Photos: Delphinium 'Black Knight'

Delphiniums don't flower for long, and in a small garden like mine it might not seem worth giving garden space to them. Their heavy flower spikes need support and even then they flop or break in bad weather. The new shoots are often chewed through by slugs and snails.

But for all that, I think nothing beats their beautiful blue in the June garden. This variety - 'Black Knight' - is my favourite.