This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: June to July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Billowing clouds of tiny, white flowers float above huge rosettes of deeply cut dark green leaves in June and July. A favourite plant of Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, this perennial looks magnificent at the back of a sunny border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. The tiny flowers, attractive to bees, are a perfect foil for large-flowered plants. The leaves smell strongly of cabbage and the plant needs space to spread out.
  
  
• Garden care: Cut back the plant to ground level in autumn and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant in spring.