As the common name suggests, the narrow, silvery-grey leaves of this dense, dwarf sub-shrub smell strongly of curry. The small, everlasting, bright yellow flowers are produced in summer. This plant prefers a sunny, sheltered position on well-drained soil. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain a compact plant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

An unusual shrubby member of a genus that comprises mostly climbers and scramblers. It is a native of Mediterranean limestone hills, and enjoys a hot sunny position in a rock garden, where fertility is fairly low and drainage efficient. The evergreen foliage is covered in silky silver-grey hairs, and the flowers start as pink buds which open into 2.5cm (1in) trumpets, with blush white petals marked with a central pink stripe. An attractive plant that benefits from annual pruning to maintain bushy growth down to the ground. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Sometimes known as 'East Friesland', 'Ostfriesland' is a lovely variety of this clump-forming perennial, producing spikes of violet-blue from summer through to autumn. Grow it in well-drained soil in full sun. Protect plants from excessive winter wet and shelter from cold, drying winds. In colder gardens, it is well worth taking a few cuttings in late summer and early autumn to overwinter indoors. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

An outstanding silver foliage plant for the rock garden. Plants form hummocks at first, and then broaden out into deep mats of narrow leaves, which are arranged in tight-knit rosettes and give the plant a particularly beautiful texture. Unlike many of the larger artemisias which have spikes of coarse yellow flowers, this species remains mostly vegetative. It can produce short spikes of pale yellow flowers, but - particularly if grown with flowers whose colours would clash - these can be removed, and this helps to improve the foliage quality. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

A useful 'filler' plant for a busy summer border the plant naturally makes an attractive, wiry, dark green mound of foliage which creates a superb background for the masses of single, pale yellow daisies that stud it from mid-summer to early autumn. These blooms are attractive to bees. Use in a flower border to contrast with strong shapes and large foliage, or plant it in groups to make a flowering carpet in front of shrubs. It is lovely associated with blue campanulas or anchusa.

Although sometimes known as Pride of India, this handsome smallish tree actually comes from China. Its attractive foliage is accompanied in the summer by a fine display of elegant sprays of bright yellow flowers, which is especially good in warm, sheltered sites. The flowers are followed by inflated bladder-like fruits. Its dark red bark is striking in winter and contrasts handsomely with the new pinkish-red foliage produced in spring. In autumn, the leaves turn bright yellow and fall early. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).