Hot, dry conditions suit the tall, slender-stemmed perennial Verbena bonariensis, which bears rosy/mauve blooms that hover over neighbouring plants. It flowers over a long period.

Salvia guaranitica‘Blue Enigma’ needs sunshine and protection from late frosts, but you’ll be rewarded until autumn with azure flowers with a hint of purple.

The burnt-orange flowers of Helenium‘Moerheim Beauty’ emerge in August, but should still be performing well in early to mid-September.

Echinacea purpurea‘Kim’s Knee High’has slightly reflexed petals the colour of a warm pink sunset. The name is misleading: in my experience, it grows to at least 2ft.

Dahlias have gone from gaudy to gorgeous – as in the stunning purple flowers of D ‘Requiem ’– and most can be left in the ground all year if given a mulch.

Japanese anemones are stalwarts of late summer and will tolerate shade. I love the classic single white Anemonex hybrida‘Honorine Jobert’.

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• Chelsea Flower Show

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