Names of Flowers that add height and colour to the garden.

Here are ideas to add color and height to the flower borders of your garden.

When planning a flower border for the garden as well as selecting plants for their colours and blooms we need to think about the height and spread that the plants will grow to eventually. The details about the height that the plants will reach is usually on the accompanying label along with information on the preferred planting position which usually refers to the plants preference for sun or shade and the most suitable soil conditions to grow it in.

The tallest plants in your garden are usually best placed at the back of the border but the exception is in some gardens where there are 'island beds' which are viewed from all sides. When planting up garden 'island beds' the tallest plants are usually positioned in the centre of the flower border.

If you decide to place a tall growing plant in a position other than at the back of the border try to select one that will not block the light from the other plants close by. This more 'random planting' style can work well with a cottage garden theme where the appearance of self-seeded flowers having sprung up in different parts of the garden over the years would create part of the charm and appeal that a cottage garden has.

For a flower that holds its head up high and adds an air of grace and elegance one can plant one of the varieties of iris known as a 'tall bearded iris' these flower on long elegant stems and can bloom at a height of up to 3'.

You will not be limited in your choice of colours with these beautiful plants and the texture of the petals of the flowers is equal to an exquisite luxury fabric. The iris comes in sumptuous shades to match the richness in texture of its petals.

One word of caution here, follow the planting instructions closely they need the right conditions to flourish and to build up to the magnificent display that they can provide given the correct conditions at the time of planting and to grow on in.

Flowers for the Garden , Annual and Perennial Flowers that add Height.

• Verbena Bonariensis. This is a beautiful choice for the flower border. This is a short lived perennial, which means it should last more than one year but will not live as long as some other perennial garden plants. It will probably self-seed so even when the original plant has expired you should have new ones to take its place in the flower border.

The Verbena Bonariensis is a plant that needs to be seen in a garden to fully appreciate its qualities as no photo can do it justice. it is a tall plant that holds its flowers high above the base of the plant on sturdy but delicate looking stems. On a day when the garden has a slight breeze the flowers move in a gentle and delicate way which is fascinating to watch. As dusk falls the blooms appear to be floating above the other flowers in the border. The shade of lilac that the blooms are goes well with the color of its foliage and also with silver toned plants.

• Hollyhocks - are a charming cottage style flowering plant that sit well against a fence or wall in the garden. They have a rustic sort of charm to them and come in a wide range of attractive colors and the petals of the blooms at times appear to be formed from beautifully colored crumpled tissue paper.
• Alliums. Some of the taller flowering allium bulbs can add height and be an architectural statement in a flower border. These plants come in easy to plant and grow bulbs and the flowers range through a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Foxglove flowers are loved by bees you will see them disappear into the tubular flowers and eventually emerge covered in pollen from the flower.

Foxglove are a biennial. However they can be made to behave like a perennial, if you cut the flower stems back to prevent them going to seed. If you allow the foxglove to set seed they will self seed freely.

Foxglove seedlings can be transplanted to a different area of the garden if you wish them to grow in another area of the garden. Keep them well watered if the weather is dry.

Foxgloves like growing in shaded places and are perfect positioned at the back of a flower border, they are very effective at creating a cottage garden look when planted with a variety of other traditional flowering plants such as delphiniums.

Hardy Fuchsias flower from July to late September depending on the weather.

Hardy Fuchsias should be pruned in spring, when any long thin straggly branches should be cut back and shortened, at the same time remove and weak growing branches. If your fuchsia plant has been badly damaged by frost then it is best to cut the older damaged branches back to ground level. If the damage from the frost is only minor then just off the damaged parts of the branch.

Hardy fuchsias have purple and red flowers throughout the summer months in the UK.

Fuchsias of this kind like a well-drained soil.

The height and spread of this plant is -

height approx. 250 cm and the spread is approx 200cm.

If you are looking for a tall and elegant flower then take a look at the plant called Verbena bonariensis.

Verbena bonariensis grows to form a tall plant, yet it is a light an delicate looking.

It flowers in a vibrant colour which some describe as purplish but I think it is a pinky purple colour. The blooms are on light and wiry stems high above the mid-green leaves.

This plant likes sunny borders with shelter. It needs a moist, but well drained soil.

It may self-seed (great - this means free plants).

In colder weather this plant may need protection (in colder areas of the country).

As with all new plants water it well before planting - stand the pot in a bowl or bucket of water to about halfway up the pot.

Keep watering the plant if needed until it is established and remember to be prepared to protect it in cold winters.

This flower would look lovely cut and placed in a vase if you can bear to take them from the garden.

This plant is popular with bees and butterflies which is a bonus.

There are many varieties of clematis, so many that the choice of which to plant can be difficult mainly because you will be spoilt for choice. Look into when you want the plant to be in flower and also what colour you want the clematis flowers to be as well as the bloom size. Some clematis have very large blooms others are small and dainty.

The use of this plant has many possibilities to add height and the colour of the flowers to your garden. You can plant different clematis plant to flower in succession so that you have an almost constant succession of clematis blooms through the seasons.

Clematis plants can be trained to climb over an arch, a trellis, a pergola and arbour or even used to climb through a tree or trained to improve the look of garden buildings such as sheds.