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Alstroemeria Compact strains of these glamorous border perennials developed specially for containers have a long flowering season and come in a range of colours and sizes look for princess lilies. Regular deadheading is essential simply tug out the spent stems.

Ginger lily is another name for the exotic Hedychium gardnerianum and is perfect in large tubs. It produces 4ft-high (1 metre) stems with strap-like leaves and heads of showy yellow flowers with long, spiky, red stamens.

Heliotrope

This compact shrub with its wide heads of many violet-purple, deep-blue or white florets was an Edwardian favourite known as cherry pie thanks to its intense scent. Seed-raised plants rarely have as strong a scent as traditional varieties grown from cuttings.

Argyranthemum Marguerites are always a great summer favourite and have masses of daisy flowers from June to late September. Among the most popular varieties are the pale yellow Jamaica primrose and white Chelsea girl, with its delicate grey-green leaves.

Petunia One of our most popular annuals in tubs and hanging baskets, petunias are ideal in sheltered, semi-shaded positions. Team single, double and striped varieties for magnificent displays or fill a large hanging basket with one type to create giant balls of bloom. Surfina petunias have a scent that builds up when grown in confined spaces such as a gazebo or porch.

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The Tardis Shed owned by Paul Foden from Stoke on Trent

Ultimate shrubs

Plumbago Handsome and semi-tender, this shrub with its large heads of blue flowers is best grown in a large tub with a trellis for support.

Move it on to the patio in summer and back inside for winter. Roses New English roses have it all old-fashioned shapes, scents and colours combined with repeat flowering.

Try the shell-pink Eglantyne or for scent go for the peachy-pink hybrid tea Paul Shirville or white floribunda Margaret Merril.

Buddleja Old favourite Buddleja davidii attracts clouds of butterflies and among several superb varieties are the dark purple black knight, white cloud and harlequin, which has mauve-purple flowers and variegated foliage. Buddleja needs sun and well-drained soil.

Bottlebrush This 7ft (2 metre) exotic displays spectacular, spiky red heads. Callistemon citrinus is hardy in much of southern England and is great elsewhere in tubs that can be moved into a conservatory in winter. It needs well-drained soil, shelter and sun.

Tree anemone Carpenteria californica is a semi-tender 6ft (1 metre) evergreen with large, white flowers try the prolific Ladhams variety. It is a good wall shrub in a sheltered spot and well-drained soil in southern gardens.

Hardy fuchsias Breeding has seen an influx of stunning new varieties of fuchsias that are tough enough to grow outside all year round. They need well-drained fertile soil and sun for at least half the day.

Hebe Attractive tall varieties of hebe include the pale pink Great Orme, raspberry gauntletti and the purple midsummer beauty.

Hebe attracts bees and butterflies and grows best in a well-drained sunny spot.

More here:

Go potty on the patio: Alan Titchmarsh's tips for container flowers - Express.co.uk