Astilbe

There is a good choice of pink astilbes, this being a rich pink for late summer. The spreading ferny leaves have a hint of bronze, and the fluffy pyramids of flowers perk up borders in sun and light shade. To get good results, make sure the soil does not dry out, with the boggy ground near a natural pond or stream being ideal. Other good pinks include the earlier flowering 'Erica', and 'Ostrich plume', which has large red plumes.