Dreamy SPIRES

Elevate borders with soaring floral blooms

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Vertical accents

An array of spires is a sure-fire way to inject style and energy into a border. These vertical accents give height, structure and perspective, and create a sweep of colour against which smaller plants can shine. Their skinny profile allows them to shimmy into snug spaces, too. Grow them peeping over a low fence at the back of a border, or drifting around the garden, to lead the eye on a merry wander.

GROWING TIPS

* Plant in a sheltered spot to prevent spires from collapsing.

*Place lower-growing, spreading plants in front of skinny verticals to help anchor them and disguise fading foliage.

*Contrast spires with round, curved or flattened shapes - we're talking daisies, roses, achillea, hardy geranium, sedum and astrantia.