Eschscholzia californica, the Californian poppy, is a dazzling candidate for the summer border, especially on dry soils. It blazes with colour - red, orange, yellow or pink - right through to the autumn.

Bergenias are among the elite of evergreen ground cover plants, with large, glossy, handsome leaves and nodding clusters of bellshaped flowers. Both foliage and flowers are prized by flower arrangers.

The perennial daisy, Bellis perennis, is a charming if short-lived plant for the front of the border or as attractive ground cover.

The lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis, is one of the prettiest spring flowers, its graceful stems clothed with pure white bell-shaped blooms. With handsome leaves, it makes excellent ground cover in shady spots.

Althaea rosea, the familiar hollyhock, is well suited to cottage gardens and because of its great height looks impressive at the back of an informal border, particularly when a fine old wall provides protection.

Commonly known as the Livingstone daisy, Mesembryanthemum criniflorum is a succulent, low-growing plant best as informal edging for the summer border or in the rock garden.

Commonly known as lady's mantle, Alchemilla mollis is less valued for its flowers than its handsome leaves, which are light green, palmate and particularly attractive after rain when droplets settle on the leaves.

The genus Salvia includes a number of species, among them the herbs sage and clary. S. splendens, a perennial grown as an annual, is an established favourite in summer bedding schemes, especially of the formal type.

Lupins are traditionally a feature of informal cottage gardens, but their tall spires in a range of soft colours make a striking contribution to the border in any garden design. The most reliable types are hybrids of the species L. polyphyllus.

A number of very beautiful hybrids have been raised from Aquilegia vulgaris, the columbine or, to give it its old country name, granny's bonnet.