Butterfly bush

A deciduous shrub with striking greyish-white leaves which are almost woolly when young, and deliciously scented white flowers with an orange eye on arching stems in late summer and autumn. Not being completely hardy it can get cut to the ground after a freezing winter, but new growth usually shoots up in the spring. To be sure, put a thick layer of shredded bark around the base in autumn as a protective duvet. The parent comes from western China, and has lavender blue flowers. Try growing the two close together for a colour mix.