This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: August to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Lashings of larger than average flowers are borne at the tips of the silvery stems from late summer. A new compact form that does not need staking, its aromatic grey-green leaves offer the perfect backdrop for the purple-blue flowers, which can be used in both fresh and dried cut arrangements. At its best when planted in generous, naturalistic drifts, it mixes beautifully with other late bloomers such as Japanese anemones, asters and achilleas, and it copes with dry, chalky soils and coastal conditions.
  
  
• Garden care: In March cut back to the permanent framework of the shrub. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.