One of the star plant families in August is Buddleia. They are often known as butterfly bushes because they are so attractive to butterflies (see top left).
Buddleia davidii is the most commonly grown species - it is fast-growing, deciduous, hardy to -15 deg C and produces fragrant flower panicles.
There are many different cultivars bearing flowers varying from white, through pink, lilac and purple. 'Black Knight' is shown right, and as its name suggests bears these very dark purple flowers.
Buddleias prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Buddleia davidii is hardy down to -15 deg C, some of the other species are less hardy.
Lavatera 'Rosea'
A perfect companion to Buddleia davidii is Lavatera 'Rosea', the tree mallow. This fast-growing semi-evergreen shrub also likes well-drained soil in full sun. Hardy to -15 deg C, but may need protection in colder areas.
It is a great plant for adding instant height and colour to a new garden. The mallow-like pink flowers are produced in great abundance from midsummer onwards.
The plants will need pruning down to about 30cm each spring, after the worst frosts have finished. It is tempting to cut them down before this time, but this will often result in the death of the plant.
Clematis jackmanii
This is a deciduous Clematis which has rich purple flowers that appear from the end of July onwards. It prefers rich, well-drained soil with shade at the roots and the upper portion in sun or partial shade. Hardy to -15 deg C.
It is a lovely plant for growing through shrubs - I have it climbing through a pale pink hardy fuchsia in my garden.
Crocosmia masoniorum
The Crocosmia family is another genus which stars in the month of August. This is Crocosmia masoniorum, a vigorous perennial which bears orange-red blooms from the end of July onwards. The leaves are also attractive, being pleated and sword-like, in contrast to the arching stems bearing flowers.
They prefer well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, in full sun or partial shade. They are hardy down to -15 deg C (borderline) and are best protected with a dry mulch in winter. They do need plenty of space as they increase quite rapidly if the conditions are right. Height is to approximately 1.2m.
Dianthus 'Joy'
This is a modern repeat-flowering pink whose semi-double, deep pink flowers are produced above grey-green evergreen foliage from the end of July onwards. Hardy down to -15 deg C.
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