Hot-hued plants in shades of orange, red, and yellow are guaranteed to brighten up your garden. Plant them in a sunny spot, and position them against a dark background for maximum impact.

When to plant: Late autumn to early spring.

At their best: Mid- to late summer.

Time to complete: 1 hour preparation; 3 hours to plant.

You will need: Organic matter, all-purpose fertilizer, stakes and twine.

Selection of plants to use: Clematis x diversifolia, Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Sunset’, Dahlia ‘David Howard’, Feather grass, Stipa tenuissima, Achillea Summer Pastels Group, Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’.

Prepare the site

Between late autumn and early spring, remove all weeds from the site and dig in well-rotted organic matter. Buy plants in spring.

Set out the planting pattern

First plant the clematis against the screen. Set out the other plants in pots and arrange them in groups of three or more, with the dahlias, Kniphofia and Crocosmia at the back.

Plant and stake

Plant as for perennials and include some all-purpose fertilizer in the planting holes. Insert a stake next to the dahlias, and tie in the stems as they grow. Water well after planting and during dry spells for the first year. Overwinter dahlia tubers in a frost-free place.