Delphiniums are unquestionably the most magnificent flowers in the herbaceous border. Quite apart from their great height, the profusion of blooms and intensity of colour - usually blue, but sometimes pink or cream - make an unforgettable impression.

Commonly known as leopard's bane, doronicums bring the first glow of colour to the mixed border in spring, and if regularly dead-headed may produce a second flush of flowers in the autumn. The yellow, daisy-like flowers are excellent for cutting.

Lavatera trimestris is an annual cousin of the perennial mallow, with larger flowers - they may be 10cm/4in across - which are excellent for cutting. Both pink and white forms are available.

Geraniums, popularly known as cranesbills, comprise a large family of flowering plants, including some alpine species.

No gardener who wants to enjoy flowers all the year round can afford to ignore the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger, which produces its exquisite white blooms in deepest winter.

Familiar even to non-gardeners, Impatiens walleriana or busy lizzie is a short-lived perennial native to Africa.

The foam flower, Tiarella cordifoli, like lily-of-the-valley is a good subject for cool shady places, where it will spread out to smother weeds with its soft green pointed leaves.

The oriental poppy, Papaver orientale, is an eye-catching border plant bearing vivid but short-lived scarlet flowers up to 10an/4 in across. Cultivated varieties extend the colour range to pink, crimson and white.

Stokesia laevis is a wonderfully rewarding plant. It bears cornflower-like blooms of blue, lavender or creamy-white that are 10cm/4in across and continue right through the summer. Its long-lasting foliage and spreading habit contribute useful ground

Pelargoniums are often (wrongly) called geraniums, the name properly given to the hardy perennial cranesbill. Native to Africa, these tender species with their showy blooms are an essential element in hanging baskets, window boxes and tubs...