Three different cultivars of marigolds join with blue lobelia, sunpatiens, dwarf daisies and dusty miller on this island-like raised bed. Not much height to the sun-loving flowers in this bed ...

So, what can take the place of our colourful bedding stalwarts, the pelargoniums, trailing lobelia, petunias and marigolds? Salvias, heather and dahlias have proved particularly popular ...