We love for … - James Alexander-Sinclair

We love JuneOn the tilesRoofing felt was neverdesigned with aesthetics inmind. Yet it’s easy to transforma shed into something that’sa fun, environmentally friendly,practical and attractive partof the garden. Roof gardensneed good drainage, foolproofplanting and careful attentionuntil established.Lavatera × clementii ‘Barnsley’Jammy dodgerLavatera ‘Barnsley’ is a varietydiscovered by the redoubtableRosemary Verey and named afterher Gloucestershire garden. Itspale pink flowers contrast withthe jam-coloured centres.Dianthus deltoides ‘Shrimp’DETAILS This variety is low-growing, whichmeans it’s unlikely to be blown awayThymus serphyllum ‘Minor’DETAILS Mat-forming scented thymewith furry leaves • Bees flock to this plant• Easily split into new plantsAjuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’DETAILS Vigorously spreading low evergreen• Blue flowers appear in early summerDETAILS Can revert so cut out stems with darkerflowers • Cut back hard in spring • Flowers allsummer • Grows to 2mPHOTOs: alamy/linn arvidsson; gap photos/geoff kidd; clive nichols; garden collection/torie chugg; gpl/lynn keddieGeum ‘Mrs J Bradshaw’Racy redMany reds are indefatigablyenergetic: the red of cancandancers’ knickers, the crimsonof cherries and the rufous ofa cricket ball. Vivid Geum ’MrsJ Bradshaw’ is right up there.DETAILS Comes true from seed sown in autumnor divide in spring • Also try yellow ‘LadyStratheden’ • Grows to 60cmDianthus deltoides ‘Shrimp’Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’Thymus serpyllum ‘Minor’22 www.gardenersworld.comJune 2008