We love for … - James Alexander-Sinclair

We love JulyEchinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’Cirsium heterophyllumThistle while you workIn the fields (especiallyif wearing shorts) youwill encounter thistles.Many of them, in fact,generously spreadingtheir seeds to all theneighbouring gardensas if they were scatteringfairy dust rather thanpernicious weeds. Thereare, however, manydomesticated thistles thatare not so promiscuousin their habits and whichwill provide somewonderfully sculpturalshapes for your garden.Silybum marianumSchoolboys giggle at its name• Variegated foliage • Sow in situ latespring, early summer • Reaches 1.5mEchinops bannaticus‘Taplow Blue’Flowers resemble perfectly rolledsteel-blue hedgehogs • Sow seedin mid-spring and divide from autumnto spring • Grows to 1.2mCirsium heterophyllumAlso known as the melancholy thistle,it will always cheer you up • Lovelysilver leaves • Sow seed in spring ordivide in winter • Grows to 1mEryngium planum ‘Tetra Petra’A delicate-stemmed yet robust plant• Best in free-draining soil• Propagate from root cuttingsin winter • Reaches 90cmwww.gardenersworld.com 19