THE very name 'cottage garden' conjures up a picture postcard image of roses growing around the doorway of a pretty rural cottage with traditional favourites such as digitalis, hollyhocks and delphiniums, growing in the surrounding beds. This traditional mixture of perennials is still the essential ingredient for the modern-day 'cottage garden'.

Of course, the ornamental area around your house doesn't need to be in the cottage garden style to grow the herbaceous perennials mentioned. However, as these particular plants are among the tallest specimens they will require adequate support and even staking of individual spikes.

Three exciting and distinctive new varieties to be raised from seed are introduced for the 2010 season – all exclusive to the Ipswich-based Thompson and Morgan.

Delphinium Centurion Lilac Blue Bicolour is one of the very highest quality delphiniums available from seed and comparable to generally expensive, cutting-raised plants.

Digitalis Pam's Split is a spectacular selection from the traditional, taller Pam's Choice. It is slightly shorter, growing to a height of 120cm (four feet) and has the unusual characteristic of producing multi-stems from the basal crown of foliage and therefore offers a longer, more impressive border display.

Hollyhock Halo White is a stunning newcomer from J & M's own breeding programme. It produces large, clear white single flowers, with an unusual bright yellow 'halo' in the centre of each bloom.

With the early sowing there could be flowers in their first year.