Looking for a sturdy tall flower

[random]

Hi guys, i'm looking for recommendations for a sturdy tall type flower, about the same kind of size as delphinium but not hollyhocks or glads, preferably something that doesn't really need caning up. Any ideas? It's on a full sun spot too, hardly any shade.

[random]

Oh and not lupin or lilly as has to be non poisonous.

[yola]

Dahlia's are nice - I used to grow these a while back.A bit high-maintenance though as they attract bugs a-plenty.

If you want REALLY tall, what about sunflowers?

[random]

Thanks Yola, we already have some sunflowers, well we will have when they grow, not long planted seeds in pots, but looking for something that will come back each year for the back of a nice flower border. Going to have the delphs but want something else to go with them at the back so it isn't just 2 meters (ish) of delphs if that makes sence? I was set on hollyhocks to go with them but my dad used to have them and said you can't really avoid rust on them round here so they'd be really high maintence trying to keep that off.

[dandysmom]

Asters? Fairly tall, not Summer bloomers but would give you gorgeous Autumn color. Low maintenance, perennial. But have no idea if they're toxic to cats ......

Edited: just thought of Japanese anemones! Also tall, perennial, low maintenance.

[calismum]

How about Rudbeckias, Aconitum, salvia guarantica, Verbena bonariensis, or a Maclaya.

Found this too http://www.guardiangardencentre.co.uk/Index.cfm?category_id=469&fuseaction=category.standard

[angieh]

Echinacea! All sorts of colours now - and you can make your own medicines from it.

Or what about mallow?

[yola]

Sweet pea? You'll need to stake them but they are tall and the more you cut them for flower arrangements the more they'll grow!

[dinahsmum]

Verbena? (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.robsplants.com/images/portrait/VerbenaBonariensis040709flw.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robsplants.com/plants/VerbeBonar.php&usg=__maEPSpBR0DZV3qtCoRqcMbsjnDU=&h=349&w=450&sz=50&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=r-qSgSMEc3psFM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dverbena%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
Not sure what you mean by sturdy. Verbena isn't a wimpy plant, doesn't need fussing, but it's not chunky like delphinium.
I think the flower heads (lots of them) look really attractive at the back of a border as the stems get a bit 'invisible'.

[random]

Asters? Fairly tall, not Summer bloomers but would give you gorgeous Autumn color. Low maintenance, perennial. But have no idea if they're toxic to cats ......

Edited: just thought of Japanese anemones! Also tall, perennial, low maintenance.
Thanks Eileen, I was considering Asters, I have some seeds here.

How about Rudbeckias, Aconitum, salvia guarantica, Verbena bonariensis, or a Maclaya.

Found this too http://www.guardiangardencentre.co.uk/Index.cfm?category_id=469&fuseaction=category.standard
Thank you very much I will have a look at those now. x

Echinacea! All sorts of colours now - and you can make your own medicines from it.

Or what about mallow?
Thanks Angie, I was going to put in Echinacea in the next layer and never thought of mallow, lots of ideas now!

Sweet pea? You'll need to stake them but they are tall and the more you cut them for flower arrangements the more they'll grow!
Thanks Yola but sweet peas seeds are poisonous aren't they? It's a shame because it's lovely, i'm growing regular peas and runner beans though.

Verbena? (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.robsplants.com/images/portrait/VerbenaBonariensis040709flw.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.robsplants.com/plants/VerbeBonar.php&usg=__maEPSpBR0DZV3qtCoRqcMbsjnDU=&h=349&w=450&sz=50&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=r-qSgSMEc3psFM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dverbena%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
Not sure what you mean by sturdy. Verbena isn't a wimpy plant, doesn't need fussing, but it's not chunky like delphinium.
I think the flower heads (lots of them) look really attractive at the back of a border as the stems get a bit 'invisible'.
Thank you dm that's lovely! By sturdy I just meant something that's not going to blow over or need tying up and fussing over.

[angieh]

Really looking forward to seeing pictures when your border flowers, random!

[random]

Thank you Angie, so am I! :mrgreen:

Shall I scan in my garden plan I drew? Will be a couple years before it looks anything like the plan mind and i'm no good at drawing but a good idea!

[angieh]

Oh yes, always good to see the planned structure ......

[random]

Ok Angie i'll do it after dinner, see what you think, but you will have to excuse my drawing skills (more like lack of!).

[farthing]

How about verbascums, they are tall, perrenial, and some can have nice foliage too.