Collection of perennial plants in shades of blue and mauve for sunny areas.

The collection consists of 3 plants:

- x 1 Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low': A compact and spreading perennial with a height of 60 cm (24in) when in flower. The grey-green, aromatic foliage is semi-evergreen in winter. Flowering from June (sometimes earlier in favourable climates) to October, with a short resting period in the middle of summer. Its long floral spikes are an intense lavender blue.

- x 1 Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop': A more compact variety than the usual Buenos Aires verbena, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in). Its lavender flowers are grouped in small bouquets with a diameter of 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in). The flowering lasts throughout the summer. A short-lived perennial, it self-seeds readily in light soil. This verbena is hardy up to -10°C (14°F).

- x 1 Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna': This sage produces 50 cm (20in) tall, brown-purple stems, bearing small flowers of intense violet, grouped in long spikes on a tuft of dark green, aromatic foliage. It blooms from May to September.

Individually labelled.

These perennials easily integrate into gardens of all sizes and styles, and can be grown without difficulty in many regions. Their blue and mauve flowers blend perfectly with the range of mauve, blue, and white tones, creating a soft and romantic atmosphere found in English roses, phlox, and peonies, for example. For a contrasting flower bed, in technicolor, think of adding orange of California poppies, yellow of marigolds, and red of poppies.

Tips:

• Plant 6 plants per square meter to achieve a dense flowerbed within 3-4 years, or 9 plants per square metre for a dense flowerbed in just 2 years.
• Avoid soils that are both very compact and wet in winter.