One group of plants, neglected by many gardeners, is the grasses. Not Pampas grass (which, although it can be magnificent in certain settings, is better left in South America as far as we're concerned) but the many bamboos and their softer-stemmed relatives.

These lovely plants add grace and movement to the garden, shivering or rippling in the slightest breeze. The colours vary from bright green to golden shades and the flowerheads add extra interest.

Pop in a pot

Even more in their favour, they don't have to be planted in the ground, but readily take to a pot, so are ideal for adorning a pool surrounded by paving, or placed on the patio.

Those ornamental grasses that spread by underground stems are better restrained by growing in a container, but there are still plenty of others to choose from that can be planted in the ground without fear of a take-over, such as Hakonechloa macra 'Alboaurea' and tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa 'Gold Veil' or Golden Dew')