Ask John Negus John will reply personally to all your gardening questions every week
While John sometimes advocates using chemicals against pests and diseases as the most effective means of control, organic options are sometimes available and we advise readers to go with their preferences
Contact John Negus by email address below
Email: amateurgardening@futurenet.com
How can I brighten my beds after spring?
Q I am new to gardening and find it very rewarding. I have a narrow flower bed separating the patio from the lawn. I have filled it with daffodils, which look stunning in early spring, followed by iris and gladioli. But what can I put in for colour between May and September?
June Tong, Pontardawe, Swansea
A If you want colour in your border from May to September, I suggest you plant the following perennials that will delight you annually:
April-May
Veronica gentianoides (pictured): Spikes of powder-blue and white flowers.
Pulmonaria angustifolia ‘Munstead Blue’: Plain-green leaves, azure blooms.
Helleborus argutifolius: Large heads of apple-green bells.
Late July-August
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Solfatare’ (pictured): Pale-apricot flowers.
Anemone x hybrida ‘September Charm’: Large single pink flowers.
Nepeta x faassenii: Lavender-blue blossom all summer.
June-early July
Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’ (pictured): Heads of papery reddish flowers.
Iris ‘Blue Shimmer’: White with blue stippling.
varieties: Pink, red or white blooms.
