Plants F to L

Most bromeliads are epiphytic, that is to say they grow on other plants without being parasitic on them, but Fascicularia are terrestrial, living on the forest floor. To prevent them from being eaten by grazing animals they have evolved tough, hard-to-chew leaves, usually with spines. Not even Llamas are tempted by them.

The fashionistas of the gardening world look down their noses at fuchsias because they only know the garish ballerina flowers that dangle from hanging baskets. As well as the hardy shrub forms there are also several exquisite species that are worth growing.

The popularity and fecundity of geraniums has led to plant breeders and nurserymen introducing many new varieties. So many, in fact, that it's hard to keep track of them and sometimes even to tell the difference. We alternate between seeing this as an 'embarrass de richesse' and not wanting to see another single geranium come through the garden gate. Many of the newer varieties that we have tried in the garden have not made it to the propagating shed (particularly the seemingly endless range of Geranium oxonianums). The ones that we would happily grow are listed below. .

We don't buy Lenten lilies unless we can see the flower and know that it's what we want, so nor should you. We have lots of hand-pollinated plants, particularly dark, dusky ones, so come up to the nursery in early spring when they are flowering.

The re-flowering qualities of day lilies make them good value plants. Don't be put off by their common name of daylilies - it's true that each flower only lasts a day but each plant produces weeks-worth of flowers.

Few plants can match the unruly grandeur and heady perfume of white sweet rocket. Cut them hard back as soon as they have flowered in order to curb their promiscuity and to encourage further flowerings.

It's true that the bearded irises really need to be seen baking in stony soil under the sparkling light of Provence, but even in the watery sunshine of Britain they are still magnificent plants.

Memories of the ubiquitous bicoloured pokers in tatty clums in front of every suburban bungalow put me off Kniphofias for a long time. When I did start growing them I was immediately captivated, by the brightly coloured ones as much as by the softer coloured, smaller ones.