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A dramatic stately perennial, this plant produces slender bottlebrush-like pale pinkish-white flowers in September and October above clumps of three-lobed brownish-purple leaves. Its a useful plant because it comes into its own late in the season when many flowers have finished and because it thrives in damp shade. Try it at the back of a border between evergreens. Avoid removing the faded flowerheads since they provide an interesting silhouette in the winter garden.

• Garden care: Support using ring stakes well before the flowers appear. Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.