Tall flowers for a border??

[grannymem]

I hadn't heard of elecampane so looked it up and what did I find?

"Growing Elecampane in your garden will attract fairies. The plant is used in fairy rituals and you can overcome elven magic by stabbing the plant's roots. Elecampane has also been used in love potions - grind Vervain, Elecampane and Mistletoe into a powder and sprinkle into the wine of your chosen love. Alternatively, sew Elecampane flowers or leaves into pink cloth and wear to attract love. Wear in your hat to frighten off robbers and all sly people. If placed in the hat of a deceptive person he will go red in the face. Throw Elecampane roots on a fire to scent a room, or smoulder on charcoal to heighten your psychic powers. It is a useful plant to use when trying to contact nature spirits"

I'm off to sew it into a pink dress!

[basketcase]

I hadn't heard of elecampane so looked it up and what did I find?

"Growing Elecampane in your garden will attract fairies. The plant is used in fairy rituals and you can overcome elven magic by stabbing the plant's roots. Elecampane has also been used in love potions - grind Vervain, Elecampane and Mistletoe into a powder and sprinkle into the wine of your chosen love. Alternatively, sew Elecampane flowers or leaves into pink cloth and wear to attract love. Wear in your hat to frighten off robbers and all sly people. If placed in the hat of a deceptive person he will go red in the face. Throw Elecampane roots on a fire to scent a room, or smoulder on charcoal to heighten your psychic powers. It is a useful plant to use when trying to contact nature spirits"

I'm off to sew it into a pink dress!

But can you eat it?!

[sarraceniac]

But can you eat it?!

Pink knickers more like it.

[bramble]

How about lupins, they come in a lovely variety of colours and are long lasting. Also come up every year so no probs with having to sow again. Also michaelmas daisies, they come in such a range of colours. Any of the daisy family will give a good display.

[coreopsis]

Think about if you're going to go for annuals or perennials.Hollyhocks and delphinium are perennials,you could also try sea holly,hellenium,monarda,some campanulas(sorry i'm fan of perennials).
Astilbes are medium perennials and like dampish conditions

[Two_Sheds]

Hollyhocks ... are perennials

If they get a chance! They always get rust

[sarraceniac]

If they get a chance! They always get rust

Nowyou tell us. Lady S. loves them so I've just over-wintered about 5 dozen to flower this year. Fortunately most of the seed cost nothing, as usual, a gift from a kind grape. I'll still get into bovver though if they get rust.

[FionaH]

Astilbes are medium perennials and like dampish conditions

Now you have confused me, whats a medium perennial?

[sarraceniac]

Now you have confused me, whats a medium perennial?

Not long lived or short lived. (Some live hundreds of years some only about 3 years.)

[stella]

Passion flower? Flowers are stunning and it comes back every year.

[Flummery]

I hadn't heard of elecampane so looked it up and what did I find?

"Growing Elecampane in your garden will attract fairies. The plant is used in fairy rituals and you can overcome elven magic by stabbing the plant's roots. Elecampane has also been used in love potions - grind Vervain, Elecampane and Mistletoe into a powder and sprinkle into the wine of your chosen love. Alternatively, sew Elecampane flowers or leaves into pink cloth and wear to attract love. Wear in your hat to frighten off robbers and all sly people. If placed in the hat of a deceptive person he will go red in the face. Throw Elecampane roots on a fire to scent a room, or smoulder on charcoal to heighten your psychic powers. It is a useful plant to use when trying to contact nature spirits"

I'm off to sew it into a pink dress!

And as the song says, "A heaving glass of elecampane will bring the dead to life!" How can you NOT grow it?

But it's still a tall, back of the border plant with fantastic yellow flowers. I think it's an Inula so that's why the flowers are like those of Jerusalem artichokes.

[sarraceniac]

the flowers are like those of Jerusalem artichokes.

And actually Flum, globe artichokes make very attractive tall flowers. And you can eat them as well.

[Flummery]

And actually Flum, globe artichokes make very attractive tall flowers. And you can eat them as well.

I've seen them in garden borders too - very exotic looking!

[basketcase]

Pink knickers more like it.

I'm not even going to look down the road to which that non-sequitur leads...

[coreopsis]

Now you have confused me, whats a medium perennial?

Medium as for height-they aren't as tall as hollyhocks and delphiniums but they aren't low either.
Sorry,I didn't express myself clearly enough(not the first or last time I suppose)