There are certain types of plant that are invaluable in any garden, because of the qualities they bring to a bed or border, such as movement, focus and colour. Identifying these helpful heroes and wha

Design solutions

Liz Zorab lists the eye-catching plants she hopes to add to her garden this year

Try our pick of the most beautiful plants you can buy now

From grasses to ferns and herbaceous perennials, these choice winter evergreens light up borders with colour and texture, says Sue Fisher

With the right visual tricks, clever planting and a few pro-level layout tweaks, you can make a modest plot feel wider, deeper and far more luxurious than its footprint suggests