Just outside Oxford is Waterperry Gardens, former site of another centre of learning. Head gardener Pat Havers suggests ten flowers for vertical appeal
Spread across 20 acres, Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire was the site of the renowned women’s horticultural college established by Beatrix Havergal and Avice Sanders in 1932. Since the college’s closure in 1971, Waterperry has been owned by the School of Philosophy and Economic Science and the garden’s focus has shifted from productive to ornamental gardening.
Pat Havers has been head gardener here for 13 years and oversees the rose and formal garden, island beds and various borders. Here she channels her years of practical experience to suggest plants to grow now for borders full of bright flower spires come summer.
Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ. Tel: 01844 339254; waterperrygardens.co.uk
1 Sidalcea ‘Loveliness’
Sidalcea come in many shades of magenta but popular ‘Loveliness’ is a most delicate pink. “It’s good at the front of borders, and it’s reliable, versatile and long flowering,” notes Pat. While it’s occasionally prone to hollyhock rust, it’s generally disease-free. Grow it in full sun and well-drained soil. Reaches 50cm.
2 Digitalis ‘Pam’s Choice’
This unusual foxglove’s deep burgundy splotches are captivating and it looks terrific among similarly coloured flowers such as the poppy ‘Lauren’s Grape’. “‘Pam’s Choice’ is bee-friendly, good for the back of a border and a great filler of gaps,” enthuses Pat. It’s biennial, prefers moist soil in sun or light shade and grows to 1.5m.
3Kniphofia rooperi
A classic red-hot poker that starts off yellow at the base and flushes brilliant orange towards the tip “K. rooperi is a border favourite,” says Pat. “It has vibrant late-season flowers and its colour befits the time of year.” This plant is fully hardy, but it needs full sun and good, rich soil to grow at its best and reach 1.2m.
4 Lupinus ‘Rachel de Thame’
Growing to just under a metre tall and with pink and cream flowers, ‘Rachel de Thame’ has a classic sweet-shop appeal. “It’s an early-summer visitor favourite at Waterperry,” says Pat, who recommends growing it in a sunny, mid-border position. Protect young lupins from slugs in spring and mulch crowns in winter.
5 Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Alba’
This sophisticated fully hardy pere
