Gardens: see-through perennials - in pictures

Pink vervain Verbena hastata f. rosea’s candelabra flowers form a veil of wine-pink. It’s a cousin of the ubiquitous V. bonariensis. Tips This perennial lives longer than some verbenas, and it will self-sow. Give it well-drained soil in sun. Plant with Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ and Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’. Height and spread 1.2m x 40cm. Buy at tobybuckland.com Photograph: CuboImages srl/Alamy

Sea holly Eryngium planum produces a mesh of electric-blue thistles from midsummer on. Come winter, the seedheads are enchanting when dusted with frost. Tips Well-drained soil in full sun. Plant with Campanula persicifolia and Lychnis coronaria. Height and spread 90cm x 45cm. Buy at bethchatto.co.uk Photograph: Plantography/Alamy

Angel’s fishing rod Dierama pulcherrimum produces arching stems hung with pink bells. Allow it to dangle through grasses or over paths or water. Tips Plant in sun, in moist soil – mix in compost and grit when planting. Plant with Aster turbinellus and Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’. Height and spread 1.2m x 40cm. Buy at bethchatto.co.uk Photograph: John Glover/Alamy

Gaura ‘Siskiyou Pink’ Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’ produces a floaty scrum of blush-pink flowers on dark stems. Tips Likes full sun and well-drained soil. It develops blushing, rusty hues in autumn, so cut it back in spring. Plant with Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Ace of Spades’ and Astrantia major ‘Ruby Wedding’. Height and spread 1.2m x 70cm. Buy at crocus.co.uk Photograph: Niall McDiarmid/Alamy

Hairy chervil ‘Roseum’ Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’ looks like pink cow parsley. Pair its frothy clouds with claret aquilegias or black widow cranesbill. Tips Loves moist soil, so dig in lots of organic matter in semi-shade. Plant with Geranium phaeum and Geum ‘Bell Bank’. Here it is pictured with Smyrnium perfoliatum. Height and spread 70cm x 30cm Buy at bethchatto.co.uk Photograph: Holmes Garden Photos/Alamy

Sanguisorba ‘Pink Elephant’ The bobble flowers of Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Pink Elephant’, S. obtusa and S. officinalis produce floating dots of colour in the border. Tips Likes well-drained, moist soil. Plant in sun or semi-shade. Plant with Digitalis ferruginea and Helictotrichon sempervirens. Height and spread 1.2m x 30cm. Buy at claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk Photograph: John Martin/Alamy

Purple moor grass ‘Transparent’ Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Transparent’ forms a sheer curtain that allows glimpses of other plants. Tips Likes slightly moist soil, so dig in lots of organic matter. Happy in sun or semi-shade. Plant with Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Blackbird’ and Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’. Height and spread 1m x 50cm. Buy at crocus.co.uk Photograph: Andrea Jones/Alamy

Red scabious The crimson pincushion flowers of Knautia macedonica hover in the air and attract bees and butterflies. Tips Likes neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Deadhead to keep it flowering. Plant with Dianthus carthusianorum and Sedum telephium ‘Xenox’. Height and spread 45cm x 40cm. Buy at claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk Photograph: RM Floral/Alamy

Stipa ‘Gold Fontaene’ Golden oats forms a pearly mist that catches the light and flatters other plants. ‘Gold Fontaene’ is a more robust version of the common species, which snaps in the wind. Tips Likes a sunny, sheltered spot. Plant with Verbascum ‘Clementine’ and Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’. Height and spread 2m x 70cm. Buy at tobybuckland.com Photograph: John Martin/Alamy

Rosa ‘Windflower’ This repeat-flowering rose has a lightweight, airy habit. Looks wonderful flopping into grasses. Tips Plant in full sun, having dug bonemeal and manure into the soil. Prune lightly in early spring. Plant with Aconitum x cammarum ‘Pink Sensation’ and Allium sphaerocephalon. Height and spread 1.2m x 90cm. Buy at davidaustinroses.com Photograph: David Austin roses