In the red

This is the so-called 'Scotch Flame Flower' which covers half the garden every summer! Very dramatic, but rather a weed, and if it wasn't so beautiful we'd be trying to eradicate it! It's important to keep it away from small plants or they'll be smothered.

Tropaeolum speciosum is a native of Chile and does particularly well in Scotland, hence the common name. It likes to have its feet in the shade and its head in the sun, like many climbers. Underground, however, it's just like couch grass!