We are off to Hyde Hall Flower Show this weekend (1 August to the 4th) and are hoping that the lovely weather continues to predominate. It is well worth a day out, as Hyde Hall is one of the RHS Gardens, and the grounds are quite spectacular - brimful of exuberant planting and inspiring layouts. A wander around the paths and lawns will certainly inspire you to be creative in your planting combinations when you next get in the garden.

We always enjoy our time showing at Hyde Hall, and look forward to seeing you there as we have some really fantastic plants at this time of year, when herbs come into their own. As you know, they thrive in less than favourable conditions, and will cope well with the hot, dry days we are having at the moment - in fact, the marjoram, thymes and lovage are all looking splendid, with no extra watering despite the dry weather we have had.

As usual, we will be putting together a small display of herbs, and the show-stoppers are going to be our three different coloured flowering Bergamots. Croftway Pink (pictured right), Loddon Crown and Didyma Red Colours are all in fabulous flower, and will stay in bloom well into the Autumn, making them a good buy for late summer flower. As they are perennial, they will be there year after year, and are a great buy to ensure colour in the border and food for bees and butterflies well into September.