With so many bright, colourful varieties available there’s room in every garden for these easy-to-grow superstars and as a bedding plant in garden borders there’s one to suit any setting.

Daisies are ‘open’ flowers containing lots of pollen, perfect for pollinators like butterflies and bees. A sunny position in well-drained soil is the ideal site. Heavy clay or sandy soil should be improved with a mulch of compost.

The perennial Leucanthemum (Shasta daisy) is a must have in a wildlife garden as butterflies adore it . Available with long-flowering double, fringed or single white blooms on sturdy stems. Cut back after flowering to prevent the plant becoming straggly, and divide the clumps every 2 – 3 years.

Indigenous Osteopermums, also known as the Cape or African daisy are cheerful, versatile and available in a large range of colours and varieties. Planted in well composted soil in full sun they look stunning in flower borders and containers. Deadhead regularily. After a few seasons the plant will become leggy and need replacing. Osteopermums need minimal watering so are ideal for a water-wise garden.

The colourful perennial Echinacea Purpurea (Cone flower)has many cultivars and attracts butterflies and bees. Plant in full sun in rich free-draining soil and divide overgrown clumps in Winter. When the flowers fade they reveal its characteristic cone-shaped seed head, loved by birds.

Ever-popular Rudbekias (Black-eyed Susan) with vividly coloured flowers of lemon-yellow, orange and bronze will attract a host of pollinators bringing vibrancy to the garden, and providing birds with a valuable food source of seeds in Autumn.

The Aster (Michaelmas daisy) is a very hardy indigenous plant which will grow in full sun or semi-shade. It has small to medium sized blooms and is available in various colours.