Hazel, Cob nut, Corylus avellana, Close up of yellow flowers and spiky thorns.

Sea holly, Eryngium planum, Growing against bright green foliage.

Agave, Agave attenuata, Close up showing texture.

Agave, Agave attenuata, Close up showing texture.

Sea holly, Eryngium planum, backlit growing against bright green foliage.

Russian sage, Perovskia 'Blue spire', Side view of several white stems with feathery silver leaves and sparse, furry, blue purple flowers, creating a transparent effect.

Globe thistle, Echinops 'Veitch's blue', Five white stems with spikey, spherical, deep blue heads viewed from an angle, creating a dynamic effect.

Mullein, Verbascum 'Southern Charm', Side view of several stems bearing pale apricot flowers with dark centres.

Verbena, Brazilian verbena, Purple top, Verbena bonariensis in front of a wall of stacked cut logs. Part of Wild in the City garden designed by Charlotte Murrell, Hampton Court flower show 2011.

Houseleek, Sempervivum tectorum and other alpines forming a green roof of an insect shelter painted pale green and filled with pieces of bamboo canes. Part of Wild in the City garden designed by Charl...

Verbena, Brazilian verbena, Purple top, Verbena bonariensis, with Veronicastrum, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' and Gaura, all tall plants in a late summer prairie style planted mixed bord...

Honesty, Lunaria annua,Two frosted transluscent silvery discs of the seedhead illuminated with backlight against a dark background.