I picked this grass, even though the colour has now gone from the flowers. I love the movement you get from them in autumn, as well as the early mornings when each strand of each flower head is connected by dewy cobwebs. However, if we get frosts then that's when you realise the benefit of not cutting back the flowering stems too soon.

I love plants that give just that little extra value for money and this plant surely does that. As if the spectacular bright red stems during winter (probably the brightest of them all) weren't enough, it also gives a fabulous autumn leaf display. It's best in a sunny position and hope for some cold weather to get the brightest winter stems.

This great variety has a marbled, purple leaf that looks great throughout spring and summer, particularly if you have something yellow planted in front of it. However, most people don't think of its fabulous autumn leaf colour which, at times, can look like it's on fire. An easy plant that will grow in sun or semi-shade in most garden soils.