August can be a tricky month in the garden but there are some plants that effortlessly span the latter days of summer into the early days of autumn. Hydrangeas being one notable plant that is very much underused and would certainly fit the bill. That aside, there are still some relatively unknown specimens certainly worth giving a go. One plant in particular is Tricyrtis, commonly know as the Toad Lily. Many people think it's exotic and tender - on the contrary. In my own garden I've placed it in a Northerly aspect adjacent to a hornbeam hedge so little wonder I'd say it's as 'tough as old boots.' An eye-catching addition to any 'woodlandy' shady border, growing to about 0.5m tall and as slender as 30cm, it hardly takes up any space. Give it a go!
