.

GROWING Light, free-draining, reasonably fertile soil is best. Give verbenas a sunny open site protected from wind. Pinch out growing tips of young plants to encourage sturdy, branching growth. Remove faded flowerheads regularly. Protect with cloches over winter.

PROPAGATION Raise plants from seed sown in winter/earl, . spring in a greenhouse or propagator at 20-25°C/68-77=F. Prick the seedlings off into boxes when they are large enough n handle. Harden off before planting out in late spring/early summer.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Aphids may damage young shoots.