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In the light, airy room that affords a constant temperature throughout the year there is an endless range of plants to choose from which will soften and improve the surroundings.

These are delightful evergreen shrubs with handsome leaves and yellow flowers. They present an air of stern uncompromising endurance which I find strangely attractive. The species Mahonia aquifolium makes a useful low-growing ground cover under taller trees, especially cherries or acers. This does not inhibit the flowering in April.

For two years I had a plant of Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca, labelled Perovskia atriplicifolia and my confusion on discovering the mistake will stop me committing any further careless follies of similar magnitude. The beauty of the grey foliage, near white sterns, and subsequent lavender-blue flowers depends very much on the associate planting. Grown at the edge of a flagged path to intermingle with the purple-leaved Cotinus coggygria, the shrub achieves a certain distinction. A well-drained soil and position in full sun are two further essentials for success. Cuttings taken in June or July will root in a sun frame.

Erica darleyensis contains two essential varieties for me – George Rendall and Arthur Johnson, both with long spikes of pink flowers.

Callicarpa giraldiana is enjoyinga sudden burst of respect now that it has been discovered by the flower arrangers. I have grown it for 14 years in a secluded corner where it has made a modest bush 3 ft. high. In the summer it goes unnoticed but as the leaveiturn soft rose pink and the bright lilac, seemingly artificial berries appear, the charm becomes more assertive. Good drainage and an extra ration of potash as well as the fish fertiliser all my shrubs expect each year, are small frecompense for the rather unusual contribution this shrub makes to the panoply of autumn.