‘Run to Aldi’ says shopper after nabbing overflowing basket full of decorations for a ‘fairy garden’ your kids will love

Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots.

Tricyrtis

A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is “as tough as old boots!”;.

Penstemon

I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They’ll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes.

Luzula sylvatica ‘Marginata’

With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it’s great asset is that it
will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill – dry shade.

Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’

A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your
garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant’s interest period.

Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’

If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Anny’s Winter Orange’

A dwarf version of ‘Midwinter Fire’ the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days.

Rosa ‘Noisette Carnee’

A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, “noisette”; flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November.

Sanguisorba hakusanensis ‘Lilac Squirrel’

I’ve never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.