Echium italicum Icing-pink flowers appear on this statuesque beauty's fuzzy stem from June to October
Alpine strawberry Baron Solemacher This European favourite will produce small, intensely sweet berries for a lengthy season
Meraviglia di Venezia A meaty, stringless French Bean that can grow up to three yards high with support Primula secundiflora The magenta bells of this diminutive woodland dweller have helped to establish it as a favourite
Seakale The stalks of this Victorian delicacy can be eaten raw, or steamed and served with butter Tropaeolum majus Empress of India A gloriously old-fashioned form of the garden nasturtium, with velvety, open-throated flowers
Where to buy
Chiltern 01229 581137; www.chilternseeds.co.uk
Franchi 020-8427 5020; www.seedsofitaly.com
Marshalls 01480 443390; www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk
Pictorial Meadows 0114-267 7635; www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk
Ray Brown 0870 850 3756; www.raybrowns.co.uk
Thomas Etty 01460 298249; www.thomasetty.co.uk
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