This is a weeping conifer with bluish needles, which left to its own devices makes a sprawling spread, but start training it and the results can be superb. It can be sent up a vertical post, and then left to arch up and down, creating a shaggy, hunch-backed witch, or used as ground cover or tied to a formal arch, with one growing at either side. Once settled, it's a fast grower.
Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' Astilbe
There is a good choice of pink astilbes, this being a rich pink for late summer. The spreading ferny leaves have a hint of bronze, and the fluffy pyramids of flowers perk up borders in sun and light shade. To get good results, make sure the soil does not dry out, with the boggy ground near a natural pond or stream being ideal. Other good pinks include the earlier flowering 'Erica', and 'Ostrich plume', which has large red plumes.
Ligularia 'The Rocket'
Incredibly striking, this is one of the best ligularias, with large, bold, jagged leaves and late summer, yellow flowers set against jet black stems. A very tempting buy, but it needs riverbank conditions with wet summer soil or the leaves quickly collapse. Excellent near a natural pond or in a bog garden where it creates a show of vertical spires. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.
Cyperus longus Galingale
This is a dual-purpose perennial, which can be grown at the edge of a pond, in water up to 15cm deep, or in bog gardens or damp borders. It sends up attractive tall, thin, arching, rich green leaves and, in late summer, there are contrasting reddish-brown spikelets. If growing in water, restrict its spread by keeping it in a basket because, unlike other kinds of Cyperus, it will run and run.
Nymphaea 'Marliacea Carnea' Water lily
A beautiful water lily with a decent spread, making it a good choice for most ponds because it is not so rampant that it will quickly block out everything else. The flowers start deep purple when young, but they gradually fade to a beautiful pale pink, standing out nicely against the dark green leaves. Grow in a lattice basket for pond plants and remove any foliage as it turns yellow.
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"Those were the days, long hazy days, filled with fun and laughter. Trips to our very own 'island' In our little rowing boat. Dipping our toes in the cool of the pond Whilst watching the dragonflies flit from lily to lily. Listening to the bees humming and smelling the sweet scent of the flowers all around us. Swinging out as high as we could over the water's edge And not a care between us!"
Simon Harman - designer of the Memories of a Long Hot Summer garden
Discover which garden the public voted their favourite in this year's BBC RHS People's Award.
