'Doubledecker' is also sold under the name ‘Doppleganger’. The bright magenta tones work particularly well with gold or lemon-yellow companions, such as Coreopsis 'Crème Brulee' or 'Golden Gain' and Heliopsis 'Lemon Queen'. All coneflowers prefer hot and sunny sites with an evenly moist soil. The unique blooms of this selection make it a great candidate for mixed tubs and containers that could be viewed from up close. Seedheads remain attractive through the winter months, the seeds providing food for finches and other winter birds. Coneflowers should be divided every three years or so in the spring, particularly when grown in heavy clay soils. ‘Doubledecker’ is the result of many years of selection by German plant breeder Eugen Schleipfer.

This brand new shade in coneflowers opens the door wide to colour experimentation and unique design potential. Consider planting Mango Meadowbrite™ in the middle of a drift of airy, magenta Verbena bonariensis or with the stubby spikes of purple or white Liatris spicata . This is a good candidate for the cutting garden, for tubs and mixed containers, for a butterfly garden or meadow planting as well as in the sunny perennial border. Excellent drainage is recommended where winters are wet.

’Fanfare’ was a chance discovery at a garden centre in England. The flowers are distinctive and fun to investigate from up close, yet from a distance the effect is lacy and somewhat delicate or exotic – something that even daisy-haters might appreciate. An ideal candidate for hot terraces and patios, large rock gardens or in water-wise Xeriscape gardens. Stems are suitable for cutting and flowers last for a week or so in water. Like all Blanketflowers, regular deadheading will promote a constant parade of new buds to form from summer through late fall. ‘Fanfare’ offers a bright and somewhat garish combination of orange and golden-yellow that suits it to bold design effects. Echoing the burgundy eye with purple-foliaged companions could be interesting. Or, go for a full-out hot colour scheme and plant this with flame-orange Crocomia 'Lucifer', orange marigolds or scarlet Dahlias. Although rated conservatively at Zone 5, ‘Fanfare’ is likely to prove as hardy as any other Blanketflower and should perform fine right down to Zone 2.

Lenten Roses were formerly known as Helleborus orientalis hybrids but taxonomists recently changed the name to better express the complex parentage of modern garden forms, since these hybrids can include genes from up to nine different species. In recent years new seed strains have been developed in various individual shades, from white to a deep plum bordering on black, with in-between shades of pink, rose, magenta, cream, pale yellow or green, often showing intricate contrasting spots on the inside of each cup-shaped bloom. There are semi-doubles to doubles and some forms with picotee edging, almost like fancy stitching. Demand for the latest breakthroughs has never been better among keen perennial gardening enthusiasts, and Lenten Rose has made the switch from being an elite collector’s plant to appearing in the gardens of regular people across the continent. There are only really two tricks to growing Lenten Roses well. First is patience, since plants take 3 or 4 years to reach mature size. Secondly, prune off all of the old leaves in late winter, before the buds appear from ground level. This allows the nodding flowers to be displayed to maximum effect. The plants grow a brand new set of leaves within a few weeks time, remaining attractive for many months.

The short stature of this selection makes it ideal for edging a sunny border, or any location that gets direct light for at least half a day. Plants also perform well in mixed containers and tubs. Plants are tough and adaptable, well suited for using in large massed plantings around shrubs or on difficult steep slopes. Like most daylilies, ‘Apricot Sparkles’ prefers the rich conditions of a well-prepared garden soil and regular watering but it will also tolerate poor soils and minimal irrigation. As a bonus, the colorful blooms are edible and can be used as a garnish or sprinkled into salads. This winter-dormant selection should prove to be reliably winter hardy right down to Zone 2 or colder.

What to do with a jet-black Coral Bells? It cries out to be the dark accent in a dramatic colour grouping, maybe with a silver or bright yellow-leaved companion. Tradescantia 'Blue and Gold' (‘Sweet Kate’) or Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven' would both make admirable companions. Or stay with the muted tones and choose other dark-leaved Coral Bells and purple-leaved plants such as Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty'. All Coral Bells combine beautifully with hostas, ferns and other shade-loving plants to create tapestries of delightful foliage texture and colour. Like other selections, the foliage is more or less evergreen, and any tired-looking leaves can be easily tidied up in the spring with scissors before the new growth begins.

Clusters of lightly fragrant bell-shaped flowers appear in mid to late spring, medium violet-blue in colour and held on stems that reach 12 to 16 inches tall. Mature plants reach a size of 16 to 18 inches in diameter, the perfect size for using in a frontal position in the border or for edging along a path. In cool summer regions this selection will tolerate full sun conditions so long as the soil stays evenly moist, otherwise afternoon shade is advised. Flowering stems may be trimmed back after blooming is finished, leaving a nice low mound of smart-looking leaves that remains attractive until late fall. Introduced by the New England Wildflower Society.

’Caradonna’ is the perfect size for planting towards the middle of a sunny perennial border. The violet-purple flowers will find favour with gardeners who stick to soft pastel schemes, but also with more daring designers who might pick up on the dark stems to create dramatic colour effects. The flowers are most effective when used in groups of at least 5 or more plants. Soft-yellow to peach-coloured companions look particularly good, such as the ever-blooming Hemerocallis 'Apricot Sparkles'. All Perennial Sages produce stems that are excellent for cutting, particularly so in this taller selection. Winner of the 2000 Outstanding New Perennial Award by the International Hardy Plant Union.

The amazing foliage colour lends ‘Angelina’ to all kinds of creative garden uses. Mass this as a groundcover on a steep sunny slope, use it around shrubs, in rock gardens, or for edging the perennial border. When grown in containers or window boxes the stems cascade and trail gracefully down. During cooler fall weather the leaves often take on butterscotch to apricot hues, remaining evergreen in all but the coldest regions. If plants look untidy in early spring, whack them back with hedge shears, a string trimmer or mower. Succulents are all the rage among plant collectors lately, and ‘Angelina’ makes a delightful colour accent when grouped with other Sedum, Sempervivum or Echeveria.

This cries out to be combined with bold-leaved companions as a foliage contrast, such as Bergenia, powdery grey-blue Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ or the new Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’. Massed close together, it makes a delightful groundcover effect below shrubs or small specimen trees such as Japanese Maple. ‘Blue and Gold’ also grows well in mixed tubs and containers where the grassy leaves can droop a little to soften the edges. And, being a moisture-lover, this also looks right at home beside a small pond or stream.